The Katikankanjoni canyon is located at the upper course of Hyypänjoki River, considered as a landscape area of national value. The exceptional landscape of Katikankanjoni surprises and delightsthe visitor. In the middle of an even landscape, there is a deep canyon with narrow ridges. In the middle of a shady spruce forest, there is a periodically surging brook. Katikankanjoni is a rugged place of magical beauty to explore. When walking along the bottom of the canyon, you find it difficult to believe you are in South Ostrobothnia. The steep slopes descent in some places almost vertically to the bottom of the brook valley.
To the starting point of the trail
Starting point
Katikankanjoni parking area
Kiviluomantie 461
61950 Juonikylä (Kauhajoki)
(WGS84) N62° 14.36163′ E22° 19.42320′
The parking area is signposted.
Trail description
The 2.0-km trail passes along the slopes of Katikankanjoni and the bottom of the brook valley. The bottom of the trail has been levelled off, but there are a few steep slopes along the trail. The slopes do not have any stairs but supporting ropes. The trail goes in a dry heath terrain, and some wet places are crossed on duckboards. The trail crosses the Katikanluoma brook over steady bridges. The trail is marked with red fibre bands, and it is signposted by easily distinguishable tracks. Along the trail, at the lookout spot, there is a lean-to. You can take a short cut to the lean-to directly from the parking area along an even road (ca 300 m).
Level of difficulty
The rather short but landscape-wise surprising and physically challenging trail suits as a day-trip destination to all hikers in good condition. Irrespective of its high degree of challenge, the trail also suits children and young people, unless hindered by their physical condition. Tree roots occasionally slow down the walk; otherwise, the trail is on even tracks.
Good to know
During rain and cold weather, the trail may occasionally be wet, and the steepest slopes may be challenging. When it is slippery, you can choose alternative tracks. Basically, the trail is passable when there is no snow. In winter, you can go snowshoeing in the terrain. In the nature conservation area, pets must be kept on a leash. The Leave No Trace policy is followed in the area of the national park, which means everyone takes their own rubbish away.
Environment
Katikankanjoni canyon has been carved by running water in an even heath terrain comprised of fines. Katikankanjoni complements the landscapes of the Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park. There are several brooks and depressions formed in a similar way nearby, but the Katikankanjoni canyon is unique in its ruggedness and atmosphere. In Katikankanjoni, there is a lush spruce forest, which has not been logged for a long time. Consequently, in the shady canyon, there is a lot of rotten wood offering living conditions for different decaying agents, shelf fungi living on rotten wood, other fungi, and diverse species of insects. The canyon is rich in bryophytes, too. The typical avian species include wren and capercaillie; of more demanding species, there have been sightings of, for instance, red-breasted flycatcher and greenish warbler. The Katikanluoma brook has a viable population of trouts, which also interest otters. The landscapes in the vicinity of Katikankanjoni are also characterized by ridge flora, such as flat-stem groundpine and wild thyme. Kolmentuulenlakki (‘Three-wind cap’) is an attraction well known by the local people, around which there are deep canyons carved by three brooks.
Interesting information about the trail
Katikankanjoni is the point at which the Katikanluoma and Hosioja brooks and the upper course of the Kyrönjoki River meet. Rivers have been important traffic routes, and river banks have provided a dwelling place for people who have settled in the area. Between the stones of the steepest rapids of Katikankanjoni, you can still see some logs of a former mill. The road to the mill used to descend along somewhat gentler depressions. The location of the road is still visible, if you look carefully. Katikankanjoni is part of the Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park, The Katikanluoma brook on the west side of Kauhaneva and the brookside were integrated with the national park in 2010. The Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park is a gem of southern swampy nature, a wilderness-like oasis of birds along the mediaeval road of Kyrönkangas. The national park itself is at only half an hour’s drive: www.nationalparks.fi/en/kauhanevapohjankangasnp. The Lauhanvuori National Park, too, is at a short drive: www.nationalparks.fi/en/lauhanvuorinp. The trail is part of the Lauhanvuori-Hämeenkangas Geopark area, for which a Unesco status is applied for in 2018.
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