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Bicycle Rides
· Southern Ostrobothnia
Sääksjärvi loop, lime and tar burning, Vimpeli
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Vesterbacka VimpeliPhoto: Aisapari ry
“If it’s this hot in hell, then no one from here will go there, said Suola-Heikki when he filled the lime kiln.” (Sääksjärvi-Hallapuro village book)
Lime and tar burning have a significant role in the history of Vimpeli and the Järviseutu region. After the mid-19th century, traditional lime burning was an important sideline occupation for the local residents. A special feature of lime burning in Vimpeli is its continuation as a peasant practice over more than a hundred years, both in terms of production structure and equipment.
The route introduces the history and methods of lime and tar burning. In addition, there is a point on Kalkkitehtaantie where you can easily see a modern limestone quarry and the scale of the industry. Please note that access to the factory area is prohibited.
Besides lime and tar history, the route visits the village of Sääksjärvi, which has two swimming beaches suitable for resting. Near the end of the route, there is an option to visit Lake Kaakkurinjärvi, where there is a fire pit for preparing meals. The road to the lake is made of large gravel stones, so it is advisable to visually check your fitness before turning onto it.
In addition to these, Vimpeli is known for pesäpallo (Finnish baseball). Veto has won several Superpesis medals, including six golds. It is worth visiting the legendary Saarikenttä and the pesäpallo museum renewed in 2022.
Author’s recommendation
At the starting point of the route and its vicinity, there are several monuments and historic buildings. The oldest and most unique building in the central area is the so-called round church of Vimpeli, inaugurated in 1811, which is one of a kind in Finland.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
The route follows public roads, so it is important to follow traffic rules and bicycle safety instructions.
Tips and suggestions
The total length of the route is 46.5 kilometers. If you skip visiting Kaakkurinjärvi, the route length is 41.5 kilometers.
Roadbook
The recommended direction is counterclockwise, where the journey continues from Vimpeli center via Suksitie and Koskelantie to Kalkkitehtaantie.
There are two monuments on Kalkkitehtaantie; the first is on the left side of the road at 8.7 kilometers at the intersection of Koskelantie and Kalkkitehtaantie. When you pass the Vesterbacka sign pointing right, you are close. From the intersection, the memorial stone is about 150 meters away. The memorial is not easily visible from the road, and there is no signboard about it by the roadside.
The tar burning monument is 300 meters before Hallapuro’s T-intersection on the left side of the road. On the right side of the road, there is a sign guiding to the monument. At the same time, it is worth visiting the well-preserved lime kilns near the monument. The easiest way to reach the site is from the bus stop before the intersection. On the other side of the ditch, there is an overgrown old road bed, which was used to carry lime away. Following this path leads directly to two large lime kilns.
The entire route can be cycled with a narrow-tire bike, except for the road leading to Kaakkurinjärvi. The road is fairly large gravel stone, making it challenging to ride with an ordinary bike as well. Before turning to the lake, it is advisable to visually check the road condition. From Isokankaantie (road number 750), the distance to the lake is 2.5 kilometers. At Kaakkurinjärvi, there is a fire pit, a hut, and firewood.
The terrain of the route is quite varied and winding but does not include steep or long climbs. Isokankaantie (road number 750) towards Vimpeli is almost entirely downhill (8 km). The road is busy, carrying many passenger cars and heavy traffic.
Vimpelin kirkon tapuli, Vimpeli
Vanha osuuskaupan liikerakennus, Vimpeli
Lukkarinpuisto ja Pesäpallopatsas, Vimpeli
Vimpelin Sotakoulun esikunta, avopalvelukeskus Toimela, Vimpeli
Suomen pesäpallomuseo, Vimpeli
Jäykänaura, Vimpeli
Vanha suojeluskuntatalo, Vimpeli
Suksitien vanhoja rakennuksia, Vimpeli
Vimpelin Väinämöisen, Eeli Kivisen viimeinen leposija, Vimpeli
Erkki Jäykän viimeinen leposija, Vimpeli
Vimpelin uusi hautausmaa, Vimpeli
Vesterbacka, Vimpeli, Kraatterijärvi Geopark
Tervakivi, Vimpeli
Taiteen Päämaja Maitta, Vimpeli
Kakkurinjärvi ja luontopolku, Vimpeli
Vanha Matkakievari, Vimpeli
Jääkärien muistomerkki, Vimpeli
Vimpelin Sankaripatsas, 1918 kaatuneiden muistomerkki, Vimpeli
Sankarivainajien muistokivi, Vimpeli
Public transport
Check schedules at https://www.matkahuolto.fi/
Parking
There is plenty of free parking space in Vimpeli center.
Coordinates
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
Bicycle helmet and clothing suitable for exercise.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions