e-Car Adventures: Best of Finnish nature in Jyväskylä Region

13.01.2025

Photo: (c) Visit Jyväskyllä Region and Jukka Paakkinen

Take a deep breath of fresh Finnish air and let the untouched nature surprise you with its peace and beauty. Quiet roads in the middle of forests lead you to unique accommodations that combine nature and peace in a way that you haven’t experienced before. In between, enjoy the original culture and services of small villages in the authentic Finnish way.

Take the time and will to experience destinations at your own pace. This is not a guided trip, so you can drive where and when you want to. All destinations are located within an hour drive from Jyväskylä which allows you to visit them separately, if you wish. Experience the freedom of travel by Avis e-Car Adventures.

Day 1: Leivonmäki national park

Start your morning the Finnish way: with a coffee and traditional Finnish pastry called korvapuusti. Both, plus some authentic athmosphere, are available at Karoliinan Kahvimylly café in Leivonmäki (Kuusirinne 11, 41770 Leivonmäki). https://visitjyvaskyla.fi/en/attractions/karoliinan-kestikievari-2/

If you arrive from Jyväskylä, the fastest route is via highway E75. Alternatively, choose a quieter route with forest and lake scenery heading south via E63, then road 610 and 6134.

For those arriving from south (Helsinki Airport, for example) we recommend you adding to your route plan the iconical Pulkkilanharju, one of Finnish national sceneries. In this case, leave highway E75 after Lahti and follow route 24 to Asikkala, then turn to route 314 and get ready to be amazed: the road crosses unique Finnish lake district on a strip so narrow that you can see the lake on your left and right. After Pulkkilanharju, continue north on route 314 to Sysmä further on 612 to Luhanka. This route is a manifest of Finnish nature at its most welcoming form: you enter from old spruce forest to blue shimmering lakes and further to small villages and countryside idyl. This route is described in the suggestion route link below.

Only 10 km after your coffee stop, your first destination in a Finnish national park awaits you. Leivonmäki National Park is the home of various faces of Middle Finland. Its paths are easy and safe to walk even with children, and they showcase local lakes, swamps, forests and ridges.

At the national park, head to Selänpohja parking lot (Kansallispuistontie 20, Joutsa), the starting point of various trails. For a family, we recommend 5.5 km long Mäyränkierros (Badger Trail) where you get to see both mire and esker landscape with small lakes and kettle holes. Or pick your favourite choice of trails or cycling routes at the national park website. Note though that different trails start from different parking areas. Their coordinates are available at the webpage. https://www.nationalparks.fi/leivonmakinp

After an exciting day in the woods, head 20 km further to Nukula (Piililäntie 71, Oravasaari), a Green Key certified small family-run guesthouse, which offers wellness and accommodation for families and groups. Nukula is in an idyllic spot by Lake Päijänne far away from traffic noise and city lights. Relax on Silence Trail, fest with delicious Finnish food made from local ingredients and pamper yourself in a traditional Finnish sauna by a lake, listening to the unique quietness that lulls you to sleep. https://nukula.fi/en/

Day 1 route at Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/toy2a9MJ1oi1ZF6M8

Day 2: Häähninmäki lookout tower and nature trails

After a good night sleep at Nukula, head towards Hankasalmi via Toivakka (route 644 and 618). And if you, like many Finns, cannot start the day without a morning coffee (or two), have a stop at Huikon Helmi summer café by a lake in Toivakka (Huikontie 446, 41660 Toivakka) https://visitjyvaskyla.fi/en/attractions/huikon-helmi-2/. Then continue your journey on route 618, then routes 13 and E63 to Rantakorpi farm (Rantakorventie 82, Niemisjärvi). This organic sheep farm offers joyous experiences amidst animals and nature. In addition to affectionate sheep, you can get acquainted with traditional yarn making methods, ride a horse, or buy local products. Remember to book your visit in advance. https://www.rantakorpi.fi/en/rantakorpi-farm/

Have a lunch stop by route E63 at Grill Room Hankasalmi (Ysitie 362, 41490 Hankasalmi). Though this small cabin may have modest outlook, it has been chosen the best burger restaurant in Finland in 2024. Then turn north towards at route 641 and have a break at Hankasalmi – a small municipality with less than 5,000 inhabitants but a pretty location by a lake, an athmospheric flea market at the old railway station and a wooden church from 19th century.

