Taivalkoski (dead link: February 2023) is a municipality in Eastern Oulu region, Finland.
The nearest highway is the national road 20 between Oulu and Kuusamo.
Coaches passing by can be used, see Matkahuolto.
There are many nature trails and hiking trails all over the municipality, and services such as bird observation towers, lean-to shelters and campfire sites. Some parts of Syöte National Park and all of Kylmäluoma Hiking Area are here.
Syöte National Park ](https://nationalparks.fi/syotenp)[ 📍](https://www.google.com/maps?ll=65.6770,27.9977&q=65.6770,27.9977&hl=en&t=m&z=11) is shared between the municipalities Taivalkoski, Posio and Pudasjärvi. The main part of the park stretches from the Syöte ski resort in Pudasjärvi to the north and north-west, extending into Posio and and the north-western corner of Taivalkoski. Another part lies on the border between Pudasjärvi and Taivalkoski, with most infrastructure and sights on the Pudasjärvi side west of the border. Two parts are wholly in Taivalkoski, north of the municipal centre; there is an open wilderness hut in each of the latter, in addition to other services: Vinola 📍 and Liiveri 📍. Wild camping is allowed by the campfire sites (no campfires during wildfire warnings) and in the wilderness zone, which includes the Latvavaara–Kortevaara–Kärppävaara area (no campfires except at maintained campfire sites).
Hiking, skiing, canoeing and snowmobiling routes extend far from the park. A hiking route leads from Taivalkoski centre to Syöte, joining the UKK trail at the border to Pudasjärvi. Southward the UKK trail continues all the way to Sotkamo as a maintained hiking trail. Northward the UKK trails leads through the part of the park shared with Pudasjärvi and continues towards the Posio–Ranua road.
Kylmäluoma Hiking Area, 65.5831°, 28.7737°. A hiking area of in eastern Taivalkoski, including some 90 lakes big and small. The area suits also families with small children. In addition to lean-to shelters, campfire sites, hiking trails etc. there is a holiday village in the eastern end of the area. Sights include esker and lake landscapes, varying nature, ancient reindeer pitfalls and newer traces of tar making and countryside life. The camping site by the holiday village suits also the mobility impaired.
A hiking and terrain biking route leads from Taivalkoski centre through Kylmäluoma.
In emergencies, 112 (free from all phones) . This includes social services, although for non-urgent matters you could contact the social services directly.
2nd-order administrative division
Primary administrative division