The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO has designated Salpausselkä Geopark as a Global Geopark. The designation recognizes sites and landscapes of international geological significance and the designated territories form a global network of sustainable travel destinations with outstanding geological features. The newly designated eight destinations bring the number of UNESCO Global Geoparks to 177 in 46 countries.
In the southernmost part of the vast Lakeland of Finland, Salpausselkä Geopark features a diverse landscape of forest-covered ridges and hills, hundreds of lakes, rolling fields and outcrops of a nearly two billion years old bedrock. The geopark stretches from the First Salpausselkä ridge to the southern Lake Päijänne, encompassing six municipalities: Lahti, Hollola, Heinola, Asikkala, Padasjoki and Sysmä.
Breath-taking sceneries, easily accessible nature attractions and four distinct seasons make the area ideal for recreation, outdoor activities and geotourism all year round – whether enjoying the endless summer days or the peaceful darkness of winter. The area can be reached in less than an hour by train from Helsinki, the capital.
A landscape created by water
The outstanding landforms - the Salpausselkä ridges and the winding eskers – were deposited by ancient meltwater streams at the end of the last Ice Age. The ridges and the plentiful water bodies have been used as passageways since prehistoric times.
The scenic ‘landscape created by water’ is also a significant source of water: the massive landforms hold within abundant, renewable reserves of groundwater, filtered by the thick layers of sand and gravel. Groundwater is enjoyed as naturally pure drinking water and it is also an important natural resource for the region’s strong food and beverage industry. One of the main geopark attractions, Päijänne National Park, protects the valuable archipelago nature of Finland’s second largest lake, which is also the main water source for over a million people in the capital region.
The nature attractions can be explored along marked trails, on your own or with a professional Salpausselkä Geopark guide. Many of the region's most spectacular natural sites, such as the surroundings of the Lahti Sports Centre, are of cultural and historical importance, and the cultural heritage can also be experienced through local food and drink.
Part of a unique global network
Salpausselkä Geopark is the fourth UNESCO Global Geopark in Finland. The other three are Rokua Geopark, Lauhanvuori-Hämeenkangas Geopark and Saimaa Geopark. Together the UNESCO designated areas increase Finland's international tourism appeal and give the country visibility worldwide. Being part of the UNESCO network offers opportunities for international cooperation and raises the profile of the region among tourists interested in nature and cultural heritage.
Further information
Salpausselkä Geopark
Executive Manager Kati Komulainen, [email protected], +358 40 579 9247
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Koko: 4,65 MB Tyyppi: jpg Resoluutio: 5472x3648According to the financier agreement, the primary task of the company Lahti Region Ltd (Visit Lahti) is to enhance the region’s attractiveness for tourism, increase tourist flows and thereby increase the region’s income from tourism as well as tax revenues. The main functional entities within the company are: tourism marketing, tourism image building, sales and brokerage of tourism services, acquisition of new events jointly with municipalities as well as tourism development in keeping with the strategy and decisions specified by the company’s Board of Directors. The business concept of the company is based on the Lahti Region’s competitiveness strategy as well as the regional tourism strategy.
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