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Outdoor Express – bus to national parks

Outdoor Express takes you from the center of Jyväskylä by bus directly to nature and back in the summer of 2025.

Outdoor Express, operating during weekends in the summer season, offers a quick connection from the center of Jyväskylä to the Pyhä-Häkki, Southern Konnevesi, and Leivonmäki National Parks. There is plenty of time for hiking and enjoying nature. You can explore independently on foot or take advantage of the diverse guide and experience services offered by the national parks. If you wish, you can also pack a tent or book accommodation near your destination and return on the next day’s ride.

Outdoor Express service is intended for both locals and tourists; the aim is to provide an easy opportunity for hiking for everyone.

 

Prices

  • Adult 12 €
  • Students and seniors 10 €
  • Children (4-15 years) 6 €
  • Under 4 years (free)
  • Bicycle transport 3 €
  • Strollers 0 €
  • Pets 0 € (Note! Pets are only allowed on Sunday trips)

The above ticket prices are for a one-way trip. Return trips are the same price. Remember to also purchase a return ticket if you are returning with the Outdoor Express transport.

 

Buying tickets

  • Tickets are on sale in the Matkahuolto service and must be purchased 20 minutes before the departure of the service.
  • Tickets are not sold on the bus!
  • The operator of Outdoor Express bus rides is MatkaMäkelä Oy.
  • Outdoor Express transports depart from Jyväskylä Travel Center, Hannikaisenkatu 20, Jyväskylä.
  • Outdoor Express tickets can be combined through the Matkahuolto ticket shop for transfers with local bus Linkki, train, or long-distance bus.
  • Download the Routes and Tickets app.

 

Schedules

Select the national park you want or browse all below

Photo: Jukka Paakkinen

Leivonmäki National Park

Leivonmäki National Park enchants its visitors with its diverse landscapes, where ridges, lakes, and mires create a unique natural mosaic. The Koskikara Nature Trail, which starts from Rutalahti, is 3.5 km long, and the Harjunkierros (4.5 km) and Mäyränkierros (5.5 km) trails starting from the Selänpohja parking lot offer stunning scenery and diverse nature experiences.

Departures from Jyväskylä:
Sat 26.7. Buy tickets here
Sun 27.7. Buy tickets here
Sat 23.8. Buy tickets here
Sun 24.8. Buy tickets here

Departures from Joutsa:
Sat 26.7. Buy tickets here
Sun 27.7. Buy tickets here
Sat 23.8. Buy tickets here
Sun 24.8. Buy tickets here

The transport departs from Jyväskylä Travel Center at 11:00 and stops at Koskikara (Rutalahti P) at 11:40, Selänpohja P at 11:55, Harjujärvi accessible at 12:15. After this, the transport continues to Joutsa (connector road) at 13:00, from where it returns to the national park area at Selänpohja P 13:30 and Rutalahti P at 13:45. The return transport departs from Koskikara (Rutalahti P) at 16:30, Selänpohja P at 16:45, Harjujärvi accessible at 17:00, Joutsa (connector road) at 17:30, and Jyväskylä Travel Center at 18:30.

11.00 Travel Centre, charter bus platform
11.40 Rutalahti, Letkaliiteri (to Koskikara trail), arrival
11.55 Selänpohja P
12.15 Harjujärvi accessible route

13.00 Joutsa town center
13.30 Selänpohja P
13.45 Rutalahti (to Koskikara trail)

16.30 Rutalahti, departure
16.45 Selänpohja P
17.00 Harjujärvi accessible route
17.30 Joutsa town center
18.30 Matkakeskus, charter bus platform

Make your trip unforgettable by taking advantage of national park services, such as accommodation, activities, and rental equipment.

Photo: Julia Kivelä

Pyhä-Häkki National Park

Pyhä-Häkki is known for its ancient forests and stunning bog areas. This national park located in Saarijärvi offers over 20 kilometers of well-marked and easy-to-navigate trails. A recommended day hike is the 6.5 km Kotajärvi trail, which passes through ancient forests to the Big Tree and leads back to the parking area via a campfire site.

