Photo: Pasi Talvitie, Kauhaneva Salomaa's new lean-to and trail signs in winter

The field services of the Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark area were developed through a rural investment project during 2019-2022 to meet the level required for Geopark status. The project improved the accessibility and guidance of the area and increased the sustainability and customer safety of the Geopark sites. In addition, visitor counters were purchased for the Geopark area, which helps to better determine the number of visits and their distribution.  

The project, which ended in autumn 2022, improved terrain services at key Geopark sites. In Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park, the focus was on developing services at the park's southern entrance point, Salomaa, by expanding the parking area, building a canopy and an accessible route to Kauhalammi beach. Terrain stairs were built in Katikankanjon to prevent wear.

In Lauhanvuori National Park, parking areas were expanded, routes were realigned and accessible services were added. In Hämeenkangasa, the area's key routes were marked on the terrain, a nature trail was built in Vaarinnevankeitaa and most of the rest areas experienced a significant increase in the quality of services. In Alkkianvuori, a short-distance route was improved.

Signage was renewed at all Geopark sites, for example Kaidoillavesi, Mustansaarenkeitaa, Huidankeitaa, Käskyvuori and Aitoneva.

“The determined and long-term development carried out by the Geopark Association, founded by the municipalities in the area, explains the increased awareness of the area and the increased number of visitors. There was also close cooperation in the implementation of the project. High-quality and sufficiently dimensioned terrain services and up-to-date signage ensure the sustainable use of the area. In the future, it is important that Metsähallitus's basic funding for Nature Services remains at a sufficient level for the maintenance of nature sites,” says the Recreational Use Manager. Tuula Peltonen Metsähallitus's Nature Services.

"With the help of project funding, the Geopark has developed nature tourism services and guidance in the area in a long-term manner in cooperation with Metsähallitus, municipalities and other actors. In addition to infrastructure, we have also received flexible and diverse rural funding, for example, for developing the Geopark's knowledge base and functions and improving its visibility. Without rural funding, there would be no Geopark. The foundation of the Geopark is starting to be in good shape, now we can focus more and more on content, promoting tourism and, for example, improving international visibility," says the executive director of the Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark association. Terttu Hermansson.

The Geopark area's new terrain services can be explored already during winter hiking. An extensive network of trails is maintained in Lauhanvuori National Park and the Hämeenkangas training and multi-use area. There is no winter maintenance on the walking trails, but many of the trails are used in winter. There is also a winter cycling trail maintained by entrepreneurs in Hämeenkangas. Parking areas covered by winter maintenance and other current information for winter hiking can be found on the destinations' Luontoon.fi pages.

Project information

The total budget of the rural development project (2019–2022) for the development of terrain services at Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark sites, funded by the Ministry of Rural Development, was €485, of which 000% was EU co-financed Rural Development Fund funding from the Centre for Economic Development, Transport, the Environment and the Environment. Metsähallitus's Nature Services implemented the project. The Geopark Association acted as the project steering group.

For more information: 
Tuula Peltonen, Recreational Operations Manager, Metsähallitus tel. 020 639 5268, tuula.peltonen(at)metsa.fi
Terttu Hermansson, Executive Director, Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark Association, tel. 040 6757 363, terttu.hermansson(at)lhgeopark.fi

Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park
Lauhanvuori National Park
Hämeenkangas
Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas UNESCO Global Geopark

 

Metsähallitus article published on 23.2. page nature.fi