We have snow in Nuuksio! Pick Up the Tips and See the Photos, the View Is Magical!

Here in the heart of Nuuksio, at the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia, our staff are completely enchanted! During their breaks, Finland, Naturally team members make snow angels in front of Haltia, and even the office dogs get to enjoy the sparkling snowdrifts in the forest. Right now, Nuuksio National Park looks as if it has stepped straight out of a winter fairytale. Soft, light snow has covered the forest and the frozen lakes, muffling sounds and painting the landscape pure white. Snow glows on tree branches and blankets the plants on the forest floor, and when the sun occasionally peeks through the clouds, the atmosphere becomes truly magical.

• Finnish Nature Centre Haltia, Nuuksio National Park, Espoo
• Address: Nuuksiontie 84, Espoo
• Bus 245 from Espoo Centre, stop: Haltia/Solvalla

The photographs in this article were taken by our customer advisor Maarit from Haltia. Below, you’ll find Maarit’s winter tips for low-threshold winter hiking in Nuuksio – just as she shares them with visitors at Haltia’s customer service desk.

In the Instagram video, our team members Maarit and Kikka perform a synchronized snow flop, and create two snow angels.

An Easy and Safe First Taste of the Finnish Winter

Nuuksio is an excellent destination even for those experiencing Finnish winter nature for the first time. Several nature trails of different lengths start right in front of Haltia, making it easy to choose a route that suits you. And if you’re unsure whether your clothing or footwear is suitable, you can always ask a customer advisor for advice during Haltia’s opening hours.

You can also dare to step slightly off the marked trail, if it feels right:

— There isn’t so much snow that you couldn’t wander a little off the marked paths. The ground is frozen beneath the snow, so it’s fairly easy to walk there as long as you watch out for slippery spots. The snow is light powder, so walking through it isn’t tiring at all. It’s really easy to find your own little moment of peace in the middle of the snow.

Getting around is still surprisingly easy at the moment.

— Walking is still the easiest way to get around; sliding snowshoes or snowshoes aren’t really necessary in the current snow conditions.

If snowshoes do interest you, they can be rented – just ask at the customer service desk.

It’s also good to note that although some time has passed since the winter solstice, daylight hours are still quite short even in southern Finland. So if you’re planning to spend time outdoors in Nuuksio National Park, it’s best to head out around the middle of the day.

Trails Right Next to Haltia

Walking along marked trails is easy and safe, as they’ve been packed down by many footsteps and are often used by other hikers as well, so you rarely need to worry about being completely alone.

— It’s easy to walk on marked trails and follow the route if stepping off the path feels too nerve-racking, Maarit says.

Good options next to Haltia include:

• Maahisenkierros (2 km)
• Päivättärenpolku (1.4 km)
• The child-friendly Punaisen sulan salaisuus (0.2 km)
• Meerlammi rock shelter for those confident with map reading (not far away, but a little ‘around the corner’)
• The connecting trail towards Haukkalampi, with a total length of 4.6 km one way, which can also be walked back and forth for as long as you like

— Especially in winter, it’s good to be aware that there’s nowhere warm to go at Haukkalampi. Many national park trails with campfire sites start there, but there are no indoor facilities, Maarit points out.

One important local rule is worth remembering: you must not walk on ski tracks. In Finland, this is almost a sacred rule. There are many cross-country ski trails in the Nuuksio area. You’ll recognise them easily – they have two clear parallel grooves made for skis.

— However, some of the ski trails near Haltia are so-called multi-use routes. On these, the markings show that walking is allowed on one side of the trail, while the ski track runs along the other.

Dressing Properly Matters

Winter in Nuuksio doesn’t require the kind of extreme gear needed during the shocking –40°C temperatures seen in Lapland in recent weeks. Even so, temperatures in Nuuksio can easily drop to –20°C, and even milder frost calls for proper clothing to keep your nature experience comfortable. Dressing correctly makes a big difference. The basic rule is simple: warm, nature-appropriate, layered clothing, and warm, preferably slightly higher-cut shoes that keep snow from getting inside.

Checklist:

• warm, high-cut shoes
• long underwear and warm outdoor trousers, preferably wind- and water-resistant
• a long-sleeved shirt and a warm winter jacket
• windproof gloves, a scarf, and a warm hat

— I always recommend carrying an extra layer in your backpack that you can put on if needed. You don’t necessarily want to start walking wearing everything at once – you’ll easily get sweaty. A break jacket or extra layer is always a good idea, Maarit explains.

If you’re unsure, Haltia’s customer service can always give you an honest assessment of whether your gear is suitable. The Haltia Shop also sells, for example, warm Finnish hats and gaiters, and it’s a great place to pick up beautiful Finnish – even local – souvenirs.

Warm Up, Eat, and Linger at Haltia

During or after a winter day outdoors, it’s wonderful to get warm. Haltia’s living room is a cosy space where you can relax, sit down, and let a pleasant tiredness take over after a brisk winter outing. One floor up, Restaurant Haltia serves food, coffee, and treats.

Haltia’s exhibitions are also a perfect way to round off a day outdoors, especially when dusk begins to fall over the forest and you feel like retreating into warm indoor spaces.

How to Get There

Getting to Haltia is easy both by car and by public transport. By car, the journey from Helsinki takes about half an hour. When travelling by public transport, take a train to Espoo Centre and then bus 245, which brings you close to Haltia. Allow about an hour in total when travelling by public transport.

Read next

This Is Why Haltia Is the Best Gateway to Nuuksio National Park

Welcome to enjoy a sauna in Nuuksio! How to use the Saivo Sauna at the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia

How to Survive Winter in Finland: A Compact Guide

Visit Nuuksio National Park: Tips for Beginners

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