The Kurjenkierros route crosses the varied nature in the municipalities of Laihia, Jurva, and Ilmajoki. The route is signposted with orange labels within Laihia and Jurva, and with yellow labels on the Ilmajoki side. The route of the Levaneva nature reserve is 13 km long and marked with blue labels. It circles beautiful swamp landscapes, with short stretches through various small forests and the woods on the edges of the swamp. The route is easy to walk, and all marshy sections are equipped with duckboards. When travelling along the route, please take into account that the duckboards can be slippery, depending on the weather conditions. The route is suitable for beginners.
The Maalarinmaa rest area is located on the Laihia side, whereas the car park, 600 m away, is on the Jurva side. The clean rest area is equipped with a lean-to shelter, a bird-watching tower, a wood storage room, and a latrine. The duckboards leaving the site cross the vast Levaneva, all the way to the Rajavuori hiking centre in Laihia. In the other direction, the path goes through bogs and rocky groves to the Pässilänmaja hut in Jurva. Maalarinmaa is a great destination for birdwatchers, as Levaneva, easily visible from the bird-watching tower, is especially popular with birds nesting in the bog.
The road to Maalarinmaa passes by the Kivilampi and Levalampi artificial lakes. The reservoir itself is a sight worth seeing. To the eyes of Suupohja natives, accustomed to small bodies of water, its vast expanse can seem like an ocean.
Learn more about the Levaneva area:
Kohteen tiedot päivitetty: 19.10.2021
