Laurinmäki

At the Laurinmäki nature and culture area, history, culture, landscape, and diverse nature meet.

The Laurinmäki area is entirely a culturally and historically valuable site: near the Laurinmäki croft museum established in 1965, there is the Hakoisten castle hill (unfortunately, it is not accessible), the Spring of St. Laurence, and the medieval church of Janakkala. The area also features a memorial erected by the Torpparien muisto ry in 1969 and trenches built by Russians in 1915. During the summer, a charming café operates in the Yellow House.

The Laurinmäki nature trails start from the croft museum and wind through diverse forests. Along the paths, there is a shelter and a campfire site.

Laavupolku, challenging, approx. 2.8 km
The Laavupolku trail includes the 50th-anniversary spruce forest of Independence, the Määkynmäki battle trenches and fortifications, a forest shelter with campfire sites, the landscapes and cliffs of Määkynmäki, a large pine tree, the ruins of Räikälä inn and campfire site, a sacrificial grove, and the memorial for crofters. The trail is uneven in some places and features elevation changes, including steep walls in Määkynmäki, which should be traversed with caution, especially with children and pets. The Laavupolku is marked with black-tipped posts and connects to the keto and spring trails.

Ketopolku, moderate, approx. 1.6 km
On the Ketopolku, one can admire the grove area and spruce forests, and along the section that runs beside a road, a traditional biotope, or keto, can be seen. The Janakkala nature and environment association has managed this keto by organizing volunteer events. The trail also features the ruins of Räikälä inn and a campfire site, a sacrificial grove, and the crofters’ memorial. The Ketopolku is marked with red-tipped posts and connects to the shelter and spring trails.

Lähdepolku, moderate, approx. 1.2 km
The Lähdepolku is a nature trail of ancient monuments, featuring beautiful leafy landscapes, the crofters’ memorial, a sacrificial grove, the ruins of Räikälä inn, and a campfire site. Along the more challenging and uneven part of the trail, there are also the Spring of St. Laurence (formerly Taaran) and the memorial of the Battle of Tarinmaa in 1918. These sites are more easily accessible by walking along the Hakoistentie road. The Lähdepolku is marked with blue-tipped posts and connects to the shelter and keto trails.

Pappilankylä nature trail approx. 2.5 km
The new Pappilankylä nature trail starts from the Laurinmäki parking area, across Hakoistentie, passing by the school towards the shore of the Räikälä river. The trail will be fully developed by the Tarinmaa village association’s Leader project (including a shelter, boardwalks, fitness stairs, and signs) by 2026. The fitness stairs were completed in August 2025 and can be found behind the Tarinmaa school field. The trail primarily runs through flat, occasionally very wet terrain. See location on the map.

Parking: Parking area next to Hakoistentie.
Nature trail map (PDF).
Map of the area.

Learn more about Laurinmäki on its official website.