A nature trail built through volunteer work

When the first fire-set mine discovered in 2019 was made public, we were surprised by the nationwide interest it generated. In a meeting of the village association (Asemanseudun Kehittämisyhdistys ry, AsKy), discussion arose about the safety of the mining area and making it accessible to everyone. The deep mine pits had remained without protective fencing for centuries, and for safety reasons no one could be directed there.

Although we knew the task ahead would be extensive, the board of the association unanimously decided to proceed. The challenge was that the mine pits are protected under the Antiquities Act, and no measures can be taken without the appropriate permit. We contacted the Finnish Heritage Agency and an archaeologist from the Seinäjoki Museums. The feedback from both parties was immediately positive and encouraging. We prepared a detailed maintenance plan for the area for the Finnish Heritage Agency, as well as documentation of planned permanent structures and the route location. Our maintenance plan was approved on the condition that the protective fencing around the mines must be black in colour. Based on this plan, we submitted a funding application and received financing in line with the cost estimate through the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre), from the Rural Development Programme for Mainland Finland, as well as from the City of Seinäjoki. The work was carried out by volunteers, amounting to thousands of hours of community work. The project ran from 2021 to 2024.

After this, a second project was implemented in 2025, also funded through the Rural Development Programme for Mainland Finland via the Liiveri Local Action Group. In this project, electrical infrastructure and fencing structures were built in the area. This project also involved hundreds of hours of volunteer work.

During the construction of the route, we faced numerous challenges, some of which were insurmountable. As a result, the original maintenance plan had to be revised several times. The changes were negotiated with the Finnish Heritage Agency, either during site visits or in remote meetings.

Today, the route passes 14 mines of varying sizes, and along this approximately 1.5 km long easy trail, safety fences and information signs are in place, and the area is open for free visits. In addition, the illuminated section on the western side of Könnintie can also be visited in the evening twilight. You can easily descend via safe spiral stairs down to the bottom of a 9-metre-deep shaft to view a two-billion-year-old rhodonite deposit at close range. Electrification is also planned for the other side, so that water-filled pits can be drained and additional lighting installed.