Continue your journey north to Häähninmaki lookout tower (Häähnintuvantie 160, 41540 Hankasalmi). After a short walk, you get to enjoy breath-taking views over vast spruce forests. The tower is also the starting point for various hiking trails where you can get a closer-to-earth look at the environment. https://visitjyvaskyla.fi/en/attractions/haahninmaki-lookout-tower-nature-trails/

Less than 10 km from Häähninmäki lies Luontovire (Lehminiementie 34, 41560 Säkinmäki). It welcomes you to accommodate and hike close to the Finnish nature. Try, for instance, Lumous forest hut where you can admire breath-taking views of pine forest and clear-watered lake through a panoramic window. It is also the starting point for many hiking tours, which can be done independently or with a guide of Luontovire. After hiking, relax your muscles in a lakeside sauna and enjoy some supper by the campfire. As the day turns into night, close your eyes while listening to the birds singing outside. https://www.luontovire.fi/english/

Day 2 route at Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jWwKzxZHdsXNC9Yo8

Day 3: Southern Konnevesi National Park

Start you day journey by driving northwest towards the second national park of your trip, Southern Konnevesi National Park. Only after approximately 30 km drive you get to personally experience the breath-taking lake views that this national park is famous for. Here you can sail on wide open waters or canoe amidst rocky islands and high cliffs. https://www.nationalparks.fi/southernkonnevesinp

First head to Häyrylänranta harbour (Konneveden satama, Satamatie 60, Konnevesi). This is the watergate to the national park. Hop on a lunch cruise on shimmering waves or rent a canoe and a guide to get close to the scenery. SUP boards and restaurant services are also available. https://hayrylanranta.fi/

If you wish for solid ground under your feet, have a short hike at Partiomaja trail close to the harbour. This 2-km circuit is easy to access and leads to natural rapids where the endangered lake trout lives. https://visitjyvaskyla.fi/en/attractions/partiomaja-trail/

For longer hikes, have a look at Kalaja trails (Törmälän metsätie 136, Rautalampi) with some stunning landscapes. Please note that these routes require earlier hiking experience and contain rough terrain. You can also inquiry for a guided trip. https://www.nationalparks.fi/southernkonnevesinp/trails

At this point, you must be hungry. Treat yourself with lunch at the harbor summer restaurant or a couple of kilometres further at Konnevesi centre where you can charge your e-car, too. Then head south on routes 69 and 641 towards your next accommodation at Ranta-Keurula farm (Ranta-Keurulantie 159, Hankasalmi). Here you can have a good night sleep in traditional Finnish surroundings by a lake. Relax in a smoke sauna, like Finns have done for centuries, or learn more of the history of the area that reaches back to Stone Ages. https://www.ranta-keurula.fi/en/front-page/

Day 3 route at Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aFesiWdxtt5MNBNe8

Day 4: Pyhä-Häkki National Park

In Middle Finland, you can experience three national parks within a hundred kilometres from each other. Our trip ends at Pyhä-Häkki National Park which is the home of best preserved old-growth forests in Southern Finland. See 400-year-old pine trees that bear scars of ancient forest fires. Such forests give you a sense of timelessness, encouraging you to slow down and savour the natural scene.

To reach the national forest, head west of Ranta-Keurula on route 69, then turn north to route 6510. Pyhä-Häkki parking lot (Viitasaarentie 2119, Saarijärvi) serves as the starting point for many interesting trails. Try, for example, Kotajärvenpolku trail (6,5 km) or Mastomäen polku trail (3,2 km). Both are easy to walk with clear trail marks, and they pass via the oldest forest area. Here, you can hug the Old Big Tree that was a seedling in 1518 and has a perimeter of 288 cm, or the New Big Tree, still growing since 1641. https://www.luontoon.fi/en/destinations/pyha-hakin-kansallispuisto

After an intriguing hiking day, stay overnight at Ruustinna (Paavontie 1, Saarijärvi). This is a charming old vicarage with windows offering beautiful views to the garden or lake. And while you rest, let your e-car charge, too. https://ruustinna.com/

Next morning, end your roadtrip after a good night sleep. You can return your car to Avis location in Jyväskylä, Helsinki or similar, depending on your contract, or visit some other themed road trips by us. Explore more route suggestions here: https://autotarpeeseen.net/en/autotarpeesen-english-blog?tag_id=4

Day 4 route at Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gNADwsddPX8ihSBK6

Facts on this adventure:

Total length of the route: 400 km when departing and returning in Jyväskylä
Time needed: 4 + 1 days is our recommendation for the full roadtrip. You can also pick separate destinations or just a part of the route and alter it according to your taste.
Charging stations: Most gas stations alongside the route, Konnevesi centre, Ruustinna hotel in Saarijärvi.
Who the route is for: Nature lovers who wish to experience some of the last old forests of Europe and the clean lakes that Finland is famous for. The suggested trails are suitable for children and less experienced hikers alike, but the links offer more alternatives for serious hikers, too.

