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An ancient holy place on top of small but prominent hill. Drive 21 km road 967 (Savukoskentie) to Kelujärvi village, turn to Kousivaarantie road, after 1.3 km turn to Nuolikuruntie road and drive 5 km ahead. Top of the steep hill is visible on the right. No official parking lot. There are 3 km and 7 km nature trails in the area. About 1.3 km ahead the Nuolikuruntie road goes through a narrow ravine.
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A short but very rocky trail takes you to the top of Oratunturi fell, considered to give one of the most impressive views around. A lean-to shelter 1.7 km from the parking lot and the fell top is about 600 meters ahead. Small parking lot by Seväseläntie gravel road 2.2 km from the highway 5 intersection. If Seväseläntie road seems to be in bad condition one should not drive there but walk all the way from Highway 5.
A huge aapa-mire system (total area 66 km²) scattered by thousands of flarks and having rich bird life. Two nature trails with shelters, campfire sites and bird watching towers. Prepare for some mosquitoes around... For the main trail drive road E75 to Kersilö village, turn to the power plant, after the dam turn right and follow Viiankiaavantie road 1.5 km south until there is a small parking lot on the left. The other trail is on the southern edge of the mire. From the town take road 965 east (direction Savukoski) about 13 kilometres to village Siurunmaa, turn left and continue 1.5 km to the trail entrance. Viiankiaapa is a nature conservation area and right to access is restricted.
Harness racing, with restaurant service and live music.
Fishing trips
Built in 1689 the Sodankylä old church is one of the oldest still existing buildings in Lapland and one of the oldest wooden churches in Finland. Architectonically it is original mixture Ostrobothnian village church and medieval building tradition. This small wooden church has kept its centuries old atmosphere very well. Vespers are held indoors every summer Wednesday and it is a popular wedding church. Old and the new church as well as the graveyard by the river are included to the Finnish list of nationally significant build cultural environments.
Even though virtually all the buildings at the area were destroyed by retrieving German troops during the Lapland War, amazingly both the old and new church survived the devastation. The new church was built in 1859 and unlike the old one it is made of stone. The bell is from the old church.