Kanta-Häme Biking Trails

For markings, responsible riding, and the latest Metsähallitus guidance on this demanding mountain bike line in Aulanko Nature Reserve, start with the Aulanko maastopyöräreitti vaativa page on Luontoon.fi(1). The City of Hämeenlinna introduces the wider reserve—Finland’s first national urban park, managed by Metsähallitus—with the English-style park forest, lookout tower, and large annual visitor numbers(2). The mountain biking route on our map is about 6.4 km as one point-to-point ride through Hämeenlinna in Kanta-Häme. It climbs and drops in the hill forest of Aulangonvuori rather than staying on flat lakeside paths, so expect sustained climbing and fast descents. Häme-Wiki, a regional outdoor wiki maintained by local contributors, traces the marked summer line to cooperation that began in 2019 between Metsähallitus, the city, Hämeenlinna district 4H, and Tawast Cycling Club TCC, and describes red reflectors and bicycle symbols on wooden posts together with clockwise travel as the comfortable default(3). MTBreitti’s trail notes for the wider Aulanko network stress that in the nature reserve you may ride off-road only on the dedicated mountain bike routes, compacted paths, fitness trails, and roads—so stay on the marked corridor and track geometry carefully(4). Early on you pass swimming and picnic pockets such as Lusikkaniemen uimapaikka, Kärmeskallion nuotiopaikka, and Kihtersuon uimaranta. About 3 km along, Kalastuspuiston nuotiopaikka sits west of the main hotel and sports strip; nearer Aulangontie the line brushes Joutsenlampi parking areas, outdoor gym spots, and resort services including Scandic Aulangon kylpylä. Farther toward Lake Aulangonjärvi you approach Aulangonjärven kota and Aulangon ulkoilumaja with Aulangonjärven uimaranta and winter swimming access nearby, then Aulangon ulkokuntosali before closing in on Metsälampi parking and the Aulanko Näkötorni kahvilarakennus beside the historic tower viewpoint. Häme-Wiki suggests roughly one kilometre to the tower viewpoint zone and about three kilometres to the Joutsenlampi corner along the marked summer profile—helpful pacing even though their published total is rounded slightly longer than the GPX segment here(3). The same forest links to other trails on our map: winter skiers follow Aulangon kuntoladut, walkers use Aulanko Aulangonjärven polku and the short Aulanko Karhuluolan yläreitti branch near the bear cave spur described in local guides(3). After the ride, fatbikes and other hire bikes for exploring the area are available from Aulanko Outdoors at Katajistonranta by advance booking(5).

The Komio cycling route is about 15.1 km point-to-point through Komio Nature Reserve in Loppi, in the lake uplands of Kanta-Häme. State-owned forest and water are managed by Metsähallitus; for reserve-wide rules, services, and current notices, the Komio Nature Reserve entry on Luontoon.fi is the clearest starting point(1). The City of Loppi’s Poronpolku cycling pages situate this corner of the network: Komio is named explicitly, and riders are reminded to stay on marked trails in the nature reserve while preparing for steep esker climbs, narrow needle tracks, roots, and short duckboard sections typical of the wider Poronpolku and Häme Lynx Trail terrain(2). For day-to-day access—seasonal boom barriers on forest roads, parking addresses, campfire rules, and the spring–summer shore restriction around Luutalammi for nesting birds—use the City of Loppi’s Luutaharju and Samo trail pages(3). By distance, the ride threads the Komionlammet pond cluster first: about 2.7 km from the start you are near Komionlammet tulentekopaikka 2, Komionlammit kuivakäymälä, and Komionlammet tulentekopaikka—handy for a break before continuing south-east through ridge and mire settings. From roughly 8.7 km the Luutalammi shore area groups Luutalammin käymälä-varasto, Luutasuo tulentekopaikka, Luutalammin tulentekopaikka, Luutalammi esteetön käymälä, and several Luutalammi and Luutasuontie parking pockets, so you can choose vehicle access that matches the municipality’s seasonal gate schedule(3). The route finishes closer to the Luutasuontie parking strip; combine or shorten using those lots if you shuttle with a second car. The marked Samo walking loops (Luutaharjun Samo, Pikku-Samo, Esteetön Samo) and the longer Poronpolku line share junctions and views with this cycling connection; Poronpolku is described as part of the broader Häme Lynx Trail network with blue MTB marking in the field, while Poronpolku event routes add separate red “PPP” signing in autumn(2)(5). The shorter Häme Lynx Trail: Loppi day loop overlaps the same trailhead cluster if you want to mix hiking and biking in one outing. Out in the Nature’s Komio report highlights the scaled relief—glacial eskers, supa ponds, and open mires—and notes dogs are welcome on leash and campfires only where the land manager allows(4). Talented riders sometimes use Komio as a compact leg between Häme Lynx Trail and Poronpolku segments; others ride it as a fitness day in forest without committing to the full 28 km Poronpolku tour. Match your bike and tyres to mixed gravel, soft sand on ridges after rain, and short boardwalk approaches near Luutalammi.

