Region

Ostrobothnia and the Kvarken

Ostrobothnia stretches along the western coast on the Gulf of Bothnia and has a strong Swedish-speaking presence in places. Its flat farmland, red wooden houses and shallow coast give it a character quite unlike the lake district. The Kvarken archipelago is a distinctive area where the land is still rising from the sea after the ice age, and it is recognised internationally for that reason. Coastal towns, harbours and a long maritime tradition define the region. Flat terrain suits cycling. Ostrobothnia is a long, flat stretch of the western coast of Finland, with wide farm fields, rivers running across the plain and red timber houses at the edge of the villages. Vaasa is the main city, and from here the coast leads toward the Kvarken, the narrowest part of the Gulf of Bothnia, where the Kvarken Archipelago has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its land uplift after the last ice age. The shoreline there is a mosaic of shallow bays, boulder fields and low islands. Summer is the best time, for cycling, walking and boat trips, and it is also a good season for visiting the area's bilingual towns and festivals. Practical tip: the terrain is flat, so a bicycle is a very practical way to see the area, but the wind off the sea can be strong. Check the opening times of any visitor centre or boat service before you set out.