Municipality in Lapland, Finland
Photo: Mikkoau, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Tervola is a rural municipality in southwest Finnish Lapland. It usually shows to the travelers driving the Highway 4 as a group of gas stations, and therefore offers a great place for lay-by. Tourism to Tervola itself is of very small scale.
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The Old Church (Vanha kirkko) from 1687 and the Big Church (Iso kirkko) from 1864 are wooden churches by the river. The newest church (from 1974) is also next door.
Over 30 local buildings with old utensils and tools. Garden.
Trifon Petsamolaisen tsasouna
Varejoki village was one of the places where people from Petsamo (now Pechenga in Russia) were evacuated during the World War 2. As they were orthodox Christians, an Eukterion was built. The Eukterion belongs to Oulu Orthodox parish.
One of the largest stone age dwelling sites found so far north. Small museum and reconstructed houses. Call and ask for guidance.
During the Finnish Civil War in February 2nd 1918 the Whites managed to ambush a train carrying Red militants towards Rovaniemi a few hundred metres south from Tervola train station. During the following firefight over 20 Reds were killed. The Whites didn't face any casualties. After the battle the Whites got domination over West Lapland for the rest of the war.
Small but impressive waterfall in Vähäjoki river. Some roads are for private use only but there should be access by car to the northern bank (perhaps Suolijoentie-Myllykönkääntie route??)
A 7-km circular nature trail to Kätkävaara hill. Starting point at Kätkävaara Aurora Apartments. Observing tower on top of the hill. Three campfire sites and a dry toilet. Short 300m and 600m trails for disabled at the bottom of the hill.
One of the largest ancient sea shores in Finland – the vast stone field is about 5 km² wide. The trail starts directly from the road 926 just before the municipal border. There is a sign to the trail. No specific parking lot. A few hundred meters from the road at y-crossroads turn right and follow the path. Lean-to shelter and a campfire site at the top about 2 km from the road (uphill, not as easy as you might think). If the weather is clear enough one can see the tallest buildings of Kemi 60 km away.
The shallow lake Elijärvi is slowly overgrowing. Now it is an important resting place for many migrating birds.
Commonly known as "Peuran Esso" this is a legendary petrol station and a popular place for having a break. Lunch buffet, Kotipizza pizzas, and Hesburger hamburgers (since March 2021).
Popular café and bakery. Famous especially for the rieska, a Lapland style flatbread. Lunch buffet. Also cabin accommodation.
Established in 1967, this is one of the most famous social dance sites. Check your steps for twist and tango. Bar.
Hotel by the river in Tervola centre. Restaurant and nightclub. Riverside saunas.
K-group grocery store.
S-group grocery store. Mail service. Alko pick-up point.
S-group grocery store. Gasoline. Mail service. Basic prescription free drugs.
Highway 4 (E75, colloquially "Nelostie") runs through the municipality. Traffic on the road 926, aka (Kemijoen) Itäpuolentie, has much lower traffic but this is where the municipal centre is.
Read in the guideVirtually everyone has their own car or at least a moped here. On highway 4 the traffic is high. On road 926 very much lower. On smaller roads it's sparse.
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Kemi / Tornio · Regional · KEM
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Highway 4 (Finnish: Valtatie 4, Swedish: Riksväg 4) is by far the longest numbered road in Finland. It stretches 1,295 km (805 mi) from Helsinki to Utsjoki, almost the full length of the country from south to north.
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