Pankakoski: Industrial History and Outdoor Activities

Alvar Aalto’s power plant on the Lieksanjoki River, the history of ironworks and cardboard production, and outdoor activities give Pankakoski a distinctive profile. Its historical developments and seasonal activities reveal different sides of the destination.

Pankakoski at a glance

• The Pankakoski power plant on the Lieksanjoki River was designed by Alvar Aalto in 1962.
• The ironworks began operating in the 1820s; cardboard production began in 1912.
• Heittopelto is a preserved workers’ residential area with a history dating back to the 1890s.
• The illuminated fitness trail is 7.2 kilometres long; its seasonal maintenance may vary.
• Seasonal activities include a beach maintained by the city and a ski trail maintained by the city.

From ironworks to cardboard mill

The ironworks began operating in the 1820s. Cardboard production was added later: it began in 1912, and by 1915 the mill was Finland’s largest producer of white cardboard. This sequence brings the site’s development across several phases into view without reducing its industrial history to a single building or year.

The cardboard mill includes a red-brick grinding mill completed in 1912, as well as a cardboard mill with a power plant and steam boiler plant. The facilities were expanded and renovated several times, most recently in the past few years. The mill site also includes an office building as part of this history: it was built in the 1930s to plans by Väinö Vähäkallio and later expanded twice. The power plant on the Lieksanjoki River adds another distinct element: a work by Alvar Aalto from 1962.

The factory and residential area also include an old ironworks setting, as well as the emergence and development of the forestry industry in the 20th century. Those interested in industrial history will therefore find several different periods here: the start of ironworks operations, the rise of cardboard production and the later development of the forestry industry.

Workers’ quarters and settlement history

In the 1890s, the ironworks had eight residential buildings built in Heittopelto. The workers’ residential area has been preserved and offers a glimpse of the residential side of industrial history. Hangaspuro and Rasivaara also developed as settlements for factory workers, but at different times: Hangaspuro from the 1880s and Rasivaara from the 1920s. The two settlements do not belong to the same phase of development.

Puroniemi was a detached-house area for senior factory employees. It was established in the 1940s and expanded in the 1950s. Voimakylä, in turn, developed in two phases during the 1950s and 1960s in connection with the construction of the hydroelectric power plant on the Lieksanjoki River. Together, the residential areas show how the history of settlement is linked to various industrial developments.

Outdoor activities

Pankakoski has a 7.2-kilometre illuminated fitness trail. Seasonal maintenance may vary. The city also maintains a ski trail in Pankakoski; conditions depend on the season. This gives you a choice of different ways to exercise, without assuming fixed operating hours or particular trail conditions.

A beach maintained by the city adds to the available activities. Use of the beach is seasonal, and water conditions may vary. Orienteering maps for Pankakoski are available from the Lieksa Sports Office. When planning your visit, bear in mind that the beach and ski trail depend especially on the season and conditions, while the illuminated fitness trail and maps provide further opportunities for outdoor activities.

Pankakoski as a place to stay

If you are looking for hotels for a stay in Pankakoski, it helps to decide in advance what you want to focus on during your trip: would you mainly like to explore the industrial and settlement history, or plan outdoor activities? Both are part of the area’s character, but some outdoor activities are subject to seasonal conditions. So base your choice on what matters most for your trip.

Frequently asked questions about Pankakoski

When did cardboard production begin in Pankakoski?

Cardboard production began in 1912. By 1915, the mill was already Finland’s largest producer of white cardboard.

Which facilities are part of the cardboard mill’s history?

These include a red-brick grinding mill completed in 1912, as well as a cardboard mill with a power plant and steam boiler plant. The facilities were expanded and renovated several times.

What outdoor activities are available in Pankakoski?

These include a 7.2-kilometre illuminated fitness trail, a ski trail maintained by the city and a beach maintained by the city. Maintenance, use and conditions may depend on the season.

Where can you get orienteering maps for Pankakoski?

The maps are available from the Lieksa Sports Office.

For the broader travel overview: Pielinen Karelia.