Heading into Nuuksio? Discover the Walking Trails in the National Park!

Nuuksio National Park is an incredibly beautiful natural gem next to Helsinki. As the calm of autumn sets in, you can find truly wilderness-like experiences in Nuuksio by choosing a weekday for your visit. The high cliffs of the lake uplands, the mossy forests covering their slopes, and the forest ponds rippling in the depressions create an exceptionally beautiful area to wander in – Nuuksio should not be underestimated! The wilderness feeling may even leap onto your phone, as not every corner has network coverage.

Below, we’ve compiled concise descriptions of the official trails in the national park.

Trail map in PDF (Luontoon.fi)

Tip! Haukkalampi (Hawk Pond) is one of the most popular parking areas in Nuuksio and can get crowded. To avoid parking issues, you have two good options if a longer hike isn’t a problem: arrive either by car or by bus (245(A) from Espoo center) at the Finnish Nature Center Haltia, where there’s ample parking. From there, you can hike the connecting trail (4.6 km/one way) to Haukkalampi. The connecting trail passes through beautiful natural landscapes and offers wonderful Nuuksio experiences in itself. However, on weekdays, there’s usually space at Haukkalampi too.

When hiking in Finland:

• According to Finnish law, campfires can only be made at official fire sites.
• If there is a forest fire warning in effect, fires may only be made at a site with a tall chimney and a roof. Be sure to read the instructions at fire sites regarding fire safety or contact the national park’s customer service.
• National parks are protected nature areas with their own regulations. Familiarize yourself with the rules of each national park before your trip and check, for example, where camping or walking is allowed.
• By law, dogs and other pets must be kept on a leash.

Haukanholma

• Accessible route 1 km/one way
• Parking area: Haukkalampi, Haukkalammentie 32, Espoo
• Campfire site and cooking shelter

The beautiful Haukanholma is a great destination for a short hike, especially when your group includes people who may not be able to walk far or briskly for some reason. You can arrive, for example, with a walker or stroller. Even a short walk allows you to enjoy the lovely scenery along the forest pond, the impressive cliffs, and the dark forest’s majestic embrace. Haukanholma also features a campfire site, a cooking shelter with firewood, and a pier where you can sit and soak in the atmosphere.

Punarinnankierros (Robin Loop)

• Loop trail 2 km
• Parking area: Haukkalampi, Haukkalammentie 32, Espoo
• Campfire site and cooking shelter

Two kilometers may sound short, but Punarinnankierros is definitely a trail that offers more than its length suggests. Starting at the shores of Haukkalampi, the path follows a forest stream upwards to a ridge, where the view opens up at Mustalampi (Black Pond) – one of Nuuksio’s most iconic and beautiful scenes, with its floating peat rafts (pictured below). At the pond’s shore, you’ll also find a cooking shelter and campfire site, perfect for a scenic break. The rugged shores of Valklampi (White Pond) also leave a lasting impression as the trail runs along the water’s edge, offering wilderness-like views before it winds back into the forest and to the starting point.

Nahkiaispolku (Lamprey Trail)

• Loop trail 2 km
• Parking area: Haukkalampi, Haukkalammentie 32, Espoo
• No campfire site (closest ones at Haukanholma and Mustalampi)

Nahkiaispolku descends steeply through a magnificent spruce forest, carpeted with moss, down to the Myllypuro (Mill Stream) valley, where the stream flows dark and serene. The stream’s banks are lined with trembling aspens that shimmer with autumn colors. There are no campfire or rest areas along Nahkiaispolku, but at the start and end point at Haukkalampi, the nearest facilities are at Haukanholma and Mustalampi.

Haukankierros (Hawk Loop)

• Loop trail 4 km
• Parking area: Haukkalampi, Haukkalammentie 32, Espoo
• Cooking shelter

Haukankierros is one of the more challenging routes in Nuuksio, as the terrain is varied! There are plenty of ups and downs, some so steep that stairs have been built to assist hikers. However, the views are first-class, for example from the cliffs by the shores of Haukkalampi pond (photo below), as well as from the cliffs in the Myllypuro valley on the other side of the route. A cooking shelter is located by Mustalampi, meaning that hikers on Haukankierros can also see the previously mentioned scenic Mustalampi with its floating peat rafts.

Korpinkierros (Raven Loop)

• Loop trail 6–7.2 km
• Parking areas: Haukkalampi (Haukkalammentie 32, Espoo) and Siikaniemi (Kolmoislammenranta, Espoo). The latter has a short connecting trail to Korpinkierros.
• Campfire sites, cooking shelter, lean-to shelter

Korpinkierros is Nuuksio’s longest loop trail, with its final length determined by the hiker’s route choices. The journey begins at the same starting point as Haukankierros trail and Punarinnankierros trail, diverging in different directions. The landscapes of Korpinkierros consist of forest sections, pond shores, and the more rugged nature of rocky hilltops. In addition to Mustalampi, the trail offers wonderfully wilderness-like views of ponds and small lakes such as Vähä Romlampi, Kolmoislammit, Holma-Saarijärvi, and Kolmikulmalampi. Fireplaces and a lean-to shelter can be found near Holma-Saarijärvi.

