Nature and Activities

Nature Trails

Karnaistenkorpi nature trail 3,3 - 7km
Karnaistenkorpi is the largest integral recreation area in Lohja (approximately 200 hectares). Here you can find large crags connected by valleys, patches of marshland, quietly flowing forest streams and two
beautiful forest ponds. Here in the backwoods you can enjoy the silence of nature and feel the wilderness. There is a story-trail suitable for families, and 21 new signboards with information on the vegetation, wild animals, environment and natural phenomena. The trail is easy to walk as many parts of it are covered by a boardwalk. A special feature
of Karnaistenkorpi is that it is located above the Helsinki-Turku motorway, which enters a tunnel segment by Karnaistenkorpi.
Services: Camp fire spots, outhouse, information boards, nature trail guide booklet (online only, Finnish only), story-trail booklet, “laavu” shelters by Sorvalampi pond and Ahvenanlampi pond.

Karnaistenkorpi nature trail map (pdf.)

Karkali Nature Park 0,5 to 6 km and Torhola Cave
The Karkali nature park is one of the finest grove areas in Southern Finland. Its landscape has a unique touch to it in the spring, summer and autumn. The glow of white windfl owers in the spring is amazing and the fall colours of the trees during the autumn are radiant

The Torhola Cave is a new nature sight. It is one of the largest cave formations in Finland, created by the melting water after the Ice Age. The cave is almost 30 metres long and there are many cavities of all sizes. Just take caution if you are to enter the cave! From the Karkalitie car park, there is a marked nature path of approximately one kilometre that takes you from the cave to the fine common alder grove by the lake. Along the path, you can get acquainted with both of the rare elm species growing in Finland, the fluttering elm and the mountain elm, as well as the amazing common lindens that were used to make ropes for sailing ships.

www.luontoon.fi/karkali

Lahokallio Nature Trail 1,5 km
Lahokallio has become a popular recreational site due to its beauty and excellent trail network. Near the shore, the causeway crosses a beautiful common alder grove. The cliffs are topped with scarcely growing pines that let the light through. The steep, mighty shores of Lahokallio cliff, located on the peninsula pushing into Lake Lohja, are truly unique.

Liessaari Nature Trail 2 km
The Liessaari nature trail leads through many different environments on the island – groves, heaths and cliffs with quarries. The view from the western quarry is wide open toward the open waters of Lake Lohja. The groves host large ferns and birds like icterine warblers and blackcaps and there are tree pipits and redstarts in the heaths. You can rest a bit and enjoy snacks at the island laavu.

Pähkinäniemi Nature Trail 1,2 km
Pähkinäniemi (“Nut Cape”) got its name from the hazels that grow around the cape. The treelike hazels give the whole cape a lush atmosphere. Pähkinäniemi is also known for its unique plant and fungus species. The lime content of the soil and lushness provide fertile places of growth for various endangered species. You can refresh yourself with a dip in Lake Lohja on a beach at the tip of the cape.

Paavola Nature Trail 1 km
The Paavola nature trail starts from the Saaren koulu schoolyard. It passes stunning oak woods and hazels. This grove is at its best in the springtime with its numerous species in bloom. In the summer, you might be surprised to fi nd a beautiful flower belonging to the orchid family, the broad-leaved helleborine. The largest oak in Lohja grows near the school. There are three additional recreational paths in Lohjansaari and one nature path in Karjalohja.

Paloniemi nature trail 1km
In the summer a new trail will be taken into public use in Paloniemi. Here you can familiarise yourself with heritage landscapes formed through traditional agriculture, and with the cultural history of the area. The grounds surrounding former Paloniemi manor still show the impact of cattle grazing on the fields and pastures; these are in the process of being restored. Among the vegetation grow bromegrass, white campions and eastern European species of the forget-me-not – these are all introduced species from Russia, which is also suggestive of the manor culture of past times.