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

Looking for an easy way to immerse yourself in Finland’s forests and lakes without travelling far from Helsinki? Choose Nuuksio National Park and, at its heart, the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia. Haltia is the ideal gateway to the park: you can arrive by public transport, get personalised advice at the information desk, rent outdoor gear, explore nature exhibitions and enjoy a restaurant meal before or after your walk. Short, well-marked day trails start right by the centre.

Below you’ll find practical tips to help you make the most of your day, whatever the season.

Haltia: The Best Starting Point

• Address: Nuuksiontie 84, Espoo
• Haltia.com

At Haltia’s customer service, you can ask about the following:

• Route recommendations for short, easy loops and options well suited to families and older visitors – as well as valuable tips and suggestions for even the most experienced hikers.
• Real-time trail updates on snow, ice and any flooded sections, plus whether traction aids or snowshoes are advisable.
• Crowd-avoidance tips so you can find quieter corners of the park.
• Equipment rental such as snowshoes, backpacks and camping stoves, including basic instructions for safe use.
• Anything that concerns you about outdoor etiquette or moving around in Finnish nature.

Opening hours vary by season and public holidays. Check them in good time. A simple question can save you a lot of time and effort – and make your trip smoother. Tell us what you’d like to know and experience, and we’ll be happy to guide and advise you!

Why Nuuksio and Haltia?

Easy to reach. Travel by local train from central Helsinki to Espoo Centre, then continue with bus 245 to the Solvalla stop directly in front of Haltia. From the centre’s doorstep signposted trails and connecting routes lead straight into Nuuksio.

In summer the bus can also take you deeper into the park’s trail network, all the way to Kattila; in winter the terminus is Nuuksionpää.

You do not need a car, but if you do have one, you can start even closer to many circular trails at different trailheads (such as Haukkalampi and Kattila) throughout the year.

A true year-round destination. Nuuksio shines in all four seasons: fresh spring light, luminous summer evenings, glowing autumn colours and the quiet of winter when even snowshoes may be useful. The terrain is hilly and can be wet in places, so choose footwear accordingly. Late autumn, such as November, is the perfect time to enjoy the silence and the peaceful atmosphere of nature preparing for winter.

The easiest way to begin. At the information desk you’ll receive up-to-date route suggestions tailored to your needs, current trail and weather conditions, and simple gear advice. The building also houses a restaurant serving lunch, coffee and Finnish flavours, plus exhibitions that bring nature close to you. Haltia also features a lovely nature-themed gift and outdoor equipment shop, as well as a cozy lounge created for visitors — a place where you can take a moment to relax if your day starts to feel a bit too busy.

A low-stress first hike. If you have never walked in a Nordic forest and the idea feels a bit daunting, Haltia is the right place to start. Two marked circular routes (called Maahisenkierros, 2 km, and Päivättären polku, 1,4 km) begin right outside. They are wide, surfaced paths used by many visitors, so help is never far away should you need it. These routes offer a gentle first taste of Finnish forest, with chances to spot red squirrels and woodpeckers and to enjoy a viewpoint along the Maahisenkierros loop.

On Haltia’s lower yard you will find a public kota (lapland-style shelter) where you can practise making a campfire. Always remember to follow Finnish rest stop etiquette and leave no trace when you go.

Experienced hikers with proper gear and map-reading skills can also venture from Haltia onto narrower paths that lead deeper into Nuuksio. A 4.6-kilometre connecting trail to Haukkalampi starts right in front of Haltia. From Haukkalampi, several of Nuuksio National Park’s longer circular routes begin. The connecting trail is marked in the terrain, but it’s not a wide gravel path — in some places, it’s a narrow footpath. Read the introduction to this trail.

Getting To Nuuksio from Helsinki

By public transport
Local train from the city centre to Espoo Centre, then bus 245 to Solvalla. The stop is right at Haltia.

By car
Driving saves time and brings you straight to many trailheads. There are several parking areas around the park and ample free parking in front of Haltia. Keep in mind that during the most popular hiking times, the parking area at Haukkalampi can get quite crowded. In front of Haltia, however, there is almost always parking available. In winter, check snow clearance for parking areas in advance with Haltia’s customer service.

