Loppi's Old Church, also known as Santa Pirjon kirkko, is one of Finland's oldest wooden churches. It stands on a hill surrounded by fields near the northern shore of Lake Loppijärvi and just north of the historic village site. A dendrochronological study found that the last growth years of the trees used were 1665 and 1666. Construction probably began immediately afterwards. The dates refer to the wood; the start of construction is described as probable.
Church History and Rural Culture
The Lukkarin Puustelli Local History Museum also offers an introduction to regional history. Its collections represent typical rural material culture from South 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. The collection assembled at the time and the character of the collections today offer different insights: one into the museum's establishment, the other into the material culture represented there.
Hiking Trails near Melkutin and Pääjärvi
The Melkutin Route is about seven kilometres long from the car park on Tauluntie. There are two rest areas along the route, each with a dry toilet. The trails in the Melkutin area are part of the more than 200-kilometre Hämeen Ilvesreitti connecting trail, which runs through Riihimäki, Loppi, Tammela, and Hämeenlinna. Thus, one option is a route with an approximate length starting from a named car park; Melkutin is also part of a longer trail that passes through several towns.
There are three circular trails at Lopen Pääjärvi, measuring 1.5, 4.5, and 7.5 kilometres. The well-marked Pääjärven kierto circular trail is 7.5 kilometres long, passes through the areas of Hämeenlinna, Loppi, and Tammela, and is best suited to hikers with some experience. The distances provide a practical guide when choosing a circular route; Pääjärven kierto also comes with guidance on the level of hiking experience required.
Activities around Melkutin
Mountain biking, snorkelling, and diving are possible at Melkutin. Lake Melkutin is also suitable for paddling. The roads leading from the car park to the shore have barriers. When planning your time there, you can choose between activities on the trails and on or in the water, while also taking the barriers on the access roads into account.
Another option in Loppi is the enduro safaris run by Lopen Enduro across the approximately 1,300-hectare forest area of Leppäniemi Manor. 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. The safaris therefore offer a distinct focus for activities alongside the hiking trails and water sports.
The Poronpolun polkaisu event is held in the Melkutin area every year on the last Saturday in September. If you are planning your trip around it, check the exact event date for your travel year.
Tailor Your Stay to Your Interests
When looking for hotels in Loppi, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay. If you enjoy hiking, you can compare routes of different lengths; if you are particularly interested in cultural history, the Old Church and the local history museum offer a distinct focus.
Discover more destinations: Janakkala, Tyrväntö, Hattula, Riihimäki, Hausjärvi, Humppila, Hämeenlinna, Ypäjä
For the broader travel overview: Kanta-Häme.
