Discover Isojoki: Church, Cultural Heritage and Kuntopolku

Isojoki brings together the history of a church village with distinctive monuments and outdoor trails. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, you can focus on what interests you: cultural attractions, an unusual monument or getting active on a route. For planning, it is also worth checking the times: the museum has seasonal Sunday hours, and two activities at Lauhanvuori are specifically associated with winter.

The church and vicarage as historic points of interest

The Isojoki Local Heritage House and Museum is located in the centre of Isojoki church village, in a former vicarage. The building was constructed in the mid-19th century. The museum is open on Sundays seasonally from mid-June to mid-August, between 12 noon and 3 pm, and visits can also be arranged by appointment. Check visiting hours before your trip, as they may be updated seasonally.

The present-day church of Isojoki was completed in 1833 and has 900 seats. Two bells hang in its bell tower: the larger was acquired in 1765 and the smaller in 1756. Attractions worth visiting include the church, its bell tower and the soldiers’ cemetery between them. The smaller bell was acquired nine years before the larger one; both acquisitions predate the completion of the present-day church.

Monuments with a distinct local connection

The sculpture of the world’s largest potato peeler stands in the church village at Kristiinantie 9. Its theme differs from that of the church and vicarage: instead of religious and architectural history, the focus here is a potato peeler. This unusual monument can therefore be included among the attractions alongside the historic buildings.

The Kyllikki Saari Memorial is a stone monument at the site where Kyllikki Saari was found, at Kauhajoentie 175 in Isojoki. Many people still visit it in summer.

The Kuntopolku jokaaselle for a walk

Kuntopolku jokaaselle is a renovated and widened 4.6-kilometre route from Isojoki church village towards Lauhansarvi, ending at Kangasjärvi Road. It is considered easy to walk and is suitable, among other things, for walks with a pushchair. About 1.5 kilometres from the church, there is a rotatable kota shelter along the route. You can grill sausages there, and firewood is provided. Its ease of access, suitability for pushchairs and grilling facilities set this trail apart from the cultural attractions in the church village.

Routes and winter activities at Lauhanvuori

There are several circular trails and mountain biking routes in Lauhanvuori, within the municipality of Isojoki. In winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are available there. Compared with the single 4.6-kilometre Kuntopolku, Lauhanvuori offers several types of routes; in winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing add two seasonal activities to the selection.

Discover more destinations: Soini, Ähtäri, Karijoki, Ilmajoki, Närvijoki, Peräseinäjoki, Töysä, Kauhava

For the regional travel overview: South Ostrobothnia.