The Pilpasuo Nature Trail brings you through one of Oulu's most popular and ecologically rich outdoor destinations — a vast, largely undrained mire in eastern Oulu, about 20 km from the city centre in North Ostrobothnia. The City of Oulu manages the trail and publishes up-to-date service information on their Pilpasuo p...
City of Oulu – Pilpasuo+
Description
The Pilpasuo Nature Trail brings you through one of Oulu's most popular and ecologically rich outdoor destinations — a vast, largely undrained mire in eastern Oulu, about 20 km from the city centre in North Ostrobothnia. The City of Oulu manages the trail and publishes up-to-date service information on their Pilpasuo page.
Two loops start from the same trailhead. The Pahalampi Nature Trail (Lystireitti) is a 1 km loop around Pahalampi pond, takes about 30 minutes, and is well suited for families with small children. The Pilpasuo Nature Trail (Aistireitti) is the 7 km route, taking about 2 hours, and visits far more of the mire. Both share a sensory nature education theme — task boards at intervals invite you to pause and experience the landscape through sound, touch, and observation. The shorter trail has 4 task stations and the longer has 8. Follow red paint marks for the short loop and blue for the longer route.
On the 7 km Aistireitti, the terrain is varied and rewarding. The route travels on duckboards across boggy sections and through spruce woodland before climbing to Ala-Korkiakangas — a dramatic boulder field that was a small island in the sea 6,500 years ago and now rises 55 metres above sea level. This is the most demanding stretch but also a natural rest stop; the boulders make good seats and from here the bog opens up in all directions. From Ala-Korkiakangas the trail descends to open fen with sweeping views before heading into Pilpakangas, a dry ridge of pine forest.
Three stops are spaced along the longer route. Pilpasuon laavu, about 2.3 km from the start near Pahalampi pond, has a campfire site with a firewood shed. About a kilometre further, Pahalammen toinen tulentekopaikka offers a second campfire option on the pond shore. Further on, Pilpakankaan laavu at roughly 5.3 km sits at the edge of the pine forest overlooking the open bog — the best place to stop for a longer rest or a fire. City of Oulu delivers firewood to all three sites when the ground can bear machinery, but it runs out quickly; bringing your own is strongly recommended. A dry toilet is available only at the Pahalampi area on the short loop — there are none on the rest of the longer route. Overnight stays at lean-tos are allowed; camping elsewhere in the conservation area is prohibited. There are no waste bins on the trail, so pack out everything you bring.
Pilpasuo is a Natura 2000 protected area and part of Finland's national mire conservation programme. 23 different wetland types have been recorded here, from dwarf-shrub bogs and cotton grass bogs to spring-fed fens. Birds are a highlight: meadow pipits and yellow wagtails are among the most numerous, cranes are regulars, and waders including wood sandpiper and curlew visit seasonally. Great grey owl, boreal owl, and northern eagle owl also reside in the area. The rare marsh saxifrage — protected in Finland and listed under the EU Habitats Directive — grows here among sphagnum mosses, bog rosemary, and cranberry.
At Pilpakankaan laavu, a signpost shows distances to Kallioselän kämppä, Pilpajärven laavu, and Sankivaara — key points on the Oulujokilaakson Tervareitistö. This 32.9 km summer hiking route passes directly through Pilpasuon luontopolku via Pilpakankaan laavu, linking the area westward to Sankivaara in Oulu and eastward to Pilpajärven laavu, Kallioselän kämppä, and eventually Rokua National Park. In winter, the paired Oulujokilaakson Tervareitistö Latu provides a 97 km ski trail between Oulu and Rokua; this winter route skirts the western side of the bog near Pilpaselä rather than crossing through the mire itself. The Pilpasuon parking area serves as an access point for both.
Karttaselain's day trip report gives a thorough walk-through of the Aistireitti with photos from each section and a recorded GPS track confirming the 7.1 km length. Vagabonda describes a May visit noting the trail at its spring best, with patches of snow still visible alongside early blooms. Both are worth reading if you want to know exactly what the route feels like underfoot.
Trail shoes are usually enough in summer. In spring or after prolonged rain, waterproof footwear is recommended as some sections can be wet. The route has no winter maintenance but stays walkable thanks to heavy visitor traffic; in winter it is also popular for snowshoeing and aurora spotting. Mountain bikes are not permitted on the duckboards.
Length & route
Two routes start from the same parking area. The Pahalampi Nature Trail (Lystireitti) is approximately 1 km, marked with red paint, and makes a short loop around Pahalampi pond — suitable for a 30-minute family outing. The Pilpasuo Nature Trail (Aistireitti) is 7 km (7.1 km by GPS), marked with blue paint, and takes about 2 hours at a relaxed pace. The longer trail passes through bog on duckboards, climbs the rocky Ala-Korkiakangas ancient coast at roughly the midpoint, and traverses Pilpakangas dry pine forest before returning to the trailhead. Elevation gain is minimal throughout; the most demanding section is the short rocky stretch at Ala-Korkiakangas.
