Discover Nokia: Nature Trails and Culture

Nokia combines marked nature trails and waterscapes with museums, art and traces of the city’s history. The destinations vary considerably: a short trail with information boards, a longer hike through mire and swamp forest, culture in the city centre, or activities at rapids each offer a different experience. So it is worth first choosing the experiences that will shape your stay. You can then choose where to stay accordingly.

Nokia at a glance

• Hinttala is a local history museum in the city centre, dedicated to local life and 19th-century culture.
• The marked Laajanoja Nature Trail is 3.4 kilometres each way; the round trip is stated to be about five kilometres.
• Ruutana Nature Trail is four kilometres long, easy and well marked; a well-maintained firepit is located on the shore of Lake Ruutanajärvi.
• The easy Hakavuori Nature Trail in Siuro is 0.8 kilometres long and has five information boards.
• The journey from Nokia to Tampere takes about 15 minutes by local train; as of August 2026, all long-distance services between Tampere and Pori stop at Nokia station.

Nature trails through different landscapes

Laajanoja Nature Trail lets you explore the habitat of the endangered brown trout. The trail is easy and marked; it is 3.4 kilometres each way, or about five kilometres for the round trip. This combines nature watching with a clearly defined hike. Ruutana Nature Trail offers a different setting: it is four kilometres long, easy and well marked. A well-maintained firepit is located on the shore of Lake Ruutanajärvi. There is also a 27-hectare nature reserve directly by the lake. The two trails therefore differ in length and proximity to the shore.

The marked trail at Maatialanharju starts on the shore of Lake Vihnusjärvi and climbs to the ridge over a distance of about five kilometres. Along the way, it passes First World War-era trenches: nature and historical traces are part of the same route here. Hakavuori in Siuro is laid out differently. The slate cliff offers views of Lake Kulovesi and the Nokianvirta River. The easy nature trail there is 0.8 kilometres long and has five information boards about the area’s nature and geology. This makes it easy to choose between a short, signposted loop and a longer route up onto a ridge.

Kivikesku combines a protected area with a distinctive landscape: it is part of the Kaakkurijärvet Natura area, an important breeding ground for red-throated divers. A marked trail of about one kilometre leads through swamp forest and mire to the lakeshore. Sections can be wet after rain, so waterproof footwear is recommended. Seasonal restrictions apply to protect nesting birds. Trail conditions and the breeding season are therefore both part of planning your visit: the trail leads through mire and swamp forest to the lake, while seasonal protection rules also affect access.

Museums, art and waterside attractions

Hinttala in the city centre is dedicated to local life and 19th-century culture. In summer, it offers mostly free activities open to everyone, including concerts, workshops, family activities, literary events and guided tours. Its programme ranges from museum visits to events in a variety of formats. The café in the Pytinki building serves sweet and savoury food; it is open seasonally and has outdoor seating in summer. As both the programme and café are seasonal, check specific event dates and opening days before your visit.

The Virta Library and Cultural Centre offers another way to explore the city’s history: you can discover Nokia’s past, visit art exhibitions and attend events there. The permanent exhibition presents the city’s industrial past and highlights from Matti and Sirkka-Liisa Helin’s art collection. Together with Hinttala, it offers two perspectives on Nokia: local life in the 19th century, and its industrial past and art. In Siuro stands the wooden Siuro Church, built in the Art Nouveau style. It was first constructed as a prayer house in 1910 and consecrated in 1938. Its transformation from prayer house to consecrated church brings its history to life through two clearly dated milestones.

Art, water and the history of technology also come together in Siuro. The former schoolyard of Ossi Somma developed into a sculpture park with dozens of sculptures. At the Siuronkoski rapids, fishing and paddling offer activities on the water; there are also old power station buildings and stone bridges. The flowing water and built traces of its use create a striking contrast here. Those interested in the history of technology or river landscapes can find both in this place.

Accommodation and travel to Nokia

If you are mainly interested in experiencing the city’s history and culture, Hinttala and Virta are useful points of reference in the city centre. For hiking, you can choose from Laajanoja, Ruutana, Maatialanharju and Hakavuori, each with different landscapes and trail lengths; at Siuronkoski, water and built history define the setting. The local train journey from Nokia to Tampere takes about 15 minutes. As of August 2026, all long-distance services between Tampere and Pori also stop at Nokia station. Check the timetable for your travel date when planning a specific train journey.

An art site in the surrounding area

One nearby destination is explicitly outside the municipality of Nokia: Nancy Holt’s earth sculpture Up and Under, from 1998, is located in the village of Pinsiö in the municipality of Hämeenkyrö, on land owned by the City of Nokia. The area serves as an artwork site, a recreation and hiking area, and a venue for events. The combination of artwork and landscape offers a different experience from the cultural attractions and trails within Nokia itself. Visitors should use the designated paths on slopes and in areas affected by erosion. Pinsiö is in the municipality of Hämeenkyrö, not within the municipality of Nokia.

Discover more destinations: Ruovesi, Orivesi, Vammala, Kotala, Toijala, Akaa, Ikaalinen and Parkano.

Frequently asked questions about Nokia

Which of the featured nature trails is particularly short?

At 0.8 kilometres, the Hakavuori Nature Trail is the shortest of the trails featured here and is rated easy. Five information boards cover the area’s nature and geology.

What should you bear in mind when visiting Kivikesku?

The marked trail leads for about one kilometre through swamp forest and mire to the lakeshore. Sections can be wet after rain, so waterproof footwear is recommended. Seasonal restrictions apply to protect breeding red-throated divers.

What summer activities are available at Hinttala?

In summer, Hinttala hosts mostly free activities open to everyone, including concerts, workshops, family activities, literary events and guided tours. The café in Pytinki is open seasonally; check specific event dates and opening days before your visit.

How do you get from Nokia to Tampere by train?

The journey by local train takes about 15 minutes. As of August 2026, all long-distance services between Tampere and Pori also stop at Nokia station. Check the timetable for your travel date for the specific departure.

Is Up and Under in the municipality of Nokia?

No. Nancy Holt’s earth sculpture is in the village of Pinsiö in the municipality of Hämeenkyrö, on land owned by the City of Nokia. Use the designated paths on slopes and in areas affected by erosion.

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