Sonkajärvi

Getting there

Iisalmi is the nearest town of any size, while Kuopio has the closest airport.

By train Sukeva station on the line between Iisalmi and Kajaani fields a few trains per day.

By bus Coaches coordinated by Matkahuolto connect Sonkajärvi to Iisalmi.

Getting around

By taxi Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Taksi EHT

See

1 Jyrkkäkoski Ironworks (Jyrkkäkosken Ruukki). An iron mill that operated from 1731 to 1919, that has been preserved as a nationally significant built cultural environment.

2 Sonkajärvi Church (Sonkajärven kirkko). It was built between 1909 and 1910 and was designed by architect Josef Stenbäck. The building material is the black and gray granite of Sonkajärvi. The church has the shape of a long church and the floor plan is asymmetrical. This and the details of the façades represent Art Nouveau-influenced national romance. 3 Sonkajärvi Homeland Museum (Sonkajärvi Homeland Museum), Museokuja 5. A local history museum. Also hosts the International Bottle Museum (Kansainvälinen pullomuseo). Sonkajärvi chapel (Sonkajärvi tsasouna), Lepokankaantie 6. A wooden Orthodox chapel built in 1961. (updated Jul 5928)

4 Sukeva chapel (Sukevan tsasouna), Vankilantie 52 A. A wooden Orthodox chapel built in 1960.

Do

Volokin path, a 30-km hiking trail 1 Talaskangas nature reserve (Talaskankaan luonnonsuojelualue). A forest and marshland that has remained almost natural in the border areas of Savo and Kainuu.

Events Wife Carrying World Championships: 3-4 July 2026. Contest of carrying your wife through an obstacle course. Sonkajärvi's best-known yearly event, this involves husky men carrying their wives across an obstacle-laden track, with the winner taking home the wife's weight in beer. Held in July. (date needs fixing)

Eat

Lounaspaikka Hollivoot, Koulutie 3, ☏ +358 40 5072299. (updated Dec 2025) Lounasravintola Palomestari, Rutakontie 7. (updated Dec 2025) Lounas-kahvila Makumestari, Koulutie 1. (updated Dec 2025)

Sleep

Club Herrala (Herralan kartano), Kartanontie, ☏ +358 50 557 4636. Located 30km north of Sonkajärvi, the Herrala mansion offers private suites, a guest house, a hunter's lodge and a small spa. Only advance bookings.