Häme by Cycle: East Strider’s Trail

Arrival

Excellent public transport connections make the trail easily accessible for cyclists from all over Finland. There are four railway stations along the route. By train: The four stations along the route make it easy to start your ride or cycle just a section of the trail. You can begin your journey from any station. Most long-distance trains stop at Hämeenlinna and Riihimäki, while Turenki and Ryttylä are served by local trains running between Helsinki and Tampere. Stations along the route: Riihimäki, Hämeenlinna, Turenki, Ryttylä On local trains, bicycles can be carried free of charge without a reservation. On long-distance trains, a ticket and a bike reservation are required. Be sure to book well in advance—especially in summer and on weekends, when bike spaces may sell out quickly. Check current timetables: 👉 vr.fi By bus: You can easily start or end your cycling trip in Hämeenlinna or Riihimäki, both of which have regional bus connections. Direct express bus services also run from Helsinki, Tampere, and Lahti, making it simple to reach the trail without a car. The bus stations in Hämeenlinna and Riihimäki serve as natural entry and exit points for the trail. Buses via Turenki also provide convenient access, for example for shorter tours or day rides. Check routes and timetables: 👉 matkahuolto.fi 👉 perille.fi By car: The route can be started at many different points—check local parking regulations in advance. Towns and villages along the trail make good starting locations. Parking areas are best checked online beforehand, and always confirm that the location suits your needs. Long-term parking is generally available in towns, often near railway stations. Motorhome and caravan parks can be found along the route in Loppi, Tammela, Hämeenlinna, and Janakkala.

Route duration

3 - 5 days

Good to know

The route can be cycled in three seasons – spring, summer, and autumn – with the best conditions from May to September. Navigation is provided only digitally. Read Bikeland.fi’s instructions and tips for successful route navigation. Any well-maintained touring, gravel, or mountain bike is suitable. Tires should be at least 40 mm wide and puncture-protected. For comfort, it’s best to use bikepacking bags instead of a backpack. Always stay on the marked route and use only the recommended campsites and rest areas listed in the route description. Respect the fragile nature and rural surroundings — never leave litter behind. Follow the general Outdoor Etiquette and the Mountain Biking Etiquette, and show respect for farm machinery by waiting until it has cleared the road before continuing. Along the trail, there are several sites worth visiting on foot. Bring walking shoes and a lock for securing your bike when stopping. There are fire pitss along the route, but wood supply varies. Carrying a camping stove is recommended. Fires are allowed only in designated places, and open fires are strictly prohibited during wildfire warnings. Information on local fire warnings can be found on the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s website. Mobile network coverage is good throughout most of the route. If the 112 app does not work, call the emergency number 112 directly. Always use the 112 app when possible, as it automatically provides your location. The route crosses busy roads such as Highway 12 and Main Roads 54 and 53. Extra caution is required at these crossings. Check the weather forecast before setting out and bring gear suitable for the conditions. Always inform someone of your plans and estimated arrival time before you start your ride. Swimming opportunities are available in many places along the route. Information about parks and nature sites is provided on local info boards and at Luontoon.fi. The route runs not only on public roads but also on private roads maintained by local road associations. If you encounter poorly maintained sections, please inform us at info@hvay.fi so we can update the route condition information and notify the responsible road association.

More information on the route

East Strider’s Trail is a 260 km long circular route that leads you through the cultural and historical landscapes, ridges, lakes, and villages of Kanta-Häme. The route combines urban services, wilderness, cultural sites, and a wide range of accommodation into a seamless cycle route especially suited for adventurers on gravel or touring bikes. The route is designed to be completed in 3-5 days and it can be cycled both clockwise and anticlockwise. Overnighting is possible both in the middle of nature and in hotel accommodation, and services can be found at various points along the route. The route starts at Riihimäki railway station and follows cycle paths through the city. The urban landscape soon changes to a rural idyll, and paved roads to hard gravel roads. The first rest stops are on the shores of Lake Paalijärvi and Lake Hirvijärvi, where you can take a break by the water. The route continues through the centre of Loppi to Komio Nature Reserve and the unique swamp landscape of Luutasuo. You reach Komio Nature Reserve along a dirt road. Luutasuo’s swampy landscape and Komio’s ridges left behind by the Ice Age are the scenic highlights of the area. There are beautiful places to stop, and you can also explore the area’s varied nature on foot. The route continues through the beautiful ridge and lake landscapes of Loppi along dirt roads towards the sparse pine forests of Räyskälä. The old Viking Age Hämeen Härkätie ox road leads you towards Saari Folk Park, where Kaukolanharju Observation Tower offers some of the most spectacular views of the route over the forests, lakes, and marshes of Häme Lakeland. The route to Tammela follows a paved road through rural landscapes. From Tammela, the route continues along the old church path towards Forssa. There, the route intersects with the industrial history of the town: the old spinning mill area and Mustiala Manor invite you to explore the everyday life of the past. From Mustiala, the route returns to the historic Hämeen Härkätie ox road where road sections vary from paved roads to hard-surface tracks and hilly dirt roads. In Hämeenlinna, Ahvenisto’s ridges feature trail climbs and technical terrain, after which you can rest and take a break swimming in the lake. In the city, you will find cafés and restaurants, the medieval Häme Castle, and an opportunity to top up provisions or enjoy a short rest in a cultural setting. On the last stretch from Hämeenlinna back to Riihimäki, the route leads past the historic Vanajanlinna and Harviala Manors, skirting Lake Katumajärvi along cycle paths and dirt roads. After Kiipula, the route follows dirt roads alongside ridges shaped by the Ice Age. These areas have been inhabited and used by people since the Stone Age. Before the end of the route, Riihimäki offers you a chance to stop and refresh yourself at Kolmilammi dancing parlour surrounded by three lakes, and admire the rural landscape of Ryttylä. 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 Riihimäki, Forssa, and Hämeenlinna, but there are also options in Loppi, Tammela, Renko, Turenki, and Kiipula. Food and water supplies should be planned in advance, especially between Forssa and Hämeenlinna, where services along the route are few and far between. East Strider’s Trail is 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 and Turenki stations. There is a bus connection to Forssa from Helsinki. 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. East Strider’s Trail follows old trade routes through forests and rural landscapes. It is suitable both for the more experienced solo adventurer and for those who enjoy a more leisurely pace – overnighting in a tent or between the sheets.

Route's length km

263

Surface material

Sand, Gravel, Soil, Asphalt