Beach volleyball
Start playing beach volleyball! There are several beach volleyball courts in different areas of Parikkala.
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Summer
Happy days filled with sunshine and lots of activities in Parikkala! Here you can find information on the different types of recreational activities in the region. How about spending a perfect summer’s day at the beach swimming, sunbathing or playing beach volley? The lake Simpelejärvi and all other smaller lakes offer good possibilities for fishing, boating and canoening. Several hiking routes and nature trails lead the tourist to the forest to enjoy the peace of nature and the fresh air. For the more active ones we can offer longer hiking routes, so there are several possibilities to explore the beautiful scenery and landscapes. You are welcome to spend a relaxing or an active holiday, it is up to your own choice! In Parikkala, there’s plenty to do, see and experience for all age groups.
Birdwatching sites
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.
Canoening and Boating
The lakes Simpelejärvi and Karjalan Pyhäjärvi offer excellent possibilities for canoening and boating.
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Cycling
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
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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Fishing
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
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.
Hiking Routes
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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Horse Farm Pomppivan ponin ratsutila
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!
Horse riding
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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Kids’ Bible Park
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.
Marketplaces
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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Mushroom picking
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.
Nature trails
Besides Hiking Routes, there are many shorter nature trails and running trails in Parikkala.
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Parikkala Caravan Park
Parikkala offers a caravan park for motor homes and caravans. The caravan park is located in the city centre next to the market square, boat dock, beach and the surrounding park area. Parking in the caravan park is free. The key for electricity is available at R-kioski (Parikkalantie 12, 59100 Parikkala, tel. +358 46 9200977), and the fee for electricity is €10 per day. Please remember to return the key to the R-kioski. All services in the city centre of Parikkala (shops, restaurants etc.) are within walking distance.
Parikkalahalli Indoor Sports Centre
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.
Revon Puutarha
The garden supplies delicious vegetables, strawberries and apples. We are open from April to October, Monday to Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 8am-2pm, other times by appointment. Welcome!
Sports fields
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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Wild berries
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.