We have four seasons and lots of activities!
Parikkala is located in the eastern border, in the region which has the highest temperatures in Finland. In the summertime you can experience the nature at its best, filled with unique experiences and activities. Summer is the main season for cultural events, and all kinds of happenings and events are organised almost on a daily basis.
In the springtime, Parikkala is the destination for nature enthusiasts from all over the world. You can observe birds in the numerous bird lakes in the area, marvel at the woodlands coloured blue with the Common Hepatica, or enjoy the beautiful sight of the first butterflies in the spring.
During winter, nature offers endless possibilities for winter fun! Why not try out cross-country skiing, winter hiking, snowshoeing, ice fishing or just taking photographs of the magnificent snowy white nature. The best time for cross-country skiing is from February to March. You could end your cross-country skiing trip by spending the night in a lean-to, under the starry night sky. What an experience and a great alternative to spending the night in warm and comfortable hotel bed!
The region’s programme service companies offer different types of services and activities all around the year. Another option is to rent your own equipment and try out different activities by yourself.
There are many activities in the neighbouring area. The kids’ water and amusement park Punkaharjun Kesämaa (30km) is a good stop for one day’s activity, and the equipment rental services in Harjun Portti (30km) offers equipment for tour skating, canoeening, boating and nordic walking. The nearest golf courses are located in Kerimäki (50km) and Imatra (55km).
The workshop, gallery and home of artist Seppo Saukkonen is located in a former village school building. The workshop houses an exhibition that is open all year round and contains around 250 works by the artist. Opening hours during summer 12am-6pm, other times by reservation only. Art education and painting lessons available for individuals and groups of all sizes. Music events and concerts are organised occasionally.
Start playing beach volleyball! There are several beach volleyball courts in different areas of Parikkala.
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Parikkala is among the inland areas where the highest numbers of bird species are met each year. Nearly 300 bird species have been seen in the area. Every year over 10,000 tourists visit the birdwatching sites in Parikkala. The most popular and famous of these sites is Siikalahti wetland which has also gained international recognition.
The lakes Simpelejärvi and Karjalan Pyhäjärvi offer excellent possibilities for canoening and boating.
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Excellent possibilities for cross-country skiing in Parikkala! There are numerous skiing tracks with varying lengths all around Parikkala. The skiing trail network covers both styles, classic and skate skiing. There are also several skiing trails that are lit during dark times.
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Take your bicycle out and enjoy the ever-changing rural sceneries while cycling on roads, cycleways and forest paths! In Parikkala it is easy to admire the lake scenery and to cycle around the numerous lakes, for example, lake Simpelejärvi. Parikkala is also en-route to the EuroVelo 13 Iron Curtain Trail that is part of the European wide network of cycling trails. More information on the EuroVelo 13 trail: https://www.eurovelo13.com/
Disc golf is a flying disc game, as well as a precision and accuracy sport, in which individual players throw a flying disc at a target. The object of the game is to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest number of throws of the disc. Try the game at the disc golf courses in Parikkala.
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There are altogether 128 lakes in the Parikkala region, so you won't get short of fishing places. The biggest lakes are Simpelejärvi and Karjalan Pyhäjärvi. Ice fishing and fishing with a rod and line do not require any licences and are free for everyone under the everyman's right. More information about the lakes and the fishing license system can be found in the website of Etelä-Karjalan kalatalouskeskus, a regional centre in charge of developing fisheries in South Karelia.
Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", anywhere in the world. Check out the caches in Parikkala via the link below.
The lush green forests, clear waters and the landscape sculpted by the Ice Age offer magnificent views and experiences for the hikers and nature lovers. Altogether Parikkala offers 80 kilometres of hiking routes and nature trails. All trails are marked in the ground or trees in the forest, and there are rest areas alongside the trails. The versatile Finnish nature opens along the routes: ridges, thickets of spruces, forest ponds, quiet sand roads and lush wetlands will accompany you in Parikkala. The lakes offer great possibilities for canoeing, fishing and boating. In the winter, there are excellent opportunities for practicing cross-country skiing.
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Let our horses charm you! This horse riding farm creates unforgettable experiences with horses for everyone, no matter what your age or skills are. Our services include riding in a riding field or in trails in the middle of the nature, lead rein rides in our farm and in different types of events, group visits, organization of courses and camps. Welcome!
Enjoy and find magnificent experiences on a horseback in Parikkala. Riding is a versatile hobby, and it is suitable for almost everyone, regardless of age and shape. While riding, you get some exercise and have the possibility to enjoy the fresh air and the company of horses and other like-minded people. Riding is a hobby for all seasons and there are several horse riding stables in Parikkala.
