Photo: Julia Kivelä
Photo: Julia Kivelä
Photo: Julia Kivelä
Photo: Julia Kivelä
Photo: Julia Kivelä

4+1 Days

All year

e-Car Adventures: In the heart of nature in Jyväskylä region

Dive deep into nature and let it surprise you with its untouched beauty. Quiet gravel roads lead you to unique accommodations where nature and peace come together. Small but vibrant municipal centers offer you services between transitions. There’s no rush on this vacation, so you can choose destinations according to your own schedule. Every destinations are located about 1-1,5 hours from Jyväskylä, so you can also make visits on separate days from the same accommodation. Avis e-car gives you freedom.

 

See route

Season

All year

Vehicle

  • By car

Duration

4+1 Days

Length

400 km

General information

Total length of the route: about. 400 km, if departure and return are from Jyväskylä.

Book time: The example route takes 4 + 1 days in it’s entirety. You can also choose to implement just part of the route for your own schedule and by your liking. The example route takes 4 + 1 days in its entirety. You can also choose to implement just part of the route for your own schedule and by your liking.

Charging points: At most gas stations along the route, in the center of Konnevesi and in the yard of Ruustinna in Saarijärvi.

Who is suitable: For those interested in nature and camping. The basic routes in national parks are well marked, so map reading skills are not essential. Example routes are easy to navigate and they are suitable for walking with children or less experienced hikers. Additional information links provide more options for longer trips as well.

Car rental

For car rental, please contact: www.avis.fi

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Route description

Navigate on a specific date

  • Day 1

    Start your morning with coffee and a cinnamon bun in atmospheric cafe called Karoliinan Kahvimylly.

    If you are coming from Jyväskylä you will get there fastest along the valtatie E75. Alternatively you can take a more leisurely route by heading south on the E63 and then turning onto the smaller roads 610 and 6134.

    About 10 km from Karoliina’s Coffee Mill you will reach the first of our national park circuits. Entire family will enjoy of safe and easy to navigate paths and long wooden drills in the national park of Leivonmäki. Already on a day trip you will see the many faces of Jyväskylä region’s nature – lakes, ridges, swamps and forests. The park has several safe and easy trails, which are also suitable for beginners.

    Navigate for example to Selänpohja’s parking area (Kansallispuistontie 20, Joutsa). From there starts several different routes for example easy to walk Mäyränkierros (5,5km) presenting the typical ridge nature of the region and the Finnish landscape. Or choose one of the other attractive routes in Leivonmäki – you can also explore the national park on an accessible route or in the saddle of a bicycle. Please note that different routes depart from different starting points.

    After the day’s hiking, continue about twenty kilometers to the eco-accommodation destination Nukula. Nukula (Piililäntie 71, Oravasaari) offers food, accommodation and nature experiences following to the principles of sustainable development. Relax on the trail of silence, enjoy food made of local ingredients and treat yourself in traditional sauna by the lake listening to the unique silence.

    Route of the first day

    Person outlooking a pond in the Leivonmäki National Park.
    Photo: Jukka Paakkinen

    Attractions

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  • Day 2

    Head northeast from Nukula through Toivakka towards Hankasalmi on roads 644 and 618. Along the way you can stop for morning coffee at a summer cafe called Huikon Helmi by the lake in Toivakka (Huikontie 446, 41660 Toivakka).

    Continue your journey further towards Hankasalmi and stop by Rantakorpi organic sheep farm (Rantakorventie 82, Niemisjärvi) to pet friendly sheep, learn about traditional yarn-making methods, or temporarily switch your vehicle for a one-horsepower steed. The farm also sells local food and handicraft products. Please note that a visit requires advance notice.

    Stop for lunch along the E63 road at Grill Room Hankasalmi (Ysitie 362, 41490 Hankasalmi). It looks modest but it’s chosen Finland’s best burger place in 2024, so go try it out and see if you agree with the jury. Turn north then to road 641 and explore the center of Hankasalmi by the lake shore. Shop in the charming flea market boutique at the old railway station and admire the Gustavian-style wooden church.

    Continue your journey north towards Häähninmäki observation tower (Häähnintuvantie 160, 41540 Hankasalmi). From here, after a short hike, you can enjoy the breathtaking views over the fir trees of Jyväskylä region. Around the observation tower, there are also hiking trails of various lengths hiking routes which you can use to explore the surroundings more closely.

