Hanko’s #1 nature spot: the Tulliniemi nature trail to the southernmost tip of mainland Finland
If you only have one long afternoon in Hanko, I would personally recommend two things above everything else: a stroll along the grand wooden villas of Appelgrenintie road (along which you’ll also find one of Hanko’s most famous beaches, Bellevue), and the Tulliniemi (Uddskatan) nature trail, which winds through beautiful shoreline nature all the way to the southernmost tip of mainland Finland.
That is exactly what we set out to do when my sister mentioned she hadn’t visited Hanko for ages. We ended up making a day of it with her, her children and dogs, and my husband came along too.
Tulliniemi nature trail
- Starting point on a map
- Length: approximately 3.7 km/direction (total distance covered is 7.5 km)
- Terrain that is steep in places and slippery in wet weather
- Accessible: no
- Highlights: gorgeous sea views, coastal nature
- A resting spot with a kota; picnicking opportunities as well
- pack out your own litter
- Arrival by car: Parking area at Vapaasatama 1, follow the Tulliniemi signs.
- Arrival by public transport: From Hanko’s train and bus station, it’s about a 30-minute walk to the start of the trail.
Following the shoreline
We left the car at the Tulliniemi parking area and walked a few hundred metres to the sea. There the path turned to follow the shoreline, and that is where the real hike began.
The sky was overcast, a sea wind was blowing, and every so often a few drops of rain landed on us. None of it bothered us much. If anything, the grey summer day suited the mood in its own way. We followed the rocky shoreline and passed a rest shelter and a toilet.
Sea kale grew along the shore, along with other colourful summer plants typical of the coastline. We were careful not to touch any of them. This is a nature reserve, so the plants get to live undisturbed, admired only from a distance. Dogs are welcome on the trail too, but they need to stay on a leash the whole way through.
Into the forest
Before long the path turned away from the shore and into the forest. Part of the route runs through pine woods, part through a lusher, greener grove. The shift between shoreline and forest kept the walk interesting the whole way.
The trail is clearly marked and clearly popular. On a summer Saturday we passed several other groups, including foreign visitors. Hanko draws an international crowd too, and it is easy to see why.
The Tulliniemi nature trail is an out and back route, meaning you walk the same path in both directions. Only at the very tip of the peninsula does it loop briefly over smooth bare rock, and that loop is the highlight of the whole walk.
The tip and the rocks
At the tip of the peninsula, the views out to sea open up completely. Smooth rock stretches out in every direction, and depending on the wind, the spot can feel either calm or quite wild. This is also the most demanding part of the trail. It involves a bit of light rock scrambling, so sturdy shoes are worth keeping on.
We saw several people sitting on the rocks, gazing out at the sea, simply enjoying the summer day. We stopped for a while too. Sitting there, there was no rush at all, even though we knew we would soon need to head back. We still wanted to fit in a coffee and some time admiring the villas on Appelgrenintie before my niece had to catch her train back to Helsinki.
Hanko is worth a visit in any season
Hanko is a town that shines in summer, full of visitors, boats and summer residents. But I would just as warmly recommend it as an autumn destination. There are plenty of wide sandy beaches and striking rocky shores to enjoy no matter the season, and the town’s architecture, wooden villas included, is beautiful in any light.
I would go even further than that. A winter Hanko, frozen and icy, is about as exotic an experience as you can have, even for a Finn, let alone for anyone travelling from further away. That might just have to be the next trip.
Tip! On the other side of Tulliniemi, opposite the nature trail, there’s also a lovely, large sandy beach. It’s just a few steps away from the Tulliniemi parking area.
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