Hollola between geopark, church history and trails

In Hollola, geological features, historic buildings and trails through varied landscapes come together. The area is part of the Salpausselkä Geopark complex, which was added to UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Network in 2022. One of the notable natural attractions is Tiirismaa: at 223 metres, the hill is the highest point in southern Finland; its cliff area is recognised nationwide for its nature and landscape conservation value. If you would like to combine nature, culture and activity on your trip, Hollola offers a range of options to help you plan your days.

Geology and trails through the landscape

The Pirunpesä Gorge in Hollola is a fissure in the quartzite rock of Tiirismaa and has been a well-known excursion destination since the 19th century. A signposted 4.5-kilometre hiking trail passes by the gorge. This makes it possible to combine a visit with a specific route, without treating the gorge as merely a viewpoint.

Kapatuosia also brings nature and history together. The hill and its surroundings were already settled in the Stone Age, around 8,000 years ago. Today, there are marked hiking trails and an observation tower at the summit. Important when choosing a route: the trails should be used only on foot and along the signposted routes, as the ground on the slopes can easily slip. This restriction is part of planning a visit to Kapatuosia.

If you are planning a longer circuit through Hollola’s church village, you can follow the 27-kilometre circular route. It connects the church village with Messilä via Salpakangas and Hälvälä, then returns to the starting point. Another option for cycling is the 27-kilometre Hollola–Messilä–Hollola route, which starts in the centre of Hollola. These details refer to different options: a circular route through the church village and a cycling route.

Another trail option is the 7.5-kilometre lakeside circuit. It goes around three lakes, all called Tiilijärvi, and runs along roads, forest paths and wooden boardwalks. The variety of trail surfaces makes this circuit different from the two 27-kilometre routes. When choosing, you can therefore consider whether you would prefer a lake circuit with varied sections or a longer route.

Church and historic buildings

The Church of St Mary in Hollola was built between 1495 and 1510. It is known for its richly decorated west gable and a well-preserved wooden sculpture inside. Together with the medieval church tower, Hollolan Vanha Kunnantupa forms an ensemble of national importance for architectural history and landscape. These buildings give a stay in the church village a clear cultural and historical focus.

Another historic building is Hollolan Pappila. It was built in 1813 on the shore of Lake Vesijärvi, next to Hollola’s medieval stone church. This 19th-century building complements the medieval structures with a different historical perspective. If you are interested in architecture and history, you can explore these places as different aspects of Hollola’s architectural heritage.

Messilä and choosing your accommodation

Messilä offers another focus for planning your trip: Messilä Ski Resort has 10 ski slopes and 9 ski lifts. Activities on offer include downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobile safaris. Messilä is therefore an option if you would like to include winter sports in your trip.

Messilä guest harbour has a guest pier, visitor berths, facilities for disposing of household waste and used oil, and drinking water. This means that, alongside its winter sports, Messilä also offers practical facilities for harbour visitors. When choosing a holiday rental in Hollola, you can first consider which experiences you would like your trip to centre on: trails and natural attractions, the church village’s architectural history, winter sports or the harbour.

Discover more places

If you would like to explore more destination pages, you can find Hartola, Nyystölä, Heinola, Sysmä, Auttoinen, Lahti, Asikkala and Orimattila here.

For the overall travel guide: Päijät-Häme.