Enjoy the Colorful and Fragrant Nature of the Bothnian Sea on the Hierkonpolku Trail

Head to Pyhäranta’s Hierkonpolku trail to enjoy the colorful coastal nature of the Bothnian Sea! Located near the beautiful city of Rauma, this stunning natural destination is perfect for families: the trail is relatively short, varied, and interesting, with a couple of campfire spots along the way. You can relish the sounds of the coastal pine forest, the charming beaches, the inviting path, and the presence of even large stones along the route. Near the southern end of the trail network, there is also a swimming beach.

• Destination on the map (Säikä P), Address: Säikänpolku
• Route Säikä–Kyhkärännokka 1.3 km/one way
• Entire route 3 km/one way
• Lean-to shelter, campfire spot (always check wildfire warnings first. If a warning has been issued for the day, making an open fire is strictly prohibited, including the use of disposable grills and twig stoves.)

We had spent half a day exploring the idyllic and surprisingly peaceful streets of Old Rauma before it was time to head home. However, with a small detour, we could reach Hierkonpolku, a trail several locals had recommended on Instagram. So, we decided to hike it before starting our journey back. I’m glad we did, as the trail was absolutely stunning and greatly satisfied my longing for the open sea!

We followed the Hierkonpolku signs from Rantatie Road, which runs through the small village of Reila in Pyhäranta. After numerous twists and turns, and navigating some very narrow but well-maintained sections of road, we arrived at a spacious parking area called Säikä. Säikä is the middle of the three parking areas along Hierkonpolku and is situated roughly halfway along the linear trail. At the southern end of the trail is the Reidun parking area, which also features a swimming beach, while at the northern end, by the open sea, is the Kyhkärännokka parking area.

There was hardly any crowd, even though it was a perfect Sunday afternoon. The parking area had excellent signage, and we set off towards Kyhkärännokka.

The area is owned by Metsähallitus and was used by the Finnish Defense Forces until 2014. After that, the local Reila village association, Reidu, designed and constructed the hiking trail structures with their own funds and volunteer work. It’s truly admirable! I was also pleased to see how clean and well-maintained the trail is—no litter or graffiti.

Just a few steps from the parking area, the first sandy beach curved into view, with the wonderfully clear waters of the Bothnian Sea.

And the Hierkonpää lean-to shelter wasn’t far away either. According to the Nationalparks.fi service, the route from the Säikä parking area to the lean-to shelter is accessible.

The lean-to is situated in a beautiful coastal location, with a stunning view of the sea. In front of it, a silvered dead tree stands proudly near the water’s edge.

I enjoyed the sea breeze as if I hadn’t felt it in a hundred years. The Bothnian Sea is quite unfamiliar to me, a sea I have never sailed on, and its coastal nature is something I haven’t experienced. Unless I’ve forgotten some childhood trip, this was my first real encounter with the Bothnian Sea—being a child of the Archipelago Sea coast.

The clarity of the sea water, even along these mainland shores, made it clear that the talk about the clarity of the Bothnian Sea’s waters is not just talk.

The trail follows the coastline, alternating between beautiful sandy beaches and forested areas. The sea is a constant presence, and during our hike, the sun made it shimmer invitingly through the old pine trees, even in sections where the view of the sea was not entirely unobstructed.

On the beach below, we found sea buckthorn bushes bursting with berries!

After the lean-to shelter, the path became uneven, and at times we had to navigate around large rocks. However, the trail was easy to follow, as the orange trail markers attached to the trees were clearly visible and frequent.

There were some grassy sections along the trail, so I recommend either wearing long pants or doing a tick check after the hike—or both.

At Kyhkärännokka, there was another campfire spot, but no lean-to shelter. However, there was a small wood shed shaped like a lean-to, reminiscent of a charming forest troll’s hut. Behind it was another parking area—also empty—and beyond that, the open sea. This beach had a bench to sit on.

We peacefully retraced our steps back along the same route.

During the entire hike, we encountered a few groups, such as a family with several children, a couple of dog walkers, and bird watchers. Overall, the trail’s atmosphere was uncrowded and tranquil, and as mentioned, it was natural and litter-free. The sea views were absolutely stunning. All in all, in my opinion, it’s a five-star trail!

This post is also available in: German