Asikkala: Canals, Culture and Nature

In the municipality of Asikkala, you’ll find waterways, cultural attractions and nature trails. When choosing what to explore, you can focus on different things: the canals and museums in Vääksy, the landscapes along Lake Päijänne, or trails for walks and longer excursions. Attractions in Vesivehmaa and Pulkkila are also part of what the municipality has to offer.

Canals and Waterways

The Vääksy Canal connects boat traffic between Lake Vesijärvi and Lake Päijänne. Together with the Kalkkinen Canal, the canals of Vääksy and Kalkkinen form a water route from Lahti to Jyväskylä and as far as Heinola. The Kalkkinen Canal connects Lake Päijänne with Lake Ruotsalainen and is Europe’s longest freshwater canal between two locks. It was once used for log floating; today, it operates as a self-service canal. Check the operating conditions before setting out by boat.

The ships on Päijänne-Risteilyt Hilden’s Lahti–Heinola route also stop in Vääksy. Trips and timetables are seasonal; check the latest information if you’d like to include a boat connection in your plans.

Culture and History in the Municipality

In Vanha Vääksy, old wooden and stone residential and commercial buildings from the area’s early days as a business center have been preserved. The area is considered a culturally significant landscape of regional importance. Päijännetalo is in the heart of the Vääksy Canal area. It houses the Asikkala Tourist Information office and a shop selling local products; opening hours may vary by season.

Päijännetalo also has changing exhibitions, a local microbrewery, the Suomen Vapaa-ajankalastusmuseo and an information point for the Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark. The fishing museum’s exhibition rooms are on the building’s second floor; it originally opened to the public in 2001. In Vääksy, the Vääksyn vesimylly- ja sähkölaitosmuseo also offers a glimpse into life and work in the past: water power was once the most important energy source in everyday life, and grain milling was an important livelihood.

In Vesivehmaa, the Päijät-Hämeen Ilmailumuseum at Lahti-Vesivehmaa Airport displays around 15 retired Finnish Air Force aircraft dating from the 1920s onward, as well as numerous aircraft parts. At the airport, you can obtain licenses for powered and ultralight aircraft, as well as glider pilot certificates; training for powered and ultralight aircraft instructors is also available. Confirm that training is currently available before you travel.

Trails, Landscapes and Activities

Aurinkovuori, an outdoor recreation area on the Salpausselkä ridge, offers routes for fitness and nature outings. When choosing a route, length isn’t the only thing to consider: the 3- and 7-kilometer routes are lit and maintained in winter. The longer routes, at 10, 12 and 15 kilometers, are multi-use trails for cycling, walking or snowshoeing. Trail maintenance may vary by season.

The Kivistö lean-to shelter, completed in 2020, is on the 7-kilometer route and has a campfire site, a supply of firewood, a dining area and a scenic swing. The 3-kilometer route also leads to a lean-to shelter with a campfire site and a supply of firewood. As facilities may change, it’s a good idea to check before your visit.

Pulkkilanharju, almost nine kilometers long, runs across Lake Päijänne and consists of esker islands and submerged esker ridges. It is part of a nationally valuable landscape area; some of it lies within Päijänne National Park. A mostly easy-to-walk nature trail on Pulkkilanharju is two kilometers long. From this trail, another route of about 4.5 kilometers runs mostly along easy-to-walk forest paths through an esker and lake landscape. A scenic road leads from Vääksy to Pulkkilanharju.

Another nature trail, Myllytontun, runs alongside the Vääksynjoki River through a grove and has nature information boards. In Pulkkila, Karisalmi is a nationally significant birdwatching site. If you’d like to experience a variety of landscapes, the wider southern Päijänne area includes a national park with about fifty islands and islets. Steep cliffs, sandy ridges, sheltered lagoons and small islets shape the landscape; you can reach the islands by sailboat or motorboat. There are numerous natural harbors for boaters. Seasonal access restrictions may apply.

On Lake Vesijärvi, Kalmarinranta is a 700-meter-long, gently sloping sandy beach considered safe even for young children’s water play. The area also has a 12-hole disc golf course. Water conditions and beach facilities may change; check before your visit. The Kanavagolf course, completed in 2005, is on Highway 24 in Vääksy. The grounds cover about 80 hectares and include an 18-hole course.

Local Produce and Places to Eat

In Asikkala, you can visit several farms and see how the food they sell is produced. The availability of farm visits and any arrangements required may vary; check in advance. In Vääksy, the Viipurilainen Kotileipomo shop and café offers fresh bread, sweet pastries and other local products. Check the opening hours before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Padasjoki, Orimattila, Hartola, Hämeenkoski, Lahti, Hollola, Nyystölä, Auttoinen.

For the regional travel overview: Päijät-Häme.