A trip to nature

The Lahti region is a paradise for outdoor exercise lovers. There are hundreds of kilometres of trails and maintained forest tracks to work up a sweat while you enjoy the stunning scenery and stop at a lean-to for a picnic.

At the top of KAPATUOSIAN LINNAVUORI (“Kapatuosia Castle Mountain”) in Hollola, you will find an outlook tower with a view over Lake Vesijärvi and the Salpausselkä ridges. You can climb the hill along paths or stairs. There is a 2.4 kilometre Kapatuosia nature trail in the area.

The LAPAKISTO nature reserve in the Nastola area at Lahti offers a versatile natu- ral landscape with small lakes, mires and cliffs. The region has five marked trails and several campfire sites and two lean-to shelters along the trails. The easiest way to access the trails is Ristikankaantie parking lot.

There are plenty of outdoor routes next to the services provided at the Hollola municipal centre. The 10.5 km SALPAUSSELKÄ MARSH

TRAIL covers the landscapes of three mires. The 7.5 km LAKE TRAIL loops around three Tiilijärvi lakes. The varied trails include both steady roads, winding forest paths and duckboard. The 4.5 km TIIRISMAA TRAIL terrain is varied and very rocky in places. The medium difficulty level trail includes features such as a lean-to shelter and the Pirunpesä (‘Devil’s Nest’) gorge.

KOSKENSAARI island in Jyrängönvirta stream is part of the Heinola National Urban Park and important in terms of bird life. The island can be reached by a road. There is a 3.1 km path around the island, Koskensaarenpolku, which is also suitable for mountain biking. There is a lean-to shelter and a campfire site by the trail and a nature trail in the middle of the island.

PULKKILANHARJU NATURE TRAIL

In Asikkala passes through a beautiful landscape of lakes and eskers in the Päijänne National Park. At Pulkkilanharju, there is a 2 km nature trail which can be combined with a 2.4 km circular route featuring a sandy beach and duckboard section. The trail begins at the Karisalmi parking lot.

HARTOLAN KUNINKAANPOLKU

TRAIL is a combination of nature and culture. By the trail consisting of four sections, you can discover features such as the Tainionvirta river, the arched Ekonkoski bridge, the peatland forest and cultural sites. The dirt roads and walkways on the Kuninkaanpolku Trail are easy to walk, and the Ekonpolku section is accessible. The trail has two swimming beaches.

AURINKOVUORI next to the Vääksy services in Asikkala provides outdoor routes, two lean-to shelters with campfire sites and training stairs with 239 steps. The viewing platform next to the lean-to shelter closer to the centre provides a beautiful view of Lake Päijänne, and there is a view of Lake Vesijärvi from the Kivistö lean-to shelter.

The 12.6 km PÄIJÄNNE-ILVESTRAIL, starts from the Padasjoki Marina and leads to the Tarus recreation area where you can continue your journey to the Evo Ilves trail. The versatile trail passes through walkways, dirt roads and forest paths. The trail features field landscapes, forest terrain and a lean-to shelter with a campfire sites.

LEMMENHARJU NATURE TRAIL in Vierumäki travels along eskers with steep slopes and the shores of small lakes with clear water. You can opt for a 4 km route or a shorter 2.4 km route. There are two campfire sites near the main building of the Sport Institute of Finland on the shore of Lake Valkjärvi.

HIIDENSAARI ISLAND and HIIDENVUORI HILL in Iitti form an important national landscape. Hiidensaari Island provides plenty of easyto-follow routes. The wooden stairs on the island lead to the top of the 60 m Hiidenvuori Hill with an excellent view. On Hiidensaari Island, you can go hiking or mountain biking. There is also a guest harbour on the island, accessible by boat or canoe.

RADANSUU NATURE TRAIL in Iitti covers a distance of approximately 8 km in the Radansuu Village landscape. There are fascinating sights along the way, such as the small Kalmusaari island with lean-to shelter and a campfire site. The trail is relatively easy to follow and contains long boardwalk sections.

Just seven kilometres from the centre of Lahti, the valuable LINNAISTENSUO marsh is home to stunted pine trees, sphagnum moss and marsh Labrador tea. A nature trail of about 1.5 km runs through the marsh.

The entire 13 km of the LEHMUSREITTI route around the centre of Lahti is within a maximum of two kilometres from the market square. The route offers varied nature experiences right next to the city’s services.

KELVENNE ISLAND which is part of the Päijänne National Park, is located in Southern Päijänne. It is one of Finland’s largest and most beautiful esker islands. An 8 km trail with blue trail markers passes through the Kelvenne island. There are several campfire sites along the trail. In summer, Kelvenne is accessible by boat, canoe, cruise ship or boat taxi.

The rocky PÄIJÄTSALO island in Sysmä on the eastern shore of Lake Päijänne is partly within the territory of the Päijänne National Park. The Päijätsalo trails can be accessed by road, but it is also possible to arrive at Pyydysniemi by boat. There is a recently renovated over 120-year-old observation tower at the highest point of the island. There are new trails also for mountaing biking.

KAMMIOVUORI HILL in Sysmä is the second-highest peak in southern Finland and an excellent site for a day-trip. There is a magnificent view of Lake Päijänne from the top of the Kammiovuori Hill. The area has a 4 km trail with steep uphill and downhill slopes, the gigantic Linta boulder and a lean-to shelter with a campfire site. ■

TIP!

Finland’s most beautiful scenery

The most beautiful scenic route in Finland starts at Vääksy and runs through the stunning lake scenery of Pulkkilanharju and Sysmä. Stop to admire the lakeside scenery or walk a nature trail before continuing on your journey.