Kannonkoski Karstula Kinnula Kivijärvi Kyyjärvi Pihtipudas Viitasaari
Hobbies in the Heart of Finland
There are a wide range of recreational opportunities for different age groups in our municipalities. Exercise is available both with guidance and independently. Each municipality offers courses offered by the adult education centre as well as active sports clubs and organisations.
Opportunities offered by municipalities
In the Heart of Finland, municipalities offer a variety of opportunities for hobbies. On this page, you will find links where you can learn more about different hobby places and opportunities. You may find a place to enjoy your hobby in a nearby municipality, so explore the different possibilities extensively.
Sports clubs and associations
Sports clubs and associations are also active in municipalities. Check out the possibilities they offer. There are many different options available, e.g. handicrafts, music, exercise and hunting.
On this page, you will find links that will help you find a hobby in the Heart of Finland. Further information from the links is in Finnish, we recommend using a translator.
Kannonkoski
In Kannonkoski, you will find a wide range of hobby opportunities from mountain biking to curling. The Piispala Youth Centre offers a wide range of recreational opportunities. Kannonkosken Kiho is a local sports club that specializes in skiing, athletics, ball games and recreational sports. Kannonkoski Motor Club and Autosport Association is a lively association for motorsport lovers. Kannonkoski has versatile fishing waters. There is also guided fishing and association activities for fishing lovers. In addition, the local hunting club Vuoskosken Paukku operates in Kannonkoski.
More information about the recreational activities, sports and culture organised in Kannonkoski can be found on the website of the municipality of Kannonkoski. The municipality‘s website lists e.g. organisations and sports clubs operating in the area. Below you will find links to the municipality‘s website by topic. Kannonkoski also has courses offered by the Saarijärvi Adult Education Centre and the Viitasalo Music Education Centre.
Karstula
Karstula has a wide range of sports opportunities. Karstulan Kiva ry offers several different sports, from judo to ice hockey. Karstulan Kisa–Veikot offers gymnastics groups for people of all ages and basic exercise for children. Karstulan Naisvoimistelijat offers women‘s gymnastics as well as children‘s and young people‘s gymnastics. Karmas is the Karstula Region Hunting and Shooting Club, which organizes an international shooting week in the summer. Karstua, or Karstulan Urheiluautoilijat, is also an active club that operates under AKK (AKK acts as the sports federation of Finnish motorsport).
In addition, music and culture are a big part of Karstula‘s leisure offerings. Karstulan Mieslaulajat is a long–established rural choir that also performs at various events, among other things. The Kiminki Youth Association‘s house in Uittokallio also has active cultural activities, such as theatre and music evenings. In addition, events such as UittokallioRock and Kiminki Triathlon are held there in the summer.
More information on leisure activities, sports and culture organized in Karstula can be found on the municipality‘s website. Information can also be found on the offerings of the Music Institute and Karstula Adult Education Centre.
Kinnula
Kivijärvi
In Kivijärvi, the Kivekkäät disc golf section is active and you can play both in summer and winter. The section also organizes competitions. Salamajärvi National Park extends to Kivijärvi and offers a good setting for shorter trips or longer hikes. The Koirasalmi Nature Hut operates in the area of the national park and offers accommodation and caravan sites, among other things such as activities in nature. Kivijärven Taimenveikot is a local fishing club that is part of the Finnish network of recreational fishermen. The Heitjärvi village association is active in Kivijärvi. The village association organizes various events, such as concerts and flea market events. Other specialties of Kivijärvi include a free 12–hole miniature golf course and an airport. At the airport, you can do small plane flying or paragliding.
The municipality of Kivijärvi has a wide range of sports facilities, such as a gym and well–maintained ski trails. In addition, Karstula Adult Education Centre offers various courses in Kivijärvi and other locations.
Kyyjärvi
Pihtipudas
Volleyball Club Plok has teams for both adults and children. Volleyball fans will also be able to watch the high-quality game from the stands, as the women‘s LiigaPloki plays in the championship league. Pihtiputaan Tuisku is a sports club where you can engage in athletics, skiing and fitness. Pihtiputaan urheiluautoilijat motorsports club is an active association whose enthusiasts largely compete in the Rock Rally. The association also rents a roadway from the municipality for training and event use. The track has just been renovated and competitions are also held there. Pihtipudas is also actively involved in horses. At the Hiekan Hippos Trotting Track, you can get into trotting. The Pihtipudas 4H Association offers activities for children and young people, including various clubs and camps. Pihtipudas also has active scouts groups for children and young people. At Pihtipudas Upper Secondary School, you can also apply for the scout and leadership line, which is the first and only one of its kind in Finland. The music association PoPi works with children‘s and young people‘s music hobbies and band activities.
Learn more about the leisure activities offered by the municipality of Pihtipudas on the municipality‘s website. The nature sites in the municipality are also well maintained, and the newest hiking trails in Lake Suurijärvi are worth visiting due to its versatility. In addition, recreational activities in the area are offered by the Pihtipudas and Viitasaari Adult Education Centres, as well as the Viitasaari Music Institute.
Viitasaari
Viitasaaren Viesti is a long–standing sports club whose sports include athletics, strength training and skiing. For those who enjoy being by the water, activities are offered by canoeing club Keiteleen Melojat and Wiitasaari Sailing Club. Shooting sports can be practiced with Viitasaari Shooters, they organize, among other things, training activities and competitions at the Ilmolahti shooting range. Viitasaari is home to the Sahis Ski Resort, on the slopes of which you can downhill ski or snowboard. For dog enthusiasts, the Dog Club Viitakoirat offers training, courses and events. The Nature Photographers of Northern Central Finland is an open association for nature photographers of all levels, from beginners to those who have been doing it for a long time. The association offers an opportunity to develop your own skills in photography.
In Viitasaari you can find more hobby activities and information related to the area‘s culture and leisure on the city‘s website. Also check out the courses offered by the Adult Education Centre and the Music Centre.
Test which municipality is right for you
Use the test to see which municipality would be the most suitable for you. You can access the test from the link below.
