Petäjävesi: Waterways, Nature and Culture

Discover Petäjävesi through its waterways, nature trails and culture. The signposted Wanha Witonen canoe route starts at Kirveslahti boat harbour on Lake Jämsänvesi and runs for 75 kilometres to Jämsä, on Lake Päijänne. The approximately 12-kilometre Töllin Taival starts in the centre of Petäjävesi and loops around the same lake as a hiking or cycling route. There are also trails around the municipality, the Old Church set in a landscape of lakes and forests, and cultural attractions ranging from communications history to exhibitions and events.

Water Routes and Trails in the Greenery

Töllin Taival and Wanha Witonen offer different ways to get out and about: you can hike or cycle along Töllin Taival, which forms a loop around Lake Jämsänvesi. Wanha Witonen is a signposted canoe route with a clearly identified starting point at Kirveslahti boat harbour and a destination in Jämsä. It is classified as moderately difficult and is also suitable for beginners, as rapids can be bypassed using portage routes. Together, an approximately 12-kilometre loop and a 75-kilometre canoe route offer options for different kinds of outings.

Nearby, Syrjäharju is located in the village of Pengerjoki, about 8 kilometres from Petäjävesi in the direction of Multia. There are three trails there: the 4-kilometre Retkipolku, the 2-kilometre Kukkulapolku and the 4.2-kilometre Harjukierros. Kukkulapolku is the shortest; Retkipolku and Harjukierros are similar in length at 4 and 4.2 kilometres respectively. Route details may be updated by the municipality, so check the information before your outing.

The Tampinkierros nature trail lies in the southwest of Petäjävesi municipality, in the Teerijärvensuo nature reserve. About halfway along the loop, on the shore of Lake Teerijärvi, there is a rest area with a lean-to shelter, a campfire site and a dry toilet. This provides a specific place to stop when planning a hike. Petäjävesi’s varied natural landscape also includes forests, hiking trails, waterways and mires.

Church, Communications History and Art

The Old Church of Petäjävesi stands on a peninsula on Lake Solikkojärvi, within the municipality of Petäjävesi. It is surrounded by a rural landscape typical of the region, with lakes and forests. Architecturally, it represents the tradition of European wooden churches in Northern Europe. The combination of church architecture and landscape makes this a different focal point from the routes along the water.

The Petäjävesi Radio and Telephone Museum presents 150 years of electronic communications history and also preserves the collections of the Finnish Society for Radio History. Those interested in technology will find a distinct cultural history topic here, beyond the nature and route options.

Taidetila Toinila complements the cultural offering with a varied programme of exhibitions and events that brings together artists and art enthusiasts of all ages. The venue is at Koulutie 6 in Petäjävesi. In addition to communications history, visual arts and events are among the themes you can consider when planning your trip.

In the municipality of Petäjävesi, the Talli Furuvatni riding stable offers riding lessons and Icelandic horse rides. Suoramyynti Heinähattu’s café offers a different experience: it serves fresh coffee and homemade sweet and savoury pastries, to enjoy on site or take away.

Plan Your Trip Around Your Interests

When looking for a holiday rental, it helps to first decide what kind of holiday you want: a canoe trip, a hiking or cycling route, nature trails or culture. The route lengths give you an idea of the distances involved, while the destinations also differ in terms of activity and theme. You can then choose the location of your accommodation based on the experiences that matter to you. If you prefer waterways, you can include Wanha Witonen in your itinerary; if you want to compare several shorter trails, Syrjäharju has routes from 2 to 4.2 kilometres long. The church, museum and Taidetila Toinila offer further cultural highlights.

Discover more destinations: Kannonkoski, Kinkomaa, Hankasalmi, Juokslahti, Viitasaari, Karstula, Suolahti, Lievestuore.

For the broader travel overview: Central Finland.