Distance to the target from Kompassinaukio in Jyväskylä
Address
Hitonhaudantie 102
41340 Laukaa
Sää kohteessa:
Lämpötila: -2.4°C Broken, klo 06:03
The Hitonhauta trail in Laukaa temporarily closed for official use. The Hitonhauta trail in Laukaa is currently closed for official use. In practice, this temporary closure involves covering the trail signs and information boards leading to Hitonhauta, as well as informing hikers and outdoor enthusiasts both online and on-site. Safety deficiencies on the trail were brought to light when the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes), which oversees consumer safety, investigated the conditions at Hitonhauta following a serious accident.
During the winter and summer of 2025, a safety assessment will be conducted at Hitonhauta to identify hazardous areas and evaluate whether the municipality of Laukaa can address the safety issues and maintain the trail in compliance with legal requirements at a reasonable cost. Currently, there is no operator responsible for the maintenance and safety of the site as required by law.
Even if Hitonhauta is officially closed, with all signage and online instructions removed, visitors may still explore the area under everyone’s rights at their own risk.
Hitonhauta is a rugged gorge in Laukaa, formed by the Ice Age. The gorge is about 800 meters long and 30-40 meters wide, and its rock walls rise vertically to a height of 10-20 metres. In winter, magnificent frozen waterfalls form on the walls of the gorge.
The terrain in the gorge is difficult and slippery in places, and there are plenty of boulders at the bottom of the gorge. When moving in the gorge, it is recommended to exercise special caution due to the difficult terrain. The nature of the area with its mosses and plants is very sensitive to wear and tear, so it is important to stay on the trail. Climbing the steep slopes is strictly forbidden, as is making fire in the area.
The easiest way to get to Hitonhauta is from Valkolantie road in the Valkola village, where there are signs signalling the road to Hitonhauta. From the parking lot, there is a circa 1.5 km walk to the beginning of the path leading to the gorge. Hitonhauta and the roads leading to it are located on the land of a private landowner, and the roads are not maintained. Some of the signs on the roadside are worn. There are no separate signs in the gorge.
See a Youtube -video from Hitonhauta Gorge filmed in winter.
Accessibility
The terrain in the gorge is difficult and slippery, and there are many boulders at the bottom of the gorge. The area is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.
More information
When moving in the gorge, it is recommended to exercise special caution due to the difficult terrain. Climbing the cliff slopes is strictly prohibited, as is making fires in the area
Starting point/end point
Parking lot on Hitonhaudantie, from there a walk of circa 1.5 kilometres to the gorge.
Coordinates
N 6929435 E 435312
Route length
The distance from the parking lot to the gorge is circa 1.5 kilometres. The length of the gorge is around 800 metres.
Structures
The terrain is partly difficult, slippery and bouldery. There are no separate signs in the gorge.
Lapp hut or camp fire
Next to the parking lot there is the Harinen lean-to and a campfire site. In the Hitonhauta area, it is forbidden to make a fire.
