Häme by Cycle: Hulder´s journey

Hämeentie 16, Hämeenlinna

Hämeenlinna

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Description

Hulder’s Journey, part of the Häme by Cycle route, is a 265 km long cycling route that leads you deep into the forested heartlands and cultural and historical landscapes of Southern Finland. Suitable for a 3-5 day trip, the route circles the eastern part of Kanta-Häme, forming a loop between Hämeenlinna, Riihimäki, and Evo. Climbs along the way amount to more than 1,100 m, making it a physically fairly demanding but rewarding experience, especially for more experienced cyclists. The route can be reached in an hour by train from Helsinki and Tampere, and in half an hour from Lahti. The route is best suited to gravel bikes, and cyclists should be prepared for gravel roads and forest roads with a few paved transfers.

The scenery on the route ranges from woodland trails and farmland through to evergreen forests and national landscapes, and there’s plenty of history to experience along the way.

Hämeenlinna surrounds you with its rich cultural heritage: the historic Aulanko Nature Reserve invites you to enjoy a national landscape, and in the city centre you can enjoy urban café culture or visit the medieval Häme Castle before you start on your journey – or save it all for the end of the journey.
From Hämeenlinna, you head east along dirt and paved roads towards the countryside. The well-preserved, old wooden houses and the medieval church of Hauho form a cultural landscape worth seeing. The route continues towards Evo – a vast wilderness camping area, one of the largest continuous forested areas in Southern Finland. Evo Nature Centre and Hiking Area offer rest stops, water points and criss-crossing trails for those on foot or mountain bike.
From Evo, you travel south mainly along dirt roads. In the middle of the rural landscape, Mommilan Kyläpuoti houses a nostalgic village shop museum, a summer shop, and café. Before Riihimäki, there are plenty of local accommodation options, summer cafés, and restaurants. The route passes Hatlamminsuo Nature Reserve on its way towards Riihimäki city centre. In Riihimäki, you can learn about local cultural history at The Finnish Glass Museum or The Hunting Museum of Finland.
Between Riihimäki and Janakkala, the route follows dirt roads alongside a ridge formed by the Ice Age. These areas have been inhabited and used by people since the Stone Age. Finally, the route leads you to the heart of manor culture – Harviala Manor and Vanajanlinna Castle are reminders of the long history of the area.

The route is at its best when you combine accommodation at nature sites and guesthouses or hotels. Accommodation and eating options are available along the route, especially in Hämeenlinna and Riihimäki, but there are also options in Hauho, Evo, Hausjärvi, and Janakkala. Food and water supplies should be planned in advance, especially in the Evo area, where services are few and far between.

Hulder’s Journey is easily accessible by train: there are good train connections to Hämeenlinna and Riihimäki from Helsinki and Tampere. Local trains also stop along the way at Ryttylä, Turenki, and Oitti stations. The route can be cycled both clockwise and anticlockwise, and it can be divided into sections or combined with other sections of the Häme by Cycle route if needed.

Highlights