Päijätsalo hiking area
Sorolantie 28, Sysmä
Päijätsalo is a fascinating nature hiking destination. It is currently one of the most popular nature hiking destinations in Päijät-Häme. Along the hiking route there are good services, the maintenance of which is the responsibility of Metsähallitus. The area belongs partly to Päijänne National Park.
Arrival
Päijätsalo is located about 7 kilometers west from the church village of Sysmä. When coming from the direction of the church village there is guidance from Suopellontie to Päijätsalo. Upon arriving at Päijätsalo there is signage from Päijätsalontie to the observation tower parking area, where you can leave the car. The nature trail begins immediately next to the parking area.
Päijätsalo can also be easily reached by waterway. In connection with the Pyydysniemi campfire place there is a pier for small boats. Slightly larger boats can dock at the pier, which is located about 100 meters north from the Pyydysniemi campfire place.
Guidance
At the parking area and at the Pyydysniemi campfire place there is an information board telling about the nature, trails and rules of the area.
Routes and map
Get to know the Päijätsalo hiking route via the link below. The link contains many pictures of Päijätsalo.
http://visitpaijanne.fi/paijatsalo
BikePolku Päijätsalo
The mountain biking route circles the island of Päijätsalo in two parts dividing into an easier section and a section challenging with elevation differences. The whole route is marked in the terrain with blue route markings and guide signs. The route runs entirely on a forest path, where there are stones and roots typical for a mountain biking route. More information and a map from here.
Services
At Pyydysniemi there is a campfire place, where there is ready firewood. In connection with the campfire place there is also a dry toilet. There is no waste management, so “What you have strength to carry into nature, you also have strength to carry out of there”.
One of the special features of Päijätsalo is the old observation tower located in the central part of the hiking area. It was built in 1899. During the war the tower served as an air surveillance tower. Metsähallitus has had the tower repaired and painted in summer 2020. From the tower opens an extremely fine view to the largest open water area of Päijänne, Tehinselkä.