Evo Hiking Area Trails

Starting Points for Trails

Easy Trails

A woman and a man sit at a table in a shelter. There's a fireplace next to the table.
Accessible cooking shelter at Lake Vähä-Koukkujärvi. Photo: Sari Airas.
A half-open shelter with a woodshed on a small slope behind it. Hikers walk in front of the buildings. There's some snow on the ground.
The lean-to shelter of Vähä-Koukkujärvi in the Evo hiking area is an accessible site. Photo: Maarit Vaahteranoksa.
A man and a dog are standing on a dock. Pine forest and another dock are visible on the opposite side of the lake.
Fishing platform at Lake Vähä-Koukkujärvi. Photo: Sari Airas.
A woman and a man are carrying logs. The door of the firewood shed behind them is open. There is some snow on the ground.
Vähä-Koukkujärvi firewood shelter. Photo: Maarit Vaahteranoksa.
A man is handing logs to a woman in a cooking shelter. They are standing in front of a campfire site.
Accessible campfire site of Vähä-Koukkujärvi. Photo: Maarit Vaahteranoksa.

Vähä-Koukkujärvi Demanding Accessible Trail, (Children's Fishing Pond) 800 m, Circular trail 

In the snow-free season. Estimated travel time with a wheelchair is half an hour. No winter maintenance. 
Difficulty: Demanding accessible trail. A level boardwalk 1.2 m in width. 

Demanding accessible nature trail symbol. Accessible dry toilet symbol.

This wide boardwalk takes you around Vähä-Koukkujärvi lake. There are seven accessible fishing platforms on the trail where you can stop to enjoy the scenery around the lake from spring to autumn. Fishing is permitted for visitors aged under 15. The cooking shelter and its large barbecue provide enough space for cooking and having a picnic even for larger groups.  

Starting Point

Vähä-Koukkujärvi parking area, Kalliojärventie 90, Hämeenlinna. The parking area has a designated accessible parking space. The parking area has a crosswise slope of up to 9%. 

Hiking Structures

  • There is a road barrier preventing driving from parking area to picnic area, but the road barrier can be bypassed walking or with a wheel chair.
  • The picnic area has
    • an accessible cooking shelter, accessible dry toilet and two accessible tables
    • a lean-to shelter, campfire site and firewood shed

Bring your own toilet paper. Learn more about the accessible hiking structures. 

There is a wide boardwalk and accessible fishing platform by the lake. Route Description

There are no trail markings - the entire circle trail is a boardwalk and easy to follow. There is a wide boardwalk and accessible piers on the banks of the pond.

A wide, sandy road leads to the trail from the parking area. There is a gate between the parking lot and the sandy road, which can be bypassed on a 90 cm wide path. The crosswise slope of the road is as much as 12.5% in places. The road is rugged, with exposed rocks and dips. The hill leading to the pond can have an incline of as much as 18%. 

A man and a dog walk on a wooden bridge.The trail is flat, but there are slight crosswise slopes in places. The planks laid crossways are 1.2 m wide and have 5-centimetre edges. There are seven accessible fishing platforms which have 85-centimetre handrails with middle rails. There is a wooden pontoon bridge on the trail which bounces slightly as you go across. The bridge has accessible ramps at both ends. At the other end of the bridge, where there is a 90 degree turn onto the boardwalk, it is a good idea to stay on the outer edge. There is a 6 cm threshold at the inner edge due to a drop in the level of the pontoon bridge. 

See the map (julkaisut.metsa.fi)

Please Note

Fishing

Fishing in Lake Vähä-Koukkujärvi is only permitted for visitors under 15 of age and only from the shore. There are seven platforms with 85-centimetre handrails on the boardwalk. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout. A permit is required for fishing: Angling permits for Niemisjärvet lakes (eraluvat.fi). 

Further Information

A demanding accessible trail to Niemisjärvi lake (1.5 km) starts from the boardwalk. 