Please note! This is an example of roadtrip in Jyväskylä Region. No preliminary bookings have been made – you are requested to contact the service providers yourself for appropriate days. Avis is not responsible for any changes in the offering of other service providers.

For e-car and other car rentals, please contact www.avis.fi/en
More information on our e-car fleet and driving an e-car, please visit also https://one.avisworld.com/en_GB/Avis-ecaradventures/

This themed roadtrip has been set up in cooperation with Visit Jyväskylä Region. More information on the region is available at: https://visitjyvaskyla.fi/en/

Photos: (c) Visit Jyväskyllä Region and Julia Kivelä

General Terms and Conditions

Ideal OÜ in Estonia, Ideal Services SIA in Latvia and UAB Litideal in Lithuania (each company is hereinafter referred to as the Renter) are the franchisees of the Avis, Budget and Payless brands in the Baltics. These general terms and conditions shall apply to all short-term rental agreements concluded with Renter.

1. Rental Period

1.1. The Lessee shall rent the vehicle for the period stated in the rental agreement. Upon agreement of the Parties, the rental period can be extended. Before extending the rental agreement, Renter shall submit a price list for extending the rental period to the Lessee, and the Lessee shall confirm his/her acceptance to the price list in writing by his/her signature or via email. An extension of the rental period for less than 30 days can be agreed by e-mail. Any extension of the rental period more than 30 days shall be executed in writing or digitally signed.

2. Delivery and Return of Vehicle

2.1. Upon delivery of the vehicle to the Lessee, the Lessee shall inspect the vehicle to make sure that the vehicle is in good technical condition, has no faults, and the interior of the vehicle is clean. The Lessee shall verify whether any damage visible upon delivery of the vehicle is recorded on the vehicle’s technical condition sheet. Later complaints about any damage to the vehicle shall not be accepted and any such damage is deemed to be caused by the Lessee and shall be compensated to Renter.

2.2. The Lessee shall return the vehicle at the place, on the date and at the time indicated in the rental agreement. Renter shall apply a 30 minute grace period at the end of the rental before the start of a new 24 hour period; if the vehicle is returned after the expiry of the grace period, a full day rental will be charged.

2.3. If the Lessee fails to return the vehicle at the time and place agreed or immediately after the premature termination of the agreement, Renter is entitled to declare the vehicle to be missing and to use all of the powers arising from the law to regain possession of the vehicle; among other things, the Lessee authorises Renter to immediately take possession of the vehicle (including removal of the vehicle). Should Renter incur any additional expenses in relation to the above, the Lessee shall compensate Renter for those expenses. In the case of removal of the vehicle, Renter shall use its best efforts to ensure the preservation of the belongings left in the vehicle by the Lessee; however, Renter shall not be held liable for any damage caused to such belongings during removal or later.

2.4. The Lessee shall return the vehicle in the same condition as when it was delivered to the Lessee, allowing for normal wear and tear. The Lessee shall return the vehicle along with all tires, equipment and documents to the office of Renter where the vehicle was picked up or to a place designated in the rental agreement.

2.5. The vehicle shall be delivered to the Lessee with a full fuel tank and the Lessee shall also return the vehicle with a full fuel tank, except if the Lessee has paid for the “prepaid fuel” option.

3. Requirements for Use of Vehicle

3.1. As the authorised user of the vehicle according to the rental agreement and holder of a valid driving license, the Lessee must know and obey the applicable traffic rules; if the Lessee violates the traffic rules, he/she shall be liable for any resulting fine or other cost.

3.2. The vehicle may be driven by a person who:

3.2.1. is specified in the rental agreement and has been holding a valid driving licence for at least one year;

3.2.2. another person added to the rental agreement by Renter at the request of the Lessee who meets the requirements applicable to a driver. The Lessee shall be fully responsible for this person and shall verify whether the person complies with the rental agreement and the general terms and conditions.

3.3. It is prohibited to use the vehicle:

3.3.1. for carriage of passengers for commercial purposes (e.g. for providing carriage or taxi services);

3.3.2. for towing any other vehicle or trailer;

3.3.3 for carriage of goods in violation of the customs rules or for any other illegal act;

3.3.4. by a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs or other illegal substance;

3.3.5. by a driver who does not hold a driving license of the appropriate class for the vehicle;

3.3.6. for racing or training for racing competitions;

3.3.7. for driving lessons;

3.3.8. for driving outside roadways.