How to Get to Nuuksio from Helsinki Airport

You can reach Haltia and Nuuksio from Helsinki Airport by public transport as follows:

• Take commuter train I from the airport to Huopalahti
• At Huopalahti transfer to commuter train E towards Espoo (Espoon keskus)
• Get off the train at Espoo station and board bus 245 heading to Nuuksionpää.
• Step off the bus at the Solvalla/Haltia stop, located right in front of Haltia.

Trains and buses run frequently. We recommend downloading the HSL app, where you can enter your starting point and destination (Haltia). The app provides detailed routes, timetables, and ticket information.

Our Guided Tours and Nature Experiences

Our nature and wilderness guides know the area like the back of their hand and are passionate outdoor enthusiasts and foragers. By booking in advance, you can reserve a guide for your excursion to make the most of your time in Nuuksio National Park. A Finnish guide can tell you not only about the beauty of our nature, but also about its hidden wonders and secrets, as well as the mythology woven into Finnish identity and our deep relationship with nature.

Here are some of our recommended experiences:

• Nuuksio Private tour
• Private Bonfire pancake feast

Haltia’s Sauna

Saivo Sauna in Haltia is an authentic dry sauna that features a real Finnish sauna stove ‘kiuas’ where the hot steam, or löyly, is created by pouring water onto hot stones with a large ladle. Designed for private groups of up to 12 people, Saivo Sauna offers an inviting retreat. Alongside the sauna, guests can enjoy the Saivo cabinet, a peaceful lounge area with large windows overlooking Lake Pitkäjärvi and access to a long scenic terrace.

Book the Saivo Sauna for your private use

The experience combines genuine Finnish sauna culture with the beauty of Nuuksio National Park. Guests can enhance their visit with tailored nature programs – from wilderness skills and workshops to outdoor dining experiences.

Accommodation

In the Haltia area, you can also stay right in the heart of Nuuksio’s nature. In summer, accommodation is available at Skytent Ecocamp Nuuksio, located in the lakeside forest of Nuuksio’s Pitkäjärvi, while our wonderful neighbor Haltia Lake Lodge welcomes guests year-round.

Fire Sites and Outdoor Etiquette in Nuuksio

Fires are allowed only at designated fireplaces and only when conditions permit. During forest fire warnings, fires may be prohibited. Check the current status with Haltia.

Firewood is usually supplied at official sites, but amounts vary. Bring your own fire starter and use wood sparingly so it lasts for others. Never strip bark or branches from living trees or damage vegetation.

Leave no trace.
Carry out everything you bring in. Bins are increasingly rare to encourage responsible packing and recycling. Do not burn rubbish. A simple spare bag makes it easy to take waste with you.

Toilets.
Inside the Haltia Nature Centre, you’ll find flush toilets, available only during Haltia’s opening hours. Out on the trails, the rest spots are equipped with composting dry toilets, which are marked on the national park map. Be hygienic and discreet. In dry toilets, dispose only of toilet paper; sanitary products belong in rubbish bins, not in the toilet.

Dogs.
Keep dogs and all pets on a leash at all times.

Quiet enjoyment.
Give others space and enjoy the sounds of nature. Please do not play music that others can hear, including at evening fire sites. Clear fire rules, cleanliness and a calm atmosphere keep the forest pleasant for everyone, and allow those staying out late or overnight to rest in peace.

What to Pack for a Hike in Nuuksio

• Weather-appropriate footwear with good grip; waterproof shoes are best in spring, winter and autumn
• Layered clothing, hat and gloves as needed
• Drinking water and a snack (the hilly terrain can be thirsty work)
• A map saved to your phone (+ a power bank) or a paper map
• A sit pad if you plan a break
• A headlamp as needed
• A small personal first-aid kit (plasters, pain relief)

If you’re unsure whether your equipment is sufficient or suitable, don’t hesitate to ask the customer service advisors at Haltia’s info desk before your hike!

When to Contact Haltia

• You want a route suggestion tailored to the day’s weather and trail conditions
• You need information on snow clearance, ice, flooding or firewood availability in the Nuuksio area
• You want to confirm if campfires are allowed today and where
• You are looking for rental equipment or a quieter route
• If you have any questions about hiking in Finland!
• If you notice that something is wrong — for example, a trail is closed or the firewood has run out — it’s a good idea to inform Haltia, so we can take steps to fix the situation.

A brief message or call before you set out prevents the most common surprises and helps you enjoy a smooth, memorable nature day just outside Helsinki.

Welcome to the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia – the gateway to Nuuksio National Park!

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