Leivonmäki National Park

Leivonmäki National Park

Located in the municipality of Joutsa, the Leivonmäki National Park makes an excellent destination for hikers and rovers of all kinds, since it offers varied terrain and first-class scenery as well as tracks and trails of different standards. In an area of just over 30 square kilometres visitors will discover a landscape that encompasses ridges, lakes and bogland, and which can be admired throughout the year. In the year of its establishment, the national park was named after the former municipality of Leivonmäki in which it was situated.

The Leivonmäki National Park is suitable for people of all ages and wanderers of all levels since it possesses a wide variety of different trails, thus ensuring everyone finds something to their liking. The area’s longest routes – the Harjunkierros (Ridge circuit), Mäyränkierros (Badger circuit) and Maastopyöräilyreitti (Mountain biking trail) depart from Selänpohja’s parking area on the shore of Lake Rutajärvi. Feel free to take a dip in the lake, which is also perfect for paddling and rowing.

The Koskikaran kierros (Koskikara circuit) in the northern part of the National Park offers roaring, tumbling rapids while the Luupään lenkki (Luupää path) at the southern end is big on both geology and history. A section of the Luupää path shines in terms of accessibility: the Harjujärvi trail is well suited to those using a wheelchair. The southern part of the National Park also features the Kirveslammen kierros (Kirveslampi circuit), along which there is a nature observation tower from which to admire superb tracts of bogland and forest.

The Leivonmäki National Park makes an excellent excursion destination for the whole family. Thanks to its convenient location and diversity the area is a first-class learning environment – all year round!

The national park can be easily reached by taxi. Ask for JYTAKSI’s fixed price journeys from city center to tourist attractions.

It is possible to make a virtual excursion to Leivonmäki National Park. Virtual contents have been created in the ‘Responsible tourism made visible in the Jyväskylä Region, Lakeland Finland’ project. In the virtual excursion it is possible to see the gorgeous views of the National Park and participate in a quiz, among other things. Get to know the virtual Leivonmäki National Park here.

It is also possible to make a virtual excursion to the park via smart phone by scanning a QR-code from bird signs that have been placed around Leivonmäki National Park and Jyväskylä City Centre. The signs in the City Centre are located in the window of the Visit Jyväskylä Region Tourist Office and at the Jyväskylä Travel Centre. In the National Park the signs can be found at the Joutsniemi rest area, Lintuniemi rest area, Harjujärvi’s viewing platform and Selänpohja parking lot.

Read more about the Leivonmäki National Park and the area’s history here.