3.4. Smoking inside the vehicle is prohibited. In the case of violation of this requirement, the Lessee shall pay the cleaning fee described in section 4.3.7 below.

3.5. When leaving the vehicle, the Lessee shall take all necessary precautions (e.g. lock the doors of the vehicle) to avoid possible accidents or theft. The Lessee shall also take the keys and documents (registration certificate and other documents) related to the vehicle with him/her when leaving the vehicle.

4. Charges

4.1. At the time concluding the rental agreement, a hold shall be placed on the Lessee’s credit card in the amount of the rental fee (described in section 4.3.1) and surcharges (described in section 4.3.2) plus 30%.

4.2. Renter is entitled to unilaterally alter the rental charge within the rental period, giving the Lessee at least one month’s advance notice. If the new price is not acceptable to the Lessee, the Lessee is entitled to premature termination of the rental agreement.

4.3. The Lessee shall pay the following charges to Renter:

4.3.1. a rental charge according to the applicable rates calculated based on the number of rental days and the mileage covered. If there is a delay of more than 30 minutes in returning the vehicle compared to the time of return agreed upon in the rental agreement, the Lessee shall pay for the rental period calculated based on the actual time of return. If the Lessee returns the vehicle before the end of the rental period, Renter is entitled to request the payment of the full rental charge set out in the rental agreement;

4.3.2. all extra charges (insurance, delivery charge, etc.) along with the applicable VAT to which the Lessee has agreed when signing the rental agreement;

4.3.3. a charge for refilling the fuel tank if the Lessee fails to meet the obligation established in section 2.5 above;

4.3.4. a fine for driving the vehicle in a state of intoxication, for violating the traffic rules or for other illegal activities if the fine is collected from Renter, including in cases where Renter is fined for permitting a person not entitled to drive motor vehicles to drive the vehicle;

4.3.5. If the Lessee has received the requisite consent of Renter for leaving the Baltic states and the vehicle becomes unroadworthy outside the Baltic states, the Lessee shall pay all the costs related to bringing the vehicle back to the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania depending on pickup location) to the office of Renter. The rental agreement is valid until the transfer of possession of the vehicle to Renter;

4.3.6. any parking ticket submitted to Renter, delay interest, and charges for towing the vehicle to a car park due to a parking violation or other reason, plus Renter’s administration fee of 35 EUR in case of traffic fine or damage;

4.3.7. an extra cleaning charge of 200 euros if the Lessee has smoked in the car or if the interior of the car is so dirty that dry cleaning is necessary for restoring the vehicle to the same condition as at the time of rental;

4.3.8. compensation for damage caused to the vehicle if the Lessee returned the vehicle to Renter outside business hours (from 18:15 pm to 8:15 am) or in a way that it could not be inspected by the employee of Renter and Renter discovers the damage in the course of a later inspection;

4.3.9. a charge 25 euros for leaving the vehicle in the relevant general car park in Tallinn Airport, Riga Airport or in Vilnius Airport (depending on pickup location). The Lessee is entitled to leave the vehicle to the parking space allocated to Renter in the airport’s car park for rental vehicles without an extra charge.

4.3.10. Late service fee 40 EUR if the Lessee wants to receive the vehicle outside business hours of Renter (from 18:15 pm to 8:15 am).

4.4. The Lessee shall pay Renter by credit card or bank transfer. In the case of late payment of the rental charge or any other charge set out in the rental agreement and/or the general terms and conditions, the Lessee shall pay late interest of 0.2 per cent of the outstanding amount per each day of delay. In the case of late payment, any sum received shall first be applied towards interest and fines and only thereafter the principal amount of the fee. Upon failing to fulfill and/or late fulfillment of the Lessor’s contractual obligations under the rental agreement, Renter is entitled to publish information concerning the Lessee in a credit register (including but not limited to the database maintained by Creditinfo and the global database of Renter).

5. Liability

5.1. The Lessee as the possessor of the vehicle, is liable for compliance with the vehicle maintenance requirements during the rental period if the period of use of the vehicle in the rental agreement is longer than 30 days. The permissible deviation of the vehicle maintenance schedule must not exceed 300 km. The contractual penalty for exceeding the permitted deviation of the vehicle maintenance schedule is 500 EUR.

5.2. The Lessee is fully responsible for the preservation of the vehicle and all damages caused to it (incl. the risk of accidental destruction and damage to the vehicle) that has occurred before the vehicle is inspected and accepted by the Renter's employee.

