Häme
Explore Liesjärvi and Torronsuo National Park
Pack your snacks, find your binoculars and grab your backpack – let’s explore the stunning national parks of Kanta-Häme! Will you choose Torronsuo with its duckboards, wilderness-like views and scent of bog rosemary, or Liesjärvi with its sandy lakeshores, ancient forests and pine ridges? These two national parks offer different experiences but are conveniently close to each other – combine them into a weekend getaway, or visit as part of a longer trip to the heart of Häme! Adventurous hikers can explore Liesjärvi and Torronsuo via the Häme Ilvesreitti trail.
5 Ways to Experience Torronsuo
Torronsuo National Park is almost entirely composed of peat bog, and is a joy to explore via winding duckboard trails. This is Finland’s deepest bog, with peat layers exceeding 12 metres in some parts. The open landscape, dotted with dwarf birches and pines, takes on the feel of an Arctic wilderness when covered by the first snowfall. In spring you can watch migrating birds, while in summer, many small flowers decorate the bog islets. In autumn, the mosses and bog plants glow in vibrant shades of green, red, orange, and brown. Look closely: can you spot the tiny carnivorous sundew? At night, the landscape is dotted with pale tufts of cottongrass reflecting the moonlight.
A Scenic Picnic
The 1.7 km Kiljamonkierros Trail is an easy route for the whole family.The first 700 metres are accessible and lead to a campfire site with a spacious cooking shelter. The 17-metre-high observation tower is perfect for admiring the vastness of the bog, enjoying the sunrise, or watching cranes and geese during migration. Park the car at Kiljamo (Somerontie 732, Tammela) or, during busy times, at Pehku (Somerontie 840, Tammela).
A Couple of Hours on the Duckboards
The 8.6 km Suotaival Trail showcases Torronsuo’s diverse landscapes and nature. More than half of the trail consists of duckboards, complemented by forest paths and a visit to an old quarry. This moderately challenging trail takes 2-3 hours to complete and can be accessed from the Kiljamo or Pehku parking areas.
A Nighttime Bog Adventure
Exploring the bog in the darkness is a magical and thrilling experience. Charge your headlamps, prepare tasty snacks, and venture out after sunset. How might the bog look and feel under a winter moon, or on a misty autumn night?
Beyond the Surface with a Guide
Join healer Daria Kalevintytär on a journey through Torronsuo to learn about traditional beliefs, the mysterious powers of bog herbs, and the area’s historical residents. Or book a guided tour with Erärenki with an optional campfire coffee or lunch. They also offer snowshoe rental for your own winter adventures.
Ski on the Bog
In late winter, Torronsuo’s cross country ski track situation can be checked on the municipality of Tammela website (Finnish only). Pour some hot chocolate into a thermos and head out for a skiing trip, with up to 45 km of tracks to choose from. Note: you will need your own ski equipment, and walking on the skiing tracks is not allowed.
5 Ways to Enjoy Liesjärvi
Liesjärvi National Park features inviting lakeshores, majestic ancient forests and carpets of soft moss that are easy to explore along the many marked trails. You can also forage for blueberries, lingonberries and mushrooms in bright pinewoods while listening to the drumming of a woodpecker. The iconic Kyynäränharju ridge separates one clear lake from another – follow this to the Hyypiö rental cabin or the Savilahti camping area for a peaceful night in the forest’s embrace. Depending on the season, you might hear the hoot of an owl or the call of a loon as evening settles over the still lake.
A Light Day Trip with Stunning Lake Views
Want to experience the beauty and atmosphere of Liesjärvi in a compact package? Park at the Kopinlahti parking area (Kansallispuistontie 203, Tammela) and follow the winding Kyynäränharju ridge to the 2.8 km Hyypiö Trail. In total the route is about 5 km, offering several rest stops and viewpoints along the way.
An Accessible Adventure for All
The 4 km Peukaloinen Trail is one of Finland’s longest accessible trails. Along the way, you’ll find pine forests, bog pools, multiple rest spots and accessible facilities, including a hut and a lean-to shelter. Park at the Peukalolamminkangas parking area (Kanteluksentie 580, Tammela).
Guided Tours and New Experiences
Join a hiking trip with Erärenki to explore Liesjärvi with a guide, perhaps stopping for a campfire coffee on the way. You can also rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboards for self-guided lake adventures. With Elsi Luontopalvelut, you can book excursions like wild herb foraging, nature cooking, or guided camping trips.
Sleep in the Forest
Book the atmospheric Hyypiö rental cabin on the shore of Lake Kyynäränjärvi as a base for a longer trip. Managed by Metsähallitus, the cabin is heated with wood, and water is drawn from a well. Alternatively, pitch your tent at the Savilahti, Kaksvetinen or Peukalolammi campfire sites. Why not start your day by waking to birdsong, brewing coffee over an open flame, and enjoying a refreshing dip in the lake?
Step Back in Time
At Korteniemi Heritage Farm you can travel back to 1910s rural Finland. The farm is open to visitors free of charge and features traditional breeds of sheep, cattle and chickens in the summer, along with colourful meadow flowers. Join in animal care or farm tasks, or book a guided tour to learn more about life in the past. In the summer season there are also events and volunteer days, and you can book a traditional smoke sauna.
5 Tips for Responsible Hiking in the Torronsuo and Liesjärvi National Parks
- There are no litter bins in the forest. Pack your snacks in reusable containers or resealable bags, and always carry a trash bag with you. Toilet paper and banana peels don’t belong in nature!
- Before leaving a rest area or campfire site, carefully check that it is clean and ready for the next adventurer.
- Fires are only allowed at designated campfire sites. When a wildfire warning is in force, fires are only allowed in shelters with chimneys. Always check for warnings before heading out: https://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/warnings. Remember, you are always responsible for any fire you light.
- Plan overnight stays in advance. In Liesjärvi National Park, camping is only allowed at designated sites (at Peukaloinen, Kaksvetinen and Savilahti). In Torronsuo National Park, camping is prohibited altogether.
- Pets are welcome in the national parks but must always be on a leash. Free-running dogs may scare birds and other wildlife.
- Familiarise yourself with Outdoor Etiquette and learn more about responsible hiking.
Written by: Kaisa Mikkola