Korpudden is a Small-Scale Haven
In paid collaboration with Visit Raseborg
Korpudden, nestled in the picturesque Finnish wilderness of Raasepori, offers a five-star hiking experience in a compact package. This small peninsula, surrounded by ancient forests and crisscrossed with hidden trails, boasts two cozy campfire spots. The serene views of the lake have a soothing effect, making it the perfect destination to unwind amidst the captivating Finnish nature.
- Location on the Map
- Circular Trail: 1 km/0.6 mi
- Accessibility: Not suitable for wheelchairs
- Campfire Facilities: Cooking shelter and fire ring
- Getting There by Car: Parking available at Hållsnäsintie 519, Raasepori. Look for the “Korpudden” sign by the roadside.
- Getting There by Public Transport: The nearest bus stop (Mustio) is located 9 km (5,6 mi) from the destination.
A narrow road meanders through the renowned Mustio (Svartå) Castle, famous for its ghosts and splendid lakeside park, leading deeper into the tranquility of the countryside. Majestic oaks, with their sprawling branches, adorn the yards of beautiful old houses, casting a golden hue in mid-October. The road gradually narrows to the width of a car, and before you know it, you arrive at Korpudden parking area. The sense of serenity here is truly remarkable!
The first campfire spot welcomes visitors right by the parking area, offering a scenic setting by the water. While we didn’t yet take our break there, it’s an ideal spot for those eager to enjoy a fireside moment.
There’s something enchantingly captivating about the combination of colors, sounds, and movements that come alive when the foliage of deciduous trees, still in full bloom, rustles against the blue sky, letting the sun shine through in small but incredibly bright bursts. This was how the nature of Korpudden welcomed us when we arrived to enjoy it on a morning during our autumn holiday. A short boardwalk made crossing the damp terrain easy, allowing us to admire the rippling blue of Lake Lohjanjärvi beside us, framed by the living tapestry of reeds and green leaves.
As we moved beyond the leafy cathedral, the landscape filled with more autumnal hues: reeds, aspens, and birches appeared stunningly yellow against the blue lake and sky, their yellowness fully ignited by the morning sun.
We were there with my spouse and his 12-year-old daughter. Our plan was to first have a peaceful lunch with some sausages at the cooking shelter, and then set off to explore the relatively short but rewarding and wonderfully wild trail around the Korpudden peninsula. Wild, because nature here has overtaken a large part of the trail markings, and the network of paths beckons you to follow your nose—which is delightful!
We found the cooking shelter neat and upright. We had brought our own firewood as a precaution, but there seemed to be plenty provided as well. The daughter wanted to practice using an axe, and as the fire for the sausages began to blaze and spread its soft scent of smoke into the surrounding landscape, she found the time to test how satisfyingly a dry and good piece of firewood can be split with an axe. We had brought our own camping axe; I didn’t check if there was a communal one available.
In the three-degree chill (37 °F) of an October morning, a brisk autumn wind blew from the lake, so we decided to spend our entire lunch break in the cooking shelter since it was available. The lake view was beautifully visible through the windows, and there was no sense of hurry. We peacefully watched as the bright orange fire worked on creating embers from our firewood and simultaneously cleaned the grill above it, where our vegan sausages would soon be cooking.
I was a bit impatient, as I usually am when it’s time to eat, and put my sausage on the fire before the others. The grill left a cute heart-shaped decoration on it!
After our lunch break, it was time to delve deeper into the nature of Korpudden. My husband and his daughter took our snack items, trash, and other extra belongings back to the car—the distance is short—so we wouldn’t have to carry them in the terrain. Meanwhile, I admired a small aspen growing on the shore below the cooking shelter, with its strikingly bright yellow leaves that the lake wind cheerfully played, making the foliage clap.
