TOURISM
a t r i v ä Lepp puts makes you active and a smile on your face !
Save theseps! Holiday ti
Suggestions for a tourist’s holiday to Leppävirta have been collected in this brochure. Check the prices and always make any bookings directly with the entrepreneur offering the services.
e iv t c a n a r o f a t ir v Leppä holiday -maker Leppävirta is located at the heart of Lakeland Finland, approximately 50 km south from Kuopio. It is easy to reach Leppävirta either by road or water. Advantages include Vesileppis – the paradise for active people, the rush-free Mansikkaharju Holiday Resort and the diverse lake nature. Welcome to enjoy your holiday in the sympathetic rural municipality!
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esileppis is a multiV purpose centre for sports and culture, where you can organise, for example, a concert or a WHP day.
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pa, ice sculpture S cave, adventure park - the entire family will enjoy themselves at Leppävirta!
Konnuskoski Rapids and many large lakes attract fishermen.
TRAVEL CENTRE UNNUKKA is close to Highway Five. In addition to tourist information and the services of the Café-Restaurant, Unnukka’s shops offer household consumables, designer clothing, souvenirs and gifts.
Kalmalahdentie 2, FI-79100 Leppävirta matkailuneuvonta@leppavirta.fi Tel. +358 (0)44 790 6033 (Mon-Fri at 9 am - 4 pm)
The number one destination for hikers is Orinoro Gorge, and for canoers Suvasvesi together with its rock paintings.
www.visitleppavirta.fi
12 Events, sights and attractions
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Accommodation, cafés and restaurant Living in Leppävirta
Facebook: @visitleppavirta Instagram: @tourismleppavirta TikTok: @visitleppavirta
In the autumn of 2018, a Moomin-themed ice sculpture cave was opened at the ski arena. In the fairy-tale-like cave, there is lots to admire as well as activities for the entire family.
ay Holid! tip
Spa weekend at Vesileppis and a climbing trip to the adventure park
FROM
299 €
2 ADULTS + 2 CHILDREN 3 DAYS
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Prices and bookings: www.vesileppis.fi and www.seikkailupuistoleppis.fi More accommodation options and fun holiday activities: www.visitleppavirta.fi
LEPPÄVIRTA FOR THE ENTIRE FA M ILY
s e c n ie r e p x e , s e r u t n e v Ad and water games VESILEPPIS is
an ideal holiday destination for the whole family during all seasons of the year. The spa boasts saunas, six swimming pools, a climbing track and a 32-metre-long slide. The world’s largest ski arena to have been excavated in to rock is circulated by a ski track that is more than one-kilometre long, where you can ski traditionally or freestyle, or you can try kick sledding and biathlon. At the ski arena, there is an annually updated Moomin-themed ice sculpture park. In the Vesileppis there is e.g. bowling, padel field,fitness steps and mini golf course. Leppis Adventure Park is located in the immediate vicinity of Vesileppis, where there is plenty to do for the whole family. The adventure park is a cable car that consists of tracks of different difficulty levels and provides a challenge for both adults and children. There is also a Bungeetrampoline in the adventure park. The park is also open, weather permitting, during winter holidays and around the year for groups. In addition to activities, Vesileppis provides pampering treatments, massages and beauty treatments.
AT MANSIKKAHARJU HOLIDAY CAMP
you can find accommodation at the caravan area, scenery or shoreside villa, shoreside cottages, igloos or traditional camping cabins. Tenting near the shore is also possible. Guests have access to social premises, a kitchen shelter, barbecue shelter, beach and a shoreside sauna. All equipment, such as bicycles, boats, kayaks, canoes and a large bouncy castle, are available to be used by guests free of charge. In the historical main building of Mansikkaharju, Harju Building, there are premises that serve for organising meetings, camps and family celebrations, as well as a private catering service. NIEMILOMAT
offers cottage and breakfast accommodation in a beautiful countryside milieu. Guests can enjoy the steams of a smoke sauna or perhaps play disc golf or a forest escape game. Niemilomat is located at the shore of Unnukka, just 13 kilometres away from the centre of Varkaus. The location is excellent as a venue for various private and corporate events.