For maps, rules, and the marked mountain bike network at Evo, start from the Evo hiking area cycling section on Luontoon.fi(1). Metsähallitus publishes a free trail map that groups riding into three colour-coded corridors; the shortest option on that material is described at about 17 km as the easy line through forest roads, cart tracks, and forest paths(2). Visit Häme gives a practical regional overview, notes Metsähallitus Luontopalvelut as the manager, and lists Ruuhijärventie 3 in Hämeenlinna as a key service address for the destination(3). The trail is about 14.5 km as one continuous line. It is not a loop. Official print rounding on the easiest corridor is slightly longer than our GPX trace(2); use 14.5 km here for GPS-based planning. Hämeenlinna and Kanta-Häme anchor the destination in southern Finland’s lake-and-esker forest belt. Early on you pass the Evon frisbee golf layout and the forest-college sports cluster near Metsäopiston liikuntasali, then Kivelän ranta for a swim stop if the weather suits. Near the 3 km mark, Ruuhijärventie bundles an information point with parking—and shortly after that, the Ruuhijärvi shore band adds a meeting cabin and campfire opportunities away from the main trace. About 14 km in, the Onninmaja service cluster groups Onninmaja vuokratupa, a sauna, a jetty, a well, and campfire sites; Onninmaja parkkialue works well if you want to finish with a longer break by the water. Onkimaankangas nuotiokehä offers another campfire ring a little before that cluster. The route touches the same landscape that independent riders describe on Lomavinkit.fi’s Evo overview: kilometres of marked riding where yellow and red corridors feel different in difficulty, with beaver impoundments or wet ground occasionally changing how smooth the going feels on forest tyres(6). Vuoreksenveto’s multi-day MTB diary from Evo adds ground-level detail—roots and stone, narrow forest singletrack segments, worn duckboards on lake shores, and junctions where dashed lines on paper can behave like forest roads in the field—worth reading if you want a candid feel for how technical the terrain can get before you load the bike(5). The same notes praise the Rusthollinkangas–Onkimankangas branch from the forest-school corner and the Syrjä-side singletrack when you later stitch longer loops(5). If you are on foot nearby, Syrjänalusen lenkki shares some of the same shoreline and shelter network; on a bike, stay on the marked MTB corridor where conservation rules apply(1)(2).

