Sysmä is a municipality in Päijänne Tavastia, Finland. By the shore of Päijänne, it is a popular place to spend summer vacations, with associated events.

Understand

View from Kammiovuori

The first settlers in the area came from Sääksmäki (in modern Valkeakoski); later the Tavastian population was mostly replaced by Savonians. According to historians, the word sysmä means either a "dark forest" or an "uninhabited wilderness." The oldest known mention of Sysmä is from 1442, when it was already a separate parish. Sysmä was a large parish, though most of its northern lands lacked a permanent population. Many parishes and, later, municipalities, have been formed partly or wholly in the area of former Sysmä, such as Jämsä and Hartola.

Today, Sysmä is well known for its many alternative homes, used principally as holiday homes.

Get in

Sysmä centre is 16 km west of Highway 4, 165 km north-north-east from Helsinki. By road it is 175 km east of Tampere, 100 km south of Jyväskylä and 65 km north of Lahti.

By train

The nearest railway station, in Lahti, has good train connections, especially from Helsinki.

By bus

In winter, there are one or two connections from Lahti in weekdays, none in Saturdays, one in Sunday evenings. The many coaches along Highway 4 stop in Hartola, 20 km away.

By boat

The waterways via Päijänne extend from North Savonia to Kymenlaakso. Päijänne itself is Finland's second largest lake, at 1,100 km² (420 sq mi) plus 330 km² of islands, 2,800 km of shoreline, 120 km (75 mi) end to end. Across Päijänne to the west is Padasjoki, which shares Päijänne National Park with Sysmä. Cruises between Lahti and Jyväskylä often stop at Kalkkinen, 7 km south of the border to Sysmä, 30 km from the centre.

Get around

Bus timetables can be found from LSL. Meitin Enerkia has a summer service from Lahti. Dial-a-ride service is available in Sysmä, see timetables and routes.

By taxi

See Päijänne Tavastia#By taxi

See

• 1 Sysmä Zoo and Café (Sysmän kotieläinpiha -ja kahvila), Ravioskorventie 151, ☏ +358 50-536-6116, starhill.stable@gmail.com. (updated Jun 2022)

Do

• 1 Camping Sysmä, Huitilantie 3, ☏ +358 44-974-9378, info@campingsysma.fi. Bicycles, rowing boats (also motorized), kayaks, canoes and SUP boards for rent. (updated May 2021)
• 2 Kammiovuori, Nutturintie 29 (drive 24 km along road 612 towards Luhanka, turn right to Vintturintie for 2 km, turn left to Nutturintie and continue 1 km to the parking). The highest point of eastern Tavastia, with a point on the Struve Geodetic Arc. A 4-km marked trail leads to the hilltop (a 120 m ascend) from the parking via a lean-to shelter (with outhouse toilet, benches, table and woodshed; no campfires during wildlife warnings). Close to the top the trail forks to form a circle path. The cave Hiskiaanluola just before the peak is said to have been inhabited by a hermit in the early 20th century. Other sights by the trail are the 7-m glacial erratic Sysmän Linta, the big anthills, the varying landscapes and the view from the peak. The footpath is steep and stony, but popular also among families (mind unfenced drops!). 

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Restaurant Uoti (Hotelli-Ravintola Uoti), Keskustie 1, ☏ +358 3 876-250. (updated Dec 2022)

Go next

• Asikkala
• Hartola
• Heinola
• Luhanka