Airaksela: Lakeside, Ski Trails and Village Life

Lakeside scenery, ski trails and village traditions give Airaksela its varied character. From the beach, Lake Iso-Laukaa is in view, while the observation tower on Laukaanvuori directs your gaze towards Lake Iso-Lauas and as far as Puijo Tower. Depending on the season, cross-country skiing, hiking or ice skating are also options. Events in July and December add their own touches to village life.

Airaksela at a glance

• Airaksela Beach is on the shore of Lake Iso-Laukaa, on Jussilantie.
• The Auma-ahonmäen lenkki loop is a ski trail when there is snow and can also be used as a hiking route when the ground is snow-free.
• Opposite Airakselan Seurantalo, another cross-country skiing loop begins when there is sufficient snow; it is slightly more than four kilometres long.
• On Laukaanvuori, an approximately 200-metre-long, easy-to-walk path leads to the observation tower.
• Annual village events include Letunkiännöt in July and a porridge festival in December.

Lakeside scenery, views and two kotas

The beach on Jussilantie links the name Airaksela directly to the shore of Lake Iso-Laukaa. Facilities include a dry toilet, changing cabins, a pier and a seating area. If you are planning a lakeside visit, you will find the main facilities mentioned here right at the beach. The combination of shoreline and pier makes this a clear focal point for planning a day in Airaksela.

The observation tower at the summit of Laukaanvuori offers a different perspective. From there, the view stretches towards Lake Iso-Lauas; Puijo Tower is also visible on the horizon. The path to the tower is approximately 200 metres long and easy to walk. The viewpoint adds a bird’s-eye view to the lakeside experience, without requiring a long walk to reach the tower.

The two kotas also offer distinct settings. The kota at Kauppisenlammi is on the shore of Kauppinen, near the Kauppisneva nature reserve. A path leads from the shore of Kauppisenlammi to Kauppisneva. There is a dry toilet and firewood at the kota. Hoikan kota, by contrast, is on the shore of Hoikkalampi; a dry toilet and firewood are available there too. Valkeinen rocks are nearby.

Viita-ahontie and, in winter, a nearby snowmobile trail are listed as access routes to Hoikan kota. This guidance is seasonal: the winter route described follows a snowmobile trail, while Viita-ahontie is listed as another option. At Kauppisenlammi, meanwhile, the lakeshore, the path to Kauppisneva and the facilities at the kota are practical points to keep in mind when planning your visit.

Ski trails, hiking and winter activities

There are two cross-country skiing options to distinguish in winter. The Auma-ahonmäen lenkki loop, built and maintained by the Airakselan Yritys sports association, is a ski trail and can also be used for hiking when the ground is snow-free. Another cross-country skiing loop starts opposite Airakselan Seurantalo. It is slightly more than four kilometres long and is prepared when there is sufficient snow. Allow for slightly more than four kilometres on the second loop; it is prepared when there is sufficient snow.

In summer, the Auma-ahonmäen lenkki loop can be extended via a snowmobile trail. The route follows the Hirvonjoki to Jussilantie; the return journey is via a gravel road to an asphalt road. This seasonal extension differs from the ski trail and the hiking option on snow-free ground: it follows a river and returns over different road surfaces. Both the route and the time of year are relevant when planning your day.

Ice skating is also possible in winter, on a floodlit hockey rink. Together with the two cross-country skiing options, this makes for a range of winter activities rather than a single, all-purpose destination. If you are mainly interested in cross-country skiing, you can distinguish the snow-dependent loop at Seurantalo from the Auma-ahonmäen lenkki, which can be used differently throughout the year; the hockey rink is another option for ice skating.

Village life and seasonal refreshments

Letunkiännöt is one of Airaksela’s annual events and takes place in July. Around a hundred villagers and holiday-home guests attend. In December, a porridge festival is held together with other village associations. The two events bring different seasons and occasions to village life: summer features a celebration attended by villagers and holiday-home guests, while in winter the associations’ joint porridge festival is on the calendar.

In summer, Airaksela’s kiosk at Airakselan Seurantalo sells café items, ice cream and soft drinks. The kiosk at Airakselan Seurantalo is a summer kiosk. Seurantalo itself is available to rent for meetings, celebrations and sporting events. The kiosk and the rentable venue are therefore two different points of interest in the same building; the rental information does not imply that the venue is generally open to the public.

When choosing accommodation, it helps to first decide what you would most like to focus on during your trip. If you are mainly looking for lakeside scenery and views, you can consider the beach and observation tower as distinct experiences. For a more active stay, the ski trails, the hiking option on snow-free ground and winter ice skating offer seasonal alternatives. The kotas add places by the water and the path to Kauppisneva to the mix. Which accommodation suits your plans therefore depends above all on which of these experiences—and which season—matters most to you.

Discover more destinations: Hiltulanlahti, Vuorela, Maaninka, Siilinjärvi, Säviä, Rautavaara, Kaavi and Lapinlahti.

Frequently asked questions about Airaksela

Where is Airaksela Beach?

The beach is on the shore of Lake Iso-Laukaa, on Jussilantie. Facilities include a dry toilet, changing cabins, a pier and a seating area.

What cross-country skiing options are there?

The Auma-ahonmäen lenkki loop is a ski trail. When there is sufficient snow, another cross-country skiing loop, slightly more than four kilometres long, starts opposite Airakselan Seurantalo.

Can the Auma-ahonmäen lenkki loop also be used for hiking?

Yes. When the ground is snow-free, the loop built and maintained by the Airakselan Yritys sports association can also be used for hiking. In summer, it can also be extended via the Hirvonjoki to Jussilantie.

What can visitors expect at the kotas?

There is a dry toilet and firewood at both the kota by Kauppisenlammi and Hoikan kota. Hoikan kota is on Hoikkalampi and can be reached via Viita-ahontie or, in winter, via a nearby snowmobile trail.

When do the annual events take place?

Letunkiännöt takes place in July; around a hundred villagers and holiday-home guests attend. The porridge festival, held together with other village associations, takes place in December.

For the broader travel overview: North Savo.