River Loimijoki Canoeing trail, Tammela-Loimaa

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Route description

The Loimijoki paddling route is located in Southwest Häme and is approximately 80 km in length. The route’s altitude difference is altogether 30 metres. The route starts at Kopinlahti Bay in Liesjärvi National Park where you can find a parking lot and a dry closet. From Kopinlahti Bay, the route travels to the Korteniemi Heritage Farm.

The courtyard of the former forest warden’s estate at Korteniemi, along with its buildings, gardens and cultivation plots, has remained almost unchanged for more than one hundred years. The farm manages the cultural landscapes using traditional methods and offers guests the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the life led by forest wardens in the 1910s. Right after leaving the farm, paddlers cross the open waters of Hiiliniemenselkä and Juuriniemenselkä. In windy conditions, it is best to follow the route by the shoreline. The beach of the former forest school is a good place to take a break and enjoy the services of the wilderness centre Eräkeskus Metsäkouluntie.

From the wilderness centre onwards, the route narrows, and after the Karjusilta Bridge, it continues along the River Turpoonjoki. Paddlers should be careful in the narrow bends of the Vistinkoski Rapids, and after crossing the backwater, canoes have to carried over the dam. The River Turpoonjoki splits a lush forest landscape where cottages can be spotted here and there. The current is surprisingly torrential, but, at least in the spring, the hull hardly scrapes the river bottom as the river was once cleared for timber floating. Halfway through the River Turpoonjoki section, paddlers reach the old mill dam in Turpoonkoski Rapids, past which the canoes have to be carried. In addition to delicious meals, the Kievarin Kirnu grill kitchen offers paddlers the opportunity to use a canoe cart with which the canoes can be comfortably moved a couple of hundred metres downstream to the end of the rapids.

After passing under the historical Hämeen Härkätie (Häme Ox Road), paddlers arrive at the village of Porras where the River Turpoonjoki runs by the old main street. The village is home to an idyllic tannery that has been renovated into a restaurant and museum. The old houses, smithy, tannery and other buildings provide a picturesque setting for the gently flowing river. Canoes can be easily lifted from the river by the tannery, and paddlers can take a break to enjoy refreshments. Refreshments are also provided by the nearby Härkäposti Café. This is a fitting end point for a one-day trip as a total of 16 km have been travelled since Korteniemi.

The River Turpoonjoki flows into Lake Kuivajärvi, and after completing the long river section, paddlers get to enjoy the open lake environment. By following the western shoreline, paddlers reach a beautiful sand beach whose excellent facilities include the Raanpää Lapp hut, a clean toilet and a campfire site on the beach. The route continues by the shores of the Saari National Park, and paddlers can stop at Restaurant Lounais-Hämeen Pirtti for a tasty coffee. From Lake Kuivajärvi, the journey continues to the running waters that follow Kaukolanharju Ridge. The impressive reinforced concrete bridge of Saarensalmi Strait divides the waterway, and soon after passing under it, paddlers arrive at Lake Pyhäjärvi in Tammela. Venesilta Camping greets paddlers where the strait turns to open lake. In addition to accommodation, the campsite offers sauna facilities and delicious barbecue dishes. A lean-to and a campfire site managed by the municipality of Tammela are available on Vohlassaari Island, and the services of Tammela village are half an hour away by canoe. The distance between the villages of Porras and Tammela is approximately 12 km.

Paddling in Lake Pyhäjärvi is fairly challenging in windy conditions, and the stretch from Tammela village to the mouth of the River Loimijoki should be covered along the shore if the wind is strong. The River Loimijoki itself flows calmly, winding gently through fields until reaching the old Finlayson factory area. Right after paddling through the old factory milieu, old Forssa starts to spread on the shores of the River Loimijoki. The scenic view is characterised by the atmospheric old arch bridge, the wooden house district and the red brick buildings of the old spinning mill. The length of the route from Tammela village to the City of Forssa is approximately 10 km.

In Vieremä, the town environment is replaced by field sceneries, and paddlers can occasionally see horses and sheep strolling by the river. Upon reaching Jokioinen, canoes can be pulled on shore on the right-hand side of the river by the Humppilantie Bridge. Here, canoes have to be carried. The Jokioinen manor milieu is worth a visit before continuing the journey along the river. Canoes have to be carried past the wire mill along a walkway through the manor park. The river can be re-entered at a launch site under a steep slope downstream from the mill. The distance from Forssa to Jokioinen is approximately 10 km.

