Hiastinhaara nature trail and bird tower
There are two nature trails in the area Hiastinhaara route (2 km) and Patakari route (0,7 km). The Patakari route is located at the end of the area around the bird tower and shelter. Both routes run along tall trees and the terrain of the routes is very suitable for families with children.
The Hiastinhaara nature trail area with sheep pastures is a popular hiking and nature education destination for families with children and schoolchildren. In addition to the bird tower and lean-to, the area has a bio-toilet, resting areas and 7 information boards that tell you more about the nature and animals in the area. There is firewood in the shed at the lean-to.
The municipality of Ii is responsible for the maintenance of Hiastinhaara in cooperation with the North Ii Village Association. You can provide feedback, development and bug reports related to the site using the online form: https://ii.fi/palaute
You can also leave your greetings in the Hiastinhaara guestbook: pohjoisiinkylayhdistys.fi/vieraskirjaguestbook
The best time for camping is from spring to autumn, because there is no winter maintenance in the area.
In winter and spring, if the weather permits, the Hiastinhaara laavu can be reached along the ice track from Rantakestilä.
In the summer, the lampuri sheep of the village of Pohjois-Ii do important landscape maintenance work in the area, so when walking in the area you must definitely take care to close the gates. Feeding sheep is prohibited, there is enough food for grazing sheep in the area.
Overnight is allowed on the Hiastinhaara log cabin or in the immediate vicinity of the log cabin. The rest of the area is a sheep pasture/care area and overnight stays are not allowed.
Guidance to the area: The destination is a suitable cycling distance from Ii's central station (about 4,5 km). Roadside signs guide you to the destination from highway E4, turning from the southern exit of Kantolantie, from which the alley turns left after about 1,5 km. At the end of the alley is a parking area for cars, a boat launch and a starting point for the nature trail area. There is only limited space for cars in the parking area.
Patakari's Pääskyhotelli in Hiastinhaara
The swallow hotel installed in the summer of 2024 has nest holes for 40 eaves swallows and 16 tar swallows. The Pohjois-Ii village association has received a general investment grant from Oulu Seudun Leader ry for the construction of the hotel.
(photo: Anita Sievänen)
Audio route
The area's seven guide boards can be read or listened to with headphones, which opens up the stories of nature and fauna in a whole new way. The Finnish-language audios also include tips for bird watching from a bird expert from the Pohjois-Ii village association. Remember to bring your own headphones. Instructions for listening to the audio trail can be found on the information board in the parking lot.
The audios are available in Finnish and English, and you can also listen to them from the comfort of your own home.
Hiastinhaara audio in Finnish: https://sonicmaps.xyz/player/?p=1543
Hiastinhaara Nature Trail audio in English: https://sonicmaps.xyz/player/?p=1548
An expedition with children
Being in nature exercises the child's senses and motor skills, develops imagination and increases well-being. Take a deep breath and observe the surroundings of Hiastinhaara.
- What is around you in nature: light, rough, heavy, soft, smooth, hard?
- What moves around you in nature?
- What scents do you smell?
- What colors do you see in nature around you?
- What sounds do you hear?
- What plants do you recognize?
- What is the most beautiful thing around you?