    About 10 kilometers from Häähninmäki is located Luontovire (Lehminiementie 34, 41560 Säkinmäki). It’s a functioning company hidden in nature that offers nature trips and accommodation close to nature. Try for example the Lumous forest accommodation, where you can enjoy magnificent lake and pine forest scenery as well as delightful sunsets. Evening snacks and breakfast are enjoyed at your own campfire site. After the steam of the wood sauna, it’s wonderful to sink into a soft bed and fall asleep to the sounds of nature.

    Second day route

    The Häähninmäki lookout tower pictured from beneath on a sunny clear day.
    Photo: Hanna Kansanen

    Attractions

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  • Day 3

    After a delicious breakfast, continue your journey northwest towards Etelä-Konnevesi National Park. After only about 30 km car drive you get to be part of the stunning lake scenery. In Etelä-Konnevesi National Park, you can boat on vast lake expanses or paddle in the winding archipelago among flat granite rocks and vertical cliff faces.

    First head to Häyrylänranta (Konneveden satama, Satamatie 60, Konnevesi) It’s your water gate to Etelä-Konnevesi national park. Cruise across shiny water and admire national park landscapes over lunch or rent a kayak with an experienced guide to introduce you to the winding South Konnevesi archipelago. At Häyrylänranta you can also spend time on a SUP board paddling or enjoying restaurant services.

    If you want to get a feel for the area also through the underground, explore the Scout Hut Trail near Häyrylänranta. The 2 km circular route offers a short and easy walking trip along the rapids, in the depths of the forest, where you can get to know the lake trout’s living environment.

    If you want more challenging terrain routes, you can explore the routes in the Kalaja area (Törmälän metsätie 136, Rautalampi), which offer breathtaking scenery. Please note that the routes are more demanding and difficult to navigate. Also ask about guide services.

    At this stage, hunger is surely gnawing at you. Enjoy lunch at Häyrylänranta summer restaurant or a couple of kilometers away in Konnevesi center. The center also has a charging station available for your electric car. After lunch, head south on roads 69 and 641 towards your next accommodation, Ranta-Keurula estate (Ranta-Keurulantie 159, Hankasalmi). Here you’ll enjoy accommodation in a traditional Finnish environment by the lakeside. Try relaxing in the smoke sauna or explore the area’s history, which extends back to the Stone Age.

    Third day route

    Two people admiring the cliffs on kayaks.
    Photo: Hanna-Kaisa Hämäläinen

    Attractions

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  • Day 4

    Last but certainly not least of Jyväskylä region’s magnificent national parks, Pyhä-Häkki National Park calls to you. From the park you will find Southern Finland’s finest old forest, where 400-year-old ancient pines whisper in the wind. The fire scars of thick-barked pines remind us of forest fires from past centuries, and the Mastomäki evergreen forests stop also a busy walker to even the hurried traveler to marvel at human smallness. The crown forest croft of Poika-aho tells the story of the early inhabitants of remote regions. In the depths of Pyhä-Häkki’s ancient primeval forest, you wander among the atmospheres and stories of ancient spirits.

    Head west from Ranta-Keurula on road 69 and then turn north onto road 6510. From the Pyhä-Häkki parking area (Viitasaarentie 2119, Saarijärvi) depart, among others, the Kotajärvi trail 6,5 km and the Mastomäki trail 3,2 km, which are easily accessible and clearly marked and wind through the area’s ancient spruce forests. Get to know, for example, the giants of the forest, the Old big tree. The now yellowed tree started its growth in the year 1518 and its circumference is 288 cm. A new, still living large tree is from the year 1641 – try how many people are needed to reach their arms around it!

    After the hiking day, drive for the night to Saarijärvi’s Ruustinna (Paavontie 1, Saarijärvi). Here you will stay in a charming old wooden rectory, whose windows open to views of a beautiful garden or directly to the lake, and your car will charge at the same time in the hotel’s parking area.

    The next morning you continue your journey refreshed and onward. You can return your car to an Avis location according to the rental agreement, for example in Jyväskylä or Helsinki, or continue your vacation on one of our other themed routes. Explore other electric car routes here:

    Fourth day’s route in

    A person pours coffee from a coffee pot to a wooden cup.
    Photo: Julia Kivelä

    Attractions

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