Easy Trails
The Accessible Harjujärvi Trail, 700 m each way
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time 1h
A demanding accessible trail
Everyone can enjoy the scenery of Lake Harjujärvi! The trail is accessible for prams, pushchairs and wheelchairs (when assisted).
Starting Point
Harjujärvi cooking shelter (pdf 2.5 MB, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Accessible parking at Harjujärvi picnic area; please note that you must request the lock code in advance. Public parking at Kirveslampi parking area. See more detailed instructions on the Leivonmäki accessible page.
Route Description
Route markings: blue paint
The accessible Harjujärvi trail runs from the picnic area of Lake Harjujärvi to Pond Turasenlampi. The trail is 700 m / each way. The accessible trail is approximately 2 m wide throughout. The start of the trail is fairly level dirt road. The surface is hard sand and partly crushed stone and needles. However, there are a few hills on the trail where the gradient varies between 6% and 13%. There are also points on the trail with a lateral slope of approximately 4%. The end of the trail is a wide and easy plank trail. There is a handrail on the other side of the plank. The trail ends at the viewing platform on the shoreline of Turasenlampi. Take a break on the bench on the pier and feel the atmosphere of the mire pond. The accessible Harjujärvi trail is part of the 2.2 km Luupään Lenkki trail.
Hiking Structures
A cooking shelter, a separate campfire site, a toilet and a camp site by Lake Harjujärvi. See more detailed information on the Leivonmäki accessible page.
Open here the brochure of the accessible trail (pdf 1.1 MB, julkaisut.metsa.fi).
Luupään Lenkki Nature Trail, 2.2 km Circle Trail
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time 1h
An easy trail, the accessible Harjujärvi trail is part of the Luupään Lenkki trail.
What is a ‘suppa'? What does an esker or a boulder look like? Head over to the Kirveslampi parking area to see traces of the Ice Age.
Starting Point
Address: Kirveslampi parking area, Vartiamäentie Road, Joutsa (pdf 2.5 MB, julkaisut.metsa.fi).
Hiking Structures
An accessible cooking shelter, a separate accessible campfire site, an accessible toilet and a camping area by Lake Harjujärvi. Please bring your own toilet paper.
Route Description
Route markings: blue paint
Recommended direction of travel: anti-clockwise
Altitudes vary somewhat along the route. The trail is narrow in places and some trees may have fallen onto the path. The trail is signposted on the terrain.
Luupään Lenkki Trail, 2.2 km, is a geological nature trail. The information boards along the trail describe the geology of the Leivonmäki National Park and introduce such natural features as kettle holes, eskers, erratic boulders and the emblem animal of the park, nightjar, which thrives in esker areas.
Open here the brochure of the Luupään Lenkki -trail (pdf 1.1 MB, julkaisut.metsa.fi).
Other Hiking Trails 0–10 km
Kirveslammen kierros Trail, 1.7 km Circle Trail
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time 1h
An easy trail
The fragrance of Labrador tea (Ledum palustre), duckboards and the peaceful landscape visible from the Kirveslampi observation tower invite the whole family to enjoy an outing in mire scenery.
Starting Point
Address: Kirveslampi parking area, Vartiamäentie 1073, Joutsa (pdf 2.5 MB, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Hiking Structures
Kirveslampi nature observation tower in Haapasuo. Note, no toilet.
Route Description
Route markings: blue paint
Recommended direction of travel: anti-clockwise
Kirveslammen kierros Trail's difficulty level is easy. This trail offers the best opportunity to get to know the mire nature of the Leivonmäki National Park. The trail goes over the Haapasuo Mire and the Haapasuonharju Ridge and, for the most part, has duckboards.
Open here the brochure of the Kirveslammen kierros -trail (pdf 1.2, julkaisut.metsa.fi).
Harjunlahti Connecting Trail, 3 km/each way
An easy trail
Route markings: blue paint
Harjunlahti connenting trail connects Kirveslampi parking area and Harjunlahti swimming place (Joutsa municipality) (3 km).
The Koskikaran Kierros Nature Trail, 3.5 km Circle Trail
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time 1.5 h
An fairly easy trail. Stairs at the beginning, rocks and roots on the path at some places.
Discover a hidden gem – the River Rutajoki with its foaming rapids!
Starting Point
Address: Koskikara parking area, Rautsillantie 2, Joutsa (retkikartta.fi). There is about 100 meters from the parking area to the starting point of the trail.
Sights
River Rutajoki and its rapids
Route Description
Route markings: yellow paint
Koskikaran kierros trail starts at Rutalahti and runs partly in the National Park and partly on private land. The trail follows along the banks of the River Rutajoki, which has both scenic foaming rapids and calmer sections. At about 1.2 km, there is a picnic table where you can have a rest and a snack. Hikers will meet duckboards in places, and there are sections with rocks and tree roots on the path. Mostly, however, this is quite an easy trail. On the return journey, the section further away from the river follows a very smooth trail that makes for fast walking. Koskikaran kierros trail treats hikers to highly varied tree species, with forests dominated by spruces, birches and pines. There are seven nature trail information boards on the trail that tell visitors about the interesting history and nature of the River Rutajoki.
You can take a look at the information boards in advance (pdf 2.1 MB, julkaisut.metsa.fi).
Harjunkierros Trail ("Esker Trail"), 4.5 km Circle Trail
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time 1.5 h
Mostly an easy trail, but some steep ascents and descents.
