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Puolanka is a municipality in Kainuu.
Understand
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Puolanka is known for its beautiful natural landscapes, consisting mainly of forests, rivers, and lakes.
Puolanka's economy is largely based on forestry, agriculture, and tourism. Agricultural activities include livestock farming, cereal cultivation, and potato production.
The municipality is also known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, especially fishing and hunting.
Puolanka has also been dubbed "the most pessimistic municipality of Finland"; the locals have – tongue-in-cheek – embraced this reputation and turned it into their trademark.
Get in
[edit | edit source]By bus
[edit | edit source]There are buses from Oulu, Kajaani and Suomussalmi.
By car
[edit | edit source]Highway 78, between Paltamo (and connecting to Eastern Finland) and Rovaniemi is the main route through Puolanka. Other routes include local roads 800 from Vaala and Taivalkoski, 837 from Utajärvi (connecting from Oulu), and 891 from Hyrynsalmi.
Get around
[edit | edit source]See
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- 1 Hepoköngäs - at 24 m one of Finland's highest waterfalls, in Hepoköngäs Nature Reserve; the 600-m trail to the waterfall is accessible by wheelchair.
- 2 Pessimism House (Pessimismitalo), Ouluntie 26, ☏ +358 44 235 3752, talo@puolanganpessimistit.fi. In summer: Mon–Sat 10:00–18:00, Sun 10:00–16:00. According to local pessimists in Puolanka, the house is the "holiest site of Puolanka-style pessimism" and thus "Puolanka's most pointless tourist trap," which is why "ordinary citizens are advised to avoid the place." The building houses a café and a shop run by pessimists.
- 3 Puolanka-Pirtti, Koskikatu 3. An old barn that has been turned into a local history museum.
Do
[edit | edit source]- 1 Paljakka. A ski resort in the winter, during the summer the place offers activities like hiking, mountain biking, fishing, canoeing, swimming, minigolf and dish golf.
Buy
[edit | edit source]Eat
[edit | edit source]- 1 Ravintola Esteri, Ouluntie 4. Lunch buffet, and kebab, burgers and pizzas on the menu.
Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Pororajan majoitus, Pudasjärventie 1, ☏ +358 500 282 884, tarmo.rautiainen@luukku.com. Rooms for rent and a campsite.
In addition, the Paljakka resort has multiple hotels.
Connect
[edit | edit source]Go next
[edit | edit source]| Routes through Puolanka |
| Rovaniemi ← Pudasjärvi ← | N  S | → Paltamo → END |