Take a subway to forest

Elli Keisteri-Sipilä 2018: Metrolla metsään
pictures from Kalasatama east Miikka Nevalainen
pictures from Kalasatama west Hanna Nikula


The book title is catchy, but misleading: there is no forest at the center of Helsinki and even in Kamppi nature is limited to the Natural History Museum (although it is worth visiting). But none the less, this is a great book! I learned that if you want to see nature in Helsinki it is more than just coastal vegetation.

And at the center of Helsinki, you can always walk around the Töölö bay. In the summertime you can rent a bike in Espoo and you can ride the bike to shore and then rent a boat! Terrific!

The book has maps, but read carefully, some locations may be a few kilometers away from the subway station. But since you are willing to walk in nature, this should not be a problem.

Metro map, very simple. 

The cows in Helsinki

At Herttoniemi is a wetland, which is protected for the birds to nest. The routes, where you can walk are marked and there are plenty of paths to follow. You can also visit some bird watching towers.  The Vanhankaupunginlahti (Old City Bay), Viikki and the Vantaanjoki area create a unique nature experience. The book mentions that from Herttoniemi you can walk all the way to Kalasatama and depending on which routes you choose, you can walk 10-12 km.

Coast can be reached with Metro. Different kind of nature

Matinkylä is in Espoo by the Gulf of Finland. When I think of nature and forest in Espoo, I think of Nuuksio national park. But there you cannot go by subway, yet. This book shows other places where you can enjoy fresh air. From Matinkylä station is a 30 minute walk to Nokkala, where you can take the coastal boats to the islands near by.  Check out Iso Vasikkasaari!

The new destinations I am going to visit with my boys are at least the Kivikko army style obstacle course and Mustavuori Grove.  On the list is already visit to the Espoo archipelago. 

Finnish children's nature guide

Iiris Kalliola & Lasse J. Laine: Suomen lasten retkeilyopas 2014

A nature guide to children, but in my mind many adults could read this book as well. The Finnish people seem to be drifting further away from nature and therefore be more afraid of animals and more allergic to different plants.

This book is divided into section by seasons: what to see and observe in spring, summer, fall or winter. For me the winter was most interesting, since I always thought things were dear or sleeping that time. Now I realize that there is still much to learn about nature in the winter. In TV I saw a clip about observing the winter plants and trying to see as many "talventörröttäjä" the winter plants that stick out of the snow.




Spring

In the spring you can listen to the owls in the dark, later watch the migratory birds flying back, watch the flower starting to bloom and look for frog spawn.

Summer

Summr time is good time to investigate everything: the swamps, forest, water ways, meadows and sleep in a tent. The book describes the clarity of the Finnish lakes and rivers. I was in Lemmenjoki ten years ago and we drank straight from the river, it was so clean and I believe it still is

Recepies for fish in a stick, a simple soup and ash potatoes.

Fall

In  the fall the elk is moving, mostly because they are hunted, you can go pick up lingonberries and mushrooms and watch the birds move south again.

Winter

Winter time is good for observing the starry night. In the summer time no stars can be seen. You can count the winter birds that stayed and go ice fishing. In addition you can look out for the tracks of different animals and their hide places.

The book also gives grat tips, what can you do in nature without the forest owners permission, jokamiehenoikeudet, what kind of gear you need and even recepies for cooking what you catch.