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It’s time to enjoy your holiday! VESILEPPIS
Vokkolantie FI-79100 Leppävirta Tel. +358 (0)29 170 0170 myynti@vesileppis.fi www.vesileppis.fi MANSIKKAHARJU HOLIDAY CAMP
Kalmalahdentie 8 FI-79100 Leppävirta Tel. +358 (0)50 598 1481 jukka.havukainen@mobiili.net www.mansikkaharju.net NIEMILOMAT
Niemeläntie 166 FI-78200 Varkaus Tel. +358 (0)40 715 9568 reeta.halonen@niemilomat.fi www.niemilomat.fi
Venues nt! for an eve
Are you organising an event for your organisation, a WHP day for your work community or perhaps a weekend camp for a sports club? Please contact us, let’s customise your event together!
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sales@vesileppis.fi Tel. +358 (0)29 170 0170 www.vesileppis.fi
WELL-BEING AT LEPPÄVIRTA
n u f , n io t a x a l e r , s t r o p S Vesileppis Arena is a multi-purpose centre for sport and culture, where concerts, tournaments, exhibitions and congregations are organised. Vesileppis’ premises are flexibly suitable for events ranging from 10–1,500 participants. Vesileppis is suitable for WHP days, workshops, meetings and company parties. Everything necessary is in hand’s reach: modern meeting rooms, good telecommunications as well as accommodation and restaurant services. Ancillary programmes include diverse sports activities, relaxation and fun.
Vesileppis is an excellent choice as a training and competition location for sports clubs. The ice arena, ski arena and multi-purpose hall operate around the year, the pools of the spa are suitable for swimming clubs’ training sessions. In the summer season, the offerings are supplemented by turf football, baseball and athletics fields. Ask for the services of a masseur and a physiotherapist too. An entertainment saloon operates in connection with Vesileppis Arena, where you can play on a golf or shooting simulator or race in rally and formula games.
Skiing, swimming, bowling, wall climbing, tennis, volleyball, basketball, floorball, long jumping, javelin throwing, dancing, gymnastics or perhaps archery – at Vesileppis, the leisure options are almost limitless!
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The number one destination for a recreational fisherman is Konnuskoski Rapids, which are located less than 10 km from the centre of Leppävirta. The duckboards facilitate accessibility, and the platforms offer a splendid place for lure fishing.
ay Holid! tip
Cottage accommodation and fishing permits for Konnuskoski Rapids
FROM
260 €
2 PEOPLE WEEKEND
Prices and bookings: www.rantamanloma.net, fishing permits: Neste Leppävirta. The price does not include the state’s fishing maintenance fee. More accommodation options and holiday activities: www.visitleppavirta.fi
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LEPPÄVIRTA FOR FISHER M EN
Fish experiences s id p a r d n a s e k a l t a A fourth of Leppävirta's surface area is water. The municipality and its surrounding areas offer plenty of fishing opportunities around the year. There are several slipways for boats, and there is easy access to water to enjoy trolling. The deep-water channel from Saimaa to Kallasvesi runs via Leppävirta and Konnus. There are several flowing areas between small islands in the Konnuskoski Rapids region. The shores are quite deep for wading in, but several platforms have been built at the rapids. The most guaranteed way to catch fish is by using a boat. Konnuskoski is considered to be the one of the most likely rapids in Savo where you can catch trout. In addition to brown trout, you may catch grayling, pikeperch, pike, whitefish, ide and perch. Trout is annually planted in the rapids. There are campfire sites, a lean-to shelter and good parking facilities at Konnuskoski Rapids. In the summer time restaurant serves the canal area, Konnustupa - ThreeChannel Inn. See page 14.
