Lake Kyyvesi covers one fifth of Haukivuori’s area. In the village centre, Finland’s smallest village centre, a peninsula offers panoramic views of the lake. Cycling and hiking trails, protected landscapes and local history provide different starting points for planning your trip—from an eight-kilometre circuit to a longer cycling route that passes through Haukivuori.
Compare cycling and hiking trails by length and type
When choosing a route, the listed distances and modes of travel can help you decide. Kirkonkierros is an eight-kilometre hiking trail that you can follow on foot or by mountain bike. The Häkkilä hiking trails are 12 to 30 kilometres long. They run around the village of Häkkilä through a variety of forests and terrain, and split into a longer northern trail and a shorter southern one. The northern Häkkilä hiking trail is also suitable for mountain biking.
There are also two cycling routes, with different details on length and course. The cycling route around Häkkilä is about 42 kilometres long; its starting point is at the junction of Porsaskoskentie and National Road 72. As route conditions may change, check them before setting off. Another cycling route, about 90 kilometres long, starts in Kinnari in Mikkeli, passes through Haukivuori and ends at the Lomatrio campsite and service point in Naarajärvi near Pieksämäki. For this route, both the approximate distance and the start and finish points are specified, making it easy to distinguish from the trails around Häkkilä.
Lake Kyyvesi, the esker and protected nature
East of the village centre, Saksalanharju offers a view of Lake Kyyvesi. The glacially formed esker covers 478 hectares and rises 65 metres above the lake. Its size and height give the landscape a different sense of scale from the trails around the village centre.
Protected areas are also relevant when planning a stay by the water. Mount Keronvuori and the grove on its western side form a protected area. There are no boat launch sites in the protected areas of Lake Kyyvesi; access to the water is available via Haukivuori harbour or Kapustasalmi. Lake Kyyvesi and its surroundings are home to numerous rare and endangered species, including white-backed woodpeckers, forest grouse, capercaillies, orioles and otters.
Museum, windmill and meteorite crater
The Haukivuori Museum is housed in an old log-built grain store that formerly served as a municipal granary. It opened to the public in 1962 and is run by the Haukivuori Local Heritage Association (Haukivuoren kotiseutuyhdistys ry). The exhibits offer insight into farming, fishing, blacksmithing and carpentry. This means several occupations are in focus, rather than just one collection or activity.
The museum grounds also feature a windmill dating from 1905. It was moved from the village of Häkkilä to its present location in 1966. The building shows both its current location and where it originally came from. Another distinctive feature is Iso-Naakkima, one of the eight meteorite craters discovered in Finland. Along with its trails, Lake Kyyvesi and the museum, Haukivuori offers a range of themes to shape your trip around.
Discover more destinations: Majavesi, Mäntyharju, Pertunmaa, Hirvensalmi, Hietanen, Otava, Vanhamäki, Kangasniemi
For the broader travel overview: Mikkeli.
