Pihtipudas - Good vibes and real life

Basic information

Pihtipudas is located in northern Central Finland and highway 4 runs through it. The surrounding municipalities are Kinnula and Viitasaari on the side of Central Finland, Haapajärvi, Pyhäjärvi and Reisjärvi on the North Ostrobothnia side, and Keitele and Pielavesi on the North Savo side.

Pihtipudas has a population of about 3700, of whom slightly more than half are of working age. The municipality has an area of 1,247.5 km².

The main livelihoods in the municipality are agriculture, wood and metal industry and the service sector. The largest employers are Keski–Suomen Betonirakenne Oy, Meconet Oy, Climecon Oy and FM Timber Oy. In addition, there are several service stations in Pihtipudas along Highway 4.

Distances near and far

Pihtipudas is the northernmost municipality in the heart of Finland, but its location along Highway 4 makes it easier to move in many different directions. The nearest municipalities are about half an hour away, and larger cities can be reached in less than two hours. The buses also take you to Oulu and Jyväskylä, for example. But your own car is useful.

To nearby municipalities and towns

Kinnula 40 minutes
Viitasaari 30 minutes
Keitele 45 minutes
Pyhäjärvi 35 minutes
Haapajärvi 40 minutes

To bigger cities

Jyväskylä 1hr 40 minutes
Oulu 2hr 20 minutes
Seinäjoki 2hr 30 minutes
Kokkola 2hr 10 minutes
Kuopio 1hr 50 minutes

An active community, the thrill of events and nature in the backyard

Pihtipudas is an active municipality in terms of both hobbies and business activities. The municipality does voluntary work in sports and there is a strong sense of community. For example, in the village of Muurasjärvi there is a village shop called MeiJän kauppa, which operates in the form of a cooperative and is owned by the villagers. Both in the villages and in Pihtipudas, events are actively organized around music, culture and sports. In Pihtipudas, people live close to nature, and an ice swimming spot or a lingonberry forest can be found right on your doorstep. Tourists are offered things to see and experience from sports to culture and from history to the silence of nature.

Services

There is plenty to choose from in Pihtipudas‘ service offering. In the city centre, you can go to the sports shop, have a coffee or buy supplies for handicrafts. In addition, HUBteekki is at your service if you need a remote workspace in Pihtipudas.

Living

Pihtipudas offers a wide range of housing. There are vacant apartments in the city centre and in rural villages. In Pihtipudas, you can get to nature from the backyard, as the city centre is also surrounded by forests and good opportunities for outdoor activities.

Hobbies

Pihtipudas has a wide range of opportunities for sports, music and handicrafts. The municipality also offers high–quality cultural and sports events, such as LiigaPlok‘s women‘s national championship–level volleyball matches.

Work, start a business or study

If you are looking for vacant business premises or a business plot and are planning to locate your company in Pihtipudas, please contact the municipality‘s business services. If you are looking for a job or a place to study, find out more about jobs and study opportunities in Sydänsuomi. Pihtipudas Upper Secondary School, offers several different lines from volleyball to scouting.

Did you know?

1. Horse racing

Pihtipudas has been very successful in harness racing. The municipality has a successful Ojanperä stable and a handler Santtu Raitala. Raitala won the race with her own horse Jockas Rita in the biggest trotting event of 2025. The event is called Kuninkuusravit. Trotting track Hiekan Hippos also hosts two TOTO races and smaller local races in the summer.

2. Distillery and microbrewery

Kolima is one of the lakes in Pihtipudas, but it is also the name of a local distillery and brewery. In Pihtipudas, Kolima Distillery produces e.g. moonshine and beer. The brewery is located on the shore of Kolima and uses clean groundwater from the same lake area in its products. Kolima Distillery organizes guided tours and tasting events for visitors.

3. Grandma of Pihtipudas

When talking about Pihtipudas, you can‘t help but bump into Grandma. Pihtipudas Grandma has been officially elected since 1994 and is elected for three years at a time. Grandma‘s job is to act as a wise influencer and advocate of the joy of life. The Niemenharju Tourist Centre also has a Mummola (in English Grandma‘s house), which can be rented for various events.

Visit Pihtipudas

At Pihtipudas, tourists can find rural life at its most authentic. You can visit the Päiväranta farm. There are many different inhabitants, as well as activities from SUP boarding to handicrafts. On the way, it is also worth getting to know the history of Pihtipudas and visiting local history and javelin museums. Both those who visit quickly and those who visit for a longer period of time will find good dining opportunities in Pihtipudas. Learn more about the tourism opportunities in Pihtipudas through the Visit Pihtipudas website.

The jewel of the town

Suurijärvi hiking trail

The Suurijärvi hiking trail network is the number one destination for hikers longing for the silence of nature. There is both a wilderness hut and a rental hut on the route, where it is also possible to heat the sauna. There are also campfire sites on the trails. The trail is challenging to walk in some places due to the rocky terrain, this should be taken into account when hiking. If you dream of a long hike, you can combine the Suurijärvi trail with the Peuranpolku trail network.

Events

Traditional events in Pihtipudas include, for example, the Javelin Carnival, Kaakkuri Festival, Local and TOTO Trotting, and LiigaPloki‘s women‘s championship league volleyball games.

Check out the current events in Pihtipudas through the links below. On the Kärkitapahtumat page, you will find links to the most well-known events in Pihtipudas, and on the Kolima Live website, you will find the gigs to be performed at the Kolima event center.

Somekanavat

The Facebook groups Puskaradio Pihtipudas and Pihtipudas, maintained by the residents of Pihtipudas, are actively in use. On the website, you can follow current discussions and ask questions about housing, hobbies or services. The group Pihtiputaan tapahtumat also include highlights of events in Pihtipudas and the surrounding areas.

Also follow the social media channels maintained by the municipality of Pihtipudas (Pihtipudas tänään and Pihtipudas_tanaan) below and stay up to date. These social media channels are in Finnish, but in order to get the information you can use a translator.