Pyynikki Ridge

Pyynikki is a forested esker in the middle of Tampere, said to be the highest gravel ridge in the world, running between the city's two lakes. A stone observation tower crowns it, and its cafe is famous across Finland for freshly fried sugar doughnuts eaten with coffee and the lake view.

Background

The ridge reaches 160 meters above sea level, standing 80 meters over Lake Pyhäjärvi, and it is the world's tallest longitudinal esker. Built mostly of gravel and sand, it forms part of a chain of ridges from South Ostrobothnia to Salpausselkä, continuing west as the Pispala Esker and east as the Kalevankangas esker. Some old European red pines stand with their roots partly exposed, as the sandy ground has slipped toward the lake over the years. Protected junipers, Norway maples, mountain currants and lingonberries also grow here. The observation tower dates from 1929 and is still in use, and wooden stairs climb the slopes from the shore of Pyhäjärvi.

Source: Wikipedia, "Pyynikki Esker"

The landscape

• The observation tower - a stone tower with a view over the city and both lakes.
• The famous doughnuts - the tower cafe's fried sugar munkki, a Tampere institution.
• The pine ridge - forest trails along the esker between the lakes.
• Lake views - Nasijarvi on one side and Pyhajarvi on the other.

When to go

Year-round; autumn colour flatters the pines, and a winter walk earns the warm doughnut. The tower cafe is the reward in any season.

What to expect

It is an easy, gentle city walk rather than a wild hike, the ridge and view modest but pleasant. The doughnuts are half the reason people climb up, and the cafe can queue on weekends. A short, enjoyable stop rather than a destination in itself.

Nearby

Tampere's industrial old town and the Vapriikki museum are a short walk; the lakes offer summer cruises.

Key facts