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Experiencing the joy of speed on ice! Skating is a fun activity for everyone. There are three separate ice rinks, located in the centre of Parikkala, Särkisalmi and Niukkala. Put your skates on and enjoy!
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Kids’ Bible Park consists of a biblical teaching park and buildings for children and adults. There are several exhibitions, for example drawings made by children, Bible-related pictures and paintings by Marja Pietarila, Marja Pentikäinen and Riitta Ahvonen, a cultural and historical portrayal of professions in Bible and miniatures. The exhibitions are open on agreement. Also available recreational activities for kids, including trampoline, skating ramp, bouncy castle, playhouse and playgrounds.
KinoPattery is a local movie theatre in Parikkala. Movies are shown in the Harjulinna municipal building (Harjukuja 6, 59100 Parikkala), which holds 200 seats. The equipment of the movie theatre is transferable, so it is possible to organise movie events also in other facilities or even outdoors.
Which book do you want to read today? There are three libraries in Parikkala. The main library is located in the city centre, smaller libraries are located in Saari and Niukkala. Up-to-date information on the libraries and the opening hours is found on the libraries own website.
The main market square is located in the city centre by the lake Simpelejärvi. Come and take a look at the new statue of the maid of Parikkala! Opening hours: Mon-Thu 8am-2pm, Fri 8am-8pm. On summer Sundays there's a coffee shop held by the local parish. Besides the main marketplace, there are also several other marketplaces in Parikkala.
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A local amateur summer theatre in the village of Mikkolanniemi. Excellent and unforgettable shows, plays and musicals have been performed for a period of 7 years. In 2015, the theatre performed the traditional music play Jääkärin Morsian (Soldier's Bride).
Mushrooming in the middle of the forest is a fun activity for everyone. You can walk slowly in the forest and observe the nature around you - it is a very good way to relax your body and mind. Mushrooms can be freely picked in Finland's forests under everyman's right, but be careful which varieties you pick, as some fungi are poisonous. Other pickers can be asked for advice, but it is considered impolite to gather mushrooms too near other people - or too near homes and gardens. Parikkala offers excellent grounds and forests for mushroom hunting. Yellow, funnel-shaped chanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius) are among the most popular mushrooms with pickers. Other popular mushrooms include Ceps (Boletus), which are bigger and easier to spot, but must be picked quickly before they become infested with grubs. Russulas and milkcaps (Lactarius) are picked to use in salted preserves.
Besides Hiking Routes, there are many shorter nature trails and running trails in Parikkala.
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Parikkala Arts and Crafts Centre is located in the former parish house, built in 1834 and located next to the church. In the Arts and Crafts Centre you get guidance for weaving carpets and other textiles and making all kinds of handicrafts. There is also an excellent gift shop selling handicrafts, materials and other products. Different types of events, courses and exhibitions are organised in the Arts and Crafts Centre all year round.
Parikkalahalli indoor sports centre contains three volleyball courts, five badminton courts, a floorball rink, a long jump site and a gym. Gym opening hours Mon-Fri 6am-9pm. Tokens for the door are sold at the municipal office (Harjukuja 6, 59100 Parikkala) and at SIWA (Parikkalantie 16, 59100 Parikkala). More information tel. +358 44 7811933.
The local snowmobile club offers a good network of snowmobile routes with a total length of 300 kilometres. More information and the route map are available at the club's website.
Parikkala offers good possibilities for track and field sports. Sports fields are located in Parikkala city centre, Saari and Uukuniemi (Niukkala).
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The Summer Theatre is located by the road leading from the city centre to the church. The Summer Theatre is run by the Parikkala Theatre Association. The parking places by the theatre are limited. On theatre evenings parking by the library (Harjukuja 1) or by the municipal office building (Harjukuja 6), which both are located within a short walking distance to the theatre. More information and facility reservations by phone. Programme and timetables available in the Finnish website.
In Parikkala you can find fantastic possibilities for picking wild berries. The best picking season runs from late July to early October. Dark blue bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) grow in forests throughout Finland, and can be eaten raw or used in pies and cakes. Bright red lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) are even easier to find and pick, but taste quite bitter. You can also find wild strawberries, wild raspberries and cranberries. Go to the forest to find these true jewels of local food! All you need for you berry picking trip is wellies and a berry bucket. Wild berries can be freely picked in Finland's forests under everyman's right, but be careful which varieties you pick, as some berries are poisonous. Other pickers can be asked for advice, but it is considered impolite to gather berries too near other people - or too near homes and gardens.
