Before going to the forest
Please read more about everyone’s rights and safety in nature.
Mäntyharju is a fantastic place to explore Finnish nature and is suitable for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts. Countless excursion options invite you to spend quality time in our natural surroundings.
Please read more about everyone’s rights and safety in nature.
In Mäntyharju, you can engage in a variety of sports both outdoors and indoors. Explore our list of sport activities here. If you are looking for a list containing all the shelters and fireplaces, you’ll find it from the municipality’s official website.
The sports are labeled with symbols – ☀️ = available on summer, ❄️ = available on winter.
Playing badminton is possible at the Multi-purpose Hall Kisala. You can rent the entire hall or part of it for your own use. When you rent the space, badminton equipment is also available for you to use.
Playing basketball is possible at the Multi-purpose Hall Kisala. You can rent the entire hall or part of it for your own use. When you rent the space, baseball equipment is also available for you to use.
Basketball is also possible to play in the school’s sports hall, which is also possible to rent.
Beach volleyball is a great sport that you can play in sunny summer weather. Mäntyharju has four different beach volleyball courts that are freely available to everyone. Two of the courts are located around the Kisala sports center – one at Pekkolanlampi beach and the other next to the baseball field. The other two courts are located around the Kurkiniemi beach.
Kisala’s address: Urheilutie 1
Kurkiniemi’s address: Asematie 10
You will need your own ball to play. On sunny days, we recommend using sun protection.
Mäntyharju has several bike touring routes that you can cycle independently. Of course, you can mix and match the routes to create your own tour!
Mailbox cycling is our local specialty. It is a challenge suitable for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level.
At the end of the season in late September, we will raffle prizes among the participants. If you visit all 23 mailboxes, you will receive a special prize! Good luck!
Fitness boxing and kettlebell workouts are available at Kisala’s Volttisali. When you rent the space, you also get access to the necessary equipment.
Our local sports club Mäntyharjun Virkistys (MäVi) offers lessons for kettlebell at least in summertime. Read more about the club from here (in Finnish).
In Finland, a fishing license is required for fishing. Additionally, you must pay the fisheries management fee. You do not need to pay for the license if you are under 18 or over 70 years old.
Mäntyharju has two large shareholders’ associations where you can purchase a fishing license for their areas. Fishing is allowed in many places, but please check for any restrictions here.
Visit the Vihanta shareholders’ association website (e.g., from Voikoski to Puuskankoski)
Visit the Mäntyharju shareholders’ association website (e.g., Pyhävesi, Kallavesi, and other small lakes)
Worm fishing is allowed without fees in many areas. For example, worm fishing is not allowed at Miekankoski.
You can view good fishing spots on this map.
Read more about fishing in Finland
In Mäntyharju, ice fishing in winter is also possible. No license is required for ice fishing as it is part of everyone’s rights. Before going on the ice, ensure it is thick enough to be safe.
The athletic field at the Kisala sports area is a genuine natural grass field, ideal for soccer. The field is open for use if there are no team practices or other events scheduled. There are also goals of various sizes available for use as you like.
You need to bring your own ball to play. During the summer season, the changing rooms next to the athletic field are open during the day and are free to use. The changing rooms have toilets and showers.
Read more about Kisala’s outdoor sports
You can also play soccer on sand fields, such as those at school and in Kirkonkylä.
There is a local football team called Mäntyharjun Jäntevä (MäJä). Read more about them from here (in Finnish).
You can play futsal at Kisala’s Mäntyareena. You can easily reserve Kisala for your use online. At Kisala, you will have access to the necessary sports equipment (goals and balls). Goals are made for handball, but they are usable for futsal too.
Our local football team has also futsal teams. Read more about Mäntyharjun Jäntevä from here (in Finnish).
Mäntyharju has three disc golf courses. One is located right near the town center in Rantapuisto (close to the railway station). The second course is in the wooded area of Kirkonkylä, about three kilometers from the town center. The third disc golf course is at Woikoski Feeling’s WHD Gård in the village of Nurmaa. This course has a fee, but the other two are maintained by the municipality and are free to use.
You need to bring your own discs to play.
Rantapuisto Disc Golf Course: Koulutie 6-8
Kirkonkylä Disc Golf Course: Iso-Pappilantie 6
WHD Gård: Nurmaankyläntie 90
Our local sports club Mäntyharjun Virkistys (MäVi) offers lessons and competitions during summertime. Read more about the club from here (in Finnish).
Mäntyharju and its surrounding areas have hundreds of geocaches. You can learn more about the hobby and the caches by visiting the geocaching website.
