Outokumpu – Mining History and Lakes

Outokumpu combines a distinctive mining history with hiking trails, lakes and nature areas. When planning a hotel stay, you can shape your trip around whether you are most interested in the mining museum, the landscape around Särkiselkä or seasonal activities. These different themes represent different sides of the destination: a vivid mining past, trails through hill and lake landscapes, and nature that is also known for its birdlife.

Mining History at the Museum and Old Mine

At the Outokumpu Mining Museum, the 277-metre-long museum tunnel, with photographs and old mining machinery, presents a real working environment from the mining industry. The museum covers both the history of mining in Outokumpu and Finland and its present-day reality. The exhibition therefore places actual machinery and working environments alongside a broader view of the development of mining.

Underground is the “Maan aarteet” exhibition. It includes a stone that is 3.5 billion years old. The large-machinery exhibition offers another way to explore the subject: on a seasonal basis, it features a former fire engine, an explosives vehicle and an off-road vehicle used for ore exploration. If you plan to see these vehicles, note that they are on display seasonally.

Nearby, the Old Mine of Outokumpu is a destination in the area of a copper mine that is more than 100 years old. You can also explore the Old Mine on a virtual 360-degree tour. The term “old town” can be used for the Old Mine area and its surroundings. This refers to the development of the mining community over more than a hundred years, without implying a different kind of description of the place.

Hiking Trails and Water Routes

The Särkiselkä Nature Trail is a circular route through hill and lake landscapes in the Outokumpu Erä- ja Luontokeskus. It starts at the entrance to the Särkiselkä camping area at Rikkarannantie 37. There is a car park for the trail at Särkiselkä Beach, also at Rikkarannantie 37. Rock outcrops along the nature trail can be slippery in rainy weather. Särkiselkä Beach has sandy shores where you can swim.

The Erä- ja Luontokeskus also has hiking trails, and you can find longer hiking trails in Outokumpu as well. For an outing on the water, the centre’s area includes a canoeing circuit across twelve lakes, described as unique. Equipment is available seasonally. The circular hiking trail and the canoeing circuit offer different ways to experience the landscape: one follows a trail through hills and lakes, while the other takes you across several lakes. Information about canoeing equipment is important for planning, as it is not available all year round.

Lakes, Nature and Seasonal Experiences

The lakes and nature areas also offer different ways to enjoy a stay in Outokumpu. Sysmäjärvi is a bird lake known for its birdlife. Juojärvi is considered a clear lake and forms part of the destination’s natural attractions. Viurusuo is described as a protected nature area. The Erä- ja Luontokeskus area is distinguished by its diverse flora and fauna. These examples range from observing birds and the lake to exploring the plant and animal life of a nature area.

In winter, Outokumpu has a well-maintained network of ski trails. At the children’s fishing spot, children under the age of twelve can fish for salmonids free of charge; check the seasonal rules before your trip. The Karhunpaviljonki is also located there and can accommodate about 20 hikers. Taken together, these activities show that the best time to visit depends on which of the options interest you: winter ski trails are a seasonal highlight, while the museum, hiking trails, lakes and nature areas offer other reasons to plan a visit.

Discover more destinations: Liperi, Karhunmäki, Ahmovaara, Vuonislahti, Kontiolahti, Vanhahovi, Kiihtelysvaara, Mannervaara.

For the broader travel overview: North Karelia.