Winter hiking in the Jyväskylä Region – tips and favorite destinations from social media influencer Katja Hellman

A content creator and social media influencer from Jyväskylä, Katja Hellman, who runs the @katjahellman and @polkuni_mun accounts, loves hiking in winter when it’s at least -10 °C and there’s plenty of snow.

“Nature is much more peaceful in winter. There’s something magical about seeing your breath steam and your hair frost over. In winter’s darkness, sitting by a campfire is ten times better than in summer,” Katja says.

She says she likes to explore winter landscapes on snowshoes or gliding snowshoes, or ski on lake ice. The most important thing in winter is not the walking distance, but being able to enjoy nature. Katja also likes to spend nights in lean-to shelters in winter.

Katja, an experienced hiker, emphasises the importance of planning ahead.

“If you are inexperienced, you can’t just jump into winter hiking; you have to think very carefully about what to take with you. The temperature can drop significantly at night, so it’s important to keep warm. However, your equipment doesn’t have to be expensive. I often use two sleeping bags on top of each other. It’s also a good idea to put the clothes you’ll wear the next day inside your sleeping bag at night. This will keep them warm and also warm your toes during the night.”

When preparing for a trip, Katja carefully researches what kind of lean-to she will be staying in and whether there is an outdoor toilet or firewood available, or if she needs to bring her own wood.

“Firewood is especially important. Of course, you can get by with a gas or wood stove as long as you have winter gas. However, these don’t provide extra heat or the same atmosphere as a campfire. I often bring small kindling sticks with me, enough for at least one campfire. I also often keep a bag of firewood in my car, just in case. In winter, it’s important to always check the weather forecast. When it comes to water, bear in mind that it freezes at sub-zero temperatures.”

There is usually no winter maintenance at hiking destinations, but the most popular ones usually remain open in snowy winters thanks to visitors.

Katja has been on overnight trips both alone and with a friend.

“Going alone is empowering in a completely different way because you can set your own pace.”

However, Katja does not recommend going alone on your first trip.

Katja has several favourite winter hiking destinations in the Jyväskylä region.

“I take advantage of the nearby nature and often go for coffee or lunch in the mornings at the Vuorilampi lean-to near my home. The local area is the best.”

Her favourite day-trip destinations include Kirveslampi marshland in Leivonmäki National Park for snowshoeing, Kirkkoniemi lean-to in Laukaa and Kapeenniemi in Äänekoski.

“There are also nice outdoor areas in the Peurunka area in Laukaa.”

If you want to ensure you have the lean-to to yourself, Katja recommends booking one. There are good options in Hankasalmi, for example.

“Luontovire’s Lyyrapuu lean-to is an amazing and unique place with a lyre-shaped pine tree growing next to it. There is also a reservation lean-to in the Häähninmäki outdoor recreation area.”

Even experienced hikers have not yet had the opportunity to visit all of Jyväskylä Region’s destinations. The Keuruu area is particularly interesting.

“It would be wonderful to see the Pihlajavesi wilderness church in winter. It was an enchanting experience in autumn, so just imagine what it would be like in winter! It must be a truly spectacular place!”