The versatile trail network of Hämeenkangas Military Training and Multi-use area is equally suitable for day trips and camping. Please note that this is a military training area used by the Finnish Defence Forces. Access restrictions may be in place due to military training activities. Access to Jämi airfield area is only permitted along the marked trail.

There are many paths in Hämeenkangas, which is why you should be careful to pick the right trail. Pay close attention to the dots of paint and signposts. In winter, there is an extensive network of ski tracks in this area.

Trail starting points

Jämikeskus, Jämintie 648, Jämijärvi

Viidentienristeys parking area, Kivistökankaantie 352, Kankaanpää

Vaarinnevankeidas parking area, Kyrönkankaantie 1174, Jämijärvi 

Niinikota parking area, Rinnetie, Jämijärvi

Uhrilähde parking area, Uhrilähteentie 119, Jämijärvi

Nature trails

Harjuluontopolku, 4.8 km circle trail

In the snow-free season, walking time 2 hours.
Trainers are a suitable choice of footwear for this mostly easy nature trail. There are some height differences on the way.

Experience the splendid views opening out from the highest eskers of Hämeenkangas.

 A person is sitting on a ridge. In the background is a coniferous forest.

Starting point
Address: Jämikeskus, Jämintie 648, Jämijärvi
Hämeenkangas brochure (julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Map of Harjuluontopolku nature trail (excursionmap.fi)

Hiking structures
Jämi-Jukola lean-to shelter. Niiniharju accessible campfire hut and dry toilet. Please bring your own toilet paper.

Things to see
Niiniharju herb-rich forest - this littleleaf linden grove is a remnant from a warmer interglacial period; Soininharju - the highest esker in Hämeenkangas. 

Trail description
Hikers are advised to follow the trail clockwise. The trail is marked on trees with dots of paint, and there are signposts at trail junctions. Harjuluontopolku nature trail meanders through the protected forest of Soininharju, introducing visitors to this area’s nature, history and different uses. 
At the beginning, the trail climbs steeply onto Soininharju esker at Jämikeskus and continues along the northern slope of the esker, descending gradually. After crossing a road, the trail leads on to Jämi-Jukola lean-to shelter. The trail continues around Niiniharjunvati depression to Niiniharju esker, where hikers will find a small linden grove and the accessible Niinikota campfire hut. From Niiniharju, the trail turns back towards Soininharju, which has a viewing tower. 
At Niinikota, you can leave the nature trail and join Koivistonkierros trail, in which case you can take in both trails in two loops that form a number 8. The total length of these trails is 9 km.


Vaarinnevankeidas trail, 2.7 km circle trail

In the snow-free season, hiking time 1 h.

This easy and family-friendly trail takes visitors to the charming mire to the south of Hämeenkangas. There are works of art along the nature trail that lead you to get to know the nature and history of the mire.

 The person is looking at the white flowering marsh sedges.

Starting point
Address: Vaarinnevankeidas parking area, Kyrönkankaantie 1174, Jämijärvi
Hämeenkangas brochure (julkaisut.metsa.fi)

Hiking structures
At the southern end of the trail there is a campsite with a picnic table. The campsite has no campfire site or dry toilet.

Things to see
Vaarinnevankeidas mire. Along the nature trail, there are works of art that encourage creativity.

A person walks along a path made of duckboards.
 

Trail description
The trail is marked on trees with dots of paint, and there are signposts at trail junctions. The trail leads through the sandy heaths on the southern side of Hämeenkangas and along Vaarinnevankeidas mire. From the parking area, the trail follows a gravel road towards the mire. Duckboards are provided on the trail section crossing the mire. The campsite is located on the edge of the mire. From the campsite the trail continues across the mire along duckboards. The trail turns back along a path that leads through a heath forest. Hikers return to the parking area along the gravel road that they followed at the start.

Other trails

Koivistonkierros 4.5 km circle trail

In the snow-free season, hiking time 2 hrs.

Walk along the eskers to the impressive depression of Koivistonvati. The light-filled pine heaths offer long vistas.

A person is sitting at the foot of a tree.

Starting point
Address: Niinikota parking area, Rinnetie, Jämijärvi
Hämeenkangas brochure (julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Koivistonkierros map (excursionmap.fi) 

Hiking structures A person walks on a wide path in a bright pine forest.
Niiniharju accessible campfire hut and dry toilet. Koivistonvati cooking shelter, camping area, well and dry toilet, Leirikoululaavu lean-to shelter. Please bring your own toilet paper.