Departures from Jyväskylä:
Sat 9.8. Buy tickets here
Sun 10.8. Buy tickets here
Sat 6.9. Buy tickets here
Sun 7.9. Buy tickets here

Departures from Saarijärvi:
Sat 9.8. Buy tickets here
Sun 10.8. Buy tickets here
Sat 6.9. Buy tickets here
Sun 7.9. Buy tickets here

The transport departs from Jyväskylä Travel Center at 11:00 and stops in Saarijärvi at 12:00. The final stop is Pyhä-Häkki P, where the transport arrives at 12:30. The return transport departs from Pyhä-Häkki P at 16:30 and goes through the center of Saarijärvi at 17:00. The transport is back at Jyväskylä Travel Center at 18:30.

11.00 Travel Centre, charter bus platform
12.00 Saarijärvi, center (Torikatu)
12.30 Pyhä-Häkki, arrival
16.30 Pyhä-Häkki, departure
17.00 Saarijärvi, center
18.00 Travel Center, charter traffic platform

Make your trip unforgettable by taking advantage of national park services, such as accommodation, activities, and rental equipment.

Photo: Jukka Paakkinen

Southern Konnevesi National Park – Land connection, Kalaja

Southern Konnevesi national park features three hiking trails that offer challenges and experiences for hikers of all levels. Kalaja Trail is a 4.6 km long trail that includes a steep ascent and descent with stairs. Suitable for an overnight hike is the longer 14 km Three mountains hiking trail.

Departures from Jyväskylä:
Sat 19.7. Buy tickets here
Sun 20.7. Buy tickets here
Sat 2.8. Buy tickets here
Sun 3.8. Buy tickets here

Departures from Hankasalmi:
Sat 19.7. Buy tickets here
Sun 20.7. Buy tickets here
Sat 2.8. Buy tickets here
Sun 3.8. Buy tickets here

The transport departs from Jyväskylä Travel Center at 11:00, from where it continues its journey via Hankasalmi’s Revontuli Resort at 11:45. The final stop is Törmälä Course Center’s Bus Park at 12:30. The return transport departs at 17:30 from Törmälä and goes via Revontuli Resort at 18:15. The bus arrives at Jyväskylä Travel Center at 19:15.

11.00 Travel Center, charter bus platform
11.45 Revontuli Resort, Hankasalmi
12.30 Törmälä Course Center, arrival
17.30 Törmälä Course Center, departure
18.15 Revontuli Resort, Hankasalmi
19.00 Travel Center, charter bus platform

Make your trip unforgettable by taking advantage of national park services, such as accommodation, activities, and rental equipment.

Photo: Kuvaaja Hanna-Kaisa Hämäläinen

Southern Konnevesi National Park – Water connection, Häyrylänranta

The water gateway to Southern Konnevesi National Park opens from Häyrylänranta Harbor. You can book a guided kayaking tour or explore the waters of the national park independently by kayaking or paddleboarding, for example, on the Haukisaari Circuit (8 km) or from the deck of an inland cruise ship. A short walk from the harbor, the Partiomaja Trail 2.2 km offers an excellent excursion destination in the vicinity of the national park.

Departures from Jyväskylä:
Sat 16.8. Buy tickets here
Sun 17.8. Buy tickets here
Sat 30.8. Buy tickets here
Sun 31.8. Buy tickets here

Departures from Laukaa:
Sat 16.8. Buy tickets here
Sun 17.8. Buy tickets here
Sat 30.8. Buy tickets here
Sun 31.8. Buy tickets here

The transport departs from Jyväskylä Travel Center at 11:00 and stops in Laukaa at the yard of Spa Hotel Peurunka at 11:35. It arrives at Häyrylänranta at 12:15. The return transport departs from Häyrylänranta at 17:00 and stops at the yard of Spa Hotel Peurunka at 17:35. It arrives at Jyväskylä Travel Center at 18:15.

11.00 Travel Centre, charter bus platform
11.35 Laukaa, Spa Hotel Peurunka
12.15 Häyrylänranta, arrival
17.00 Häyrylänranta, departure
17.35 Laukaa, Spa Hotel Peurunka
18.15 Travel Centre, charter bus platform

Make your trip unforgettable by taking advantage of the national park services, such as accommodation, activities, and rental equipment.

You might also be interested in

Something still unclear? Contact the Tourist Office

Outdoor Express Jyväskylä Region service is implemented by the Sustainable International Accessibility in Central Finland Tourism (KeKaSa) project, managed by Visit Jyväskylä Region under the City of Jyväskylä. The project is co-funded by the European Union. Funding has been granted by the Regional Council of Central Finland.

The transportation is provided by MatkaMäkelä Oy, Mäntymäentie 26, 42700 Keuruu
0207 438 311 / [email protected]