Loppi: Wooden Church, Melkutin and Nature Trails

Loppi combines a distinctive cultural history with a variety of ways to enjoy active days: the Old Church stands on a hill surrounded by fields near Lake Loppijärvi, while trails and water activities come together at Melkutin. Circular trails at Lake Pääjärvi, enduro safaris and the Lukkarin Puustelli local heritage museum also offer different ways to shape your stay.

Loppi at a glance

• The Old Church of Loppi, also known as Santa Pirjon kirkko, is one of Finland’s oldest wooden churches.
• The last growth years of the trees used for the church were 1665 and 1666; construction probably began immediately afterwards.
• The Melkutin Trail is about 7 km long from the car park on Tauluntie; there are two rest stops along the route, each with a dry toilet.
• There are three circular trails at Lopen Pääjärvi, measuring 1.5 km, 4.5 km and 7.5 km.
• Poronpolun polkaisu takes place in the Melkutin area every year on the last Saturday in September.

The Old Church: its history and distinctive location

The Old Church of Loppi is a notable destination for anyone interested in Finnish wooden churches. Its location is closely connected to its surroundings: it stands on a hill surrounded by fields near the northern shore of Lake Loppijärvi and just north of the historic village site. Both the building and its place in the historic village landscape are among the distinctive features of a visit.

The Old Church of Loppi is one of Finland’s oldest wooden churches. A dendrochronological study found that the last growth years of the trees used were 1665 and 1666. Construction probably began immediately afterwards.

Melkutin: a circular trail, water and other routes

At Melkutin, you can combine a walk through the area with a range of activities. In addition to mountain biking, snorkelling and diving are possible; paddling on Lake Melkutin is also available. The Melkutin Trail is about 7 km long from the car park on Tauluntie. There are two rest stops along the route, each with a dry toilet.

One local consideration is that the roads leading from the car park to the shore are gated. When planning a trip, it is also worth noting how the trails fit into a larger network: the trails in the Melkutin area form part of the Hämeen Ilvesreitti, a connecting route more than 200 km long. It passes through Riihimäki, Loppi, Tammela and Hämeenlinna. The annual Poronpolun polkaisu also takes place in the area on the last Saturday in September, so its date varies according to the calendar.

Circular trails at Pääjärvi

There are three circular trails at Lopen Pääjärvi, measuring 1.5 km, 4.5 km and 7.5 km. The well-marked Pääjärven kierto circular trail is 7.5 km long, passes through the areas of Hämeenlinna, Loppi and Tammela, and is best suited to hikers with some experience. If you are considering this route, you can take the experience recommendation into account when planning your trip.

Enduro safaris in the Leppäniemi forest area

Lopen Enduro’s enduro safaris offer another way to experience the landscape. They take place on the approximately 1,300-hectare forest estate of Leppäniemi Manor in Loppi. The safari routes include trails of varying difficulty as well as easy forest roads. Options are available for experienced riders and for people who are new to the hobby. This makes the activity a distinct option alongside hiking trails and water experiences, rather than planning every day in nature in the same way.

Lukkarin Puustelli local heritage museum

The Lukkarin Puustelli local heritage museum offers a cultural introduction to the Southern Häme region. Its collections represent typical rural material culture from Southern Häme. The museum was established in the early 1960s at the wooden church Pyhän Birgitan puukirkko. At the time, more than 1,000 objects were collected from homes in Loppi for the museum. This origin roots the collection in local everyday history and complements the older building history of the Old Church with insights into the region’s rural culture.

Use experiences to guide your accommodation choice

When looking for a hotel in Loppi, it may help to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay. The Old Church and Lukkarin Puustelli suit a culture- and history-focused itinerary; at Melkutin, the focus is on trails, water activities and an annual September event. Pääjärvi offers circular trails of several lengths, while the enduro safaris cater to different route types and experience levels.

Discover more destinations: Tyrväntö, Humppila, Janakkala, Hauho, Riihimäki, Ypäjä, Tammela and Harviala.

Frequently asked questions about Loppi

When was the Old Church of Loppi built?

The trees used for the church had their last growth years in 1665 and 1666. Construction probably began immediately afterwards.

How long is the Melkutin Trail?

The trail is about 7 km long from the car park on Tauluntie. There are two rest stops along the route, each with a dry toilet.

What activities are possible at Melkutin?

Mountain biking, snorkelling and diving are possible at Melkutin. Paddling on the lake is also available. The roads leading from the car park to the shore are gated.

What circular trails are there at Lopen Pääjärvi?

There are three circular trails there, measuring 1.5 km, 4.5 km and 7.5 km. The well-marked Pääjärven kierto is 7.5 km long and is best suited to hikers with some experience.

What makes the enduro safaris different?

Lopen Enduro’s safari routes include trails of varying difficulty as well as easy forest roads. Options are available for experienced riders and for people who are new to the hobby.

Back to the main travel overview: Kanta-Häme.