Toivakka

Toivakka is a small rural municipality that is about 35 km south-east of Jyväskylä. The parish village lies by the large lake Leppävesi (the northern part of which is on the Keitele–Päijänne–Vesijärvi waterway) and the smaller Saarinen. The western part of the municipality is on Päijänne.

The main route to Toivakka is Highway 4 (E75 between Helsinki and Utsjoki, via Lahti and Jyväskylä). Highway 9 (here E63) from the Niirala border crossing via Kuopio and from Turku via Jyväskylä goes just north of the municipality, Highway 13 from Kokkola via Jyväskylä and from the Nuijamaa border crossing via Lappeenranta and Mikkeli runs through the north-eastern part of the municipality.

• 🌍 Toivakka Church (Toivakan kirkko), Salomonin tie 8, ☏ +358 400-358-834 (parish office). Open as road church in summer, in winter Su 09:00–11:30 (the service starts 10:00), other events (Sa) or by request. Wooden church built 1879–1882. Alvar Aalto oversaw repairs in the 1920s, but the works by him are on display elsewhere. The ceiling paintings, now praised, were controversial enough when painted 1972–73 that the vicar left as he couldn't stop the artist. Free. (updated Dec 2022)

• 🌍 Paikkalanvuoren laavu (edge of the sports field in the center of Toivakka). A wooden lean-to shelter on top of a hill. Next to it, there is a fitness trail and a ski trail in winter use. (updated Dec 2022)
• 🌍 Toivakka Discgolf Track (Toivakan frisbeegolfrata), Palosentie 7. (updated Dec 2022)
• 🌍 Viisarimäki, Rutalahdentie 72 (parking at the road, the footpath forks after 150 m into a figure-8 trail; the shelter is by the left-hand fork), kirjaamo@toivakka.fi. 24 hr daily. Nature trail (2–3 km) in difficult terrain to and on the Kuivavuori hill (peak 80 m above the road), the western slopes of which are a nature reserve (extending across the trail). Lean-to shelter (no toilet). Free. 

• 🌍 K-Market Perälä, Toivakantie 30. M-F 07:00-21:00, Sa 08:00-21:00, Su 09:00-20:00. A grocery store. (updated Dec 2022)
• 🌍 Sale Toivakka, Toivakantie 41. M-Sa 0₢7:00-21:00, Su 09:00-21:00. A grocery store. (updated Dec 2022)

• 🌍 Ravintola Sun Toive, Toivakantie 30, ☏ +358 40 484 7738, sun.toive@gmail.com. Th 11:00-19:00, F 11:00-2:00, Sa 12:00-2:00, Su 12:00-19:00. A kebab-restaurant. (updated Dec 2022)
• 🌍 Upin Lounaskahvio ja Grilli, Toivakantie 41. Daily 07:00-19:00. A café-restaurant. (updated Dec 2022)

• 🌍 Teemahostel, Jussilantie 8, ☏ +358 40 740 0829, info@teemahostel.fi. The hostel has 8 accommodation rooms of different sizes, six of which have their own bathroom. Guests have access to a common, well-equipped kitchen and dining area, as well as a common living area. In the living room you will find books and games for your use. Rooms: €25-50. (updated Dec 2022)

• Leivonmäki National Park, just south the municipality
• Jyväskylä
• Laukaa
• Muurame