There is a campfire site and a woodshed on the lake shore. There is a flat sand field in front of the buildings.
Accessible campfire site in Lake Niemisjärvi. Photo: Sari Airas.
There is a wooden building and a ramp at the edge of the forest.
Accessible dry toilet at Niemisjärvi. Photo: Sari Airas.
A flat gravel path runs in the forest on the lake shore. Next to the road, a slope growing spruces rises sharply.
The trail runs along the shore of the lake at the edge of spruce forest. Photo: Sari Airas.
A steel bridge built above a lake next to a rock face leaning over the lake. The bridge has a steel railing on the lake side and an access ramp on the rock side.
Lookout bridge in Ylinen Niemisjärvi. Photo: Sari Airas.
The hard rock dust path leads to the lake shore. On the beach, there is a fishing rod and a cooler under a pine.
In the south-east corner of Lake Ylinen Niemisjärvi, there are hard rock ramps leading to the shore that can be used for fishing. Photo: Sari Airas.
Wooden buildings along a flat gravel path. There is a lake in the background.
Buildings at the rest stop at the Ylinen lean-to shelter. Photo: Sari Airas.
A large wooden dock with low rails. Several people, some of whom are sitting in wheelchairs, are fishing from the dock.
Niemisjärvi accessible dock. Photo: Anemone Aaltonen.
A woman is pushing a child in a buggy onto the dock along a wooden ramp. There is a wooden building in the background and some snow on the ground.
Niemisjärvi accessible dock. Photo: Maarit Vaahteranoksa.
Interior view of an accessible dry toilet. Next to the toilet seat, a hand railing is attached to the wall and there is a shelf in the corner.
Accessible dry toilet. Photo: Sari Airas.

Niemis-Koukkunen, a Demanding Accessible Trail, 1.5 km; 3 km back and forth

In the snow-free season. Estimated travel time with a wheelchair around 1.5 hours. No winter maintenance.
Difficulty: a demanding accessible trail. There are several hills and crosswise slopes along the trail, and in many places the edges of the trail have a sheer drop-off. It should be noted that, at some points, the hill slopes sharply towards the shore. An assistant is recommended for wheelchair users and visually-impaired persons.
 
Demanding accessible nature trail symbol. Accessible dry toilet symbol.

Starting Point

  • Niemisjärvi parking area, Niemisjärventie 281, Hämeenlinna.
    • The parking area can take around 30 cars.  There are no designated accessible parking spaces in the parking area. The parking area is a flat gravel lot.
  • Vähä-Koukkujärvi parking area, Kalliojärventie 90, Hämeenlinna.
    • The parking area has a designated accessible parking space.

Hiking Structures

  • Niemisjärvi parking area has
    • an accessible cooking shelter, accessible campfire site, two accessible docks, an accessible dry toilet
    • firewood shed
    • well
    • waste collection point
  • There is an accessible dry toilet on the trail next to the Ylisenlaavu lean-to shelter.
  • Lake Vähä-Koukkujärvi has
    • an accessible cooking shelter, accessible dry toilet and two accessible tables
    • a lean-to shelter, campfire site and firewood shed 

Bring your own toilet paper. Learn more about the accessible hiking structures.

Route Description

Trail length: 1.5 km each way.
Height difference: Several climbs/descents, assistant required.
Trail markings: White diamonds with a black circle inside. 

The Niemis-Koukkunen trail starts from behind Niemisjärvi kiosk and runs along the shores of Alinen and Ylinen Niemisjärvi lakes towards Vähä-Koukkujärvi lake. In addition to lake views you can admire rugged boulders, shady spruce forests and standing deadwood trees on the trail. The highlight of the trail is the viewing platform along the rock wall at Ylinen Niemisjärvi lake. As you approach Vähä-Koukkujärvi lake, the woods turn into lush mixed forest, which you can enjoy from the easy boardwalk. 

From  the Niemisjärvi parking area up to the Ylinen Niemisjärvi scenic bridge, the trail follows a 1.5 metre wide path surfaced with rock ash.

Along the trail, there are a few steep climbs and descents of 10-20 metres that have an incline of as much as 10-16%. The crosswise slope is up to 8-10% in places. It should be noted that, at some points, the hill slopes sharply towards the shore. The rock ash embankments are sometimes very steep, and they are not fitted with retaining structures for their entire length. The embankments are retained with planks at the most dangerous sections. Note! A list of the most dangerous rock ash embankment sections will be added next year (2023).

