Vanhakoski Protected Woodland Area

Vanhakoski is part of a national programme set up in 1989 to protect woodland groves and copses.  The name of the area (’Old Rapids’) came from the rapids that were along the course of the old Loimijoki river; in 1799, a landslide blocked the flow to the rapids, and the river changed direction to its current course.

Loimijoki is part of the Kokemäenjoki river water network, and it originates at the lake Pyhäjärvi in Tammela.  Loimijoki runs through Forssa, Jokioinen, Ypäjä, Humppila, Loimaa, Alastaro and Vampula to Huittinen.  The river Punkalaitumenjoki runs into Loimijoki in Pappilanniemi, and Loimijoki itself joins Kokemäenjoki in Lauha.  Maurialankoski, Mommolankoski and Härkälänkoski border the Vanhakoski woodland area along Loimijoki’s current course.

Ownership of a farm in the area also transferred to the Town of Huittinen in 1980, at the same time as the woodland area.

Vanhakoski Nature Trail

The nature trail is just over a kilometre in length, and along it there are 12 checkpoints.  The trail and the points are marked with wooden signs and orange tape.  The trail is fairly easy to follow, even though the terrain hasn’t been levelled in any way.  The Vanhakoski nature trail is in Huittinen, around 2 km off the Helsinki-Pori road towards Mauriala.

Welcome to the Vanhakoski Nature Trail!