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Get your permits and head towards fish-rich waters! SUVASVESI FISHING AREA is an 8,100 hectare, barren and wilderness-like lake area in the eastern part of the municipality. Boat slipways: • Enonniemi fishing port • Vehmersalmi village’s beach • Horsmalahti (small boats) • Levälahti and Mustinlahti www.suvasvedenkalatalousalue.fi UNNUKKA FISHING AREA consists of a 3,000-hectare area in the central and southern parts of the Unnukka area. Water areas, such as Huruslahti, can also be found in the close proximity of the city of Varkaus. Boat slipways: • Kalmalahti, Travel Centre Unnukka’s beach • Ship port on the deep-water channel side SORSAVESI FISHING AREA is a 1,500-hectare area in the western parts of the municipality. Boat slipway: • Sorsakoski port KOIRUS-SOTKA FISHING AREA
consists of Sotkanselkä, Koirusvesi and Konnusvesi from Puutossalmi to the Canal of Konnus. The 9,400-hectare area is located in the northern parts of the municipality. Boat slipway: • Leppävirta’s Kalmalahti
PERMIT SALES
Neste Leppävirta, tel. +358 (0)17 554 1567 • Metsähallitus, www.eraluvat.fi, service number +358 (0)20 69 2424
LEPPÄVIRTA FOR NATURE ENTHUSIASTS
Excursions by foot or canoe The municipality that is surrounded by large lakes is a busy boating and canoeing destination in the summer. During the winter, you can explore the nature by following the good countryskiing tracks, by skimobile or perhaps by going on a snow shoe excursion. The area of Orinoro and Mustinmäki located at the island of Soisalo is suitable as a hiking or excursion destination for the entire family. The Orinoro Gorge is said to be one of Savo’s seven miracles. The nature trail takes you to the vertical-walled gorge that has been grooved during the Ice Age, and which is approximately 200 metres long and almost 20 metres deep. Snow remains in the gorge until June. Along the seven-kilometre-long route is a lean-to shelter. Sorsavesi area, which is located in the western parts of the municipality, is an excellent destination for selfinitiative hikers and canoers. The specialities of the wilderness-like lake include Ukkokivi’s rock painting, Kuvajaniemi cave and the rocky island of Linnasaari at the southern part of the lake, as well as the boulder-like Karhukivet. At the eastern border of the municipality, Suvasvesi is known for its two underwater craters. Suvasvesi is almost 90 metres deep, making it Finland’s third deepest lake.
ay Holid! tip
Mansikkaharju Holiday Camp is open all year round
Caravans, igloo, villa and cottage accommodation. Prices and bookings: www.mansikkaharju.net More accommodation options and exciting nature experiences: www.visitleppavirta.fi
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Port services UNNUKKA GUEST BOAT DOCK IN KALMALAHTI
• toilet, showers, laundry facilities • 50 metres of platform, 7 mooring sites, 24 buoy sites • emptying of septic tanks and bilge water, eco point • electricity and water points at the platforms • service station and shop nearby Door opening with mobile payment 24 h. Instructions on the door or at Harbour Restaurant Eben, tel. +358 (0)40 9654541 MANSIKKAHARJU HOLIDAY CAMP
• berths 4–6 • toilet, showers, laundry facilities See pages 4–5 FUELLING PLATFORM ALONG THE DEEP-WATER CHANNEL
• the side of the ship platform is available to be used for stopping • fuel distribution with card machine • water point, waste shelter and emptying of septic tank
Guided nature excursions KALAOPAS FINLAND
offers ready-made guidance service packages as well as individually designed services for fishing and nature. Tel. +358 (0)45 644 8333 kalaopas@kalaopas.fi KOTAMÄKI FARM
Fishing and nature excursions, seine fishing for groups, landscape and nature cruises, as well as wilderness and meeting services. Kotamäentie 95 FI-79140 Kotalahti Tel. +358 (0)40 508 1106 simo.roponen@suomi24.fi www.kotamaentila.fi PÖLLÖLÄ NATURE FARM
Guided forest and mushroom tours, Riitta Mikkola, tel. +358 (0)440 825 9944 11
Events, sights, attractions LEPPÄVIRTA CHURCH
KONNUS CANAL AREA
The grey stone church designed by C.L. Engel was built in 1846 and it is Finland’s seventh largest Lutheran church. Seats 2,200 people. The church’s advantages include is lightness and acoustics, and therefore it is a popular concert venue. The twopart altarpiece is the work of Samuel Elmgren from the 1820s.
The Konnus canal area consists of three different-aged canals and five rapids. Konnus, which is connected by Kallasvesi and Unnukka, is located 8 kilometres from the village of Leppävirta, at the upper stream of the rapids. MUSEUM ROAD AND NIKKILÄNMÄKI’S RURAL LANDSCAPE
The few-kilometre-long museum road in the direction of Highway Five exhibits the traditional rural landscape. The 155-metre-high Nikkilänmäki hill, which is found along the route, offers far-reaching views.