The steel scenic bridge has a width of 1.1 m. The grid size of the steel bridge is approx. 2 cm x 6 cm. On the right-hand side of the platform, a steel ramp which is two planks wide provides access for dogs. After the bridge, the trail turns into a boardwalk (width 1.2 m). The boardwalk has several passing points that are over 2 metres wide.

You can also start the trail from the Vähä Koukkujärvi parking area.

See the map (julkaisut.metsa.fi)

Please Note

Fishing

Angling permit holders can fish in Niemisjärvet lakes from the two accessible docks. Crushed rock ramps leading to the shore that are suitable for fishing can be found along the trail close to the lean-to shelter on Ylinen Niemisjärvi lake and in the south-east corner of Ylinen Niemisjärvi. There are seven platforms along the accessible trail around Vähä-Koukkujärvi lake. These platforms can be used for fishing by all visitors under 15 years of age. The Niemisjärvet lakes are stocked with rainbow trout. A fishing permit is required (eraluvat.fi).

Further Information

This trail can be combined with the Vähä-Koukkujärvi demanding accessible circle trail , which consists of a level boardwalk 500 metres in length. 

A fisherman is fishing from the shore. A flat gravel path continues from the shore to the forest. The forest on the opposite side of the lake is in autumn colours.

Luutajoen Taimenpolku Trail, 1 km

In the snow-free season, hiking time 1 hour.
Difficulty: an easy trail 

Starting Point

The starting point of the nature trail is the parking area at the intersection of Highway 53 and Ruuhijärventie (Ruuhijärventie 3, Hämeenlinna).

Hiking Structures

At the starting point information boards, a picnic table and well, information boards on the nature trail. Bring your own toilet paper.

A man and a woman in front of a large information board. A little snow can be seen in the forest behind them.

Route Description

This easy trail follows closely the beautiful banks of the Luutajoki river. The information boards on the nature trail tell visitors about the life of the brown trout and stream restoration. It is a good idea to stop for a while on the river bank. You may see a beautiful brown trout with their spotted sides or other big fish in the river. The river can be crossed along bridges and duckboards that are in good condition. The trail is rocky and has tree roots in places, which is why it is not suitable for buggies and similar. Fast-track access to Evo's nature!

A family walks on a wintry trail with a stream flowing in the background.

Savottapolku Trail, 4 km 

In the snow-free season, hiking time 1.5 hours
Difficulty: easy trail 

Starting Point

Kelkute parking area, Kelkutteentie 486, Padasjoki.

Hiking Structures

In Kelkute parking area there is a campfire site, well and toilet. Maintained by: City of Hämeenlinna (hameenlinna.fi, in Finnish).

Route Description

Savottapolku trail in Tarus hiking area (hameenvirkistysalueyhdistys.fi, in Finnish) takes visitors back to the history of timber harvesting in 1850–1950 and explores the fates of dwellers in the wilderness. The trail is marked with Ilvesreitti signs (lynx paw). It runs through gently rolling terrain.

Evo forest activity course, 4 km circle trail 

In the snow-free season, approx. 1 hour.  
Difficulty: easy trail. 

The forest activity course runs around the beautiful surroundings of the HAMK Evo campus, in places on the forest path and in places along the road. On the activity course, you can test your forest assessment skills with 13 information boards, or you can just walk admiring the landscapes of the Alinen Rautjärvi Lake. The trail offers views of open pine heaths, the bubbling River Luutajoki, and the expansive Alinen Rautjärvi Lake.

A lake behind a thick coniferous forest.

Starting point 

  • Information point on the Evo campus (hamk.fi), Saarelantie 1, Hämeenlinna. The trail follows the Opistontie road north, keeping the information point behind you on the right. 
  • Instructions and maps of the forest activity course at the intersection of Opistontie and Rahtijärventie roads. 

Railing on the right side of the wooden bridge crossing a narrow river. After the bridge, the trail continues to a sparse mixed-wood forest.Hiking structures 

  • Hiking table and information board at the information point 
  • Evo campus, café restaurant during the school's opening hours, closed during school holidays 
  • Luutajoki bridge (width approx. 1 m), railing only on one side.   
  • Onkimankangas 
    • Campfire site 
    • Toilet     

Bring your own toilet paper.

