Sonkajärvi is a municipality in the North Savonia region of Eastern Finland.

Get in

Iisalmi is the nearest town of any size, while Kuopio has the closest airport.

Sukeva station on the line between Iisalmi and Kajaani fields a few trains per day.

Get around

By taxi

• Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi

Do

Events

• Wife Carrying World Championships: 6–7 July 2018. Contest of carrying your wife through an obstacle course. Sonkajärvi's best-known yearly event, this involves husky men carrying their wives across an obstacle-laden track, with the winner taking home the wife's weight in beer. The 2008 event drew competitors from 10 countries and over 5000 spectators. (date needs updating)

Sleep

• Club Herrala (Herralan kartano), Kartanontie, ☏ +358 50 557 4636. Located 30km north of Sonkajärvi, the Herrala mansion offers private suites, a guest house, a hunter's lodge and a small spa. Only advance bookings.