Hankamäki: Stone Age Sites at Pankalampi

Hankamäki is a well-preserved small village laid out along Kuopiontie. The protected settlement sites Pankalampi 1 and Pankalampi 3 give the area a clear archaeological focus; Pankalampi 2 offers an additional, specific connection to the landscape around Pankalampi. If you are looking for a hotel, you can first decide whether Hankamäki itself should be the focus of your trip or whether you plan to visit other destinations in the municipality of Rautavaara. Historical context and planning excursions in the municipality offer two different perspectives on your trip.

Stone Age Sites in Hankamäki

Pankalampi 1 is a protected settlement site from an unspecified period of the Stone Age. Pankalampi 3 is also a protected settlement site, but it is dated to the Neolithic period. Both sites are in Hankamäki. In a direct comparison, the dating of Pankalampi 1 remains general, whereas Pankalampi 3 is explicitly assigned to a specific period of the Stone Age. This distinction helps you consider the two sites separately and choose the archaeological focus of your trip more precisely. If you are considering visiting individual sites, check access in advance.

The Landscape Around Pankalampi

Pankalampi 2 is in Hankamäki, west of the Luostanjoki River, on flat ground at the western end of the high ridge at Pankalampi. The river, flat ground and ridge provide specific spatial reference points for the named site. Together with the dating of Pankalampi 1 and 3, this makes it possible to distinguish between two types of information: one concerns the dating of protected settlement sites, and the other concerns their location in the landscape. The focus therefore shifts from dating to topography when you compare Pankalampi 2 with the two protected settlement sites.

Destinations in the Municipality

Tiilikkajärvi National Park lies north of Highway 87 and mostly within the municipality of Rautavaara. For trip planning at the municipal level, the park offers a different focus from Hankamäki and its Stone Age sites at Pankalampi. If you would like to include other destinations in your trip, you can plan this natural area as a separate stop without treating it as the same thing as Hankamäki’s archaeological sites.

Highway 582 from Rautavaara to Varpaisjärvi passes through the southern part of the Älänne area and provides access to all Älänne parking areas. Here, the road route and access offer specific guidance for planning. If you include Älänne, check road conditions before setting out, as they can change. This keeps the practical information focused on Älänne and complements Hankamäki’s own focus rather than replacing it.

Loop Trail and Viewpoint

Rautavaara is also home to Kiparin kierros, a loop trail about 2.2 kilometres long. Its length and route type provide two different reference points for planning your day: the distance indicates the extent of the route, while the term “loop trail” describes its form. Use the distance to plan and estimate the time you will need based on your own pace. The view can be enjoyed from the Kiparinvuori observation tower. If you plan to visit the tower, check in advance whether it is open to visitors.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Karvia, Vieremä, Yli-Ii, Apukka, Salmilamminkylä, Kärsämäki, Komsi, Ii.

Back to the regional travel overview: Northern Ostrobothnia.