Hiking & outdoor recreationLength0,4 km
Duration(About 0,5 hour)
Degree of difficultyEasy
Hirvisuo Mire Protection Area is an ornithologically valuable site and an excellent destination for birdwatching, particularly during the migration seasons of birds of prey, cranes, and geese. A nature trail of about 400 metres leads to a birdwatching tower, which offers stunning views over the open mire landscape.
- A vast open mire expanse immediately north of the Oulu–Kuusamo road.
- Typical aapa mires of Ostrobothnia and nutrient-poor string mires with flarks.
- The species found in this bird-rich mire include the whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus), taiga bean goose (Anser fabalis), ruff (Calidris pugnax), and rustic bunting (Emberiza rustica).
- An important summer grazing area for reindeer of the Kiiminki–Kollaja reindeer herding cooperative.
- A good location for winter activities such as snowshoeing or cross-country skiing while geocaching.
- Area: 44.8 km². Established in 1981.
Camping permittedTemporary camping is allowed under everyman's rights. There are no lean-to shelters or campfire sites in the area.
Remember to bring a trash bagThere are no waste bins on the trail. Bring along your own trash bag and take your waste out with you when leaving.
No dry toilet
No water point
No winter maintenance
Contact information
Starting pointKuusamontie 2557, 91310 Oulu
The southern part of the Hirvisuo Mire Protection Area, including the birdwatching tower and the trail leading to it, is accessible from a parking area located along the Oulu–Kuusamo road (no. 20).
The direct route to the birdwatching tower is in use. The distance to the tower is 400 metres one way.
Hirvisuo lies in the low-lying coastal area between the Iijoki and Kiiminkijoki rivers, where elevation differences are minimal. The area is mainly aapa mire but also includes string mires. More than 30 different mire types have been recorded here.
The vascular plants of Hirvisuo represent typical aapa mire flora. For example, cloudberries (Rubus chamaemorus) attract many pickers to the area. Threatened species in the area include russet cottongrass (Eriophorum russeolum), Carex rotundata, and Rhynchospora fusca.
• The avifauna of Hirvisuo is diverse. Several waterfowl species nest here, with teal (Anas crecca) and northern pintail (Anas acuta) being the most common. Among the waders, the broad-billed sandpiper (Calidris falcinellus) and the spotted redshank (Tringa erythropus) are particularly noteworthy. Rare visitors include the taiga bean goose (Anser fabalis), Eurasian hobby (Falco subbuteo), merlin (Falco columbarius), western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), jack snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus), short-eared owl (Asio flammeus), and great grey shrike (Lanius excubitor). Northern hawk owl (Surnia ulula) and rustic bunting (Emberiza rustica) also thrive here.
Return to the parking area along the same route.
End pointKuusamontie 2557, 91310 Oulu