Latumaja nature trail

Welcome to the Latumaja nature trail, which takes you on a journey in the footsteps of ancient people!

The Latumaja nature trail, completed in spring 2025, is located in the Village of Tanttala in Janakkala, along a beautiful glacially shaped esker area between Someronlähde and Kolmilammi on the side of Hausjärvi.

Humans have roamed and lived in this region since the Stone Age. The trail’s information boards introduce visitors to the nature, geology and cultural history of the area, including sacrificial springs and Stone Age settlements.

Someronlähde itself is already a fine destination: an enchanting open spring area, protected under the Antiquities Act as a protected sacrificial spring. Within the nature trail area, you will also find several spring areas, kettle ponds and kettle swamps.

From the top of the esker, scenic views open toward the fields in the direction of Tervakoski and Leppäkoski.

The Latumaja nature trail is located in the village of Tanttala on a beautiful glacially shaped ridge area between Someronlahti and Kolmilampi on the side of Hausjärvi.

Routes

The trail consists of two circular routes, which partly follow the same path. At checkpoint 5, the routes diverge. Both routes run along easily navigable forest paths and forest roads. The paths may have loose gravel, stones, and roots, which can be slippery in some places.

Kettle pond loop: The route runs beside the esker and along its lower slopes. Difficulty: easy, with small elevation changes of around 30 meters. Length approx. 3.8 km, walking time 1.25-1.75 hours.
Someronvuori loop: The route climbs up onto the esker. Difficulty: demanding, with large elevation changes (approx. 70 meters), steep ascents, and one very demanding steep descent. The route at the top of the esker is rocky. Length approx. 5 km, walking time 1.5-2 hours.

Both routes are intended to be walked counterclockwise. The routes are marked accordingly with signposts with blue trail signs featuring a lynx paw print. Along the routes, there are 11 information boards in total.

GPS tracks of the routes can be found in Outdoor Active:

Kettle pond loop

Someronvuori loop

The trails run across privately owned land. Access is based on Everyman’s Rights. Please note: the same trails are also used for mountain biking, horseback riding, and skiing in winter. Landowners may occasionally use forest roads with motor vehicles. For about half a kilometer, the nature trail runs close to an enduro track. The trails are not maintained in winter.

Please respect nature and stay on marked trails.

Parking and trailheads

Someronlähde: Hausjärventie 1142, Janakkala. At this address, a cottage road turns off the main road, marked with a brown Someronlähde sign. About 100 m along this road, there is space for a few cars in an open area. Park so that larger vehicles can still pass. No winter maintenance. The trail map board and signposts can be found about 50 m from Hausjärventie along the cottage road.
Kolmilammi: Kolmilammintie 529, Hausjärvi. Parking at Kolmilammi dance hall area. Note the Sunday evening dances during the summer. Hikers may also park along the widened sections of Kolmilammintie uphill from the parking area. No winter maintenance. The trail map board and markers are found further up the road.

The trail can also be accessed from Latumaja (Hausjärventie 1162, Janakkala). Note: the road to Latumaja is gated. Parking at latumaja is only for cottage renters.

Rest areas

Latumaja lean-to shelter and dry toilet: Located in the Latumaja yard, Hausjärventie 1162, Janakkala. You may rest here and make a campfire if there are no renters staying in Latumaja. Firewood is available in the woodshed. Making a fire is prohibited during forest fire warnings. The dry toilet is available to all visitors. Please carry away all your trash. Latumaja lean-to (in Finnish)

Latumaja can also be rented for sauna evenings, events, celebrations or meetings, which can be combined with a nature trail visit. Rent Latumaja (in Finnish)

Emergencies

Call 112

when you face an emergency or urgently need official assistance
when you know or suspect that life, health, property or the environment is threatened or at risk

When calling 112, the emergency center can locate you during the call. If you use the “112 Suomi” app, your location is automatically transmitted, speeding up the help process. You should still know your location and be ready to report it. The map boards at the parking areas and trailheads show their addresses and coordinates.

Maintainer

The Latumaja nature trail is maintained by Janakkalan Latu ry.

Feedback: janakkalanlatu@gmail.com

If you notice fallen or dangerous trees, or damaged trail markers or boards, please report them via the feedback channel.

Supported by: Rengon Säästöpankkisäätiö

History of the Latumaja nature trail

The Latumaja nature trail was first opened in spring 1984. It was planned and implemented by Janakkalan Latu ry and Janakkalan Luonto ja Ympäristö ry. The trail had numbered posts and a printed guidebook describing the nature, geology, and cultural history of the stops. The design team included Riitta Salin, Lauri Sormunen, Aaro Aaltonen, and Helvi Aaltonen from Janakkalan Latu, and Terttu Haapanen from Janakkalan Luonto ja Ympäristö, who also wrote the guidebook. The team from Janakkalan Latu was in charge of signing the route. Over the years, the old trail was almost forgotten, with only a few posts remaining. Part of the trail was lost to gravel extraction.

Renewal of the trail was inspired in 2023, when a request was made to revive the old trail around Latumaja. Luckily, the then-chairperson of Janakkalan Latu still had the old guidebook. In autumn 2023, the association organized a day trip to find the old routes and checkpoints. Later in 2024, a grant from Rengon Säästöpankkisäätiö was secured for the renewal project. The new trail was completed in spring 2025. Where possible, the renewed trail follows the old routes, checkpoints, and guidebook information.

The main planner and implementer of the renewed trail was Terhi Hoikka from Janakkalan Latu ry, who carried out the project as part of her wilderness and nature guide studies. For the checkpoint board on forest birds, Johanna Sahila from Janakkalan Luonto ja Ympäristö ry provided expert assistance. Trail construction was carried out as volunteer work by Janakkalan Latu ry. In autumn 2024, the Latumaja lean-to’s dry toilet was also renewed with funding from Janakkala municipality’s “Nature Sites” partnership table.

The original 1984 guidebook has been scanned and published online as a PDF, where you can compare how the area’s nature and landscapes have changed in over 40 years. Additional updates about the changes will later be added to the checkpoint pages.