LEPPÄVIRTA’S LOCAL HISTORY MUSEUM
The museum’s collections include approximately 3,000 artefacts and 7,000 photographs, which exhibit the history, livelihoods and culture of the rural municipality from the Stone Age to the current decade.
ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE TULENLIEKKI
• dances and events starring top performers • karaoke pub, café and à la carte restaurant • premises can be rented for private events Jylhäntie 30, FI-79700 Leppävirta, tel. +358 (0)44 980 5400, www.tulenliekki.fi
LEPPÄVIRTA BRIDGE
At the time the bridge that was built in 1965, it was Finland’s highest arch bridge. The bridge that has a height limit of 26 metres for passing beneath it, makes an impression to both road users and boaters.
SUMMER RESTAURANT KONNUSTUPA
• delicious food and drink • high-quality and varied program Konnuksentie 595, 79100 Leppävirta, tel. +358 (0)44 491 6819, www.konnus.fi
February
Ladybug Rock 'n' Roll Weekender music festival 4.2.2022
January
March
Tropical Winter Ukulele Fest, world’s most northern ukulele festival 13.1.2022
Kultakelloravit harness racing event (weather permitting)
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June
Leppävirta Day 4.6.2022
The Konnustupa presents a high-quality and varied program. Rain or shine, you can enjoy your summer day indoors, outdoors and on the covered terrace. www.konnus.fi
Speciality stores
Activities VESILEPPIS BOWLING
Tel. +358 (0)400 980 026 www.vesileppis.fi SKI AND MULTI-PURPOSE ARENA VESILEPPIS
Leppävirta sports office, tel. +358 (0)40 098 0026 See pages 4–5
ATV AND SNOWMOBILE SAFARIS
Travel Centre Unnukka Kalmalahdentie 2, FI-79100 Leppävirta
K-Extra Pentti Kaulamo, FI-79150 Konnuslahti, tel. +358 (0)20 770 5511 or +358 (0)400 276 253, pentti.kaulamo@kaulamo.fi
A 9-hole, upland-type course, cafe, changing rooms, equipment repair service. Konnuksentie 400, FI-79100 Leppävirta, tel. +358 (0)44 088 4400
LOCAL STORE UNNUKKA
offers products from local producers in accordance with the opening hours of the Tourist Center Unnukka The products change according to the seasons. www.facebook.com/ leppavirranlahipuoti
VIA PAULA
EQUINE SERVICES J.B KY
Interior design products and styling service. Tel. +358 (0)400 905 451, viapaula@viapaula.fi viapaula.omaverkkokauppa.fi
Riding ring suitable for year-round use. Lehminiementie 66, FI-79100 Leppävirta, tel. +358 (0)50 345 1713, hevospalvelutjb.ky@ gmail.com ACTION LEPPÄVIRTA
LEPPÄVIRTA GOLF
IITTALA OUTLET LEPPÄVIRTA
Tel. +358 (0)20 439 3522 www.iittala.fi
ATELJEE LASIELÄMYKSIÄ
Company is specialized in paintball, stand-up-paddiling and renting equipment. Tel. +358 (0)45 608 3554 www.actionleppavirta.fi
Moomin-themed Gift Shop is located in the lobby of Sport&Spa Hotel Vesileppis. Tel. +358 (0)29 170 0170
DIMEX OUTLET - WORKWEAR
Snowmobile and motorcycle accessories. Oravikoskentie 3, FI-71470 Oravikoski, tel. +358 (0)17 554 4205 www.hanx.fi
Kokoojatie 9, FI-79100 Leppävirta, tel. +358 (0)40 300 4528 www.dimex.fi
BEACH
Public beach and diving tower. Kalliontie 10
MOOMIN MINISHOP
Interior and art glass. Rinnetie 4, FI-79100 Leppävirta, tel. +358 (0)50 369 3909 www.designmuru.fi
KANGAS KAARINA
HANX
Fabric store. Kievarinkatu 1, 79100 Leppävirta, tel. +358 (0)44 753 3474
July
Unnukka trolling
August
Varrella virran Music Festival, Valoa ja virtaa
THERE ARE ACTIVITIES IN LEPPÄVIRTA ARO UND THE YE AR!
