For Ansku Bergström and Elina Gustafsson, nature is the most important thing when travelling – read their tips for a pet-friendly nature holiday in the Jyväskylä Region.

Famous Finnish dancer and trainer Ansku Bergström and her partner, entrepreneur Elina Gustafsson want to visit nature destinations when they travel in Finland.

– Nature is the number one priority on our trips, and in general, we are interested in everything that has to do with nature. For example, hiking, climbing, activities, and trail running, say Ansku and Ellu.

In the summer of 2024, the couple traveled to the Jyväskylä Region and explored the area’s nature-oriented destinations. The three-day trip started right next to the center of Jyväskylä at the Lutakko harbour, where they boarded a cruise ship and travelled for a few hours to Lake Päijänne. In the evening, they still had time to relax in the lakeside setting of Hotel Keurusselkä in Keuruu, about an hour’s drive away.

A recently renovated canoeing route of about 10 kilometers circles the centre of Keuruu, which is built on an island. It takes two to four hours to paddle the route.

– Canoeing around Keuruu was fantastic, Elina enthuses.

The route is sheltered and runs close to the shore, and along it, you can stop at, for example, a café, beach or market along the way. Ansku and Elina’s canoe trip started and ended at the shore of the old vicarage in Old Keuruu.

From Keuruu, Ansku and Elina’s journey continued to Revontuli Resort in Hankasalmi. At the resort, located on the beautiful shore of Lake Iso-Virmasjärvi, Ansku and Elina stayed in a glass-roofed igloo. Revontuli Resort was praised by both.

– The Sauna World at Revontuli Resort was amazing, Ansku remembers.

In addition to the saunas, Revontuli offers a variety of activities, and Elina recommends that those who travel to Revontuli plan enough time for their visit. The nearby jogging trails, for example, seemed interesting.

On the last day of their trip, the couple still had time to explore Häähninmäki outdoor area. Situated about half an hour’s drive from Revontuli Resort, the outdoor area has gained success in, among others, a vote by Retkipaikka magazine and received lavish praise from both Ansku and Ellu.

– Häähninmäki was super cool and the route insanely fantartic, Elina confirms.

Ansku and Elina walked the approximately 4.4-kilometer-long Pitkä Poltinlampi route at Häähninmäki. At the beginning of the route stands the Häähninmäki lookout tower, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding forest. In winter, the cabin at the top of the tower can be rented for overnight stays.

Before returning home, Ansku and Elina dropped by the charming Café Meijerinliiteri in Joutsa. There are still sights to see for future trips:

– We received a tip from a friend who has a cottage in Joutsa, that it’s worth visiting the Myllykoski nature reserve in Joutsa, says Ansku.

– There is still a lot left to experience, for example the South Konnevesi National Park is interesting, Ellu mentions.

The couple’s dog, Mäkkyrä, travelled with them on the Jyväskylä Region tour. From the Päijänne Cruise to the pet-friendly glass igloo at Revontuli, Mäkkyrä was welcome at every stop – except for the kayaking cabin, where he waited for his owners, and the Häähninmäki observation tower cabin, where dogs are not allowed.

– Revontuli Resort, for example, was a really good destination with a dog, Ansku notes.