Hattuvaara

The Koitajoki area is an excellent hiking destination, with its serene landscapes where you can relax amidst the peace of nature. The area also has an interesting history. In the past, forest rangers and their families lived there, as did forest workers in logging cabins. Today, hikers can choose to stay overnight in one of the area's three wilderness cabins, which are former logging buildings.

The peaceful Koitajoki River flows through the area with its small rapids. The river meanders and meanders, making for a fascinating canoeing trip. The ancient forests of the riverbank and Koivusuo Nature Park also provide a home for many demanding forest dwellers.

Hattuvaara is home to the Pampalo gold mine, which began operations in February 2011. The village area also contains deposits of blue soapstone and black stone. The easternmost point of Finland and the continental EU is located on an island in Lake Virmajärvi near Hattuvaara.

The Makkola Museum Estate located in Hattuvaara was built in the early 19th century.

Ilta-Sanomat journalist Lauri Silvander and cameraman Seppo Kärki got to know the life of Finland's easternmost village in a live broadcast on 5 July 2017. The broadcast is part of a series published in the year of Finland's 100th anniversary, which follows the lives of people living in the most remote corners of Finland. The video gives a good idea of what Hattuvaara is like if you are planning a holiday trip there, for example.

In the beginning of the video, village head Helka Hoskonen talks about the activities of the lively village association in Hattuvaara and introduces the association's activities taking place in the premises of the former Hattu village shop. At the same time, the journalist talks to the old and young residents of the village who happened to be there.

In the latter part of the video (starting at around the 37th minute), interviews are held with, among others: Military history enthusiast and guide from the vicinity of Turku, "General" Jouni Peräalho, and restaurant owner Kauko Puruskait from Taistelijan Talo. They will tell you expertly and vividly about the military history of Ilomantsi and the last defensive battle of the Continuation War.