Petäjävesi: Discover sights, trails and culture

Water and trails shape Petäjävesi: the Töllin Taival route loops around Lake Jämsänvesi, while the Wanha Witonen canoe route reaches all the way to Jämsä. There are also shorter trails, an old wooden church in the municipality, a museum dedicated to the history of communications, and a diverse arts programme. You can choose between activities on land, a long paddling route and cultural stops for your trip.

Petäjävesi at a glance

• Töllin Taival is a hiking or cycling route about 12 kilometres long. It starts in the centre of Petäjävesi and loops around Lake Jämsänvesi.
• The marked Wanha Witonen canoe route starts at Kirveslahti boat harbour and runs for 75 kilometres to Jämsä on Lake Päijänne.
• At Syrjäharju in the village of Pengerjoki, there are three trails measuring 2, 4 and 4.2 kilometres.
• The Tampinkierros nature trail is in the southwest of Petäjävesi, within the Teerijärvensuo nature reserve.
• The municipality’s cultural offerings include the Old Church of Petäjävesi and the Petäjävesi Radio and Telephone Museum, each representing a different cultural focus.

Water or land: two different routes

Töllin Taival and Wanha Witonen offer two distinct ways to explore the area. Töllin Taival is about 12 kilometres long and can be travelled on foot or by bike. It starts in the centre of Petäjävesi and loops around Lake Jämsänvesi. This makes it an option for anyone looking to include a hike or bike ride connected with the lake in their plans.

Wanha Witonen, by contrast, is a 75-kilometre canoe route. It begins at Kirveslahti boat harbour on Lake Jämsänvesi and continues to Jämsä on Lake Päijänne. The route is rated as moderately difficult and is also suitable for beginners, as rapids can be avoided by taking bypass routes.

When choosing between the two trips, the main considerations are the activity and the scale of the route: Töllin Taival is a hiking or cycling route of about 12 kilometres around the lake, while Wanha Witonen is a 75-kilometre canoe route to Jämsä. The stated starting points also provide clear reference points for planning your day: the centre for Töllin Taival and Kirveslahti boat harbour for the canoe route. The different figures cannot be converted into a shared walking or travel time; they describe different activities.

Shorter trails and nature in the municipality

At Syrjäharju in the village of Pengerjoki, about 8 kilometres from Petäjävesi in the direction of Multia, there are three trail lengths to choose from: the 2-kilometre Kukkulapolku, the 4-kilometre Retkipolku and the 4.2-kilometre Harjukierros. The shorter Kukkulapolku is clearly different in length from the other two trails, which are around 4 kilometres long. The stated distances for Retkipolku and Harjukierros are close to each other. These figures help you compare the length of each route, without making any claims about walking time or difficulty.

The Tampinkierros nature trail is also in the municipality of Petäjävesi, in the southwest, within the Teerijärvensuo nature reserve. About halfway along the trail, there is a rest area on the shore of Lake Teerijärvi with a shelter, a campfire site and a dry toilet. These are specific facilities for a break; they are part of the rest area on the lakeshore and are not generally available on all the municipality’s trails.

The nature of Petäjävesi includes forests, hiking trails, waterways and wetlands. This provides a setting for outdoor activities, although the trails need not all have the same character: the route by Lake Jämsänvesi, the trails at Syrjäharju and the nature trail in the reserve are separate destinations. If you would like to divide your days between different landscapes and activities, you can consider these as separate options for excursions.

Wooden church, technology history and art

The Old Church of Petäjävesi stands on a peninsula on Lake Solikkojärvi, within the municipality. It is surrounded by an agricultural landscape typical of the region, with lakes and forests, and represents the architectural tradition of European wooden churches in Northern Europe. Here, a distinctive building type meets a specific landscape setting: the church can therefore be understood both through its location by the lake and its architecture.

The Petäjävesi Radio and Telephone Museum offers a different perspective. It presents 150 years of electronic communications history and also preserves the collections of the Finnish Radio History Society. Rather than focusing on a single building, the museum explores the broad subject of technological communications. Visitors interested in cultural sites will find a distinct focus here alongside the architecture of the Old Church.

Taidetila Toinila complements these themes with an exhibition and events programme that brings together artists and art enthusiasts of all ages. It is located at Koulutie 6 in Petäjävesi. The three examples represent different interests: architecture and landscape at the Old Church, communications history at the museum, and art and events at Toinila.

Horse riding and a pastry break

Horse riding is also among the activities offered in the municipality: Talli Furuvatni riding stable in Petäjävesi offers riding lessons and rides on Icelandic horses. This adds another way to get around alongside walking, cycling and canoeing. The activities on offer differ, so when planning your trip you can choose what appeals most for your days.

For a break, the café at Suoramyynti Heinähattu serves fresh coffee and homemade sweet and savoury pastries. You can eat in or take them away. This is a different way to round off your day from a longer excursion: stop for coffee and pastries, or take something with you if you would rather eat on the go.

Choose accommodation to suit your itinerary

Töllin Taival starts in the centre, while Wanha Witonen starts at Kirveslahti boat harbour; the Old Church, nature trail, museum and other attractions are in the municipality of Petäjävesi. These places and activities therefore offer different points of reference for your plans.

If you’d like to discover other destinations as well as Petäjävesi, you’ll also find Saarijärvi, Jämsänkoski, Vahanka, Keuruu, Äänekoski, Jämsä, Luhanka and Joutsa here.

Frequently asked questions about Petäjävesi

Which route runs from Petäjävesi to Jämsä?

The Wanha Witonen canoe route runs for 75 kilometres from its starting point at Kirveslahti boat harbour to Jämsä on Lake Päijänne. Töllin Taival, by contrast, is a hiking or cycling route about 12 kilometres long that loops around Lake Jämsänvesi.

Is Wanha Witonen suitable for beginners too?

The canoe route is rated as moderately difficult and is also suitable for beginners. Rapids can be avoided by taking bypass routes.

Which trails are there at Syrjäharju?

Kukkulapolku is 2 kilometres long, Retkipolku 4 kilometres and Harjukierros 4.2 kilometres. Syrjäharju is by the village of Pengerjoki, about 8 kilometres from Petäjävesi in the direction of Multia.

What cultural highlights does the municipality offer?

The Old Church combines the architectural tradition of wooden churches with a location on the peninsula at Lake Solikkojärvi. The Radio and Telephone Museum is dedicated to 150 years of electronic communications; Taidetila Toinila offers exhibitions and events.

For the main travel overview: Central Finland.