Near the cooking shelter by the shore, there’s no designated fire pit, but some kind soul has thoughtfully placed nice logs to sit on while enjoying the view. Remember that in Finland, you are not allowed to make a fire without the landowner’s specific permission if there is no official fire pit. Making a fire is not an everyone’s right even in Finland.
My husband and I had previously visited here to get a feel for the winds of Korpudden. Back then, we started our journey counter-clockwise—moving along the shore from the cooking shelter—and truthfully, we got lost exploring all the big and small, even non-existent, paths to find our way up to the viewpoint. While the area does have marked trails, not every intersection is clearly signed.
From this earlier adventure, we can recommend enjoying Korpudden in two different ways:
A) Start your trip full of curiosity and adventurous spirit, wandering off the main circular route to explore all the paths on the peninsula as your mood and intuition guide you. Sticking to the obvious trails—which are abundant—helps to protect the nature. Maybe venture to the tip of the peninsula, where grand pine trees reign! This option is perfect for families with children and those like me who enjoy leisurely strolls. Korpudden peninsula is quite small, so you won’t be breaking into a heavy sweat.
B) Begin from the cooking shelter and follow the trail clockwise: the path starts slightly to the left behind the shelter, then quickly curves to the right, ascending a slope. Following this direction makes it much easier to navigate, as we experienced on this trip to Korpudden.
The forest provided patches of shade and shelter, a very different atmosphere from the shore. We followed the path uphill into the towering forest. Occasional sunbeams and undulating terrain warmed us up, making us slightly out of breath after our sausage meal.
The sunlight dramatically highlighted the autumn foliage of oaks, maples, aspens, and hazelnuts.
The surrounding forest is old and thus teeming with various forms of life, a sense of balance, and a calming harmony. There are lichens, mosses, and fungi; diverse and differently-aged trees; saplings and deadwood; insects and birds. It’s everything that makes you feel good, joyful, peaceful, and happy—the antithesis of a logging area. Walking through such a forest refreshes your senses and relaxes your mind. It felt like time stood still as we climbed up to a scenic rock outcrop.
On the rocky surface, the child found not only a place to lie down but also intriguing grooves and pits. Together, we speculated on how they might have formed. While one looked like a dinosaur footprint, we agreed it probably wasn’t.
The drop from the rock edge is steep and high, with no fences or structures—so exercise caution while admiring the view, especially with young children. And naturally, dogs must be kept on a leash, as they are not allowed to roam freely in Finland without the landowner’s permission except in dog parks.
We let our eyes rest on the horizon, and the flat rock invited us to pause without glancing at a clock or phone.
I spotted small violets in the rocky grass, bravely blooming in mid-October.
We also examined the stripes, grooves, and mosses on the rock surface before moving on. Some of the gray rock’s grooves were covered in plump, green moss that now looked like furry green snakes.
The path meandered back down into the shelter of the forest. This way, we didn’t have to guess the right route—the path was clear and easy to follow. However, we were on the trip with the mentality that a minor or even a major detour wouldn’t matter. On such a narrow peninsula, getting lost wouldn’t be serious, and we were in no hurry. A momentary loss in such an enchanting, mature forest would even be a stroke of luck.
Some decaying logs were home to these peculiar-looking fungi. I couldn’t identify them—can you? Feel free to comment below if you know what this is. This particular specimen made me laugh because it vividly reminded me of the witch from the Moomins—she had precisely that kind of hairstyle.
The forest of Korpudden also showcased a delightful array of colors through its smaller creatures. The stump in the picture below was so full of colorful life that we all admired it up close. I wonder if those bright orange blobs are some kind of slime mold? I hope so! Slime molds are perhaps the most fascinating creatures out there. They move as if crawling from one place to another, not randomly or by chance but with a sense of purpose (if one can say that about a creature without a brain). I’ve read that slime molds can even navigate through mazes to find food and can be squeezed through a fine sieve only to reassemble themselves and continue on their way. I can’t think of any other creature capable of such feats.