Topical information about events: www.leppavirta.fi
September
Finnish Rallysprint Championship
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Accommodation SPORT&SPA HOTEL VESILEPPIS
www.vesileppis.fi See pages 4–5
Sleep and eat well
Countryside destinations MANSIKKAHARJU CAMPING
PAJAHARJU FARM
www.mansikkaharju.net See pages 4–5
Rautalahdentie 150, FI-79150 Konnuslahti, tel. +358 (0)40 573 5885, ropponen@pp.inet.fi
NIEMILOMAT
www.niemilomat.fi See pages 4–5 PÖLLÖLÄ NATURE FARM
Two accommodation options; Sallinpelto and Saarisenranta. Both offer the possibility of sleeping inside, cooking, sauna as well as Tentsile wood accommodation. Tel. +358 (0)46 810 6462, eero.mikkola@pollola.fi
SALMITALO, SOINILANSALMI VILLAGE ASSOCIATION
Facilities for training, camps and banquets for up to 150 persons. Heinävedentie 2700, FI-79100 Leppävirta, tel. +358 (0)50 521 5957 www.soinilansalmi.net
VILLA WALLE
Savonniementie 60, 79100 Leppävirta, tel. +358 (0)50 4105 541, arto.ollikainen@netti.fi, www.villawalle.fi
Holiday cottages
Cafes and restaurants VESILEPPIS
Dining and socialising restaurant Bistro, Lunch Restaurant Leppäkerttu, Cafe Coffee Corner, Social Restaurant Castro Bar, Vesileppis Bowling. Vokkolantie www.vesileppis.fi ALAPIHA MANOR
Karolinas Tea and Coffee. Leppävirrantie 14, info@alapihankartano.fi KONNUSTUPA – THREE-CHANNEL INN
Delicious local food is served in plate portions. The restaurant is a summer restaurant with events. Konnuksentie 595, 79100 Leppävirta, tel. +358 (0)44 491 6819, info@konnus.fi www.konnus.fi DINING RESTAURANT MAMMA’S
100-seat dining and socialising restaurant, lunch buffet and summer terrace. Kievarinkatu 3, tel.+358 (0)17 369 6999 www.ravintolamammas.net
KUKKOKIEVARI SUMMER CAFÉ
Steamed pies, pancakes and donut coffees. Viitostie 929, tel. +358 (0)40 974 9504
EVERILÄ HOLIDAY COTTAGES
LEPPIS BUNGALOWS
Jousniementie 246a, FI-79100 Leppävirta, tel. +358 (0)40 508 3074, juhani.everila@ everilan-lomamokit.com www.everilan-lomamokit.com
tel. +358 (0)45 311 5740, info@leppisbungalowit.fi www.leppisbungalowit.fi
HISKILÄ HOLIDAY COTTAGES
Laitilanniementie 317, FI-79140 Kotalahti, tel. +358 (0)40 571 5167 or +358 (0)40 556 0915
HARBOUR RESTAURANT EBEN
The trendy restaurant offers a relaxed living room, tasty food and mouth-watering pastry delicacies for every taste! Travel Centre Unnukka, Kalmalahdentie 2, 79100 Leppävirta, tel. +358 (0)40 965 4541
KASANEN HOLIDAY APARTMENTS
Tel. +358 (0)50 362 0047, virpi.kasanen@kasanen.com www.kasanen.com KIILU HOLIDAY COTTAGES
Pönkälahdentie 338, FI-79100 Leppävirta, tel. +358 (0)50 552 4250 or 040 845 9985, kiilun.lomamokit@gmail.com www.kiilunlomamokit.com
BAKERY-CAFÉ ANNELIN KOTILEIPÄ
Savonkatu 35, tel.+358 (0)17 554 1684 www.annelinkotileipa.com NESTE CAFÉ-RESTAURANT
MARKKANEN HOLIDAY COTTAGES
Kokoojatie 17, tel.+358 (0)17 554 1567
Haasianniementie 25 B, FI-71470 Oravikoski, tel. +358 (0)17 554 4194 or +358 (0)40 821 4515
TEBOIL CAFÉ-RESTAURANT
Leppävirrantie 45, tel.+358 (0)17 555 5555
KOTAMÄKI FARM
ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE TULENLIEKKI
www.kotamaentila.fi See pages 10–11
www.tulenliekki.fi See page 12 14
PURORANTA FARM
Hanhisalontie 374 A, FI-79150 Konnuslahti, tel. +358 (0)400 255 601 or +358 (0)40 740 2494, jouko.puroranta@gmail.com PÄIVÄRINNE HOLIDAY COTTAGES
