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The hike on Vajosuo Mire is almost 30 km in length and is a two-day trip for many visitors, including more experienced hikers. As such, it is worth planning the route to ensure that you arrive at a lean-to shelter with sleeping space by the evening. In practice, the best starting points are Rantapiha or Kurjenpesä in the north and the Vajosuo car park in the south.
This route is named after Lake Vaskijärvi, which the route encircles, and also the Vaskijärvi Strict Nature Reserve, with open expanses of marshland and patches of old-growth spruce forests pushing up through mineral soil. The route also takes in flat, rugged rocks covered in lichens with clumps of pine trees and stunning swampy ponds. The landscapes in the nature reserve are uniquely beautiful – in some places, it is hard to believe you are in Southern Finland at all. Due to the strict conservation order in the nature reserve, it is forbidden to deviate from the path. In the parts outside the nature reserve, the route traverses dry rocks and moorland, largely along forest roads. Outside the nature reserve, there are two resting places along the route. One is called Valastenmaa, and it has a fireplace, a picnic table shelter, a dry toilet and a firewood shelter. The other resting place is Vesiraumanmäki, which offers a lean-to shelter that is suitable for overnight stays. In addition to the basic route, it is also possible to follow an additional 2.5 km route around Lake Kajavanjärvi, which is characterised by flat rocky areas covered in grey lichens. The natural starting place for the 19 km route is the car park at Elijärvenkulma. The route has only minor elevation differences and is not particularly demanding in terms of physical fitness or hiking experience. Due to the length of the walk, it takes at least five hours to get around the route – more with long breaks. The safest way is to set out early in the morning to be sure of getting back by the evening. Jogging shoes are usually adequate on this route, but waterproof shoes are recommended in rainy periods. The route is not maintained during winter, and the car park at the starting point is not cleared of snow.
The route Around Two Lakes passes Lakes Pyhäjärvi and Elijärvi. The path winds through managed forests and along forest roads, but it also takes in Pitkäkallio, a small area covered by the old-growth forest reserves programme. The Kattilakallio potholes are also located along the route. In the summer, walkers can stop for a swim at the Valasranta beach.
The Lake Savojärvi trail is the most popular route in the network. It is located almost entirely within Kurjenrahka National Park and, as its name suggests, it goes around Lake Savojärvi, in parts right along the shore and sometimes further away. The variety of marsh types to be found along this 6 km route is amazing, and the marsh sections have duckboards throughout. Along the way, the route also takes in gravel ridges shaped by the ice age and large islands populated by dark spruces in the middle of the marsh.
The newest route in the Kuhankuono network is the Rehtsuo Route. The route begins in Silvola at the end of the regional Föli bus line. And this is the key idea behind the Rehtsuo Route: it is accessible by bus from central Turku. From the bus stop, the route continues along Nousiaisentie for about 2 km until it turns left towards Rehtsuo. Rehtsuo is an exceptionally fine private marsh conservation area with a trail that partly runs along duckboards. Next to the marsh is the route’s resting place, the Perävuori lean-to shelter. There is a woodshed and a dry toilet near the lean-to shelter. From the lean-to shelter, the route continues alongside fields to the Jyrkkävuori forest road before the path turns towards Vahdontie. There is a bus stop at the end of the path to take walkers back to the city. The route can be followed in either direction: there is a bus stop nearby, where walkers coming from Turku can hop off and hike to Silvola.
The Pukkipalo trail is one of the most popular sections in the Kuhankuono network. And with good reason: one of the finest old-growth forest sites in Southwest Finland – the Pukkipalo primaeval forest area – lies along this route. If you want to see a forest that has developed without being disturbed by human hands, this is the best place to visit. Pukkipalo and the surrounding areas are in the Kurjenrahka National Park, so they will remain safe from the forester’s axe well into the future.
Long ago, the devil found himself a handsome rock suitable for his church along this route. This is a good description of the nature on this route. Steep rocks follow one after another, and the walker must be experienced and in good physical condition. Shoes with good grip are required. The Trek of the Devil’s Church is not recommended as the first hike for people who are unsteady on their feet. Another resting place on the route is Luolakallio. As its Finnish name (“Cave Rock”) implies, it contains a cave-like pocket under a rock overhang, making it possible for people to stay there overnight if they are comfortable in tight spaces. There is also a grill shelter and a dry toilet at Luolakallio. Another resting place along the route is the Soikeroinen lean-to shelter, which also has a grill, dry toilet and firewood shelter. For people arriving by car, the natural starting point is the Soikeroinen car park. The route is marked with orange bands, and it is not maintained in the winter. Upon departing from Soikeroinen, the walker can choose to follow a separate climbers’ tour that is 400 metres long. This short route takes the hiker high up onto the rocks and requires strong leg muscles. The Trek of the Devil’s Church is a round-trip route stretching 8 km in each direction. Due to the elevation differences, the route could take four hours to walk, or three if the walker chooses to turn back at the Luolakallio resting place.
The Kullaa Trail is the most urban route in the network: one of the starting points is at the Kerttula sports centre in the town of Raisio. Nevertheless, many parts along the way remain in a natural state, especially in the Kullavuori nature reserve. The Kullaa Trail offers a diverse range of landscapes, including river views and beautiful farm scenery. The other starting point is at the Rusko Ski Center, which is about 700 metres from the circular trail itself.
The Kareva Circular Route begins at the Masku’s Riviera on Ruskontie. The route is almost 12 km long, and the terrain is mainly pine barrens and bare rocks, except for the Karevansuo marsh, which is crossed on duckboards. Although the route passes through a populated area, the general impression is still surprisingly forested and natural. Naturally, as the route crosses a population centre, it is also necessary to walk along roads.
The terrain along this circular route, which is mainly in the municipality of Rusko, is characterised by dry ridge pine forests and rugged rocks. The dry moorland is easy to walk, and the landscapes are open. The value of the thick ballast covering has also caught the eyes of builders, and the western side of the route contains some large gravel pits where walkers can stop for a swim on a hot summer’s day.
The Haukkavuori Route is named after the Haukkavuori Ski Center in Riihikoski, where the back-and-forth route begins. The route is just over 10 km long, and it is also possible to start at the Kurjenpesä car park or the Kurjenportti car park on Säkyläntie at the eastern end of the route. At the start of the route, it is necessary to cross the busy Säkyläntie road.
Marked on the terrain with an orange ribbon and three blue dots.
