People have lived in the area of Oulainen since the Stone Age, but the area celebrated its official 150th anniversary in 2016. Very few people live along the River Pyhäjoki, but Oulainen is a vibrant Ostrogothnian town that draws energy from its traditions.
Time will fly by on a nature holiday in Oulainen. The area surrounded the River Pyhäjoki offers traditional Northern Ostrobothian plains with charming scenic paths for trekking. Irvanperä and Salonsaari are beautiful destinations for hikers. The rapids of Oulaistenkoski on the river are well suited for fishing and canoeing enthusiasts. Lake Likalanjärvi is a fantastic destination for bird lovers, and the nature path between Lakes Isojärvi and Ahvenlampi is great for those who enjoying trekking. The path is 2.5 miles long, and has several lean-tos, a place for a campfire and impressive wildlife.
Oulainen hosts one of the stages along the Pyhäjoki Canoe Trek held in May. The canoe trek is aimed at anyone interested in recreational long-distance canoeing. There are two stages, the up-river part that has just a few minor rapids, and the down-river part, where paddlers face several challenging rapids, including Oulaistenkoski.
If machines are your thing, come to Oulainen in July, when it hosts the nationally renowned and very popular National Vintage Power Days. The event has been taking place since the early 1990s, and its aim is to present old machinery such as engines, farm machines and motor vehicles, and preserve their traditions. The weekend also features other entertainment, such as an open-air dance at the Törmänhovi stage.
In October and November, you can experience the Oulainen Music Week that recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. The three-week music festival focuses on classical music with additional flair brought by jazz, folk music, children’s music and top popular performers.
Art enthusiasts should head to the Taidetalo Väinölä art centre located in a culturally and architecturally significant yellow house in the town centre. The centre features paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures and photographic and textile art.
The Penttilän kulttuuritalo cultural centre is also worth a visit with its diverse events such as concerts, workshops and exhibitions.
For those set on a city holiday, Oulainen has a wide range of accommodation, ranging from traditional city hotels to charming bed and breakfast establishments. If you want to be close to nature, Törmänhovi is an excellent choice. This old mansion is situated in the immediate vicinity of the town and boasts various wellness services such as peat and salt sauna treatments, on top of a good night’s sleep. The mansion's kitchen, bakery and Ostrobothnian grounds are the perfect setting for relaxation, parties and meetings. The Wanha Woima Heritage Centre displays machines and devices from the olden days. Right next to Törmänhovi are the Lastumäen hevostalli and Ratsu-Ateljee horse stables, and if you feel you've exhausted all your options, go and enjoy the sawdust running track, the lit ski track, the nature path, or perhaps go and enjoy a spot of fishing in the River Pyhäjoki.
