In Lakeland Finland, nature is always just a stone’s throw away. Pristine forests invite you to take a break. You can experience the tranquillity of nature not only in national parks, but also in green parks, recreation areas and nature reserves. We have selected 15 places where the enchanting forests of Lakeland Finland will show you their best side.
1. Kuhasalo Nature Trails in Joensuu
About three kilometres from the marketplace of Joensuu, North Karelia’s capital in the eastern Lakeland Finland, a green oasis awaits you. The Kuhasalo Nature Trail takes you on a longer (2 kilometres) and shorter (1 kilometre) route through the beautiful nature of the headland where the Pielisjoki River flows into Lake Pyhäselkä. Look forward to surprisingly varied vegetation between dark spruce forest and the rocky lakeshore.
Learn more about Kuhasalo Nature Trails ↗
2. Accessible Lykynpolut through the Joensuu forest
The so-called Lykynpolut invite you to a 1.4-kilometre hike through a beautiful, level pine forest in Joensuu. Along the way you will pass a fireplace with free firewood, a shelter and a wheelchair-accessible outhouse. The trail is clearly marked with green paint and can be walked to the fireplace even in winter. The starting point is the Lykynlampi main building, where there is also a disc golf course.
Learn more about Lykynpolut ↗
3. Discovering North Karelia’s wilderness on the Hunting Trail
The 3.7-kilometre Hunting Trail near the centre of Juuka leads along meadows, through dense coniferous forests and past the riverbank covered with lush ferns. The wide trail is suitable for both children and adults, and along the way you will learn a lot about hunting in earlier times, pass a moose observation tower and be provided with natural history information. There is also a fireplace where you can have a barbecue.
Learn more about the Hunting Trail ↗
4. Pyynikki – Tampere’s “Central Park”
New York has its Central Park, but where can you find anything comparable in Europe? Tampere’s centrally located district of Pyynikki is home to a magnificent pine forest on a ridge that invites you to walk or run along a lighted jogging path that becomes a cross-country ski trail in winter. The mini-golf course, summer theatre and beach at Lake Pyhäjärvi are among the other spots for active people and those seeking recreation. The absolute highlight is the Pyynikki Observation Tower with its unbeatable panoramic view of the forests, city and lakes. The delicious “munkki” (doughnuts) in the café at the foot of the tower taste even better afterwards.
Learn more about Pyynikki ↗
5. Active holiday at Kauppi Sports Park Tampere
Surrounded by lush green forests, Kauppi Sports Park is a versatile place for sports enthusiasts with, among other things, football pitches and tennis courts. There are jogging tracks in the surrounding forests, and the public Kaupinoja sauna and beach invite you to relax. How about a refreshing swim in the lake after a run through the forest?
Learn more about Kauppi Sports Park ↗
6. Hiker’s paradise and nature reserve Kintulammi
Kintulammi is a public nature reserve in Lakeland Finland. Only about 20 kilometres from Tampere’s city centre, in the Teisko-Aitolahti area, you will find about 18 kilometres of marked hiking trails, so you won’t get lost on your excursions through the woods. Several fireplaces and shelters invite you to take a break and enjoy a delicious meal outdoors.
Learn more about Kintulammi ↗
7. Aulanko Nature Reserve in Hämeenlinna
Only about 100 kilometres north of the capital Helsinki, Aulanko Nature Reserve in Hämeenlinna is one of the gateways to Lakeland Finland and is also a great destination for day trips. The Aulanko Forest Park was laid out in English style between 1883 and 1938 and is part of the nature reserve, which also includes a natural forest landscape. Look forward to historically valuable buildings and magnificent views over the Finnish national landscape.
Learn more about Aulanko Nature Reserve ↗
8. Evo Hiking Area in Hämeenlinna
Evo Hiking Area, located in Hämeenlinna, is one of the largest forest districts in Southern Finland. Explore the area on easy trails or take a longer hike. The forests are home to wild animals such as moose, lynx and beaver. The waters invite you to go fishing. In the Evo Hiking Area in Lakeland Finland, you and the whole family can enjoy nature adventures that revitalise body and soul in all seasons.
Learn more about Evo Hiking Area ↗
9. Melkuttimet Nature Reserve in the Häme Region
Easy-to-walk ridges and lakes with exceptionally clear water for southern Finland attract hikers and families to the Melkuttimet Nature Reserve in the Häme region of Lakeland Finland. On the eastern shore of Lake Iso-Melkutin you will find a gently shelving natural beach that will surely please the young and old alike. The entire area is part of the Natura 2000 programme and much is being done to restore the forests to their original state, and several rare species of plants and animals have been found there.
Learn more about Melkuttimet Nature Reserve ↗
10. Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark in the Lahti Region
A fascinating landscape shaped by meltwater streams from the last Ice Age awaits you in the Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark in the Lahti region in the south of Lakeland Finland. The ridges of the First and Second Salpausselkä reach across large parts of southern Finland, with spectacular and beautiful scenic highlights such as the picturesque Kelvenne Island and Pulkkilanharju Esker in Päijänne National Park. The Geopark’s nature can be explored on well-maintained trails. There are plenty of shelters.
Learn more about Salpausselkä Geopark ↗
11. The Aurinko-Ilves Trail through Lakeland Finland
The 31-kilometre Aurinko-Ilves Trail leads you through Lakeland Finland from the Vääksy Canal and Asikkala in the Lahti region along trails, forest paths and old forest roads to the Evo Hiking Area. Highlights of the trail are the lake views from the top of Aurinkovuori hill, the deep kettle holes and the cultural landscape of Kurhila village with its romantic brooks. The landscape becomes more and more forested until you reach the Evo Hiking Area after a recommended hiking time of two days.
Learn more about the Aurinko-Ilves Trail ↗
12. Duckboard trail through the Linnaistensuo Mire
Just seven kilometres from the city of Lahti you will find the valuable Linnaistensuo Mire, whose nature you can admire from the duckboard trail that takes you safely and dry-footedly through this unique landscape. The raised bog is part of the national mire conservation programme and belongs to the UNESCO Global Geopark Salpausselkä. The nature trail in the area is about 1.5 km long and runs mainly on boardwalks.
Learn more about Linnaistensuo Mire ↗
13. Häähninmäki lookout tower and nature trails
The hill of Häähninmäki in the Jyväskylä Region in Lakeland Finland marks the historical border between two hunting grounds. You can expect an extensive network of trails in the area, open all year round, for hiking, fat biking, trail running and other outdoor activities. The lookout tower offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding forests. The Häähnintupa hut is a good place to take a break.
Learn more about Häähninmäki ↗
14. Oravivuori Nature Trail and Triangulation Tower
The Oravivuori arc point in the Jyväskylä Region is a part of Struve Geodetic Arc, laid out and measured in 1816-1855 with the aim of determining the size and shape of the earth. Situated on the top of a hill, a triangulation tower was built at the Puolakka measuring station, which offers fantastic views of Lake Päijänne. From the car park on Vanhanpääntie Road, a nature trail about one kilometre long leads to the tower.
Learn more about Oravivuori ↗
15. Harju ridge & Vesilinna observation tower in Jyväskylä
The green heart of Jyväskylä beats in Harju Park, not far from the lively city centre with its pedestrian zone. Climb the flower-framed stairs to the top of the ridge. And you’re right in the middle of the recreation area. The Vesilinna water and observation tower offers a breathtaking 360-degree panorama.
Learn more about Harju and the observation tower ↗