Luhanka: Churches, Harbor and Cultural Heritage

Luhanka combines a distinctive church history with an arrival route across Lake Päijänne and excursions by the water or along cycling routes. Two church sites tell different stories: the summer-use Luhangan kesäkirkko and the former site of the Reeth Church. When planning your trip, you can balance culture, cycling and time at the beach according to your interests.

Luhanka at a glance

• Luhangan kesäkirkko was consecrated on October 1, 1893, Michaelmas Day.
• Its altarpiece was painted by Selinda Danielsson in 1906; Eva Sofia Jutila funded the painting.
• The Reeth Church was built in 1766 and dismantled in 1892; the municipality erected a monument at its site in 1956.
• A water route across Lake Päijänne leads to Luhanka, and boats can reach the center of the church village.
• Mämminiemi is a sandy beach with a pier and bathing steps.
• The southern connecting route of the Lakeland by Cycle route network passes through Luhanka.

Church history at two sites

Luhangan kesäkirkko is a distinctive starting point for learning about Luhanka’s more recent church history. Architect Josef Stenbäck designed it, using the plans for the church in Hankasalmi as a model. The altarpiece, created in 1906, bears the Finnish title “Jeesus seisoo ovella ja kolkuttaa” (“Jesus stands at the door and knocks”); it was painted by Selinda Danielsson and funded by Eva Sofia Jutila. Architecture and furnishings can thus be considered as two distinct aspects of the church building.

The building’s use also shapes its character: the church is unheated and has no electric lighting, so it is used only in summer. Its good acoustics have earned it a reputation as a concert church. Visitors interested in church interiors and sound will therefore find more here than just a history of the building—though this does not imply any particular concert date.

The old church and cemetery area at Reeth offers a different picture. The church, built in 1766, was dismantled in 1892; in 1956, the municipality of Luhanka had a monument erected at its site. A rare fence made of log coffins and burial chambers has also been preserved there. At the cemetery, the car must be parked more than 100 meters away; from there, a grassy path leads to the site. This distance and the condition of the path are worth factoring into your visit plans.

Waterways, harbor and road route

Lake Päijänne offers a distinctive way to arrive: a water route leads to Luhanka, and boats can reach the center of the church village. The harbor at Hakulintie 6 has paid long-term and guest berths for boats. There are also two free drinking-water points near the harbor. For those traveling by water, both the arrival point and practical harbor facilities are identified.

Luhanka can also be included in a road trip. The route known as “Finland’s most beautiful scenic road” runs from Vääksy via Pulkkilanharju, Kalkkinen, Sysmä and Luhanka to Korpilahti. Its route makes Luhanka one section of this named tour, rather than simply an interchangeable stop on a travel itinerary.

Cycling, the beach and more to discover

Lakeland by Cycle is another option for cycling travelers. The route network connects nature destinations, attractions and services in Central Finland and runs mostly along gravel and forest roads; a southern connecting route passes through Luhanka. The network’s routes are considered very easy to ride overall and are rated 5 to 6 out of 10 on a difficulty scale. Conditions along the routes can vary seasonally.

The municipality of Luhanka maintains Mämminiemi swimming beach, a sandy beach with a pier and bathing steps. It offers a specific opportunity to spend time by the water alongside the cultural program.

The neighboring village of Tammijärvi has more to offer. Peltolan Mäkitupalaismuseo comprises 19 log buildings and about 3,000 objects. It is considered a nationally significant cultural heritage site and is described as the world’s only authentic Mäkitupalais settlement whose buildings remain at their original locations. There is disc golf between Luhanka School and Tammijärvi: the course has six baskets. In the forest there is also a free orienteering course with seven checkpoints, open to everyone.

Other facilities are also spread across the municipality: a dedicated shelter has been set up at Papinmäentie in Lempää, Tammijärvi, for viewing the Latamäki wind farm and its turbines. Tammijärvi beach can be reached via a gravel road below and behind the school. Nearby, there is a lit cross-country ski trail about one kilometer long at Luhanka School; its preparation for winter is seasonal. A village sauna and a barbecue hut on the shore of Lake Tammijärvi are also available to rent.

If you’d like to discover more destinations: Saarijärvi, Haapamäki, Kannonkoski, Äänekoski, Lannevesi, Jämsänkoski, Jyväskylä and Toivakka.

Frequently asked questions about Luhanka

When is Luhangan kesäkirkko used?

The unheated church, which has no electric lighting, is used only in summer. Its good acoustics have earned it a reputation as a concert church.

What can you see at the former site of the Reeth Church?

The church was built in 1766 and dismantled in 1892. The municipality erected a monument at the site in 1956; the old church and cemetery area also preserves a rare fence made of log coffins and burial chambers.

Can you reach Luhanka by boat?

Yes. A water route across Lake Päijänne leads to Luhanka, and boats can reach the center of the church village. The harbor at Hakulintie 6 has paid long-term and guest berths.

What options are there for cycling travelers?

A southern connecting route of the Lakeland by Cycle route network passes through Luhanka. The network runs mostly along gravel and forest roads; its routes are considered very easy to ride overall and are rated 5 to 6 out of 10 on a difficulty scale.

For the main travel overview: Central Finland.