Virrat: Pukkivuori, Laivaranta and Toriseva

Virrat appeals to travellers who like to alternate active days with visits to natural and cultural sites: Pukkivuori offers illuminated fitness and ski trails, a pump track, disc golf and downhill activities. Toriseva adds a different landscape with its deep gorge lakes and rocky shores. Laivaranta and the places Virtain Perinnekylä and Killinkoski round out the picture with harbour and cultural history.

Get active at Pukkivuori

Pukkivuori is in central Virrat, by the sports centre at Urheilukuja 1. The trail network includes about eight kilometres of illuminated fitness and ski trails, as well as approximately 1.5 kilometres of unlit cross-country ski trails. Snow and trail availability may vary; check local conditions when planning your activities. A fitness staircase on the steepest part of the slope is 125 metres long and has 237 steps.

The sports park offers a pump track for riding a bicycle, scooter, skateboard or roller skates. Pukkivuori Disc Golf Park is a varied woodland course with 18 baskets. It partly follows the ski slope and has significant elevation changes. If you prefer heading downhill on two wheels, Pukkivuori Bike Park has five downhill trails; the park operates during the snow-free season.

The Virtain Maastoliikuntareitti is a separate route: it runs in central Virrat and is intended for hiking and mountain biking during the snow-free season. This gives you a choice of activities on a specifically designated route in addition to the facilities at Pukkivuori.

Harbour and waterside scenery

Laivaranta is close to the town centre and sports centre. The harbour is the northern terminus of the Runoilijan reitti steamship route, served by the s/s Tarjanne between Tampere and Virrat. If you are planning a trip, check the timetable for your travel dates, as seasonal service details may change.

The three Toriseva gorge lakes—Alainen, Keskinen and Yläinen Toriseva—are about five kilometres from central Virrat. They are known for their depth and steep, rocky shores. The 6.5-kilometre Toriseva Nature Trail starts at the coffee house and follows the rocky shore of Alainen Toriseva to Inkerinkallio at the southern end of the lake. From there, it continues along Kolistontie, past Vankkurimännikkö, to the outlet of Kangasjärvi. After Lakari campsite, it returns through the forest to Toriseva. Thirteen marked signs along the trail cover nature and history. Check trail conditions locally. Toriseva coffee house was founded in 1936 by the Lotta Svärd organisation.

Cultural sites nearby

Virtain Perinnekylä is about four kilometres from the town centre. Admission to the area is free year-round; the museum buildings are open in summer and during events. Check current details before visiting. A canal nearby connects Vaskivesi in the Näsijärvi lake system with Toisvesi; there is a canal museum in the canal area.

Outside the town of Virrat, within the municipality, lies Killinkoski, home to the protected landmark Killinkosken Wanha Tehdas. Josef Stenbäck designed the former ribbon factory; the oldest parts of the protected building were completed in 1908. Market days and a collectors’ event take place there on the last weekend of July as part of an annual tradition. Check the exact dates before travelling. Killinkoski also has a fitness and ski trail, comprising about three kilometres of illuminated and about one kilometre of unlit trails; the out-and-back route is just under eight kilometres in total.

Which focus suits your holiday apartment search?

Your preferred daily rhythm can be a helpful starting point when choosing a holiday apartment. Pukkivuori is in the town centre, while Laivaranta is close to the town centre and sports centre. Toriseva and Perinnekylä offer distinct destinations nearby; Killinkoski is outside the town. Consider whether you would like to focus your trip more on central sports facilities and the harbour or on natural and cultural sites. The different locations can help narrow down your search for a suitable base, without making any single experience the focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Sastamala, Vaskivesi, Suinula, Vammala, Laitikkala, Västilä, Mänttä, Ruovesi.

For the main travel overview: Pirkanmaa.