Plan this ride using the Evo MTB long corridor page on Luontoon.fi(1) together with Metsähallitus visitor map material that groups Evo riding into three colour-coded options, including the roughly 67 km intermediate corridor that pairs with the shorter yellow and red networks(2). Visit Häme summarises the wider destination, notes Metsähallitus Luontopalvelut as the manager, and gives Ruuhijärventie 3 in Hämeenlinna as a practical service address for the area(3). The trail is about 63.9 km as one point-to-point line. It is not a loop. Metsähallitus print rounding for the long corridor is a little longer than our GPX trace(2); use 63.9 km for GPS-based planning. Hämeenlinna and Kanta-Häme situate Evo in southern Finland’s lake and esker forests. From the Onninmaja end you soon have Onninmaja parkkialue, then Onninmaja vuokratupa with Onninmaja sauna, Onnin majan kaivo, Onninmajan laituri, and Onninmaja tulentekopaikka—good services if you start or finish by the water. Onkimaankangas nuotiokehä adds a campfire ring within the first couple of kilometres. After RUUHIJÄRVI kokouskämppä and LATVATUPA eräkämppä, the Niemisjärvi shoreline band packs laavut, jetties, and NIEMISTUPA eräkämppä into a compact lakeshore stage. Vähä-Koukkujärvi laavu/nuotiokehä, Lastenlammen pysäköintialue, and Vähä-Koukkujärvi vanha pysäköintialue sit in the same lake corner; Kalliojärvi tulentekopaikka and SYVÄJÄRVI kämppä follow as the line climbs toward rougher shore terrain. About 35 km in, Evon retkeilyalueen Ruuhijärventien info ja p-alue is a natural resupply and parking pivot before Evon frisbeegolfrata, Metsäopiston liikuntasali, and Kivelän ranta. Evon leirialue Uittaja and Evon leirialue Hiilestäjä carry the big campsite infrastructure with cooking shelters and fireplaces. South of there, Evon retkeilyalueen Syrjänalusen p-alue leads into Syrjänalusen laavu and Syrjänalunen nuotiokehä by the shore—useful if you are comparing a walking option on Syrjänalusen lenkki with this bike corridor. Further east, Evon retkeilyalueen Keltaojan p-alue and Evon retkeilyalueen Rahtijärven p-alue bracket forest road links toward Keltaojan laavu. Near 52 km the Sorsakolu laavu cluster meets Hämeen Ilvesreitti and Vaarinkorpi laavu/tulipaikka; Hakovuoren lenkki shares the same shelter corner if you later add a walking loop. Valkea-Mustajärven laavu, Valkea Mustajärvi telttailualue, and linked fireplaces prepare you for the last lakes before Evon leirialue Kulottaja, Evon leirialueen Jeon nuotiokatos, and the Käenpesä-side jetties at the northern camp shore. Lomavinkit.fi’s Evo overview contrasts the yellow east-side ride with the west-side red line and describes how beaver dams can soften or flood stretches between seasons—worth reading before you choose tyres and spare time(6). Vuoreksenveto’s Evo journal adds ground-level notes on roots, stones, worn duckboards beside lakes, and junctions where dashed lines on paper can ride like forest roads in the forest(5). Pasin retkeilyblogi walks through packing for an overnight bike trip from Kuohijärvi toward Niemisjärvi, Valkea-Mustajärvi, and Sorsakolu, including how a beaver dam once swallowed duckboards on the walking trace—context that still matters when you judge water crossings after wet weather(7). Stay on the marked MTB corridor wherever conservation zoning demands it(1)(2).

The Häme Lynx Trail Hattula MTB section is about 18.9 km as one mapped line through ridge-and-pine forest near Parola and Tenhola in Hattula, Kanta-Häme. For markings, winter use, military-zone reminders, and parking links, start with the City of Hattula outdoor routes hub(1). Luontoon.fi lists the same corridor as the national outdoor route entry for this MTB section and situates it inside the wider Häme Lynx Trail system(2). Regional tourism copy in the trail’s marketing entry adds coach and train access via Parola station plus short cycle links toward Hitsaajantie starters(3). The association behind the long-distance Häme Lynx Trail explains how yellow blazes and the lynx logo mark the full multi-day hiking network that this bike leg samples(4). Terrain stays mostly approachable: wide-ish forest trails and esker tracks with some gravel and short asphalt links, little root or rock fuss according to municipal copy—still bring tyres that cope with sand and clay after rain(1). The route is bidirectional, not lit, and not winter groomed for cycling; a separate winter bike line exists nearby when snow maintenance matters(1). Mid-route you pass Tenholan harju highlights such as Linnavuoren laavu and Kuntoportaat, Tenhola, then drop west of Lehijärvi where Kalkkosten hiihtomaa, Hiihtomaan kota, Lehijärven uimaranta, and Kalkkosten koiraranta cluster services around the ski stadium and disc-golf hub. Parolannummi adds another stair set and sports-shooting infrastructure before the trace swings toward Nihattulan school and recreation beaches. Useful trail knitting: Vanamajan ulkoilureitti 12km shares Mervi-area tangents and woodland around Linnavuoren laavu, Talvipyöräilyreitti 6,5km gives a maintained winter MTB alternative with blue guidance, and Lehijärven latu 11km plus Parolannummen lit ski and fitness loops branch from shared parking pockets if you want to trade tyres for skis later the same day. The long hiking spine Hämeen Ilvesreitti continues the lynx-themed journey toward Ahvenisto and beyond for trekkers(4).