Takala Trail

• Trail 1.5 km/one way
• Parking area: Kattila, Kattilantie 424, Vihti
• Lean-to shelter and campfire site

The Takala Trail, starting from Kattila, leads through the forest to the Takala lean-to shelter. The gentle terrain and relatively short distance make the trail suitable for many. Highlights along the way include the bridge over Myllypuro, offering a peaceful and scenic view of the stream’s banks and hillsides. Those seeking a longer hike can continue past the shelter to the north, reaching Salmi Outdoor Area, the northern gate of Nuuksio – or leave their car there and hike south to the Takala trail and back.

Bus 245A, which brings visitors to the Finnish Nature Center Haltia, operates all the way to Kattila during the summer season.

Soidinkierros (Display Loop)

• Loop trail 3.9 km
• Parking area: Siikaranta, Naruportintie 70, Kirkkonummi
• No campfire or rest areas

Although Nuuksio does not have many bogs, the largest is Soidinsuo (Display Bog). Perhaps the name of the bog and the trail stems from the possibility that black grouse might gather here for their spring mating display?

Soidinkierros, starting from the yard of Hotel Nuuksio in Siikaranta, leads to a cliff at the edge of Soidinsuo, where the photo below was taken. Otherwise, the loop passes through coniferous forest and largely along pine and spruce needle-covered trails. You can also extend your hike by following the connecting trail to the next trail, Kaarniaispolku, and after a short walk along the connecting path, you’ll reach the beautiful shore of Kaislampi (Reed Pond). Soidinkierros has no campfire sites, and open fires are not permitted. There is a bench at the scenic spot on the edge of the bog.

Kaarniaispolku (Beetle Trail)

• Loop trail 2.7 km
• Parking area: Soidentaantie, Veikkola
• No campfire or rest areas

Kaarniaispolku, running next to the Turku motorway E18, is a pleasant addition to Nuuksio’s trail selection. Although the sound of traffic doesn’t fade during the hike, the forest is beautiful and mature, and the loop even passes a small peat bog called Haaversopakko, lined with boardwalks. The highlights of the trail include the mossy spruce forest and the impressive old pine trees with their thick, turtle-shell bark growing on the rocky parts of the trail.

Klassarinkierros Loop

• Loop trail 3.9 km
• Parking area: Valklammentie 1, Vihti
• Campfire site, reservation hut

Klassarinkierros is a wonderful self-contained trail on the Vihti side of Nuuksio. The loop offers beautifully forested sections and streamsides, as well as a climb to a wide, windswept rocky outcrop, and on the other hand, the absolutely charming scenery of Saarilampi (Island Pond, photo below). The path runs along the shoreline of the pond for a long distance, and its untouched shores provide a restful view. On the north shore of Saarilampi, there’s a campfire site, a short detour from the main trail, and at the other end of the pond, hidden away, is Tikankolo, a rental hut managed by Natura Viva.

Also worth noting: Maahisenkierros (Goblin Loop) and Päivättärenpolku (Sun Maiden’s Trail)

Maahisenkierros

• Challenging accessible loop trail 1.8 km
• Parking area: Finnish Nature Center Haltia, Nuuksiontie 84, Espoo
• No public campfire site, resting place is the viewing terrace. There is a campfire site at the lower yard of Haltia.

Päivättärenpolku

• Nature trail 1.4 km
• Parking area: Finnish Nature Center Haltia, Nuuksiontie 84, Espoo
• No public campfire site. There is a campfire site at the lower yard of Haltia.

The trails near the Finnish Nature Center Haltia are well worth exploring and are suitable for a wide range of nature lovers. Maahisenkierros is a challenging accessible trail that culminates at a fantastic viewpoint overlooking Lake Nuuksion Pitkäjärvi (Long Lake of Nuuksio, photo below).

Haltia serves as an excellent base for hikers, offering exhibitions, a restaurant, a shop, national park visitor information, and equipment rentals.

See also

Wine in the Woods: A Unique Forest Experience in Nuuksio near Helsinki

Visit Nuuksio National Park – Tips for Beginners

Hike from Haltia along the Haukkalampi-Haltia Connecting Trail, Around Haukkalampi and Back – A Spring Day Hike in Nuuksio National Park

A Gentle Foray into Finnish Wilderness Life: Nuuksio’s Tikankolo cabin is a Wonderful Glamping Destination and an introvert’s dream

Raven’s Tour (Korpinkierros) Wilderness Trail in Nuuksio National Park, Espoo

Are You an Introvert Too? This is Why November in Finland is the Time and Place for Us