Exquisite nature near the city centre

The Finnish TV series Metsien kätkemä (“Concealed by Forests”) recently visited five nature destinations in Helsinki. It’s easy for anyone to follow in the footsteps of the film crew and discover all these wonderful places and trails. And once you have tried all five, remember that Helsinki still has dozens and dozens of other fascinating nature attractions!

Retkipaikka.fi

Suuren puun katveessa Keskuspuistossa

Kävelyllä Haltialan metsässä

Kanoottiretkellä Vantaajoella

Ihmisiä Lammassaaren näköalatasanteella

Vallisaari's observation deck

Sights on the map

Covering a thousand hectares, the Central Park runs ten kilometres from south to north, starting near the city centre in Laakso and ending in Haltiala in the northern outskirts of the city. In the city centre, the park consists of mainly recreational forests, while in Haltiala there are primeval forests and agricultural landscapes. There are four nature reserves in the park: the deciduous forests in Pitkäkoski and Ruutinkoski, Haltiala primeval forest and Niskala arboretum.

The Central  park is a very popular recreational area with a diverse range of environments.

1. Central Park

Haltiala is the largest recreational forest area in Helsinki. Several of the nature sights in the Central park are concentrated at the Haltiala area. Most of these can be seen along the nature trails in the area. 

Niskala Arboretum, a tree species park in the Haltiala area, can also be visited along nature trails. 

The whole Haltiala area is like a picture of a traditional Finnish rural landscape. At the Haltiala farm visitors have an opportunity to acquaint themselves with domestic farm animals. In the summers, the fields of the farm are cultivated with traditional crops and colourful flowers. There are also events at the farm, especially during Easter and Christmas. Café-restaurant Wanha Pehtoori is also located here.

2. Haltialan ulkoilualue

The Haltiala farm is like a piece of the Finnish countryside. The farm gives visitors an opportunity to acquaint themselves with domestic farm animals. In summer and autumn the animals are outside and can be seen from early morning until late in the evening, at other times they are inside. The sheds are then open mainly Mon-Fri 18-20, Sat-Sun 11-18 (please check opening hours in advance though). In addition to traditional grains, the Haltiala farm cultivates peas and flowers on some fields, and city residents are welcome to pick them for free in July-August. Events during Easter and Christmas. Restaurant-cafe Wanha Pehtoori is situated next to the farm.

3. Haltiala farm

The island of Vallisaari between Santahamina and Suomenlinna opened up to the public in May 2016. 

4. Vallisaari

In the 1800s and early 1900s, all self-respecting manor house owners had their own arboretums. Niskala arboretum was the show park for Jakob Kavaleff, who was particularly fond of conifers and their special shapes. He imported seeds and saplings from abroad and experimented with them in his nursery and arboretum. The first trees were planted in 1905. Ownership of the arboretum transferred to the City of Helsinki in 1961. 

During the last ten years the arboretum has been renewed by planting new species. There are now over 750 different plant species from different parts of the world. New trails and signs help visitors to get acquainted with the area.

5. Niskala arboretum

Lammassaari is a recreational island close to Vanhankaupunginkoski rapids near Arabianranta, next to Kuusiluoto. Accessible duckboards (a path made of wooden planks) begin from Pornaistenniemi. Together with the nature trail Lap of Nature, the duckboards form an accessible recreational path of approx. 3,5km.

Lammassaari is part of the Viikki-Vanhankaupunginlahti nature reserve. All visitors should respect the peace of nature both inside the nature protection area as well as in the surrounding green areas. Lammassaari is a perfect place for nature hikes and bird watching while there are thousands of migrating birds in the area every spring and autumn.

Please notice that there are private cottages in the area and walking in the area should be on marked paths only.

Though the name Lammassaari, meaning "sheep island" in Finnish, sheep can't be found here but on the nearby Kuusiluoto island instead (in summertime).

6. Lammassaari

Special places you didn’t know existed in Helsinki

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It’s easy for anyone to follow in the footsteps of the Metsien kätkemä ("Concealed by Forests") film crew and discover all these wonderful places and trails. ...