Paijanne National Park

Paijanne is the second largest lake in Finland and the national park covers around fifty islands in its southern basin, most of them formed on eskers, long ridges of sand and gravel left by the retreating ice, which gives them steep sides, pine forest and beaches of sorted stone. The largest, Kelvenne, runs several kilometres and carries kettle holes, ponds left where blocks of buried ice melted out, along with a marked trail, camping areas and huts. Access is by boat only. The water is clear enough that it supplies the Helsinki region through a tunnel, and the lake is used for boating, fishing and swimming through the short summer.

What you actually see

• Esker islands - steep pine-covered ridges left by the ice.
• Kelvenne island - the largest, with a trail and kettle-hole ponds.
• Stone and sand beaches - the shores sorted by meltwater.
• Clear open water - the lake that supplies the capital region.

When to go

June to September; the boats and services run in summer only. A day or two. Access needs a boat, chartered or your own. Weather on open water changes quickly.

Honest expectations

There is no access without a boat and charters must be arranged. Facilities on the islands are camping areas and dry toilets. Open-water crossings are exposed and can be rough. Fires are restricted in dry spells.

Nearby

Asikkala is south; Jyvaskyla lies north up the lake.