Finnish Nature Heritage Foundation establishes conservation area at Pirunvuori in Sastamala

The Finnish Nature Heritage Foundation has announced the establishment of a large conservation area at Pirunvuori in Sastamala. The foundation acquired the land from private owners, as reported on Monday. Pirunvuori is located in the Pirkanmaa region on Salonsaari Island near Rautavesi and is close to the Ellivuori resort, which features skiing slopes and golf courses.

Although not untouched wilderness, Pirunvuori offers various tourist amenities including established trails, stairs, and signage. Sites of interest include a lookout point, a cave inspired by Finnish folklore, and Kivilinna, a building commissioned by artist Emil Danielsson in 1906, which hosts art exhibitions during the summer.

The Nature Heritage Foundation, established in 1995, primarily aims to protect endangered forests. Chairperson Anni Kytömäki emphasized the natural beauty of Pirunvuori, highlighting its impressive cliffs and diverse forest types. She noted that hiking has been popular in the area since the 1700s and will continue despite conservation efforts, recommending that visitors stick to existing paths. Importantly, no forestry operations will be conducted in the area moving forward, eliminating threats from quarrying or other activities that could drastically alter the landscape.

The newly acquired property encompasses 32 hectares, complementing the 3 hectares already protected atop Pirunvuori. This purchase was made possible through a significant inheritance received in 2023 by the supporting organization Ikimetsän ystävät (Friends of Ancient Forests), which then donated most of the funds to the Nature Heritage Foundation for forest acquisition. The foundation has also purchased three additional forest areas this year, underlining the impact of such donations in safeguarding valuable ecosystems.