Kuortane: Water, History and Active Days

Kuortane combines unique water experiences with insights into history and local traditions. At Kuortane Sport Spa, water fitness and wellness take centre stage: the pool has an Olympic-size 50-metre pool with ten lanes, as well as a multi-purpose pool for water aerobics, personal care and low-impact exercise. Massage showers add to the opportunities for rest and relaxation. The Sport Spa is next to the Kuortane Olympic Training Center. When choosing your holiday rental, you can consider whether you’d like to focus your trip more on water activities, culture or excursions into nature.

Water landscapes and activities

Sarvikkaankosket comprises five rapids along a 3.6-kilometre stretch of water. The area has a swimming beach, a fire pit, a shelter, a kota hut and a sauna. You can also spin-fish and fly-fish at the rapids. This brings together different ways to spend time by the water, from fishing to swimming and relaxing.

Kaatiala also offers several reasons to visit. The smaller quarry is used as a local swimming spot; the larger one is over 40 metres deep and a popular place for scuba diving. The spoil heaps also make Kaatiala interesting for collectors and gemstone enthusiasts. The annual Kaatiala Nature and Mineral Day takes place in early September.

Kirkkoranta, a long sandy beach, lies on the shores of shallow Lake Kuortaneenjärvi. Pennalanlahti offers another perspective on nature: it is a southern bay of the lake and an important bird area. At times, thousands of birds can be seen there at once. Together with the rapids and quarries, these places offer a varied picture of Kuortane’s waters and natural surroundings.

Discover local history and traditions

Kuortane’s wooden cruciform church was built by master church builder Antti Hakola in 1777. Beside the church stands the bell tower built by Olof Häggblad in 1837, regarded as one of the most beautiful in Finland. Those interested in regional history can also find points of interest at the Talomuseo in the centre: its buildings include examples dating from the 16th to the 20th century, and its collection comprises 2,500 objects.

On the grounds of the Talomuseo, the Kirkkomuseo in the Ala-Kulju granary displays historic church furnishings, decorated wooden grave markers, a foot stock and a pillory. The Korsumuseo tells a different story: authentic objects donated by war veterans convey how people lived in a dugout during the war. Exhibits at the Klemetti Museum in the centre commemorate Armi and Heikki Klemetti and Finnish choral singing in past decades.

The Tervarinki trail runs for 2.5 kilometres through the centre, linking places where tar played an important role. Another connection to the history of tar is kept alive in the Aholankangas area during Terwaviikko in July, an event held every four years. In Salmenkylä, Piiskoomänty recalls a darker part of local history: public corporal punishment was carried out at its site from the 17th to the 19th century.

Activities for different travel interests

The routes of the Kuortane Olympic Training Center cross the other side of Highway 66 and enter the shooting range grounds. Routes of 3, 6, 10 and 15 kilometres are available; in winter, there is a skating-style and a classic cross-country ski track. This lets you choose different focuses for your trip, such as exercising on the routes, spending time by the water or visiting cultural and historical sites.

More places to discover: Isojoki, Alajärvi, Lapua, Töysä, Länsikylä, Ähtäri, Ilmajoki and Närvijoki.

For the overview of the wider region: South Ostrobothnia.