Clean waters, majestic forests, and their rich wildlife are Joutsa’s gift to everyone. Best of all, nature is open every day of the year. You can explore nature trails, forest paths, or boardwalk routes on foot, by bike, by canoe, or even on horseback. You might encounter a real moose or find berries along the trail. The well-marked trails are easy to navigate. Joutsa’s top nature attraction is Leivonmäki National Park, which welcomes nearly 30,000 nature enthusiasts each year. On the park’s easily accessible routes, you can experience the many facets of Central Finland’s nature.
Clean waters, majestic forests, and their rich wildlife are Joutsa’s gift to everyone. Best of all, nature is open every day of the year. You can explore nature trails, forest paths, or boardwalk routes on foot, by bike, by canoe, or even on horseback. You might encounter a real moose or find berries along the trail. The well-marked trails are easy to navigate. Joutsa’s top nature attraction is Leivonmäki National Park, which welcomes nearly 30,000 nature enthusiasts each year. On the park’s easily accessible routes, you can experience the many facets of Central Finland’s nature.
Leivonmäki national park
Ridges, boardwalks, and cotton grass, pine forests and blue lakes—Leivonmäki National Park offers a variety of atmospheres to choose from. The park is located in Leivonmäki, just north of Joutsa’s town center. Come hiking, camping, mountain biking, trail running, or simply enjoy the scenery. The national park is open every day of the year! In winter, you can also find a beautifully scenic cross-country ski trail in the park.
Did you know? Leivonmäki National Park has received the Sustainable Travel Finland label from Visit Finland. The label recognizes the park’s long-term commitment to responsibility and sustainability.
Valklampi bordwalk
A couple of hours in Little Lapland: Head to the Valklammi boardwalk trail next to Kangasniementie! The scenery is stunning, and it’s no wonder the area is locally called “Little Lapland.” The trail is 4 km long, with about 1.5 km of boardwalks. The path also runs along a ridge surrounding the bog.
Start and ending point
The trailhead is located at the edge of Joutsa’s old sports field (turn onto the road leading to the field from Kangasniementie 25), and there is an information board at the starting point.
Myllykoski conservation area
The Myllykoski Conservation Area offers a soothing nature experience right next to Joutsa’s town center. Myllykoski features several channels with bridges built over them, and boardwalks allow you to pass by the wetlands. The trail starts next to the old red mill building. Myllykoski is also an excellent birdwatching spot, as the rapids and Myllynlahti Bay remain unfrozen year-round. A birdwatching tower is located near the rapids.
In summer 2024, starting July 1, the Myllykoski Conservation Area will feature a two-week wellness trail for all ages. The trail mostly follows traditional paths. Along the route, points attached to trees and railings offer various exercises and questions related to wellbeing. The purpose of the wellness trail is to pause and enjoy the stunning nature of Myllykoski while gaining tips on how to enhance your own wellbeing.
Myllykosken osoite: Myllytie 40, 19650 Joutsa
Bike touring
The Hitonhauta Gravel Loop by Lakeland by Cycle takes you along Joutsa’s beautiful gravel roads. The route also passes through the impressive scenery of Leivonmäki National Park. On the Bikeland website, you can find a map showing services and accommodations along the route.
In the summer of 2024, you can explore the villages of Joutsa by participating in a mailbox cycling event! Cycle the entire route or choose a section. At the points marked on the map, you can leave your name in the notebook found in the mailbox.
A cyclist hungry for culture should also check out Haihatus Cultural bicycles (Kulttuurikonkeli). Kulttuurikonkeli offers bikes that you can borrow for free at Joutsa village centre, so you can cycle between destinations. This service is provided by art center Haihatus.
Haapasuo wetland
Neova Group has established a large, 111-hectare biodiversity area in Haapasuo, Joutsa, on a former peat production site. The 70-hectare wetland area of the site was completed this year [2025]. It is one of the largest wetland areas built on former peat production sites in Finland. The wetland is located right next to Leivonmäki National Park, excellently complementing Joutsa's diverse range of nature destinations.
Neova Group planned and constructed the wetland in cooperation with the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre) for Central Finland. Several local stakeholders were also involved in the collaboration. The wetland is located at Harjunlahdentie 216
Tammimäki sightseeing tower
Climb the tower to see magnificent landscapes! Tammimäki is the highest point in Southern Finland (242 m), and at its peak is an 18-meter-high observation tower maintained by the Joutsa Local Heritage Association, which offers excellent views across municipal borders. Tammimäki is also one of the 93 points of the Struve Geodetic Arc in Finland. The Struve Arc runs through ten countries from Ukraine to Hammerfest, Norway. The observation tower is located on Tammimäentie in the village of Pappinen. There is a signpost to the tower from the intersection of Korpilahdentie and Tammimäentie.
There is also a sightseeing tower in Leivonmäki called Kuhasenmäki sightseeing tower. This tower is however under maintenance at the moment.
Kayaking routes
Joutsa's magnificent waterways, stretching from Lake Puula to Lake Päijänne, offer many opportunities for enthusiasts of kayaking, paddling and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). Launch your kayak and head towards adventure!
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