Puijo Tower

Puijo is a forested hill rising above Kuopio in the middle of the Finnish lake district, and the tower built on it in 1963 stands seventy-five metres high with an observation level and a revolving restaurant near the top. The view is the reason: from up there the lakes of the region spread out in every direction, a mosaic of water, islands and spruce forest that is hard to grasp from ground level and is the clearest single illustration of what the lake district actually looks like. The hill also carries ski jumping hills used for competition, ski trails and a stand of old spruce forest protected as a nature reserve on its slopes.

What you actually see

• The lake district from above - water, islands and forest in every direction.
• The revolving restaurant - the turning floor near the top of the tower.
• Ski jumping hills on the slope - the competition hills beside the tower.
• Old spruce forest reserve - the protected woodland on the hill.

When to go

Year round; sunset and the long summer evenings are the best times, and winter gives a different view entirely. Two hours. The restaurant needs booking.

Honest expectations

The tower is dated and functional rather than attractive. The restaurant is expensive and booking is necessary. In poor visibility there is nothing to see and no refund. Access without a car needs a bus and a walk uphill.

Nearby

Kuopio is south; the lake district spreads in all directions.