As Karstula is surrounded by three lakes, the waterways create an excellent framework for a variety of exciting recreational activities – in water, in snow and on ice. You can test your courage in a white water rafting safari or try fly-fishing in rapids Heijostenkosket, Central Finland’s longest water course. If you prefer activities with less excitement, a canoe tour or wandering in the forest and looking for berries or mushrooms might be your choice. In winter you can join a snowmobile safari and enjoy the beautiful landscape of Central Finland while snow walking or skiing. In addition to museums and happenings Karstula can offer culture lovers also open air theatre and art exhibitions at Gallery Himmeli.               Nature trails of the Northern Central Finland Hike and wander in the nature of the Northern Central Finland The variety of forests, lakes and rivers of the Northern Central Finland offer excellent possibilities for outdoor life. A wide net of nature trails has been built in this region to join the natural, cultural and prehistoric sights and attractions with accommodation and other tourist services in order make them easy to find and use. The routes are suitable for hiking, Nordic walking, biking, skiing, riding and canoeing. www.luonnonvoimaa.net/luontoreitit           Enojoki nature trail Enonjoki nature trail starts quite close to the village centre. The trail is appr. 3 km long and it marked with green signs. Along the trail you can find information boards telling about the history of Karstula as well as the Stones of Otto von Fieandt, a monument to the Finnish War. For additional exercise you can use the outdoor fitness equipment at places where the trail follows the fitness trail.   Kilpisuon Nature Reserve Kilpisuo is a 263 hectare mire area, which was protected on the basis of the landowner’s application as a nature reserve in 1980. Today the main part of Kilpisuo is managed by Metsähallitus. Within the mire area there is a 4 kilometres long nature trail with wooden boardwalks and information boards telling about the surrounding nature. In order to get to Kilpisuo drive along Highway 13 towards Kokkola. At Kiminki village turn to the right at road sign Kilpisuon luontopolku. After driving appr. 4 km turn to the right to a small road, at the end of which there is a turning place. The path (3,7 km) to the nature trail starts from the right hand side of the turning place.                     Bird Tower of Lake Iso-Korppinen The bird tower is located in Humppi village and offers a view over a lake area of 130 hectares. The lake is surrounded by fields and willow bushes and the richness of species is very interesting. Especially during the spring migration large flocks of birds are resting in this area and the tower offers an excellent view into every direction. Golden eagles and sea eagles have been observed from the tower. Spotted crake, grasshopper warbler, blyth’s reed-warbler and corn crake are well-known nigh singers here. Lake Iso-Korppinen is located on the western side of Highway 13 in Humppi village. At Higway 13, appr. one kilometre towards Kokkola after the crossing of road no. 58 (Karstula-Kivijärvi), there is a road sign to the tower. At a distance of appr. 3 km from Karstula village towards Humppi (Kivijärvi) direction there is a small road starting at the end of the cycle route and leading to the tower. Close to the tower there is a parking area from which wooden boardwalks lead you to the steps of the tower.   Horse Park Hermannin Hevospuisto In the last few years Karstulan Hevosystäväinseura, the local horse association, has made a remarkable contribution to the local horse enthusiasts. With support from EU-funding the association has renovated the old horse racing track of Karstula to correspond to the current demands. Hermannin Hevospuisto is now ready to serve the needs of professionals as well as non-professionals and outdoor life lovers throughout the year. A club house and a harness shelter are available in the grounds of the park and in the middle of the track there is a riding field with access to a forest road for riding trips. In addition to horse fans the park aims at serving also other visitors and wants to increase the number of equestrian events. • Further infomation: Karstulan Hevosystäväinseura ry, Kirsi Rajala, +358 40 590 1123, kirsi.rajala(at)uta.fi               Karstula-Lomakouhero Hiking Trail An appr. 11 kilometres long hiking trail starts in the centre of the village and continues via Kolisevanranta and over Hinkalovuori hill to Kouhero. At both ends of the the trail (at distance of 2-5 km from the start and the end) there are huts with iron stove. At both ends there are also lean-to shelters with sites for open fire and necessary equipment (fire wood, outdoor toilet, waste disposal). The start of the trail is on the southern side of the village, at the end of Eerolantie. From the road to Pylkönmäki you turn first to Takawetkantie and then to Eerolantie. Another alternative is to start from Lomakouhero direction.   Rapids Heijostenkosket From 1860’s to 1960’s the rapids of Saarijärvi white water route were used for log floating. When the floating ended, the rapids remained in their natural state and their use especially for fishing was introduced. There are five rapids in Heijostenkosket: Vaaja-, Mylly-, Pitkä-, Haara- and Rankinkoski. Heijostenkosket are located in the upper part of Saarijärvi white water route. They offer also excellent possibilities for white water rafting and canoe safaris. Further information on fishing permits and safaris is available e.g. at Lomakouhero.