The Pyynikki ridge, one of Tampere's most remarkable natural areas of beauty,
is the city's most important recreation area and it is located only two kilometres away from the city centre.
The Pyynikki ridge forms a narrow isthmus between the lakes Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi.
The ridge was formed during the last ice age about 10,000 years ago. On the slopes of the ridge
there are ancient shores, i.e. natural banks and formations left by ancient seas and lakes.
Pyynikki is part of a line of ridges which is over 200 kilometres long.
The Pyynikki ridge is the highest of these ridges (162 metres above sea level),
rising 85 metres above the level of Lake Pyhäjärvi.
Thus, the Pyynikki ridge is regarded as the highest gravel ridge in the world.