An outdoor lover’s wonderland
Nature and Outdoors
The amazing lakes, ponds and rivers of the Finnish Lakeland, Päijänne National Park and countless nature reserves and hiking trails let you answer the call of the wild. Explore the best of Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark!
Explore the sites
Enjoy the scenic views
Sceneries by the water
Explore urban nature
Outdoor trails in forests
Go cycling
The Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark and its surroundings are an exceptional cycling destination thanks to their varied, versatile terrain and various bodies of water. Climb up ridges and descend to the shores of the lake, cycle along winding forest trails and roll countryside roads.
Check out our best cycling routes for gravel and bike-backing, road cycling and mountain biking!
Explore Lahti Region by bikeLahti Region for Birdwatchers
The Lahti region is a diverse and easily accessible area for birdwatchers, offering a rich variety of birdlife across its lakes, forests, and wetlands. Lake Vesijärvi and Lake Päijänne attract numerous waterbirds, while locations like Luhdanjoki River and Pulkkilanharju Ridge are well-known for their spring and autumn migrations. Urban areas also feature interesting birdwatching spots, such as the park forest of Radiomäki Hill.
Kutajärvi is one of the most renowned birdwatching locations in the Päijät-Häme region. It is a nature reserve that includes lush riverside forests and floodplain areas. During spring migration, Kutajärvi becomes a lively site where large numbers of great crested grebes, common pochards, smews, and other waterbirds gather.
In the Lahti region, birdwatchers can observe migrating birds, rare raptors, and established breeding species, making it an exciting year-round destination for bird enthusiasts.
BirdLife Päijät-Häme has compiled the region’s best birdwatching sites into a map – explore the top birdwatching locations here.
Bird watching mapWildlife photographer's favourite bird watching spots
Nature and wildlife photographer Janne Pasanen enjoys photographing birds especially in the vicinity of marshes, ponds, and waterways, which Lahti region has plenty of. Here are a few tips from Janne:
- Luhdanjoki Bird Tower
- Linnaistensuo Mire
- Lahti Harbor
- Lapakisto Hiking Area
- Tour of the Lakes hiking route in Hollola
- Pulkkilanharju Ridge
- Vääksy Canal Area and Kalmarinranta Beach
📍Kutajärvi Bird Watching Tower
📍Pulkkilanharju Ridge in Päijänne National Park
All trails on a map
Explore Lahti region’s nature sights, trails and routes on a digital map. You’ll find routes for exmple for cycling, hiking and canoeing.
Experience the Finnish Lakeland
Lakeland Finland starts from Lahti. Cruise, SUP, fish and Explore the Finnish Lakeland!
Accessible nature destinations
Explore and enjoy accessible nature destinations in the Lahti region. All of these are tested by a person in a wheelchair.
Lean-to-shelters and campfire sites
Discover campfire sites in the Lahti region, whether you’re exploring a forest, enjoying a lakeside retreat, or traversing an outdoor trail. There’s a perfect spot for every hiker.
Download Bike travel guide for Päijät-Häme region
A varied terrain and splendid lake views make the scenery of Lahti Region an exceptional cycling destination.
Outdoor etiquette
Respecting nature, getting around, camping, lighting fires and litter-free hiking – take note of the summarised tips for excursion etiquette and you are ready to head outdoors. Always check the detailed rules of your excursion destination on the destination page as well.
Päijänne National Park
The shores and ridges of Finland’s second-largest lake offer hiking trails and interesting opportunities for day trips. The Päijänne National Park, located on the southern part of Lake Päijänne, celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023.
The gem of the national park, Kelvenne Island, is especially suitable for kayakers and boaters. On the Pulkkilanharju Nature Trail and in Päijätsalo, you can also enjoy the national park’s scenery without taking to the waters.
Remember to bring your swimwear and take a dip whenever possible!
Nature trails in Päijänne National Park
Bloggers’ top picks
Keep on climbing! A reward awaits you at the top
Climb up steps or a steep rocky hill! Achieving that goal will surely be rewarding in many ways. Check out the tips on places where you can get fit and enjoy stunning scenery at the same time.
Lehmusreitti – an urban nature trail almost in the city centre
The urban park trail in Lahti city centre, Lehmusreitti (“Tilia Trail”), is a diverse mix of different types of forests, lookout spots, lake shores and the most interesting sights in Lahti.