Trail description 

Trail markings: The trail is marked with orange circles on a grey background painted on trees.  
Direction: The trail starts from the HAMK Evo campus information point, going around the Alinen Rautjärvi Lake counter-clockwise. The actual forest activity course and its tasks begin at the intersection of Opistontie and Rahtijärvi roads and end at the Onkimankangas rest site.  

A campfire site surrounded by wooden benches in a circle with one side open in the middle of a forest.

The trail follows Opistontie for about 150 metres, after which the trail diverts at the intersection of Rahtijärvi road to a level forest path. After about one kilometre, the forest trail crosses Opistontie and the Luutajoki River. Look down from the bridge and see if you can spy any of the spotted trout that have been planted in the river. After the bridge, the trail rises slightly, after which it follows the flat lakeside path next to the Alinen Rautjärvi Lake to the Onkimankangas rest site. After the rest site, the trail continues left from the junction between the Alinen Rautjärvi Lake and Onkimanjärvi Lake, connecting to Opistontie after approximately 600 metres. Continue along Opistontie to the left towards HAMK Evo campus. Route markings on the road alternate on the left and right sides of the road; however, follow the traffic rules and stay on the left side of the road. Before the campus area, cross the Evojoki River along the road bridge. 

FA wooden information board along the trail, coniferous forest in the background. orest activity course instructions 

The length of the course is 1.8 kilometres, including a total of 13 tasks. The duration including tasks is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.   The forest activity course starts at the intersection of Opistontie and Rahtijärventie and circles the west side of Alinen Rautjärvi Lake to the Onkimankangas rest site. The forest activity course can be used for competitions and for learning forest skills. The correct answers can be found on the wooden shed wall of the Onkimankangas lean-to shelter. 

The forest activity course for the Evo summer competition has been designed for all those interested in forest-related questions, and the information boards provide instructions for solving the tasks. Forest skills competitions are organised to develop and preserve knowledge, skills and physical fitness that are important in the forestry profession.  

You can get more information on the forest activity course and the task forms from the HAMK Evo lobby when the campus is open. 

A log firewood shed along the trail in the middle of the forest with a chopping block in front of it.

Other Trails

Niemisjärvi Nature Trail, 3 km

In the snow-free season, hiking time 1 hour
Difficulty: medium difficulty trail 

Starting Point

Niemisjärvi parking area, Niemisjärventie 281, Hämeenlinna

Hiking Structures

  • Niemisjärvi starting point
    • an accessible cooking shelter, accessible campfire site, accessible toilet, two accessible fishing docks
    • well
    • recycling point
  • Ylinen Niemisjärvi lean-to shelter
    • accessible toilet
    • campfire site

Bring your own toilet paper.

Route Description

The trail starts at the edge of Niemisjärvi parking area. The trail is marked with blue paint stripes on trees. The first part of the trail with its long climbs and steep downhill sections is of medium difficulty. The forest consists of ancient spruce trees, and plenty of decaying wood can be found in it. Lucky hikers may get to see a flying squirrel, that lovable dweller of old-growth forests.

The trail leads through young trees for a while, and after a short road section, it crosses an area damaged by a storm and continues into an old spruce forest. When walking through the giant spruce trunks lying on the ground, you can only imagine the noise of the trees crashing down in the storm. In the summer, you can hear the trilling song of the wren and even spot this funny little bird which is only slightly bigger than a matchbox. At the end of the nature trail you cross the pristine Marjasuo mire along duckboards. The trail returns to Niemisjärvi parking area along the side of the caravan park. 

Syrjänalunen Esker Trail, 3 km

In the snow-free season, hiking time 1.5 hours
Difficulty: medium difficulty trail 

Starting Point

Syrjänalunen parking area, Vappulantie 190, Hämeenlinna.

Hiking Structures

Syrjänalunen lean-to shelter, campfire site and toilet. Bring your own toilet paper.

