Loppi: Wooden Church, Trails and Activities

When planning a stay in Loppi, it is worth first deciding what to focus on: church and regional history, hiking trails and activities on the water, or an enduro safari. For nature enthusiasts, Melkutin and the circular routes around Pääjärvi are especially relevant; the Old Church and the local heritage museum offer a way to explore the area’s cultural history.

Old Wooden Church and Regional History

The Old Church of Loppi, also known as Santa Pirjon kirkko, is one of Finland’s oldest wooden churches. A dendrochronological study found that the last growth years of the logs used for the church were 1665 and 1666. Construction probably began immediately afterwards. The church stands on a hill surrounded by fields near the northern shore of Loppijärvi and directly north of the historic village site. Both the dating of the wooden structure and its location are part of the landscape that shapes Loppi’s history.

The Lukkarin Puustelli local heritage museum offers another perspective on the region. Its collections represent typical agrarian material culture from southern Häme. The museum was established in the early 1960s by the wooden church Pyhän Birgitan puukirkko. At the time, more than 1,000 objects were collected from houses in Loppi for the museum. The collection thus connects everyday objects from Loppi with a broader regional cultural history.

Trails and Activities Around Melkutin

Hiking trails and various activities come together at Melkutin. From the parking area on Tauluntie, the Melkutin Route is about 7 km long; there are two rest stops along it, each with a dry toilet. The trails in the area are part of the more than 200 km-long Hämeen Ilvesreitti connecting trail. It runs through Riihimäki, Loppi, Tammela and Hämeenlinna. The route at Melkutin is therefore part of a wider trail network, while its own length provides a practical guide for planning a day trip.

Mountain biking, snorkelling and scuba diving are possible at Melkutin; the lake is also suitable for paddling. There is also a local detail to bear in mind when planning water-based activities: the roads leading from the parking area to the shore have barriers. If you are considering driving all the way to the shore, take note of this. The annual Poronpolun polkaisu event takes place in the Melkutin area on the last Saturday in September. If you are travelling for this event, check the specific date for the relevant year.

Circular Routes at Pääjärvi and Enduro Safaris

There are three circular routes at Lopen Pääjärvi, with lengths of 1.5 km, 4.5 km and 7.5 km. The well-marked Pääjärven kierto circular route is 7.5 km long, passes through the areas of Hämeenlinna, Loppi and Tammela, and is best suited to hikers with some experience. The stated lengths let you compare the routes; for Pääjärven kierto, the stated experience level is an additional planning consideration.

Lopen Enduro offers another activity: enduro safaris. They take place in the estate’s approximately 1,300-hectare forest area at Leppäniemi in Loppi. The safari routes include trails of varying difficulty and easy forest roads. There are options for experienced riders as well as for people who are new to the sport. If you include this activity in your plans, you can choose based on your own riding experience and the types of routes described.

First choose the activities that matter for your trip, then search specifically for hotels in Loppi.

Discover more destinations: Janakkala, Hauho, Ypäjä, Hattula, Humppila, Hausjärvi, Forssa, Riihimäki.

See the broader travel overview: Kanta-Häme.