5.3. If the Lessee discovers defects of the vehicle, the vehicle is involved in an accident or vandalized during the rental period, the Lessee shall immediately inform Renter thereof and shall follow the instructions of Renter on how to proceed. The Lessee is not entitled to repair any defects of the vehicle. If the Lessee fails to comply with this requirement, the Lessee shall compensate Renter for any damage (e.g. if the original parts of the vehicle have been replaced by parts of low quality).

6. Insurance

6.1. Renter shall insure the vehicle being used by the Lessee against any damage that may be caused to a third party according to the applicable law. In the case of an insured event, the terms of insurance agreed upon between Renter and its insurer shall apply. The Lessee undertakes to read the relevant insurance terms at Renter’s reception desk before entry into the rental agreement.

6.2. In case of an insured event, the Lessee shall be liable to Renter to the extent of the excess. The amount of the excess depends on the category of the vehicle and has been set out in the rental agreement. The Lessee may reduce the amount of the excess, paying an extra charge for each day of rental according to the category of the vehicle chosen by the Lessee.

6.3. Notwithstanding clause 6.2 above, insurance coverage shall not apply to the following types of damage:

6.3.1. damage caused to the interior, control system, bottom or engine compartment of the vehicle, driving with flat tires, damage caused by snow or ice (e.g. snow or ice falling from the roof of a building) or damage caused by driving outside roads designated for vehicle traffic;

6.3.2. in case the vehicle is stolen and the Lessee has not taken the car documents and/or the key with him/her when leaving the vehicle as required under section 3.5 above. If, in the event of theft of the vehicle, the Lessee returns the vehicle’s keys and documents (registration certificate) to Renter and proves that he/she took the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the vehicle, the liability of the Lessee is limited to the excess.

7. Accidents

7.1. The Lessee and each driver authorised to drive the vehicle shall take all appropriate measures to protect the interests of Renter and the insurer in the case of an accident during the rental period; among other things, they shall:

7.1.1. find out the names and contact information of everyone involved in the accident and any possible witnesses;

7.1.2. not admit their guilt or liability without the prior consent of Renter;

7.1.3. after the accident, not leave the vehicle unattended or without taking measures to protects its safety;

7.1.4. immediately inform Renter and, if necessary, the police of the accident or theft and stay at the accident scene until the police has granted permission to leave;

7.1.5. prepare a letter of explanation concerning the accident or theft and deliver it to Renter within 24 hours of the accident or theft.

8. Amendment and Termination

8.1. Agreement to amend the rental agreement for less than 30 days may be concluded by e-mail. Agreement to amend the rental agreement for more than 30 days must be made in writing or signed digitally.

8.2. The rental agreement shall expire on the last day of the rental period set out in the rental agreement upon return of the vehicle by the Lessee.

8.3. The Lessee is entitled to terminate the rental agreement before the end of the rental period but Renter is entitled to request full payment of the rental charge set out in the rental agreement. The fee for early termination of the rental agreement is a maximum of 1-month’s rental charge.

8.4. Renter is entitled to terminate the rental agreement before the end of the rental period if the Lessee has materially breached the agreement. Among others, the following instances shall be deemed a material breach of the agreement:

8.4.1. the Lessee fails to pay the rental charge on time;

8.4.2. the Lessee uses the vehicle for a purpose other than the intended purpose of the vehicle, e.g. in a manner described in section 3.3 above;

8.4.3. the Lessee fails to return the on time and does not inform Renter of late return in writing or by e-mail.

9. Processing of personal data

9.1. Renter processes personal data on the bases and pursuant to the procedure specified in the applicable legislation. The principles of Renter’s personal data processing can be found in more detail in Renter's office, rental station and on Renter's website: avis.ee; myavis.ee, budget.ee.

10. Miscellaneous

10.1. The general terms and conditions constitute an integral part of the rental agreement concluded between the Lessee and Renter.

10.2. The rental agreement and the general terms and conditions have been prepared based on and are subject to Estonian, Latvian or Lithuanian law (depending on the origin of Renter).

10.3. Any dispute, controversy or claim relating to the performance or interpretation of the agreement shall be resolved by negotiations between the parties. If no consensus is reached, the dispute shall be resolved at the courts of Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania (depending on the origin of Renter).

10.4. The Lessee confirms that he/she has examined all the terms and conditions and guidelines applicable to the rental of the vehicle available at the website of Renter’s respective trademark before concluding the rental agreement.

e-Car Adventures: Best of Finnish nature in Jyväskylä Region

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