Kalvola Church Trail

-, Tammela

Tammela

Kalvola Church Trail follows the old route from Tammela to Kalvola Church through the historical landscapes of Kanta-Häme. The varied trail includes gravel roads, asphalt and forest trails.

Description

Rich in history and beautiful landscapes. the Kalvola Church Trail is a cycling trail suitable for the whole family. You can start the Church Trail either from the Tammela Church or Kalvola Church. There is plenty of space in the parking areas of both churches as well as in the nearby parish villages if you need to resupply for your trip.

After leaving the medieval stone church at Tammela, you will soon arrive at the Mustiala Manor courtyard. Mustiala is the oldest farming school in Finland and is now part of the Häme University of Applied Sciences. The Mustialan Kievari inn also operates on the courtyard. Visitors can find both accommodation and refreshments here during the summer. From here, the trail continues across highway 10 to Haarankorventie and Näkiäntie, passing through the wilderness area of the Mustiala community forest. Näkiäntie continues until the end of the road, from which you turn right onto Pikkaraisentie. The gravel section ends at the end of Pikkaraisentie road, from which you turn left onto the paved road to Susikka and continue all the way to Lautaporras. From Lautaporras, turn onto Kuurilantie and, approximately one kilometre from Torajärvi, the trail rises steeply up the hill on the right side of the road. You can take a quiet break here at the historic Saarnakivi. The history of the Saarnakivi dates back to the time when Christianity first came to Finland. It was here that priests and monks proclaimed Christianity for the people. Today, church services are held here in the summer.

Turn off of Kuurilantie to Rimmiläntie, which is a sandy road that heads toward the Tammela uplands. After Jouhilampi, Rimmiläntie turns into Torajärventie, which takes you all the way to the actual Rimmilä village. There are still old settlements found along the village road. The wooden, Jugendstil chapel here was completed in 1936, and the old workers’ house in the village is still in its original form.

From Rimmilä, turn left towards Pirttikoski and, before reaching Lake Kotkajärvi, turn right onto the paved Kotkajärventie. Continue along the road for about 7 km, after which you will turn left onto a sand road to Kirkonmäki, from which the actual Church Trail begins. At Kirkonmäki, the trail will take you past horse pastures and, at this stage, the road begins to resemble an old forested cart path.

There is a sign for the Murhalampi lean-to shelter about 1.5 km from the Chruch Trail. It should be noted that the trail leading to the lean-to shelter has duckboards and some differences in elevation, so it is a good idea to leave the bikes on the Kirkkopolku trail at your own discretion. You can go to the lean-to shelter to eat your lunch, take a dip in the pond or make a fire in the Lapp hut.

At the end of the Church Trail section, you can descend the sandy road towards the Unostentie bridge. Continue from the bridge through Kyyhkysenniemi to Iittalantie and turn left onto the cycling road leading to the beautiful church, which is built with red Kalvola granite.

Highlights