Häme by Cycle: Tiny Sisu’s

Tiny Sisu’s Family Tour is an easy 12.5 km cycling route through rural landscapes to Laurinmäki’s nature and cultural area. The tour mainly follows paved cycle paths, and it is ideal for families, beginner cyclists, seniors, and those who enjoy slow tourism. The route is easily accessible by train, and the swimming beaches, cafés, and restaurants along the way make this day out a pleasant, easy experience.

At the end of Tiny Sisu’s Tour, it’s worth getting off the bike to explore Laurinmäki’s nature and cultural area which tells stories from the Iron Age to the present day and surrounds you with the best nature Häme has to offer.

Combining the history of the Kanta-Häme region, varied nature, and comfortable rest stops, this 12 km route offers an exciting day out for cyclists of all ages and levels.

Turenki’s restaurants and cafés make it easy to keep the whole party refuelled without taking a packed lunch with you. The small town centre services are within easy reach, and you can reward little cyclists at the local ice-cream kiosk. Accommodation is available in Turenki or Kiipula.

The route starts at Turenki railway station, which is easy to reach by train from all over Southern Finland. Right at the start, you can take a dip in the lake and continue along the birch-lined road along Hiidenjoki River.

Along the way, the scenery varies from forest strips to wide open fields, and halfway along the route you reach Laurinmäki’s nature and cultural area – a historical highlight of the trip.

The Laurinmäki Nature and Cultural Area in Janakkala’s church village is a true treasure, inviting the whole family to explore the past and enjoy the peace of the forest. The tenant farm museum brings late 19th-century life vividly to life – step inside a smoke cabin, visit the blacksmith’s workshop or peek into the sauna elf’s hiding place.

Along the marked nature trails, you’ll find campfire sites and unique relics such as Iron Age sacrificial stones, a sacred grove and St. Lawrence’s spring. The longest trail leads up to the rocky hills of Määkynmäki, where sweeping views open towards Lake Kernaala and the ancient hillfort of Hakoinen.

At the trailhead, the charming Yellow House awaits – once a prayer room, now a summer café. It’s a cosy stop for both hikers on a snack break and visitors drawn by the area’s rich cultural heritage.

The first section of the route follows a paved road and soon turns onto a smooth gravel road towards Ahilammi beach and harbor. Here you’ll find the first of three sandy swimming spots along the route. From the harbor, continue along the Hiidenjoki riverbank through a beautiful birch grove on a gravel road. In spring and after heavy rain, there may be wet and soft spots on the path. The path leads to a paved road. There is no pedestrian crossing at the crossing point, and the paved road continues as a gentle uphill slope towards the Hiidenjoki bridge.

Cross Turengintie at the pedestrian crossing, turn left and cross the Hiidenjoki River, which flows between Lake Kernaalanjärvi and Hämeenlinna. After the bridge, there’s a gentle 300-meter uphill climb – the first challenge for Tiny Sisus. The route continues across a pedestrian crossing towards Tarinmaa, where rural landscapes begin. At this point, the route also rises gently, reaching its highest point (123 m), after which it descends gradually.

If uphills are challenging for you, you can shortcut this loop (1.7 km) by cycling along Hakoistenintie directly towards the church parking area.

Upon reaching the village, turn right and cycle 200 meters along the shoulder of Santasillantie on a paved road. From Santasillantie, the route turns onto gravel-based Vahvarannanntie, which has loose gravel in places. There is no pedestrian crossing at the intersection, so this section should be navigated with extra caution.

Follow Vahvarannanntie for 300 meters, then turn left towards the Uimaranta (Beach) sign. Here begins a smooth gravel road that descends downhill towards Pappilanranta beach.

After a refreshing swim, hop back on your bike and the road continues as a long climb (500m) past Lystinmäki towards St. Laurentius Church.

The highlight of the route is the Laurinmäki nature and cultural area, which combines history and nature in a unique way. Nature trails wind through exceptionally diverse and beautiful scenery, with information boards along the way telling about the environment and its history. The trails are marked with white-painted sticks and pine cone symbols. Along the nature trail, you’ll find a wilderness shelter that makes an excellent rest and picnic spot.

If culture and history interest you more than nature trails, Laurinmäki offers plenty of fascinating sights and experiences within a shorter distance:

• Iron Age findings and cup stones
• Laurinlähde spring
• World War I trenches
• Crofter museum showcasing 19th-century crofter life
• Sacred grove and cremation cemetery
• Nature trails 1.6–2.8 km
• St. Laurentius Church

From Laurinmäki, the journey continues back to the paved road, and after about 300 meters, you’ll reach Janakkala’s St. Laurentius Church. This medieval stone church dating from the 1500s is one of Häme’s historical gems. The church is open to visitors during summer, and its spacious surroundings make for a charming stop.

👉🏼 Check the opening hours of Janakkala St. Laurentius Church (in Finnish)

Liinalammi – a playful swimming spot for the whole family

It’s time to return to the present day along the Hakoistentie cycling path. On the return journey, towards the end of the route, turn left after the Hiidenjoki bridge. The gravel road slopes downward and leads to a narrow path where younger family members should cycle carefully along this narrow and short approximately 10-meter section. From the path, you’ll reach a gravel road and climb gently up a hill, then turn right to the Liinalammi recreation area. Here you’ll find a swimming spot with diving towers where you can refresh yourself on warm days. Liinalammi beach is popular among locals and is well-suited for families.

Return to Turenki Station

The final section of the route follows a paved cycling path back to Turenki Railway Station. At the end of Liinalammintie, there’s a 100-meter section without a cycling path. By following the left edge of the road, you can safely return to the cycling path. Before heading home, you can enjoy Turenki’s services near the station, such as restaurants, shops, or refresh yourself at Ahilammi beach, which was at the start of the route.

End point: Turenki Railway Station

NOTE! The platforms at Turenki Railway Station are on different sides of the railway track.