The history of Varjola dates back to the mid-1800s, when timber rafting manager was needed for the bypass Kuusaankoski. He began to build a farm near Kuusaa rapids, and the waterways for timber rafting were built on the rapids.
Water route in the village of Kuusa where Varjola is located, combines watercourse above, Saravesi -lake, the waters of three major waterways (the watercourses of Viitasaari, Saarijärvi and Rautalampi). Kuusaankoski -rapids is one of the few quintessentially preserved Central Finland reservoirs. Kuusaankoski -rapids most important catch is the lake trout, which has been found to have a great deal of natural growth. Fish rises to Kuusaankoski -rapids as far away as lake Päijänne.
Farming
Timber rafter´s farm expanded over the years, and has been forerunner farm in the early decades of the last millennium: farm was actively renewed, the fields uses drainage systems, Varjola was the first farm in Central Finland to establish hay silage with AIV system and the first tractor arrived in the village was in Varjola. An important research on improving the efficiency of agriculture in Finland was also carried out with the help of the research of Varjola landlord.
Over the decades, several actions have been carried out on the regeneration area of the rapids. The water route was renovated in 1993. The old timber rafting structures were demolished, and the rapids was restored and the shores were reconstruct to match the former grove.
A well earned coffee break
while harvesting fields
Rebirth of Kuusaankoski -rapids
As a result of industrialization and the growth of the forest industry, Varjola bypass Kuusaankoski -rapids was badly polluted and the fish almost disappeared from the water. It was said that one can smell river far away. With the advancement of the forest industry, fishing and recreational activities were re-established in the river area by the beginning of the 1990s, and the clearing of the watercourses of the rapids began to be clearly visible. Thus, the recovery of Kuusaankoski -rapids and the clearing of the watercourse can be considered as cinderella story of water history in Finland. Due to the purification of the watercourse, the wild rapids also returned to the regenerated water area, which made the area one of Southern Finland's best fishing rapids.
Sustainability in Varjola
Our work for the environment and rural areas.
Green thinking is in the core of our values and daily processes.
Our long history from agriculture and farming has thought us sustainable thinking of life. Sustainability is a natural part of what we do in our daily life:
Use local ingredients, provide work for local people, respect nature and it´s balance.
Varjola is situated in the countryside, and living in the rural areas are vital to us. Our warm and important local community plays key role to our business.
We use local companies for tours and activities and also for providing us high standard local food ingredients.
What we do to help the environment every day:
We use renewable energy
We have a strong focus on reducing residual waste through efficient recycling, and carefully monitor and report our progress and efforts towards our goals.
We work together: every worker is a vital player in our family.
We separate waste carefully and efficiently – waste suitable for reuse is sent for recycling.
Our restaurants offers local food and a vegetarian option, pure and fresh local food is our corner stone!
We maintain the property’s equipment from air conditioning to the refrigerators in good working condition, which leads to energy-efficient operation.
We communicate our actions for the environment and their impact.
We encourage our guests to join in. In each room, there are tips about what you as a hotel guest can do to help save the environment.
Clean nature and green environment
in the heart of Varjola
Outdoor tours
Sustainable activity products
Local food
pure and fresh ingredients nearby
Active and happy people
Village around as is part of us!