The story behind - Päijänne Cruises Hilden

The story behind Päijänne Cruises Hilden – cruising for over 60 years!

Päijänne Cruises Hilden has a long tradition in cruising on Päijänne. The cruising company, which was founded in 1963, is a family business and the work is already being done in the second generation.

Cruising company founded in 1963

In the 60s, the company’s founder, Hannu Hildén, started with a water bus service in the nearby areas of Jyväskylä, transporting summer residents to villas on the islands and managing ship transports to the Ainola dance stage in Jyväskylä.

Little by little, the company has grown, and great efforts have been made in the 70s and 80s in order to preserve all ship traffic in Lake Päijänne.

Currently, the company has cruises on the entire Päijänne area; From Lahti, Heinola and Jyväskylä, and after the completion of the Keitele canal also on the canal to Laukaa and Suolahti.

For purer Lake Päijänne

From the beginning, the company’s principles have included respect for nature – after all it is the company’s operating environment. Long before green values became fashionable, the company implemented them in its operations.

For example all ships recycle and have waste water tanks to prevent any waste water releasing into the lake. Also, the ship cruises themselves are an ecological alternative compared to private boating, which puts a strain on the delicate archipelago nature of Lake Päijänne. Locality and local food are also preferred in restaurant operations.