Footprints of the Kalevala – Experience Trail

The “Footprints of the Kalevala” trail is an experience for the whole family, partially encountered through a smart device and enhanced with AR technology. The trail highlights important themes of Finnish identity and our beloved national epic, the Kalevala. Along the route, you’ll get to know, for example, our national instrument, the kantele, our national animal, the bear, traditional round log building, the importance of nature in folk healing, and of course, the heart of Finnish life and our sacred space – the sauna.

How does the tour work?

The mobile tour is experienced partly through physical signposts and partly via your smart device. The signs provide information on different themes, and additional content can be accessed on a smartphone or tablet by scanning the QR code found on each sign. The device will also display a map, showing the locations of all the signs along the trail. By tapping a location marker, users are guided to the selected sign.

The tour includes five signs, which can be visited in any order. The signs are arranged in a linear route stretching from near the Bomba Chapel (tsasouna) to Hyvärilä. The total length of the trail is approximately 2 km. The route is accessible, except for the sign located near the chapel, which is reached via a short path from the chapel.

The tour is available in Finnish and English.

See the locations of the signs on the map below or via this link.

Watch the trailer below or via this link!