Getting there
The trailhead and free parking area are at Pilpaselän metsätie 244, 90650 Oulu (approximately 64.9878°N, 25.7441°E). From Oulu city centre, drive east along Vaalantie. After crossing the Sanginjoki river, turn left onto Peräkyläntie and drive 1.5 km. Continue onto Miehoseläntie (a gravel road) for approximately 2.3 km to reach the parking area on the right. The gravel road is narrow but has passing places and is open year-round.
Park diagonally to make the most of the available space. The lot can fill quickly on sunny weekends and public holidays — arriving early or on weekday mornings is recommended. Both the Lystireitti and Aistireitti start from the same parking area and share a short common section before splitting at a clearly signed fork.
Note: the Oulujokilaakson Tervareitistö winter ski trail passes on the opposite side of the road from the nature trail parking area — there is no signage from the lot to the ski route, so check the route map before heading out in winter.
Good to know
Fires are only permitted at designated campfire sites. Firewood may be provided at the lean-tos but is not guaranteed — bring your own, especially during busy periods. There are no waste bins on the trail; carry out all rubbish. Mountain bikes are not permitted on the duckboards. Camping is prohibited throughout the conservation area; overnight stays are allowed at the lean-tos. The trail has no winter maintenance but remains walkable year-round thanks to heavy visitor traffic. In winter it is also popular for snowshoeing. Aurora hunting from the open bog sections is a popular winter activity.
Berry picking and mushroom foraging are permitted in season. The area is especially rewarding in late summer for cloudberries, lingonberries, and cranberries.
History
The Pilpasuo Nature Trail was established in 1978 in cooperation with the Oulu Nature Protection Association. The vast majority of Pilpasuo is owned by the Finnish state or protected under private conservation agreements, secured gradually for conservation purposes over the decades. The bog itself formed on an ancient coastal meadow roughly 3,000 years old and occupies an old estuary bed of the Oulujoki River. The name Ala-Korkiakangas refers to the boulder field on the trail that was a small island in the postglacial sea 6,500 years ago; through isostatic land uplift it now stands 55 metres above sea level. Rock cairns on the summit are attributed to human hands, but their builders, date, and purpose remain unknown.
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Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Oulu, and other trusted sources, in March 2026. Our route / place GPX data comes from Metsähallitus / Lipas, last updated March 2026. Always check their official website for safety-critical updates.
The Pilpasuo Nature Trail brings you through one of Oulu's most popular and ecologically rich outdoor destinations — a vast, largely undrained mire in eastern Oulu, about 20 km from the city centre in North Ostrobothnia. The City of Oulu manages the trail and publishes up-to-date service information on their Pilpasuo p...
City of Oulu – Pilpasuo+
Description
The Pilpasuo Nature Trail brings you through one of Oulu's most popular and ecologically rich outdoor destinations — a vast, largely undrained mire in eastern Oulu, about 20 km from the city centre in North Ostrobothnia. The City of Oulu manages the trail and publishes up-to-date service information on their Pilpasuo page.
Two loops start from the same trailhead. The Pahalampi Nature Trail (Lystireitti) is a 1 km loop around Pahalampi pond, takes about 30 minutes, and is well suited for families with small children. The Pilpasuo Nature Trail (Aistireitti) is the 7 km route, taking about 2 hours, and visits far more of the mire. Both share a sensory nature education theme — task boards at intervals invite you to pause and experience the landscape through sound, touch, and observation. The shorter trail has 4 task stations and the longer has 8. Follow red paint marks for the short loop and blue for the longer route.
On the 7 km Aistireitti, the terrain is varied and rewarding. The route travels on duckboards across boggy sections and through spruce woodland before climbing to Ala-Korkiakangas — a dramatic boulder field that was a small island in the sea 6,500 years ago and now rises 55 metres above sea level. This is the most demanding stretch but also a natural rest stop; the boulders make good seats and from here the bog opens up in all directions. From Ala-Korkiakangas the trail descends to open fen with sweeping views before heading into Pilpakangas, a dry ridge of pine forest.
Three stops are spaced along the longer route. Pilpasuon laavu, about 2.3 km from the start near Pahalampi pond, has a campfire site with a firewood shed. About a kilometre further, Pahalammen toinen tulentekopaikka offers a second campfire option on the pond shore. Further on, Pilpakankaan laavu at roughly 5.3 km sits at the edge of the pine forest overlooking the open bog — the best place to stop for a longer rest or a fire. City of Oulu delivers firewood to all three sites when the ground can bear machinery, but it runs out quickly; bringing your own is strongly recommended. A dry toilet is available only at the Pahalampi area on the short loop — there are none on the rest of the longer route. Overnight stays at lean-tos are allowed; camping elsewhere in the conservation area is prohibited. There are no waste bins on the trail, so pack out everything you bring.