Climb eskers and descend to the lake's shore through the light pine forest. Greet the goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) swimming on the lake.
Starting Point
Address: Selänpohja parking area, Kansallispuistontie 20, Joutsa (pdf 2.5 MB, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Hiking Structures
In Lintuniemi a campfire shelter and a camping site, also a possible place for swimming, however it is not an official beach. Please bring your own toilet paper.
Sights
On this trail, you get to see the esker landscape at its best, as the trail partly runs on top of the esker formation.
Route Description
Route markings: red paint
Recommended direction of travel: clockwise
Harjunkierros Trail ("Esker Trail") 4.5 km, starts from the parking area of Selänpohja and goes by Lake Iso Pirttilampi to Lakes Erijärvet and from Lintuniemi by the shore of Lake Rutajärvi back to the parking area. It is also possible to combine Harjunkierros Trail with a visit to Joutsniemi.
Mäyränkierros Trail ("Badger Trail"), 5.5 km Circle Trail
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time 2h
An easy trail
The Mäyränkierros trail runs through the most characteristic stretched of the Leivonmäki National Park. The easy terrain invites hikers to go on an outing.
Starting Point
Address: Selänpohja parking area, Kansallispuistontie 20, Joutsa (pdf 2.5 MB, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Hiking Structures
In Lintuniemi a campfire shelter and a camping site, also a possible place for swimming, but there is no official beach in the area. At Lake Soimalampi a campfire site and a lean-to shelter (visiting Soimalampi makes the trail 8.5 km long). Please bring your own toilet paper.
Sights
Along the trail you get to see both mire landscape and esker landscape with its small lakes and kettle holes.
Route Description
Route markings: blue paint
Recommended direction of travel: clockwise
Mäyränkierros Trail ("Badger Trail") starts from the parking area of Selänpohja and goes to Lake Mäyrälampi and back. Another trail (1,5 km one way) separates from Mäyränkierros Trail to Soimalampi lean-to shelter. A trail to Joutsniemi also separates from Mäyränkierros Trail.
Other Hiking Trails over 10 km
Rutalahti Connecting Trail, 11 km/each way
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time 3.5 h
An intermediate trail
Starting Points
Address: Koskikara parking area, Rautsillantie 2, Joutsa and Selänpohja parking area, Syysniementie 1072, Joutsa (pdf 2.5 MB, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Route Description
Route markings: blue paint
The Rutalahti trail connects Rutalahti (Koskikaran kierros trail) and the Selänpohja parking area (11 km). Some of the trail runs outside the National Park and along forest roads.
Mountain Biking Trail
Mountain Biking Trail (22 km)
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time 3 - 6 hours
An intermediate mountain biking trail
Leivonmäki MTB takes you into the beautiful nature of Central Finland, where the esker landscape shaped by the Ice Age is dotted with kettle holes, mires and clear forest ponds.
Starting Point
Address: Selänpohja parking area, Kansallispuistontie 20, Joutsa (pdf 2.5 MB, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Hiking Structures
Lean-to shelter at Soimalampi, lean-to shelter and separate campfire site at Joutsniemi. A dry toilet at Soimalampi, Joutsniemi and Selänpohja parking area. Please bring your own toilet paper.
Route Description
Route markings: yellow diamonds
Direction of travel: clockwise
Leivonmäki MTB -trail is a circle trail which starts and ends at Selänpohja parking area. The route is varied and runs along forest paths, cart paths and narrow sandy roads. It also includes short duckboard sections and some challenging ascents and
descents that have rocks and tree roots. The most challenging part of the trail is the wooded hill area before Soimalampi Pond, where you should be prepared to carry your bike. Both sides of Joutsniemi Esker provide magnificent views to Rutajärvi Lake. Campsites along the route provide a chance to refresh yourself near the water or spend the night.
Open here the brochure of the MTB-trail (pdf 1.8 MB, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Skiing Trails
The Recreational Skiing Trail (10,3 km / 6,7 km / 3,8 km)
Classic cross-country skiing
The skiing trail (10,3 km) can be divided into two separate circles: northern circle 3,8 km and southern circle 6,7 km
The wintry landscape and wilderness atmosphere of Haapasuo Mire are worth experiencing!
Starting Points
- The whole skiing trail (10,3 km) and northern circle (3,8 km): The parking area of the Harjunlahti beach (municipality of Joutsa)
- The whole skiing trail (10,3 km) and southern circle (6,7 km): Kirveslampi parking area, Vartiamäentie 1073, Joutsa
- The parking areas on the map (pdf 518 kt, julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Hiking Structures
A cooking shelter, a separate campfire site, a dry toilet and a camping site by Lake Harjujärvi. Please bring your own toilet paper.
Route Description
The trail is supposed to be skiied clockwise.
The recreational skiing trail (10,3 km) in the southern part of the national park is maintained by the municipality of Joutsa as well as the 'Friends of Leivonmäki National Park' association. The trail can be divided into two different circles: northern circle 3,8 km and southern circle 6,7.
The skiing trail, which is suitable for classic skiing, will be opened when the Finnish schools have their annual skiing holiday (last week of February). It is a wilderness skiing trail and maintained irregularly. Check the skiing trail conditions on the website of the Joutsa community (in Finnish).
Please Note
Due to the nesting of birds on Haapasuo Mire, the period of restricted access starts on 15 April, after which you are not allowed to move about on the mire.