Kolarisaarentie 407, FI-79255 Kurjala, tel. +358 (0)44 067 3222 or +358 (0)44 566 7222, paivarinteenlomamokit@ gmail.com www.paivarinteenlomamokit.com RANTAMA HOLIDAY COTTAGES
Pönkälahdentie 66, FI-79100 Leppävirta, tel. +358 (0)400 653 373 or +358 (0) 40 549 1283, info@rantamanloma.net www.rantamanloma.net VAAJASALMI HOLIDAY COTTAGES
Oraviniementie 431, FI-71470 Oravikoski, tel. +358 (0)17 554 4195 or +358 (0)500 377 577, markku@vaajasalmenloma.com www.vaajasalmenloma.com
LIVING IN LEPPÄVIRTA
h it w y il m a f e iv t c a n A g n o l t o n s e o d n e r d chil to return to the busy part of Finland Mari and Janne Vepsäläinen moved from Vantaa to Leppävirta with their two sons in 2017. The move was made easier by the fact that both grandparents are nearby. According to the Vepsäläinen family, Leppävirta is an excellent place to live with children. The municipality has a good selection of jobs and entrepreneurship, and the nearby cities are not far away. Mari Vepsäläinen praises the library's diverse selection of books and films, and the good service the library offers. The family actively uses the library’s services. The boys, who were born in 2009 and 2013, enjoy ice hockey as their hobby. Janne participates in a coaching team, so training and matches take up a large portion of his free time. During the summer, they swim a lot, fish and spend time outdoors in the garden. “The children have excellent opportunities for hobbies that are no weaker compared to the metropolitan region. In my opinion,
the sports clubs’ operations are extremely active for such a small village,” says Janne. A lot has been invested in Leppävirta’s day-care centres and schools in recent years. They utilise the municipality’s sports opportunities in an excellent manner. The advantages of a small municipality include short commutes, the Vepsäläinen family says. Workplaces are close and the children are able to travel around easily by foot or by bike. There have been industrial operations in Leppävirta for more than 200 years. Sorsakoski’s first mill was established at the end of the 1700s. Nowadays, the municipality’s active business life creates, and has created, jobs for example for the Vespäläinen family: Janne works for HögforsGST which manufactures heating systems, and Mari works for Oplatek which specialises in optics and precision mechanics.
FA M ILIARISE IN THE MUNICIPALIT Y ’S SERVICES, WORK OPPORTUNITIES AND AVAIL ABLE PLOTS: W W W.LEPPAVIRTA.FI
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Kuusamo
Welcome ! a t r i v ä p p e L o t
Oulu
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Kuopio, 54 km Vaasa
W W W.VISITLEPPAVIRTA.FI
Leppävirta Jyväskylä, 130 km
Joensuu, 120 km 23
Varkaus, 25 km Pieksämäki, 50 km Mikkeli, 110 km
Turku
Helsinki, 340 km
TOURIST INFOR M ATION Travel Centre Unnukka Kalmalahdentie 2, FI-79100 Leppävirta matkailuneuvonta@leppavirta.fi Tel. +358 (0)44 790 6033 (Mon-Fri at 9 am - 4 pm)
Leppävirta municipality Savonkatu 39, PL 4 FI-79101 Leppävirta Tel. +358 (0)17 570 911
ONLINE TR AVEL M AP leppavirta.salmimap.fi
W W W.LEPPAVIRTA.FI
Design and visual style of brochure: AD, Tarmo Majasaari, www.majasaari.net Photos: Leppävirran kunta, Vesileppis, Pitkospuu Productions, JS Suomi, Anssi Toivanen, Markus Laakso, Hannu Miettinen, Jani Kauhanen Print: Offsetpaino L. Tuovinen Ky