Tampere Region

Day 1

Start your e-car nature adventure environmentally by renting a modern vehicle at downtown Tampere. Avis delivers the car straight to you, so you can start your trip at the doorstep of your hotel, if you like. Contradictory though, there are not just one but two national parks close to the city of Tampere. To experience the Finnish forests at their wildest, head to Seitseminen National Park. Kovero Crown Tenant Farm (Seitsemisentie 948, Ikaalinen) takes you back to the 1930s. Native breeds of livestock graze in the nearby meadows, and herbs and other plants that were tradtionally used for medicinal purposes grow in the kitchen garden. Close to the farm, step on to Aarnipolku trail and enjoy the murky depths of the Multiharju old-growth forest with up to 400-year-old trees, known as the heart of Seitseminen.

After wandering in the forests and on the paths until you get hungry, drive 7 km north to Seitseminen Nature Centre (Seitsemisentie 110, 34530 Länsi-Aure/Ylöjärvi). At the Centre, both you and your e-car can have a refreshing break and satisfy your hunger. There are charging stations at the parking lot, and delicious food and bakery at the restaurant-café. Here you can also rent some equipment, like SUP board or fat bike for some additional adventure. Or why not search for some geocaches for excitement? There are several in the park.

After Seitseminen, head up to north-east and Helvetinjärvi National Park. It is time to get refreshed at beautiful Haukanhieta beach (Haukanhieta, Ruovesi). This shallow and long beach only a few hundred meters from the parking lot is a rare treat and ideal for children, too. Please note though that there are no lifeguards on the beach. 

If you have booked an accommodation and thus have more than a day for this trip, and feeling sporty, hike from Haukanhieta beach to the title spot of Helvetinjärvi National Park – that is Lake Helvetinjärvi and Helvetinkolu Gorge. The trail there and back is approximately 11 km long.

The name Helvetinjärvi means Hell’s Lake, and no wonder that its rough sceneries have sparked imagination. Helvetinkolu Gorge, located southeast of the Lake Iso Helvetinjärvi, is the most famous gorge in the area. It is narrow, only a couple of metres wide cleft, which descends steeply to the lake side.

Lake Helvetinjärvi and surroundings have an abundance of different natural rock formations. You can find the best ones around ravine lakes. At their highest points the fault-line scarps reach a height of 180-210 metres above the sea level. At some places the sheer cliff faces of the lakeshores rise up to tens of metres from the lake water level.

You can also visit the pretty town of Ruovesi on the way. And after this sporty day, act like a Finn and have a sauna. Niemi-Kapee farm offers a variety of Finnish saunas so come and test which one is your favourite. Or why not stay overnight for some glamorous camping or glamping. Your e-car will also enjoy the charger here. 

After you and your e-car have relaxed, take the course towards south and Tampere City. Choose a small country road that twirls in traditional landscape and admire one (or perhaps two – or five) of Finland’s 100,000 thousand lakes shimmering through the trees. Stop for some Instagram-worth pictures at Aunessilta bridge crossing the longest inland fjord of the Nordics, made of huge granite blocks. Then pick some souvenirs at Teiskon Viini wine kiosk that offers a good selection of local berry wines as well as non-alcoholic options for the driver. 

You can drive through the stops in one day. If you want to spend more time with the activities or hike longer trails, you should consider staying overnight. Accommodation is available at Seitseminen National Park, Ruovesi and Niemi-Kapee farm. 

You can find charging stations at Seitseminen Nature Centre, Ruovesi Osuuspankki (bank) parking lot and Niemi-Kapee farm.