Leivonmäki National Park is an easy to explore national park with diverse landscapes in Joutsa, Central Finland.
Understand
The national park is divided in two by the barren lake Rutajärvi. The northern part is dominated by dry pine forests, but there is also old spruce forest and forest with old deciduous trees. The terrain is hilly, with small lakes and mire hollows. The southern part is dominated by the open Haapasuo mire, which can be admired from the Haapasuo esker.
History
Landscape
Eskers with sparse pine forest, lakes, and the Haapasuo mire in the south are the most prominent features of the park. In the north the Rutajoki river flows down from Rutajärvi to Rutalahti of Päijänne.
Flora and fauna
Climate
Get in
The park is 50 km south of Jyväskylä, west of E75 (national road 4). There are buses at least by E75 via Leivonmäki on the other side of Rutajärvi. In school days you can use the school bus to come to Rutalahti or Selänpohja along local road 6134.
There is a taxi in Leivonmäki.
By foot along the road from Leivonmäki, you reach the restricted area of Haapasuo after 3.5 km, information board, swimming beach and the Kirveslampi trail after 5.5 km. The northern part of the park is across the lake – just a few metres wide at Salmelanniemi – so most people would have to circle it to reach Selänpohja with the rest of the trails from here, a further 6.5 km along the road, partly through the park and along the lakeside.
By car from Leivonmäki, drive 3.5 km to the west and turn south for the Kirveslampi parking area, or continue to the T intersection and turn north for the Selänpohja parking. You could also continue 6.5 km to the north along E75 and turn towards Rutalahti.
From the north you can turn at Viisarimäki, towards Rutalahti (9.5 km). In the village you could ask to be dropped off if you have a driver, for the 6.5 Rutalahti trail, or continue, turning right at the T intersection and then to the left after 1.5 km at another T intersection. Now drive 6 km for the Selänpohja camping
For disabled to get to the Harjujärvi camping area and the accessible Luupään Lenkki trail a boom can be opened (get the key).
If you have a canoe or boat you should be able to launch it quite near Leivonmäki or some other point of E75, but check where. You might have to drive your car to one of the two official parking lots.
Fees and permits
There are no entrance or hiking fees. There are several businesses offering services, such as equipment rental and guided tours and lodging outside the park.
The bigger lakes and rivers are not part of the park. Fishing is allowed by the usual rules, i.e. angling and ice fishing is free, for lure fishing you need to pay the national and provincial fee, for other fishing in Rutajärvi and some other lakes you need the national permit and permission from the Leivonmäki fishing collective (Leivonmäen osakaskunta).
Berry and mushroom picking is free.
Get around
There are two nature trails (2.3 and 3.5 km) and several hiking trails. You can also use a bike (where it does no harm), rowing boat or canoe. In the winter there is a 10-km skiing track in the south part of the park.
The trails are easy and most should suite also families with small children. The Harjujärvi trail, part of the Luupään Lenkki geological nature trail, suits also prams and wheelchairs.
Entrance is forbidden to most of the Haapasuo mire in the bird nesting season 15 Apr–15 July, but there is a bird watching tower at the edge of the restricted area.
See
- The Haapasuo mire, with bird observation tower.
- The Joutsniemi ridge projecting out in the Rutajärvi lake, on the 4.5 km Harjun kierros circle trail, starting at Selänpohja.
- The rapids of Rutajoki, on the 0.5-km Koskikara trail from Rutalahti, or along the 11-km Rutalahti trail, using the west part of the Koskikara trail.
Do
- Swimming at Harjunlahti, or at another beach (not belonging to the park) in Rutalahti.
- Hiking along the nature or hiking trails.
- Canoeing or boating, making landfall at the islands with lean-to shelters and campfire places (check for wildfire warnings).
- Mountain biking. The 22-km biking trail starts at Selänpohja.
Buy
There is a shop, post office services and a pharmacy in Leivonmäki.
Eat
There are several campfire sites – but check wildfire warnings, during which making open fire is forbidden. Camping stoves can be used anywhere and anytime, but be extra careful during campfire warnings.
Drink
Boiling the water for a few minutes before use is recommended.
Sleep
Lodging
There are commercial lodging facilities outside the park, e.g. in Leivonmäki.
There are lean-to shelter for four persons each at Lake Soimalampi and on the islands Niinisaari and Halttunen, possibly also at Harjujärvi.
Camping
There are camping sites at Lintuniemi and Harjujärvi camping sites (capacity for 5–7 tents each, few services). Camping is also allowed close to any campfire sites.
Backcountry
Outside the park right to access applies. Leave no trace.
Stay safe
There are few dangers in the park. If boating, canoeing or swimming, mind common advice.
Go next
- Viisarimäki/Kuivavuori. The hill close to the village has a demanding 2-km nature trail with fine views and a lean-to shelter.
- By boat or canoe: to Päijänne, a bay of which Rutalahti is. This is one of the most famous lakes of Finland, stretching from Jyväskylä in the north, through Padasjoki with Päijänne National Park, to Asikkala in the south, where the Vääksy canal provides access to Vesijärvi of Lahti. Via Heinola the waterway continues to Kotka on the Gulf of Finland.
| Routes through Leivonmäki National Park |
| Rovaniemi ← Jyväskylä ← | N  S | → Heinola → Helsinki |