Discover Haukivuori – lake, drumlin and cycling routes

Haukivuori combines Lake Kyyvesi with a landscape shaped by the Ice Age, hiking trails and a museum with collections on regional history. Water covers one fifth of Haukivuori’s area. There are also many different ways to explore the village and its surroundings: on foot, by mountain bike or through the history of the village. Which of these aspects you want to focus on may also shape your search for holiday accommodation in Haukivuori.

Kyyvesi, drumlin and protected nature

The village centre lies on a peninsula and offers panoramic views of Lake Kyyvesi. It is considered Finland’s smallest village centre. To the east lies Saksalanharju: this drumlin, left behind by the Ice Age, covers 478 hectares and rises 65 metres above the lake level. It also offers views of Lake Kyyvesi. The village centre and the ridge offer two different perspectives on the landscape, without requiring you to plan the same kind of stay for both.

Keronvuori hill and the grove on its western side form a protected area. Lake Kyyvesi and its surroundings provide a habitat for numerous rare and endangered species, including white-backed woodpeckers, hazel grouse, capercaillie, orioles and otters. Anyone interested in the landscape and wildlife will find specific species and habitats here, rather than just a general picture of nature. Iso-Naakkima is one of eight meteorite craters discovered in Finland.

Hiking and cycling: several routes to choose from

There are hiking routes of varying lengths. The trails in Häkkilä are between 12 and 30 kilometres long. They pass through different types of forest and terrain around the village of Häkkilä and split into a longer northern route and a shorter southern one. The northern Häkkilä hiking trail is also suitable for mountain biking.

Kirkonkierros is an eight-kilometre hiking trail that you can follow on foot or by mountain bike. Another cycling option is the approximately 42-kilometre route around Häkkilä. It starts at the junction of Porsaskoskentie and National Road 72. The two options differ in their stated length and the surroundings described, so plan them as separate outing options.

If you would like to include a longer cycling trip in your holiday, you can also consider the approximately 90-kilometre route. It starts in Kinnari in Mikkeli, passes through Haukivuori and ends at the Lomatrio campsite and service point in Naarajärvi near Pieksämäki. Unlike the routes around Häkkilä, this one connects several named places. Its approximate total length and the stated endpoints give you an idea of whether a longer route fits your travel plans.

Village history and views of the water

The Haukivuori Museum is housed in an old log granary that once served as a municipal grain store. It opened to the public in 1962 and is run by the Haukivuori Local Heritage Association (Haukivuoren kotiseutuyhdistys ry). The objects on display relate to agriculture, fishing, blacksmithing and carpentry. The museum therefore brings together different areas of work and daily life, rather than focusing on just one tradition.

The museum grounds also include a windmill built in 1905 and moved from the village of Häkkilä to its present location in 1966. Its construction date and later relocation mark two different stages in its history. If you are interested in local history as well as trails and landscapes, the museum and windmill can add to the experiences you choose.

There is an important limitation to keep in mind when planning a boat trip: there are no boat launching sites in the protected areas of Lake Kyyvesi. Access to the water is available via Haukivuori harbour or Kapustasalmi. Take this difference into account if access to the water is important for your trip.

More places to explore: Vanhamäki, Rahula, Hirvensalmi, Hietanen, Puumala, Ristiina, Otava, Pertunmaa.

For the broader travel overview: Mikkeli.