Route Description

This medium difficulty trail starts at the lean-to shelter on Syrjänalunen lake and starts with a steep climb to the esker. At the beginning, the trail takes in the scene of prescribed burning carried out to conserve the fire and light environments of Syrjänalunen esker: charred trunks, burnt trees lying on the ground and very sturdy pines.

The trail zigzags to the top of the esker with its great views. The esker section is marked with Ilvesreitti signs (lynx paw). As the trail reaches Hautjärvi lake, the barren pine woods of the esker are quickly replaced by a very lush herb-rich forest. In the final section the trail crosses a large, crystal-clear spring. The long timbers intended for the crossing are currently in poor condition and some of them have water on them.

Hiking Trails

Ilvesvaellus Hiking Trail Network, 70 km

The Ilvesvaellus trails were established in 1987 for hiking and other recreational use on lands controlled by the City of Hämeenlinna, Häme University of Applied Sciences and Metsähallitus. The total length of the trails is around 70 km, and visitors can choose between a number of different routes of varying lengths. The trails bring hikers to a variety of forests and terrain and have relative height differences of up to around 70 to 80 metres.

For example, you can start your hike from the parking areas of Niemisjärvi, Syrjänalunen or Pitkänniemenkangas. The hiking trail is marked with Ilvesreitti signs (lynx paw). You should always bring the Ilveskartta map as in addition to a dense network of forest roads, there are also many unmarked paths in this area.

Hiking Structures

There are many lean-to shelters, camping areas and campfire sites along the trails. 

Connecting trails

The connecting trails starting in this area offer further opportunities for hiking.

Mountain Biking Trails

Mountain biking in Evo hiking area

There are three signposted mountain biking trails in Evo. The total length of these trails is around 70 km. The trails are marked in the forest with wooden posts and colourful reflective bands as well as mountain biker signs and arrows in places.

  • MTB 17 km, easy/fairly easy. White bands, travel direction clockwise.
  • MTB 39 km, medium difficulty. Yellow bands, travel direction clockwise. 
  • MTB 67 km, medium difficulty. Red bands, western loop, travel direction clockwise; eastern loop, travel direction anti-clockwise. 

MTB 17 km, Circle Trail  

In the snow-free season. Biking time 2 to 4 hours.
Difficulty: an easy trail 

A child is pushing a mountain bike along a path. Adults are walking behind the child, the first one of whom is also pushing her bike. The bikes have race numbers.

Starting Point

Evo HAMK University of Applied Sciences  information board (hamk.fi), Saarelantie 1, Hämeenlinna
Luutajoki parking area, Ruuhijärventie 3, Hämeenlinna.

Hiking Structures

  • Onkimankangas campfire site 1.7 km, Evo HAMK (hamk.fi)
    • toilet 
  • You can have a rest at the southern or northern end of Ruuhijärvi lake and admire the lake view, 7 to 8 km, no rest stop structures. 
  • Luutajoki parking area approx. 12.5 km
    • picnic table
    • well

Bring your own toilet paper.

Route Description

Trail markings: a white reflective band on wooden posts. At road crossings additionally a mountain biker symbol, also arrows. 
Travel direction: clockwise.
Difficulty: total climb approx. 190 m.

This trail around Iso-Ruuhijärvi lake is the shortest of the signposted mountain biking trails in Evo. It mainly consists of fairly easy forest paths, forest roads and narrower dirt roads. In Ruuhijärvi, there is an approx. 600-metre section of more difficult new paths and some short rocky or uneven sections where you can push the bike if necessary. The trail has no long, tough climbs or steep downhill sections. The trail includes around 2 km in total of forest roads surfaced with crushed stone, and in parts it shares the path with the MTB 39 km trail (yellow bands).  

Sights

Along the trail you can see different forest types from pine heaths to shady spruce woods carpeted with moss as well as the lakeshore views of Alinen Rautjärvi lake and the Luutajoki river. 

MTB 39 km, Circle Trail  

In the snow-free season. Biking time 3.5 to 6 hours. 
Difficulty: medium difficulty trail 

Starting Points

Colourful bike route marking on a signpost with a cyclist in the background.Hiking Structures

  • Niemisjärvi parking area
    • cooking shelter, campfire site
    • fishing docks
    • well
    • waste collection point
    • While there is no official bathing area, you can swim in the lake.
  • Kalliojärvi lean-to shelter
    • campfire site and toilet
    • cooking shelter (500 m)
  • Luutajoki parking area
    • picnic table
    • well 

Bring your own toilet paper.

