Digitrail hiking trails
Loppi, Räyskälä
Loppi’s nature trails, formed by the Ice Age and starting right by the Räyskälä Aviation Centre, offer diverse experiences from camping to swimming in the clear water of Lake Iso-Melkutin. The ridged area’s diversity is enhanced by lakes and small ponds, in which the water is low in nutrients and exceptionally clear for Southern Finland. With its various swimming sites, the Melkuttimet area is ideal for the smallest members of the family.
Parts of the route pass through nutrient-poor forests and Häme highlands with lakes, and the landscape varies from old pine forests to lush mixed forests. Along the trail, it is possible to learn about food provided by nature, such as fish, berries and wild herbs.
Useful links:
Loppi-trails
Trail description
The easy (approximately 3.1 miles), blue trail departs from the Tauluntie Road parking area, and follows a path to the shore of Lake Iso-Melkutin. There is a lean-to shelter on the shore, from which the trail continues along the shore to a small boat haven. From there, the trail follows a road for approximately 100 metres before heading back to the depths of the forest. The trail returns to the lake shore, and ends at the Tauluntie Road parking area.
Good to know
The route is part of a Lynx Trail of more than 200 km in length. Aside from the lean-to shelter, the trail does not offer any other services. However, the nearby Räyskälä Aviation Centre has, for example, a restaurant and accommodation services. There is a village shop in the Räyskälä village, approximately 2 km away from the trail’s start.
Level of difficulty
The easy route takes about one hour. The trail is easy to walk on, and marked in parts by the blue paint symbols of Ilvesreitti (Lynx Trail). The terrain consists of a well managed path and the duckboards along the way are in good condition. Regular outdoor equipment is ideal for the trail.
To the start of the trail
The trail starts from the Lake Iso-Melkutin parking area on Tauluntie Road. When arriving from the west along the main road number 2 (Pori – Helsinki), turn to Hämeen Härkätie (Ox Road of Häme), and then to Tauluntie Road (number 13623). When arriving from the east through the centre of Loppi along Räyskälä main road 54, turn to Rautakoskentie Road (no. 2832), drive for 6 km and then turn to Räyskäläntie Road (no. 13623). Drive 4.5 km to the intersection of Tauluntie Road (no 13623). A few (Matkahuolto) buses run from Loppi to the nearby Räyskälä Aviation Centre, from which there is a few kilometres’ walking distance to the shore of Lake Iso-Melkutin.
TRAIL’S START AND END POINT: Lake Iso-Melkutin parking area, Tauluntie 146, 12820 Loppi, 60.73925 24.09817
TRAIL MARKINGS: There are blue markings of Ilvesreitti (Lynx Trail) along the trail. The trail is also easy to follow using the DigiTrail app.
TRAIL SUITABILITY: The trail is suitable for all hikers, both children and adults. The terrain is easy to walk on.
Trail description
The moderate (approx. 6.8 km), red route departs from the Tauluntie Road parking area. The trail goes around the clear-watered Lake Iso-Melkutin, and is clearly marked from the parking area to the lake with Ilvesreitti’s (Lynx Route) yellow signs, and with blue paint signs around the lake. The first part of the route is easy to manage and the path is wide. After a few kilometres, the path turns momentarily more challenging. Halfway through the trail, the terrain becomes hilly. Mire landscapes and lake shorelines alternate along the trail. At the end of the route, the trail runs in the depth of the forest.
Nature around Lake Iso-Melkutin consists of esker forests shaped by the Ice Age, and sun-drenched slopes are typical for the area, that is, dry south-facing slopes, with displays of flowers early in the spring. The coastline of Lakes Melkuttimet has remained fairly uninhabited. There are endangered and rare plants and animal species in the area, such as the field locoweed (Oxytropis campestris) and Eastern pasqueflower (Pulsatilla patens), which has been named as the regional flower of Häme, as well as birds such as the European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) and black-throated loon (Gavia arctica). In the eastern end of Lake Iso-Melkutin, there is a shallow beach for swimming, a lean-to shelter with a campfire and a dry toilet. Halfway through the trail, there is also a lean-to shelter, a campfire site and an outdoor toilet on the other side of the lake. You are also allowed to fish and pick berries in the area. Please pay attention to the so-called Everyman’s rights, as you move around in the area (http://www.nationalparks.fi/hikinginfinland/rightsandregulations).
