Kuusijärvi Outdoor Recreation Area and Smoke Sauna in Vantaa

Located right next to Sipoonkorpi National Park, you’ll find a unique lakeside environment perfect for a quick nature fix or a more intimate day at the beach. Despite the modest size of the lake itself, the Lake Kuusijärvi outdoor recreation area holds the title of Vantaa’s largest beach and is a popular recreational site owned by the City of Vantaa. It’s only about a 15-minute drive from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and half an hour from Helsinki city center. By public transport, you can reach Kuusijärvi from the city center in about an hour.

• Kuusijärvi on the map (address: Kuusijärventie 1, Vantaa)

You enter Vantaa’s Kuusijärvi through a large gate. From the very first steps, it is clear that this isn’t just a pleasant lake, but an entire outdoor center built around it. Those looking for a longer hike will also find what they need: a bridge on the eastern side of the forest crosses over the road, leading directly into Sipoonkorpi National Park.

After passing the main building, the view opens up to Lake Kuusijärvi. The lake is charmingly compact; you can take in almost the entire surface with a single glance. However, before heading closer to the water, your mind might wander elsewhere as a soft scent of smoke hits your nose. There’s a distinct aroma of woodsmoke, yet it feels different somehow. Your nose leads the way, and there it is—just as I suspected: the smoke sauna is puffing away. Seeing the smoke, it’s easy to tell the sauna is still being heated, but the information board clarifies that bathers are welcome starting around 1:00 PM.

I return my attention to the lake. Almost instinctively, my feet start following the trail that circles the water. The path is very easy to navigate, covering a total distance of just under 2 kilometers. An experienced outdoorsman might describe the trail as a “highway,” but it serves its purpose perfectly here, as it is fully accessible even by wheelchair. It’s also a great spot for an evening stroll, as the path is partially lit. For those craving longer routes and narrower trails, this is an excellent starting point for exploring Sipoonkorpi National Park, as the trail network extends all the way there.

Public smoke saunas are rare enough that they deserve a closer look. A smoke sauna differs from a regular sauna in that there is no fire burning while you are actually bathing. While one might think the crackling of a fire is a pleasant soundscape, the silence of a smoke sauna and the soft “whispers” of the stove are definitely worth experiencing!

A few words about the smoke sauna:

• The smoke sauna (savusauna) is a traditional type of sauna that has no chimney.
• The interior surfaces are dark and sooty due to the smoke.
• Heating a smoke sauna safely requires skill and knowledge; if done incorrectly, there are risks of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.
• A smoke sauna is always heated with wood, and the heating process takes a long time.
• Many people find the scent of a smoke sauna pleasant and consider its steam (löyly) to be exceptionally gentle and wonderful.

The scenery of this small lake is so lovely that it deserves its own moment of pause, and the area has been thoughtfully equipped with several campfire sites along the shore. This makes it an easy destination for even a diverse group of people to gather and enjoy a fire.

Upon returning from the lakeshore, I noticed the other services at Kuusijärvi more clearly. If you didn’t have time for grilling sausages or other campfire cooking, the hungriest visitors can fill up on the delicacies at Café Kuusijärvi.

The Kuusijärvi recreation area also offers other facilities for a traditional day at the beach. Volleyball and badminton courts, as well as basketball hoops, are sure-fire elements for a successful summer day. Swimmers aren’t limited to the sandy beach; sturdy, large piers lead those wishing for a dip into the water. In winter, these same piers are filled with shivering or steaming ice swimmers.

The original article in Finnish was published in 2017.

Read next

Sipoonkorpi National Park

Attract on a Walk or Bike Tour Along Vantaanjoki

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