Things to see
Niiniharju herb-rich forest: this littleleaf linden grove is a remnant from a warmer interglacial period. Koivistonvati: the largest depression in the entire Hämeenkangas area.

Trail description
Hikers are advised to follow the trail anti-clockwise. The trail is marked on trees with dots of paint, and there are signposts at trail junctions. The trail starts at Niinikota parking area and first leads through pine-dominated esker forests on top of Niiniharju esker towards Koivistonvati. It returns to the starting point along the easy northern slopes of the esker.

Lähteiden polku trail, 0.5 km in total, demanding accessible trail

In the snow-free season, approx. 1 hour.
Difficulty: A demanding accessible trail. The gravel-surfaced trail contains no steps, but it has height differences and lateral slopes as well as potential rainwater ruts which may hamper the progress of those using aids.

This easy trail takes visitors to the magical springs of Hämeenkangas. 

 Viewing platform by the spring. There is a green forest all around.

Starting point
Address: Uhrilähde parking area, Uhrilähteentie 119, Jämijärvi
Hämeenkangas brochure (julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Map of Lähteiden polku trail (excursionmap.fi) 

Hiking structures
There are no campsites or toilets on Lähteiden polku trail.

Things to see
Uhrilähde and Kylmänmyllynlähde springs.

 A person leans on a wooden railing and looks at a bubbling spring.

Trail description
The trail is signposted. Visitors return along the same path. The trail mainly consists of a gravel-surfaced, even path. There are timber structures close by the springs, and spacious viewing platforms at both springs. The trail first takes in Uhrilähde and leads on to Kylmänmyllynlähde spring, where it ends. The total length of the trail in both directions is around 500 m.


Kuntoura trail, 5.1 km circle trail

In the snow-free season, approx. 2 hours.
A broad and easy exercise track with lights.

Enjoy a run along light-filled pine heaths!

A person walks on a wide path in a bright pine forest.

Starting point
Viidentienristeys parking area, Kivistökankaantie 352, Kankaanpää
Hämeenkangas brochure (julkaisut.metsa.fi)
Map of Kuntoura trail (excursionmap.fi)

Hiking structures
Viidentienristeys lean-to shelter, well and dry toilet. Please bring your own toilet paper.

Trail description
Kuntoura is a broad and easy exercise track with lights close by Niinisalo Garrison. The trail starts at Viidentienristeys lean-to shelter and leads along pine heaths on sandy soils.

Biking Trails

Geobike mountain biking trail, 10,5 km

In the snow-free season. Approx. 1 h including breaks. 
Please note that the route is not yet marked on printed maps, but it is marked on the terrain so it is possible to follow it. 

This easy trail in the best areas in Hämeenkangas takes visitors from one geological site to another.

A person drives up a sandy ridge on a mountain bike.
Starting point
Jämikeskus, Jämintie 648, Jämijärvi. The trail starts behind Jämi Areena at the bottom of Soininharju Hill.

Hiking structures
Koivistonvati cooking shelter, Leirikoululaavu lean-to shelter and dry toilet. Niiniharju half-hut and dry toilet. Please bring your own toilet paper.

Things to see 
The finest spring mires in Finland: Uhrilähde and Kylmänmyllynlähde springs. Soininharju esker. Koivistonvati kettle hole, the largest kettle hole in Hämeenkangas.

Trail description
The Geobike trail starts from Jämi and follows the trails, dirt roads and tracks of Hämeenkangas, leads past Uhrilähde and Kylmänmylly springs along the village road, visits the Koivistonvati rest stop and takes you back to Jämi along Niiniharju and Soininharju ridges. The climbs and descents of the trail are mostly gentle, even though the surrounding terrain may be steep. The trail is suitable for beginner mountain bikers. The trail is marked and it should be travelled clockwise. The route structures are maintained by Metsähallitus, with the exception of the Soininharju observation tower.
Route map (outdooractive.fi)

Cross-country Skiing Trails

There is a network of over 100 km of ski trails in Hämeenkangas. The difficulty level of the cross-country skiing trails vary from easy to demanding and they can be skied using both classic and freestyle skiing. Some of the ski trails are lit. Most of the trails are in the area surrounding the Jämi aviation and tourist centre, the Viidentienristeys area and the Kuninkaanlähde area and they are all connected. There is also a connecting trail to Kankaanpää and a trail called Pirkan hiihto (pirkankierros.fi) from Niinisalo all the way to Tampere. 

An adult and children skiing.