Route Description

Trail markings: a yellow band on a wooden post. In places also mountain biker symbols and arrows. 
Travel direction: clockwise.
Total climb: approx. 540 m.

The trail contains easy and challenging path sections and dirt roads in between them. Fast forest road sections take bikers past rocky terrain. Some of the difficult sections are new paths that are only taking shape with small obstacles formed by the terrain, or forest roads recently surfaced with crushed stone. The longest climbs on the trail are found in the area of Niemisjärvi and Kalliojärvi lakes as well as in the northern section of the trail around Kokkovuori. MTB 39 km is the most difficult one of the MTB trails in Evo. To manage this trail, you need technical skills and a proper mountain bike. A less experienced mountain biker may have to push the bike for short sections. 

Sights

This trail introduces you to the western part of Evo area. The trail takes in the area of Niemisjärvi lake favoured by fishers and hikers as well as forests of different ages and types. There are several beautiful lakes and campfire sites along the trail where you can take a break. Bikers also have a chance to spot wetlands which are home to beavers, great boulders, streams and possibly even forest animals on the way.

MTB 67 km, Circle Trail

In the snow-free season. Biking time 6 to 10 hours.
Difficulty: medium difficulty trail 

Starting Point

Evo HAMK University of Applied Sciences  information board (hamk.fi), Saarelantie 1, Hämeenlinna

Hiking Structures

  • Niemisjärvi parking area
    • cooking shelter, campfire site
    • fishing platforms
    • well
    • waste collection point
    • While there is no official bathing area, you can swim in the lake.
  • Kalliojärvi lean-to shelter
    • campfire site and toilet
    • cooking shelter (500 m)
  • Luutajoki parking area
    • picnic table
    • well 
  • Evo HAMK, information maps 
  • Syrjänalunen lean-to shelter 2.2. km
    • campfire site and toilet
  • Keltaoja lean-to shelter 12.5 km, campfire site and toilet 300 m off the trail
    • campfire site and toilet
  • Sorsakolu lean-to shelter 14.5 km
    • campfire site and toilet
  • Valkea-Mustajärvi campfire shelter 23 km and camping area 23.5 km
    • campfire site and toilet

Bring your own toilet paper.

Route Description

Trail markings: a red band on a wooden post. In places also mountain biker symbols and arrows. 
Direction of travel: the western loop clockwise, the eastern loop anti-clockwise.
Total climb: approx. 400 m.

MTB 67 km consists of the western MTB 39 km trail section and the 28-kilometre eastern section. MTB 39 km is the most difficult one of the MTB trails in Evo. To manage this trail, you need technical skills and a proper mountain bike. The eastern loop offers variable terrain and is only suitable for actual mountain bikes. The trail section marked anti-clockwise starts in EVO HAMK parking area and runs through almost uninhabited forests and lake landscapes. The trail is suitable for experienced mountain bikers and also for more relaxed off-road biking. There are fairly short challenging path sections on the trail, with easier dirt road sections and partly forest roads in between. The total length of this trail marked with red bands is approx. 67 km.

Sights

MTB 67 km trail gives you a thorough introduction to the western and eastern parts of Evo hiking area. The trail takes in the area of Niemisjärvi lake favoured by fishers and hikers as well as forests of different ages and types. There are several beautiful lakes and campfire sites along the trail where you can take a break. Bikers also have a chance to spot wetlands which are home to beavers, great boulders, streams and possibly even forest animals on the way. The eastern part consists of large forests and varying lake landscapes. Among others, the trail leads past Ylinen Rautjärvi, Valkea Mustajärvi, Savijärvi and Sorsajärvi lakes. The strip of land between the last two is a pleasant place for having a rest in the shade of Sorsakolu lean-to shelter. You can see traces of beavers’ efforts in the vicinity of Keltaoja. Beaver dams may cause the water to rise up onto the paths and duckboards in this area. 

Cyclist riding a bicycle on a trail with little snow in the middle of a forest.