Pilpasuo is a Natura 2000 protected area and part of Finland's national mire conservation programme. 23 different wetland types have been recorded here, from dwarf-shrub bogs and cotton grass bogs to spring-fed fens. Birds are a highlight: meadow pipits and yellow wagtails are among the most numerous, cranes are regulars, and waders including wood sandpiper and curlew visit seasonally. Great grey owl, boreal owl, and northern eagle owl also reside in the area. The rare marsh saxifrage — protected in Finland and listed under the EU Habitats Directive — grows here among sphagnum mosses, bog rosemary, and cranberry.
At Pilpakankaan laavu, a signpost shows distances to Kallioselän kämppä, Pilpajärven laavu, and Sankivaara — key points on the Oulujokilaakson Tervareitistö. This 32.9 km summer hiking route passes directly through Pilpasuon luontopolku via Pilpakankaan laavu, linking the area westward to Sankivaara in Oulu and eastward to Pilpajärven laavu, Kallioselän kämppä, and eventually Rokua National Park. In winter, the paired Oulujokilaakson Tervareitistö Latu provides a 97 km ski trail between Oulu and Rokua; this winter route skirts the western side of the bog near Pilpaselä rather than crossing through the mire itself. The Pilpasuon parking area serves as an access point for both.
Karttaselain's day trip report gives a thorough walk-through of the Aistireitti with photos from each section and a recorded GPS track confirming the 7.1 km length. Vagabonda describes a May visit noting the trail at its spring best, with patches of snow still visible alongside early blooms. Both are worth reading if you want to know exactly what the route feels like underfoot.
Trail shoes are usually enough in summer. In spring or after prolonged rain, waterproof footwear is recommended as some sections can be wet. The route has no winter maintenance but stays walkable thanks to heavy visitor traffic; in winter it is also popular for snowshoeing and aurora spotting. Mountain bikes are not permitted on the duckboards.
Length & route
Two routes start from the same parking area. The Pahalampi Nature Trail (Lystireitti) is approximately 1 km, marked with red paint, and makes a short loop around Pahalampi pond — suitable for a 30-minute family outing. The Pilpasuo Nature Trail (Aistireitti) is 7 km (7.1 km by GPS), marked with blue paint, and takes about 2 hours at a relaxed pace. The longer trail passes through bog on duckboards, climbs the rocky Ala-Korkiakangas ancient coast at roughly the midpoint, and traverses Pilpakangas dry pine forest before returning to the trailhead. Elevation gain is minimal throughout; the most demanding section is the short rocky stretch at Ala-Korkiakangas.
Getting there
The trailhead and free parking area are at Pilpaselän metsätie 244, 90650 Oulu (approximately 64.9878°N, 25.7441°E). From Oulu city centre, drive east along Vaalantie. After crossing the Sanginjoki river, turn left onto Peräkyläntie and drive 1.5 km. Continue onto Miehoseläntie (a gravel road) for approximately 2.3 km to reach the parking area on the right. The gravel road is narrow but has passing places and is open year-round.
Park diagonally to make the most of the available space. The lot can fill quickly on sunny weekends and public holidays — arriving early or on weekday mornings is recommended. Both the Lystireitti and Aistireitti start from the same parking area and share a short common section before splitting at a clearly signed fork.
Note: the Oulujokilaakson Tervareitistö winter ski trail passes on the opposite side of the road from the nature trail parking area — there is no signage from the lot to the ski route, so check the route map before heading out in winter.
Good to know
Fires are only permitted at designated campfire sites. Firewood may be provided at the lean-tos but is not guaranteed — bring your own, especially during busy periods. There are no waste bins on the trail; carry out all rubbish. Mountain bikes are not permitted on the duckboards. Camping is prohibited throughout the conservation area; overnight stays are allowed at the lean-tos. The trail has no winter maintenance but remains walkable year-round thanks to heavy visitor traffic. In winter it is also popular for snowshoeing. Aurora hunting from the open bog sections is a popular winter activity.
Berry picking and mushroom foraging are permitted in season. The area is especially rewarding in late summer for cloudberries, lingonberries, and cranberries.
History
The Pilpasuo Nature Trail was established in 1978 in cooperation with the Oulu Nature Protection Association. The vast majority of Pilpasuo is owned by the Finnish state or protected under private conservation agreements, secured gradually for conservation purposes over the decades. The bog itself formed on an ancient coastal meadow roughly 3,000 years old and occupies an old estuary bed of the Oulujoki River. The name Ala-Korkiakangas refers to the boulder field on the trail that was a small island in the postglacial sea 6,500 years ago; through isostatic land uplift it now stands 55 metres above sea level. Rock cairns on the summit are attributed to human hands, but their builders, date, and purpose remain unknown.
2 hours (Aistireitti 7 km); 30 minutes (Lystireitti 1 km)
Est. Time
1978
Construction year
Rate & Review
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Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Oulu, and other trusted sources, in March 2026. Our route / place GPX data comes from Metsähallitus / Lipas, last updated March 2026. Always check their official website for safety-critical updates.