Lake Päijänne shapes Päijät-Häme both as a lake and as a reference point for a wide range of routes. In Vääksy, Lakes Vesijärvi and Päijänne meet; the Vääksy Canal connects them as a historic waterway. The narrow Pulkkilanharju ridge runs across Lake Päijänne, forms part of a nationally significant landscape area and is one of the most important sites in the UNESCO Global Geopark Salpausselkä.
The Salpausselkä Geopark is located in the Lahti region. It tells the story of Finland’s best-known geological formation and encompasses hundreds of lakes, from small kettle lakes to Lake Päijänne, Finland’s second-largest lake. This range gives the landscape its framework; the routes and experiences take you to very different sides of the region.
Hiking and water routes
A marked hiking trail runs across the island of Kelvenne in Päijänne National Park. The Kelvenne Trail is 10.3 kilometres long and has toilets, cooking shelters, fire pits and campsites. Accessibility is also important when planning your visit: most of the national park can only be reached by water.
Outside restricted areas, you can hike, ski, row and canoe freely in Päijänne National Park. Another hiking connection starts at the guest harbour in Padasjoki: the Päijänne–Ilves Trail meets the Ilvesvaellus Trail in the Evo hiking area. This means the island trail on Kelvenne and the link between trails in different locations offer two distinct options.
For a paddling route, Kymenkäänne leads from Lake Kymijärvi in Lahti through a series of small lakes and streams to the Kymijoki River on the Iitti side. In Asikkala, Aurinkovuori Hill offers a different combination: it lies on the Aurinko-Ilves Trail and has illuminated outdoor routes of three and seven kilometres, as well as ski trails in winter. Two shelters with fire pits and a viewing platform with sweeping views over Lake Päijänne complete the facilities on the hill.
Cycling and winter sports
The Salpausselkä Geopark has cycling routes on city streets, country roads and off-road trails. Along the Lahti–Hollola axis, relaxed cycling routes with lake views and hilly roads pass through the rural surroundings. Another point of reference is the 12-kilometre Vääksy–Pasolanharju cycling route: it starts at the Vääksy Canal and leads to the Pasolanharju ridge.
In winter, the Salpausselkä trail network in Lahti and Hollola includes dozens of kilometres of maintained and illuminated ski trails. The Messilä ski resort in Hollola has ten slopes and nine ski lifts. The Lahti Ski Games in Salpausselkä, also called the Salpausselkä Games, are an international winter sports event held annually since the 1920s. If you are planning your visit around the competitions, check the event dates.
Nature, culture and regional stories
Kutajärvi is a nature reserve in Päijät-Häme with lush lakeside forests and floodplains. During the spring migration, large numbers of waterbirds gather there. Its seasonal appeal distinguishes this nature experience from routes described mainly by their layout or winter use.
Several museums in Lahti explore a range of subjects. Malva is a museum of art, design, posters and culture in the old Malski brewery building. The Radio and TV Museum presents the history of Finland’s radio and television industry. It is located on Radiomäki Hill, next to Lahti’s 150-metre-high radio masts. At the sports centre, the Ski Museum’s exhibitions on the history of skiing also cover the Lahti Ski Games and the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships held in Lahti.
The area around the Vääksy Canal is also a significant cultural landscape, with destinations for activities and experiences throughout the year. Near the canal, Päijännetalo houses Finland’s Fishing Museum; it also hosts temporary art exhibitions on the region’s fishing culture. Päijännetalo is open year-round. Check the latest opening details before your trip.
Local specialities also include drinks. Teerenpeli Brewery & Distillery Visitor Centre in Lotila, Lahti, offers guided tours and tasting events. Confirm current visitor information and booking details directly with the operator. Hartola Sahti is a Finnish farmhouse ale made from malted and unmalted grain and has been sold at Krouvi since 1996.
Discover more destinations: Auttoinen, Lahti, Asikkala, Vierumäki, Heinola, Nyystölä, Sysmä, Padasjoki, Hollola, Hartola, Orimattila, Hämeenkoski.
For the broader travel overview: Finland.
