Pyynikki park & tower, Tampere

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Pyynikki Ridge is a great place to walk (or, in the winter, ski). Conveniently located just west of the city centre, this large forested area rises up to 85 m above sea level, giving visitors great views of the surrounding Nasijarvi and Pyhajarvi lakes.

Pynnikki also has an observation tower and outdoor theatre. The observation tower is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. There is also a small restaurant, where you MUST try the doughnuts! They are delicious. As for the outdoor theatre, it presents a different play each year from mid-June to mid-August. Its stage is set against the lovely backdrop of Lake Pyhajarvi.

There are nice sceneries around Pyynikki and Pispala. Ridge over there offers nice views as well does the observation tower of Pyynikki.
You can already see that Finnish nature just a one or two kms from the city centre.

While you are there remember to visit the observation tower and have 'munkkikahvit' there. :)

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Pyhäjärvi is the southern of the two big lakes which make Tampere run. At the nothern shore, you will find the Pyynikki ridge with its woods. Both are nice places to relax and offer a spectacular view. Walking along the shores of Pyhäjärvi, you can enjoy the woods, have a look at the beautiful little boats which are moored at the coast or enjoy any kind of outdoor activity like sports or just hanging around with friends. From time to time, there is also something going on in the Rosendahl hotel.
However, the most popular spot in the woods is the observation tower. Please check my separate tip for that one.

P.S.: All the pictures were made on the way between the city (Hämeenpuisto) and the observation tower. You see, it is easy to get an idea of Finnish nature without having to leave the city

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Pyynikki is considered to be the world’s highest gravel ridge. And the Näkötorni observation tower stands on ist top. That gives the tower – despite ist heighth of only 26 meters – a wonderful view over Tampere and its lakes. Among locals and tourists, the tower has become a popular destination. It is almost traditional to go up to the tower and then eat one of the donuts (“munkki”) at the café afterwards. The observation tower at Pyynikki ridge is the more traditional one and the less commerical of the two in Tampere. The other one is Näsinneula, a tower with a rotating top, at Särkänniemi amusement park.
As of 2010, the entry fee for the tower was 2 EUR (no entry fee for the café, of course). Pay at the café before going up. There is an elevator to get up, but if you can walk up the stairs why don’t you do something good for yourself before eating the donut?

The website below is from the cafe, but has good information on the tower too.

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This funky tower lies on a beautiful spot on top of the world's highest gravel ridge, Pyynikki.

There has been an observation tower on this spot for a long time, but the previous wooden tower was so badly damaged in the Finnish civil war of 1918 that it had to be replaced.

The new red granite tower was built in 1929. Although the tower is only 26 metres high, the Pyynikki ridge is so high that there is a magnificent view from the lookout spot on top of the tower.

You can admire the skyline of Tampere from here, as well as the view over both Lake Pyhäjärvi and Lake Näsijärvi.

Tickets to go to the open roof at the top are sold in the café downstairs, costing a mere 1EUR. Then you get into the old-style elevator.

Hours: Mon to Sun from 09:00 AM to 08:00 PM.

This is old and famous Pyynikin näkötorni(Pyynikki is the place,näkötorni is sight-seeingtower in Finnish).It´s not too high for us who don´t like so high places,but because it ´s up in the hill,it has very good sights-you really see far away.
People who has born in tampere love their"munkki",witch is kind of donut-I think Finnis donuts are better than American-style,but I don´t still know if these are so different.Maybe it´s sentimental thing for "barefoot"Tampere-people.

High up on the Pyynikki hill there's a solid tower which offers delicious sweet doughnuts. In the photo you can se how the hundreds of motor cyclists have been ridden to Pyynikki Tower for a coffee and a doughnut :)

The tower of Pynnikki built in 1929 offers spectacular views of Tampere.It's also famous for its doughnuts, which are said to be the best in town. In fact, when we visited the place there were more people standing in the line for doughnuts, than those willing to go to the top. I reccommend both.