The trail is about 37.6 km end-to-end across the Evo hiking area in Hämeenlinna, Kanta-Häme. Metsähallitus lists it in English as Evo MTB 39 km and marks it as an intermediate-length option among the official Evo mountain-bike circuits; for the latest route description and difficulty notes, start from the Keskipitkä maastopyöräreitti page on Luontoon.fi(1). A companion map-and-services PDF bundles this line with the shorter and longer Evo MTB alternatives in the same forest recreation area(2). Independent travel writing on Lomavinkit sums up why the mix of forest roads, former cart tracks, and narrower forest paths has made Evo a draw for southern Finland riders(3). The ride is not a tidy loop: it begins near the forest-institute campus by Evon frisbeegolfrata and Metsäopiston liikuntasali, shares terrain early on with the Syrjänalusen lenkki walking circuit, and finishes closer to Ruuhijärvi–road access at Evon retkeilyalueen Ruuhijärventien info ja p-alue. From just over a kilometre in, Onninmaja parkkialue, Onninmaja vuokratupa, Onninmaja tulentekopaikka, and Onninmajan laituri cluster around Lake Onninlammi—useful if you want parking, a rental cabin, sauna, or a lakeshore pause before the climb to RUUHIJÄRVI kokouskämppä and LATVATUPA eräkämppä above the northern lakes. Onkimaankangas nuotiokehä marks a short campfire stop in spruce forest on the way up. The Niemisjärvi lakeshore service area then opens into docks, cooking shelters, lean-tos, reservable huts, and tent pitches—Polkusillan laavu, Niemisjärvi telttailualue, NIEMISTUPA eräkämppä, and AHDIN KÄMPPÄ are among the named places riders pass—and Vähä-Koukkujärvi laavu/nuotiokehä adds another campfire shelter before the track climbs toward Kalliojärvi tulentekopaikka and SYVÄJÄRVI kämppä on the northern lake rim. Guided fatbike outings and packaged programmes in the same landscape are promoted through Evo Outdoors Finland on the City of Hämeenlinna website(4).

For a Lipas-backed summary of this marked forest-and-lakeside mountain bike line in Aulanko, Visit Häme lists Metsä-Aulangon Maastopyöräreitti as freely open to use with wooden-pole waymarking along the Linnanen address area of Hämeenlinna(1). The City of Hämeenlinna situates Aulanko inside Finland’s first national urban park and points riders to regional overview pages for how the wider local MTB network is presented(2). Metsähallitus material on Luontoon.fi explains that cycling in the nature reserve stays on the dedicated bike corridors, compacted paths, fitness trails, and roads—important context wherever Aulangonvuori forest narrows onto technical tread(3). On our map this route is about 7.4 km as one point-to-point ride through Hämeenlinna in Kanta-Häme, closely matching the 7.38 km figure published for the Lipas feature(1). Vanajavesikeskus bundles local marketing under a longer combined “Aulangon maastopyöräreitti” headline at roughly 13.8 km, so treat that number as network branding rather than this single GPX line(6). Independent trail commentary describes roughly two-thirds singletrack-style forest pedalling with maintenance roads and fitness-path links, steady climbing on the hill, and manageable but cautious descending(5)—aligned with what Häme-Wiki documents for the cooperating 2019 marking effort involving Metsähallitus, the city, Hämeenlinna district 4H, and Tawast Cycling Club(4). Near kilometre zero you are beside Lake Aulangonjärvi’s services: Aulangon ulkoilumaja and Aulangonjärven kota, with Aulangonjärven uimaranta, Aulangonjärven talviuintipaikka, and Aulangon ulkokuntosali forming a compact activity cluster before the line pushes through Metsälampi and Joutsenlampi parking zones. Kihtersuon uimaranta appears in the final kilometres, and Kärmeskallion nuotiopaikka caps the run as a natural break before optional links toward Levonkorven kierto or cross-country ski crossings shared with Aulangon kuntoladut in winter. Day users often combine spins with nearby foot loops such as Ulkoilumajan luontopolku or Aulanko Aulangonjärven polku, and strength riders can add the demanding Aulanko maastopyöräreitti vaativa segment when they want more vertical on the hill(5). Equipment-wise, Nature 360 runs bike-focused rental from Aulangon ulkoilumaja with e-MTB and fatbike options(7), while Aulanko Outdoors at Katajistonranta books fatbikes and mixed fleet bikes by reservation(8).

Pikkupässi cycling route from Hyvinkää to Karkkila