Mäntyharju boasts the high-quality Vola-Golf, featuring a 9-hole PAR-3 course that is open 24/7. You can also inquire about private lessons and group offers at Vola-Golf.
Another golf course in Mäntyharju offers a unique and free way to experience golf. Väntti Golf in Toivola is an excellent place for beginners, providing everything you need: the course, balls, and clubs are all available at no cost. Additionally, experienced players are happy to help you get started. The course has 18 holes.
Visit Vola-Golf’s website
Visit Väntti Golf’s website
Mäntyharju has three gyms, all located in the town center. You can learn more about each gym by visiting their respective websites (in Finnish only).
There is also free outdoor gym in Kisala’s sport area.
Read more about Kisala’s outdoor sports
Gymnastics is available at Kisala’s Volttisali, which you can reserve for your use.
Our local sports club Mäntyharjun Virkistys (MäVi) offers gymnastics classes at least for young people. Read more about the club from here (in Finnish).
In addition to Kisala, suitable spaces for group fitness and dance are also available in the Mirror Hall at the high school. Both of them are available for rent.
Our local sports club Mäntyharjun Virkistys (MäVi) offers group fitness and dance classes for all ages. Read more about the club from here (in Finnish).
Mäntyharju offers several scenic hiking trails where you can experience the best of authentic Finnish nature in the most enjoyable ways.
At the Kisala sports area in Mäntyharju, there is an artificial ice rink suitable for skating and ice hockey. Natural ice will be created on the adjacent baseball field if weather conditions permit. Natural ice will also be created on the school field and in Kirkonkylä.
Sports are allowed in the rink during scheduled skating times. Skating is freely permitted on other fields (excluding the school field during school hours).
If winter weather is favorable, a recreational ice skating route from Kirkonkylä to the town center will be opened. Please follow municipal announcements for updates.
Locals may also operate hockey schools for young people.
Kisala’s Volttisali features a large tatami mat, making it easy to practice judo. The local judo club also organizes training sessions for all ages and skill levels.
Read more about local Judo club (in Finnish only)
Mountain biking amidst stunning nature is possible in Mäntyharju. We have several trails of varying difficulty levels for all mountain bikers.
Show all mountain biking routes
Mäntyharju offers two kayaking routes: the Keisarinlähde tour and the Halla route (Mäntyharju-Repovesi). It’s advisable to set aside plenty of time for both routes.
In winter, you can enjoy skiing on cross-country trails that extend up to 50 kilometers! The starting point for the illuminated trails is the Kisala sports center. Additionally, if the winter weather is favorable, the municipality also grooms trails on the ice. Follow the municipal communication channels to stay updated on the condition of the trails.
SUP-boarding is possible on all lakes and waters freely. Ask local businesses if they rent SUP-boards.
Table tennis is available at the Kisala sports hall. When you rent the space, you will have access to all the necessary equipment. Additionally, there are two outdoor table tennis tables on the school grounds where you can play outside of school hours.
Next to Kisala, the Polaria Padel complex features one outdoor tennis court and one outdoor padel court, both available for rental (equipment rental is also possible). Tennis can also be played indoors at Kisala.
Read more about Kisala’s outdoor sports
The athletics field at the Kisala sports area is open for general use for athletics. During the summer, the changing rooms with toilets and showers are also open during the day. Events such as hurdling, long jump, and high jump can be easily accommodated.
Read more about Kisala’s outdoor sports
Running in the forests of Mäntyharju is a great experience, and the hiking trails are also suitable for trail running. The illuminated fitness track at Kisala is perfect for various terrains. Additionally, from the town center, you can run along the shoreline all the way to Kirkonkylä. It’s up to you!
Read more about Kisala’s outdoor sports
At Kisala, you can play volleyball by reserving the space for yourself. Balls and nets are available in the sports hall.
Our local sports club Mäntyharjun Virkistys (MäVi) has volleyball teams. Read more about the club from here (in Finnish).
Wintertime ice swimming is available at Veljesniemi Sauna. You can pay either a seasonal fee or for a single visit to Reissupolku ry. At Veljesniemi, ice swimmers have access to dedicated changing rooms, a small wood sauna, and a WC. You can swim if the space hasn’t been reserved by someone else.
Learn more about Reissupolku’s ice swimming activities (in Finnish only)
You can also book Veljesniemi for a private sauna session or for a group through the municipality.
Mäntyharju offers several different walking trails that are easy to navigate and suitable for everyone.
In winter, if the weather conditions are favorable, a walking route is created on the ice of Lake Pyhävesi from Kirkonkylä to the town center. Additionally, from Kisala, it is possible to walk to the Uutela shelter along a designated winter trail.