On the Routes of Ambassadors

Photo: Sini&Pete

During Central Finland's first Trail Week, there are events all over Central Finland that anyone can join. In Äänekoski, social media ambassadors share their favorite routes that everyone should explore with their own circle. Getting out in nature is an easy and fun way to keep safe distances!

HIETAMA

Growing up in a concrete suburb, I sometimes envied my own children attending the Hietama school. The concrete suburb did have its (few) positive sides; you could walk to school yourself, since there wasn't Saarijärventie in between. But when I remember the withered trees of my childhood, I can only admire how, in my own children's lives, beautiful and clean nature is close and present. Near the school and the Hietama Youth Association Hall there is a local forest. You don't need to travel long distances to be in the middle of nature. On Hietamantie, an ancient and enormous Hietama aspen was still greeting us at the start of the week, but on Thursday storm Aila unfortunately felled the tree. 

Hietama school and preschool make use of the nearby nature in many ways. They go on excursions in the surrounding terrain. They pick blueberries. They spot signs of spring and autumn. During my daughter's preschool, they even baked their own pie from blueberries they had picked themselves, which was a tremendous experience for a six-year-old. 

We also walk in the school's nearby forest with the whole family in our free time. There's plenty to marvel at on the paths, and nowadays the perfect outing is rounded out by a new lean-to. It was built by the village association, and the opening was held last November. In July there was a community painting day. Freshly painted, the new lean-to is even more handsome, and it's a nice place to stop to grill snacks and warm up by the fire. 

In winter you can ski in the same area; the tracks are lit and the routes are marked. The renovated, community-maintained ice hockey rink is a great place to skate, and a warm changing room is a big plus on freezing days. There's also a disc golf course and a skate ramp nearby, so you can enjoy a variety of activities in the area. 

If there were bike paths along Saarijärventie, the opportunities to enjoy nearby nature would be perfect. It admittedly feels silly to take a car to get out into nature, but balancing among the trucks with an 8- and a 6-year-old isn't very appealing. Perhaps here, safety and good parenting are more important than ecology. The dream would be to reach nearby nature right away on foot or on skis, but you can't have everything in life. 

- Olga

SPORTS PARK

My favorite route in Äänekoski is the Sports Park trails and the paths that crisscross there. Even though I live in the urban area, it's important to me that I can get into nature quickly and easily. 

Äänekoski Sports Park is located at Römminkatu 22, 44150 Äänekoski, and you can conveniently park a car if needed. At the parking area there is also an information board where you can review the routes; you'll also find signposts along the trails. If the marked routes feel too familiar, you can turn onto many paths where you rarely run into others and can reach different environments.

In addition to jogging, during the snow-free season you can play disc golf in the Sports Park, and in winter swap skis for shoes. Even the dark season doesn't ruin your workout, as some routes are lit.

- Riitta

KAPEENKOSKI

Kapeenkoski's beautiful esker landscape represents Central Finnish nature at its best to me. In the rugged rapid scenery, thousands of years of history whisper. It's easy to imagine why people have wanted to be at this very place since the beginning of time, and why the rapids are named after spirit beings associated with an ancient solar eclipse, the kapeet. The Kapeenniemi recreation area has immense cultural-historical value. Hikers should respect the beautiful nature when moving there so that, in addition to its long history, the area also has a future.  

Kapeenkoski's magnificent scenery—with foaming rapids, tall pines, and steep eskers—is located at Kapeenkoskentie 105, 44250 Äänekoivisto. The recreation area has a spacious parking lot, from which a tremendously large pine gate leads to the hiking trails. Part of the Kapeenkoski area belongs to a tourism company. Signs and guides have been updated so that hikers know where they can move freely. At Kapeenkoski there is both  easier and  more challenging terrain. On part of the route there is a new  boardwalk that makes getting around easier. 

At Kapeenkoski you can hike, fish, and practice various whitewater sports. For hiking, there are several fire sites for preparing picnic food. Fishing requires a permit, and whitewater sports are offered by the local tourism company Kapeenkoski Travel Oy. 

- Anniina

In addition to fishing and other activities, the company's services include both dining and accommodation, and you can also rent facilities for parties and meetings. With the autumn holidays and pre-Christmas season approaching, it's worth checking out the idyllic offerings in the gentle embrace of nature! 

NAARAKOSKI

Naarakoski is my local hiking destination; I may sometimes walk there just for morning tea. The ever-changing look of the rapids and their steady roar are calming sights. It's nice to follow the seasons from the edge of the rapids. An essential part of the landscape is the railway bridge that crosses the rapids. 

Naarakoski is located in Äänekoski in the village of Hietama along Koskenkorvantie. A small parking area has been made by the roadside. From the parking place you can reach the rapids along a path that runs at the edge of the field. The lean-to at Naarakoski belongs to the fishing association and is therefore not for public use. You can fish in Naarakoski once you've obtained a fishing permit.  

- Anniina

As for fishing, there is currently a closed season, but you can fish again with fly and lure in December. More information can be found in the Äänekoski joint owners' association's permit guidelines. 

ÄÄNEMÄKI

My favorite nature destination in the Äänekoski area is definitely Äänemäki and its terrain! There are uphills, downhills, and beautiful heath forest. All in all, it's a great place for outdoor activities and fitness. Äänemäki has a very well marked mountain bike track, where I myself spend a lot of time when I'm in Äänekoski. Especially in Pakokangas there are really good heath trails, and best of all, they are marked too, so it's easy to get around even if you haven't visited before. 

For fitness enthusiasts, the area has great fitness stairs that are excellent for training. At the top of the hill there is a lookout tower from which you can admire the Äänekoski region's beautiful lake views. It's possible to drive to the lookout tower, but the road there is in somewhat poor condition. You can drive to Äänemäki to the base of the ski slopes at Torpparintie 1, 44100. At the ski hut you'll find a map and route info if you want to try, for example, the mountain bike trails. 

There are three different routes to choose from, with varying difficulty levels. The blue route is the easiest, suitable for beginners. The red route is intended for slightly more experienced riders. Finally, you can choose the black route, which is the most challenging. I boldly recommend everyone to try mountain biking, and the blue route is a good way to start. The route is easy to ride, so you can ride it with any bike. 

In winter, Äänemäki offers downhill skiing, and the slopes are always in really good condition! There are two slopes, and next to them is an excellent hill for sledding. From the rental you can rent ski equipment, and in winter there's a small kiosk where you can sip a hot coffee and warm up during your time outdoors. At the base of the slopes there is also a lean-to where you can grill, for example, sausages, or just sit by the fire. Äänemäki is a truly versatile place, and I hope many people go there to spend time outdoors.

- Simo