The trail led us back to the lake, this time to high cliffs. I listened to the lapping of the lake’s waves against the rock, one of the sounds I love the most—forests by the water are my favorite landscape, offering the shelter of the woods while also providing the sensory delights of water’s look, sound, and smell.
Korpudden has a pleasantly wild atmosphere. Only paths slightly wider than deer tracks indicate human passage, but evidently, wise travelers tread here, for we found neither litter nor unauthorized fireplaces. I didn’t even notice if there were any trash cans—always pack your trash in a bag and tuck it into your backpack or pocket for later recycling.
A large rock just below the surface caused the lake’s waves to froth even in a light breeze. The water of Lake Lohjanjärvi on this side is quite clear, and it was even clearer on our earlier visit. Back then, we stood on a high cliff watching large fish swimming through underwater flora. We threw a couple of pine cones down, which they curiously came to inspect. This time, the wind seemed to have stirred the water more, and no fish were in sight.
We passed a picnic table, poised on a high bank with a splendid lake view. An excellent spot to enjoy some packed sandwiches and juice without making a fire. The Korpudden trail isn’t heavily structured, but besides fireplaces and the picnic table, a small staircase aids in bypassing a steep cliff.
This is one of the most pleasant parts of the route, not just because it’s an old, beautiful, calming forest but also because it closely follows the lakeside. My eyes frequently wandered to the water, where the bottom was clearly visible, and above which the reeds and the aspen on the bank created autumnal colors.
One of the most memorable spots in Korpudden is a narrow strip of land sandwiched between an almost vertical cliff and the lake, through which the trail passes. You can admire, examine, sniff, and listen to the cliff and its life up close. We observed various mosses that were beautifully green and full of water. Water was trickling down the rocky surface in constant little droplets and streams, making a lovely sound. The striations of the rock under the moss were beautifully distinct. And do you know how good a wet, mossy, and lichen-covered rock wall smells? You can’t resist closing your eyes.
The sturdy trees by the lake ensured that we felt sheltered and safe.
We returned to the cooking shelter and continued towards the parking area, through a green canopy tunnel. If possible, it looked even more beautiful now in the midday light. Near the parking area, we stopped to sit by a fireplace that we had passed at the beginning of our hike. Even though there was no longer a need for a fire, it was nice to sit and unwind at the end of the hike, soaking in the scenery.
When we returned to the car, the area was as deserted as before. I had thought that people would have come here to lunch and hike during the fall break, but perhaps this is a place where you can truly enjoy solitude even during holiday seasons.
It’s hard to imagine a better time than a fall morning or late morning to visit Korpudden. The crisp air keeps sweat at bay in the hilly terrain, the foliage glows, and the contrast against the dark forest brings out its brilliance. The morning sun illuminates the area in a uniquely beautiful way, but it must also be said that the top of the cliff is likely an exceptionally good spot for watching sunsets. I wonder how well you could see the Milky Way there?
Reaching Korpudden Peninsula
The distance from downtown Helsinki to Korpudden is 75 kilometers. The famous Mustio Castle (read an amazing feature here) is along the way and quite close to Korpudden—about 5 kilometers (3,1 mi) away. Accommodation is also available there, which you should book in advance.
In the summer, along with good hiking boots and clothes, a camera, and snacks, it’s a good idea to bring your swimming gear!
Arrival is possible by car. The Korpudden parking area’s address is Hållsnäsintie 519, Raasepori/Raseborg. On the roadside, there’s a sign “Korpudden.” You can set Korpudden as your destination on Google Maps. Make sure that you’ve specifically set this location, as Google Maps, for some reason, tends to direct you to the opposite Högnäs Peninsula, which does not provide access to Korpudden.
As mentioned, directly along the route is Mustio’s stunning castle with the incredibly beautiful park, and a delightful swimming beach for summer visitors. Feel free to refresh yourself there on the way back, or linger longer by staying at Mustio Castle.
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