Luhanka brings together church and burial-site history with Lake Päijänne, a harbour and cycling connections. This offers different focal points when planning a trip: Luhangan kesäkirkko and Reeth for cultural history, the harbour and Mämminiemi beach for experiences by the water, and Lakeland by Cycle for a cycling perspective.
Churches and History
Luhangan kesäkirkko was inaugurated on 1 October 1893, Michaelmas Day. Architect Josef Stenbäck designed it, using the plans for Hankasalmi Church as a model. Its furnishings include the altarpiece “Jeesus seisoo ovella ja kolkuttaa,” painted by Selinda Danielsson in 1906 and funded by Eva Sofia Jutila.
The church’s fine acoustics earned it a reputation as a concert venue. It is unheated and has no electric lighting, so it is used only in summer. Architecture, painting and music are closely connected here.
The old church and cemetery area of Reeth preserves a rare fence made from log coffins and burial chambers. Reeth Church was built in 1766 and dismantled in 1892. In 1956, the municipality of Luhanka erected a monument at its site. The building, demolition and later commemoration give the site a different historical sequence from the kesäkirkko, which was inaugurated in 1893.
At Reeth Cemetery, the car must be parked more than 100 metres away; a grassy path leads from there to the destination.
Harbour, Beach and Scenic Route
A water route to Luhanka runs across Lake Päijänne, allowing boats to reach the centre of the church village. The harbour at Hakulintie 6 has paid long-term and guest moorings for boats. Two free drinking-water points are located near the harbour.
The municipality maintains Mämminiemi beach. It is a sandy beach with a pier and bathing steps. The harbour and beach offer different ways to enjoy the water: boat moorings and drinking-water points at the harbour, and a sandy beach at Mämminiemi.
The route described as “Finland’s most beautiful scenic road” runs from Vääksy via Pulkkilanharju, Kalkkinen, Sysmä and Luhanka to Korpilahti. Luhanka is therefore on this scenic route.
Cycling and Other Experiences
A southern connecting route in the Lakeland by Cycle network passes through Luhanka. The network links interesting natural sites, attractions and services in Central Finland, mainly via gravel and forest roads. Overall, the routes are considered very easy to ride, while also being rated 5 to 6 out of 10 on a difficulty scale. This rating applies to the network’s routes; conditions may vary by season.
Another cultural highlight is in the municipality of Luhanka, in the village of Tammijärvi: Peltolan Mäkitupalaismuseo is a nationally significant cultural heritage site. It comprises 19 log buildings and about 3,000 objects. The museum is described as the world’s only authentic Mäkitupalais settlement with buildings preserved in their original locations.
In Tammijärvi, there is a disc golf course with six baskets between Luhanka School and Tammijärvi. A free orienteering course with seven control points also runs through the forest between the school and Tammijärvi and is open to everyone.
A shelter has been built at Papinmäentie in Lempää, Tammijärvi, specifically for viewing the Latamäki wind farm and its turbines. Near the destination, there is a lit trail about 1 km long in the area around Luhanka School; winter maintenance is seasonal. Tammijärvi beach can be reached via a sandy road below and behind the school.
Choose what to see and do based on what brings you to Luhanka.
Discover more destinations: Kajaani, Muurame, Lievestuore, Häkkilä, Joutsa, Jämsänkoski, Hankasalmi, Kyyjärvi.
For the broader travel overview: Central Finland.
