Check out this selection of easy and accessible half-day nature destinations across Finland’s four regions.
Tampere’s Kintulammi, Lakeland
Ranked the best outdoor destination in 2020, Kintulammi is a fantastic hiking area and nature preserve 20 kilometres outside Tampere. This public destination offers trails, duckboards, lean-tos and plenty of signposts. There are approximately 15 kilometres of marked hiking routes, five fire pits and four dry toilets, too.
Tiilijärvi lakes close to Lahti, Lakeland
Offering beautiful lake views only a short drive from the city of Lahti, the 7,5 kilometre-long Tiilijärvi Lake Trail in Hollola loops around three lakes: Vähä-Tiilijärvi, Keski-Tiilijärvi and Iso-Tiilijärvi (little, middle and grand). Starting from Vähä-Tiilijärvenkuja, the nearest campfire spot can be found in Martan maja – a lean-to shelter along the Tiirismaa Kierros Trail, about 1,5 kilometres from the Tiilijärvi Lake Trail.
Sipoonkorpi National Park trails, Helsinki
Sipoonkorpi National Park lies within an easy reach of Helsinki. The 1,4 kilometre Byabäcken Nature Trail (circle trail 2,1 km) snakes through lush forests and ends in pastures – during summer, you might see cows maintaining landscape. Another route, Tasakallio–Storträsk, is a short 1 kilometre trail.
Uutela, Helsinki
Located in eastern Helsinki, the nature trail at Uutela consists of two walking trails that form a figure-eight pattern. You can choose to walk one or both, and they offer everything from glacial rock formations to coastal scenes and forest to marshland.
Bengtskär island, Coast and Archipelago
Not into dense forests? Thirty kilometres southwest of Hanko, Bengtskär is a rocky island in the outer archipelago. With no snakes, mosquitoes or ticks, just stunning open sea (and if you’re lucky, the occasional seal!), Bengtskär is a popular resting place for migratory birds in the spring and autumn. To access the island, board a tour boat from Kasnäs or Hanko.
Biking in Inari-Saariselkä, Lapland
Another easy and fun way to experience arctic nature is to hop on a bicycle. Inari-Saariselkä has several easy forest and fell trails, as well as guided tours all year round. Rent an electric fat bike or a mountain bike and discover the many charms of open fell biking!