Good to know
There are various DigiTrail spots along the route, offering interesting information about plants and water bodies in the area, as well as possible activities and services. The Melkuttimet Trails are part of the more than 200 km long Lynx Trails in Häme, and so it is easy to plan a longer route. In addition, the Häme Ox Road Cycle Route passes along the Melkuttimet area in the north. Diving is popular in Lake Iso-Melkutin, as its water is very clear. In the eastern tip of the lake, there is a divers’ place with a jetty and stairs. There are lean-to shelters and dry toilets along the route. Räyskälä Aviation Centre located in the vicinity of the trail, offers services such as a restaurant and accommodation. There is a village shop in the Räyskälä village, approximately 2 km away from the trail’s start.
Level of difficulty
The intermediate trail takes approximately 3 hours. Even if the route’s difficulty level is intermediate, its easy terrain makes it also suitable for beginning hikers. Lightweight shoes are adequate, but waterproof footwear is recommended in rainy weather. The rocks and stony sections are slippery in the rain. There are no wells in the Melkuttimet area, so it makes sense to bring your drinking water. The trail is easy to navigate with the help of blue paint markings. Regular outdoor equipment is ideal for the trail.
To the start of the trail
The trail starts from the Lake Iso-Melkutin parking area on Tauluntie Road. When arriving from the west along the main road number 2 (Pori – Helsinki), turn to Hämeen Härkätie (Ox Road of Häme), and then to Tauluntie Road (number 13623). When arriving from the east through the centre of Loppi along Räyskälä main road 54, turn to Rautakoskentie Road (no. 2832), drive for 6 km and then turn to Räyskäläntie Road (no. 13623). Drive 4.5 km to the intersection of Tauluntie Road (no 13623). A few (Matkahuolto) buses run from Loppi to the nearby Räyskälä Aviation Centre, from which there is a few kilometres’ walking distance to the shore of Lake Iso-Melkutin.
TRAIL’S START AND END POINT: Lake Iso-Melkutin parking area, Tauluntie 146, 12820 Loppi, 60.73925 24.09817
TRAIL MARKINGS: There are blue markings along the trail. The trail is also easy to follow using the DigiTrail app.
TRAIL SUITABILITY: The trail is suitable for all hikers, both children and adults. The terrain is easy to walk on.
Trail description
The difficult (approximately 18.7 km), black route starts from the Tauluntie Road parking area, and follows the Räyskälä airfield for approximately 1.5 kilometres. From there, the trail continues along a path into a forest. On the way, you can pop into the Räyskälä village shop during its opening times. The route follows a Lynx Trail marked in yellow and a forest road towards Punelia and Marskin maja (Marski’s Lodge). Along the way, you can stop and admire the scenery from Pirunkallio (Devil’s Rock). You can have lunch at Marskin maja (Marski’s Lodge) during its opening times, and learn about the history of our former President, Finnish Marshal Mannerheim. From Marskin maja, the trail returns along the same path back to the Tauluntie Road parking area by Lake Melkutin.
Good to know
There are various DigiTrail spots along the trail, offering interesting information about edible plants in the area, as well as possible activities and services.
The trail is part of the Häme Lynx Trails of over 200 km in length, and it also joins the area’s own Poron Polku (Reindeer Path) trails. Räyskälä village shop is located along the way, and at the end of the trail there is a restaurant, Marskin Maja (Marski’s Lodge). There are also accommodation services in the area.
Level of difficulty
The difficult trail takes approximately 6 hours. The trail is marked from beginning to end with the yellow symbols of the Lynx Trail, making it easy to stay on the route. It is good to wear waterproof footwear and bring along a change of clothing, as the long trail requires more than one break along the way, and there are muddy and wet spots especially during the rain, and so you may get your feet wet.
To the start of the trail
The trail starts from the Lake Iso-Melkutin parking area on Tauluntie Road. When arriving from the west along the main road number 2 (Pori – Helsinki), turn to Hämeen Härkätie (Ox Road of Häme), and then to Tauluntie Road (number 13623). When arriving from the east through the centre of Loppi along Räyskälä main road 54, turn to Rautakoskentie Road (no. 2832), drive for 6 km and then turn to Räyskäläntie Road (no. 13623). Drive 4.5 km to the intersection of Tauluntie Road (no 13623). A few (Matkahuolto) buses run from Loppi to the nearby Räyskälä Aviation Centre, from which there is a few kilometres’ walking distance to the shore of Lake Iso-Melkutin.
TRAIL’S START AND END POINT: Lake Iso-Melkutin parking area, Tauluntie 146, 12820 Loppi, 60.73925 24.09817
TRAIL MARKINGS: There are yellow markings of the Lynx Trail along the route. The trail is also easy to follow using the DigiTrail app.
TRAIL SUITABILITY: The trail is suitable for experienced hikers.