When leaving Jokioinen, the beautiful scenery is marked by high riverbanks lined by trees. Spotting horses grazing on the shore is a sure sign of getting close to Ypäjä, and soon paddlers arrive at the village. Ypäjä’s docks enable easy landing, and paddlers can fill up their food reserves or have a meal in the population centre. In addition, Loimijoki Golf serves visitors by the river a few kilometres after central Ypäjä. The distance between Jokioinen and Ypäjä is approximately 15 km.

From Ypäjä, the River Loimijoki flows peacefully through the rural landscapes of southern Finland. When arriving at the Town of Loimaa, the riverbanks are decorated by beautiful silver willows. The route is easy to end at the boat dock by the road Satakunnantie 17, close to a public parking area and the services of central Loimaa. The section between Ypäjä and Loimaa is almost 20 kilometres long, completing the route of approximately 80 kilometres.

The Loimijoki paddling route is a diverse, intriguing experience. The route flows along narrow streams of headwater rivers in a wilderness atmosphere to settings marked by historical villages and structures, wonderful sand beaches and open lakes. The River Loimijoki itself provides atmospheric sceneries as the population centres along the route have been built beautifully by the shores. Paddle any part of the route or engage in the entire adventure – from a couple of hours to five days. Welcome!

Good to know

_ The Loimijoki paddling route is well suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers alike, although the open lakes are challenging in windy conditions. An experienced paddler can complete the route in two days, but if you wish to enjoy the landscapes and numerous services, it is recommendable to reserve up to five days for the journey. There are plenty of lifting and launching sites, allowing you to choose shorter sections to paddle. There are short carrying sections along the route at the Vistinkoski Rapids, the mill dam close to Kievarin Kirnu grill kitchen, Forssa Spinning Mill and the Vierämänkoski Rapids. In addition, the wire mill in Jokioinen has to be passed by walking a distance of approximately 400 metres.

_ Canoeing services: Erärenki, Wilderness Tales, Ypäjän palvelut
Food services: Korteniemen perinnetila, Eräkeskus Metsäkouluntie, Härkätien elämysporras, Kahvio Härkäposti, Portaan Nahkurinverstas, Lounais-Hämeen Pirtti, Leirintäalue Venesilta, Tammelan kirkonkylän palvelut, Forssan palvelut, Jokioisten palvelut, Ypäjän palvelut, Loimijoki Golf, Loimaan palvelut
Majoituspalvelut: Härkätien elämysporras, Portaan Nahkurinverstas, Mummonmökki Portaassa, Leirintäalue Venesilta, Tammelan kirkonkylän palvelut, Forssan palvelut, Jokioisten palvelut, Paijan Maatilamajoitus, Ypäjän palvelut, Loimaan palvelut

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Level of difficulty

The route can be paddled in 2–5 days, and its level is easy/intermediate.

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To the start of the trail

_ From National Road 2, turn onto the Kansallispuistontie Road. Follow the road for a couple of kilometres (turn left at the T-intersection) to arrive at the Kopinlahti parking area. The canoe launch site is 100 metres from the parking area close to the info board on the shore of Lake Liesjärvi.

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START AND END POINTS:

Kopinlahti Bay (Kansallispuistontie 203, 31380 Tammela, 60.671556, 23.852475)

Liesjärvi village (Liesjärventie 585, 31350 Tammela, 60.707178, 23.927826)

Kievarin Kirnu grill kitchen (Hernehuhdantie 332, 31340 Tammela, 60.729310, 23.924735)

Porras village (Kappelintie 26, 31340 Porras, 60.754190, 23.915999)

Manttaalin ranta beach (Rantatie 2, 31300 Tammela, 60.806341, 23.769945)

Spinning mill hydroplant (Uittotie, 30100 Forssa, 60.816126, 23.619766)

Wire mill (Humppilantie 12, 31600 Jokioinen, 60.806648, 23.482926)

Ypäjä marina (Perttulantie 26, left to the shore, 32100 Ypäjä, 60.804145, 23.269746)

Loimaa marina (Satakunnantie 17, 32200 Loimaa, 60.852889, 23.058811)

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ROUTE MARKINGS: The paddling route is easy to follow using the DigiTrail app.

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ROUTE SUITABILITY: The route is suitable for families and beginners, with the exception of the large open lakes.