After taking the bus into Helsinki this morning we walked across to the Central Railway Station and travelled the short distance to Oulunkylä from where we started our nature trail (local trains are included in the regional travel pass). The gravel path passes the ornate pink Oulunkylä Seurahuone (a cafe, but currently closed for renovation) before turning left and heading uphill over a rocky outcrop and then steeply downhill towards the Vaanta River.
It was quite a dull start to the day but at least it was not raining. It’s a very peaceful walk alongside the Vantaa River and as you can see from the above photo, there is a small beach for when the weather is warm and sunny. The first section of today’s walk from Oulunkylä Station to Vanhankaupunginlahti (Old Town Rapids) is about two miles.
Our reward for this gentle stroll was to stop for lunch at Koskenranta Restaurant which overlooks the river rapids. There’s an attractive terrace overlooking the water but today we decided to eat lunch indoors as it wasn’t so very warm. After tucking in to a tasty buffet of sausage soup, rye bread, Thai chicken curry, salad, coffee and cookies we relaxed awhile before continuing on our walk.
The path then took us to the start of the Pornaistenniemi nature walk which veers off to the left. You will see numerous wheelbarrows leaning against tree trunks and may wonder why they are there. The reason is that there are numerous summer cottages hidden in the forest in this nature reserve and as there isn’t any road access, luggage and food supplies need to be transported quite a distance, hence the use of wheelbarrows. The path passes over a small wooden bridge crossing a stream where waterlilies were in full bloom. The gravelled path then changes to a narrow boardwalk which cuts through the tall reeds. It’s very peaceful along here and there are many birds and butterflies to be seen. We felt our legs getting bitten by insects and we had left our repellent back in the apartment which wasn’t much use. The boardwalks continue along to Lammassaari Island where the majority of the little summer cottages are to be found.
Below you will see the small jetty on the island which looks across towards Herttoniemi. Boats are another means of approaching the summer cottages and alongside the jetty more wheelbarrows are available for moving supplies.
From here we followed a narrow coastal path that led us to the Lammassaren Lintutorni (Bird Watching Tower) which we climbed to the top of and were rewarded with far reaching views over the reed beds below. We spotted numerous birds including several herons and some waterfowl.
After spending awhile here we continued onto a further viewing platform and a low level wooden bird hide built right out into the water. This latter bird hide was filled with ornithologists using large spotting scopes so we only stayed here a short time in order not to disturb them.
We retraced our steps back to our starting point at the Old Town Rapids but then turned left along the waterfront of Arabiaranta where you will find a pleasing promenade with modern apartments built further back facing the sea.
Before returning to the city centre we looked in the large Arabia Outlet which stocks a wide range of Finnish brands including those by Finlayson, Fiskars, Arabia, Ittala and Pentik. We then returned into the city centre by tram (both numbers 6 and 8).
If you have enjoyed this post you may also like:
The WeeGee Exhibition Centre, Tapiola, Espoo
The Arabia district of Helsinki
Love Travelling Blog 
What a fabulous walk Marion. Too bad about the biting insects, but in a Northern climate, the bugs only have so many weeks to fatten up. I love the practical wheelbarrow solution to keeping cars at bay. Thanks for sharing. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s one of many great walks in and around Helsinki Allan. Nature is always on your doorstep there which ever way you turn. Thanks do much for commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is one of my favourite place. I used to live nearby and explore surrounding nature by my own. I clicked many photos near the rapid at different time of year. Nice to see that you visited this place. Photos are refreshing my own memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed reading about my visits to Finland – my all time favourite country.
LikeLike
Did you manage to find the sheep?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t recall seeing any sheep – where are they?
LikeLike
There is another island further in the back where about three sheep live (except in winter). I had been there a few times before a friend took me there.
I just went through you time in Finland, it seems like you had a great experience and squeezed so much in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading my posts on Finland. I love to spend time in the summer there and hope to return this year too.
LikeLike
It is so easy to leave the busy center… nature only minutes away… love that in Finland.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely, it’s one of my favourite destinations and one I’ve visited every year since 2006!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too, I lived in Oulu a year in 2008/2009 and returned each year once minimum.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s so nice to hear. What country are you from?
LikeLike
I am from Germany, close to Frankfurt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did you study in Oulu? I came to Espoo as a visiting teacher for a short time and I’m from northern England. I haven’t been to Oulu but have visited Säriselkä in Lapland twice.
LikeLike
No, I came as an Expat from Nokia Siemens. Got the chance from my work to get to know Finland. I return there frequently to see my firmer colleagues who now are very close friends.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s so nice. We visit at least once a year and always for the whole of July staying both in Espoo and at our friend’s cottage on Lake Saimaa – there’s no better place than Finland in the summertime. Thank you for following my blog, I’m looking forward to reading more of yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok, nice! Same here 🙂 I am busy preparing my next trip already. Today I posted to see how to include my photos from flickr to save storage space. Works well. Now its time to sleep… I will keep an eye on your blog aswell. I love travelling, not only to Finland…
LikeLike
Wow, this sounds lovely! I’m off to Helsinki next weekend and have bookmarked the post to check out for myself 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s nice to read – if the weather continues like this it will be perfect!
LikeLike
Sounds like a very interesting walk. And I learned something new – the wheelbarrows 😉 It’s always fascinating to see your own country through a visitor’s eyes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sinikka, I also like reading posts about the UK from foreign visitors!
LikeLike
A lovely walk – just our sort of thing with so much varied and interesting stuff to see en route! Any walk with a boardwalk always gets our vote. Love the story about the wheelbarrows too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The wheelbarrows are a great idea but just as well its not me pushing it along the boardwalk as it would most likely topple over and tip its contents over the side!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Interesting place recorded photographically
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your encouraging comments Ispeng, it’s much appreciated!
LikeLike
Well-presented and excellent photos. I love your short trip. Thank You.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sartenada for your positive comments, they are much appreciated!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very detailed, lovely post
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your encouraging comments. I’m pleased you enjoyed reading my blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for a lovely detailed post! I really enjoyed it. Be sure to plan a visit to South Africa in future. You would love it here!
LikeLike
Seems like a nice picnic!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely!
LikeLike
Looks like a lovely hike and I love the Old Town Rapids. Karen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, it’s really nice!
LikeLike
It seems a very interesting and relaxing trail.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting Rupali even if you just enjoy a country walk and are not necessarily keen bird watchers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How pretty are those rapids. Love the bird house too…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sue. The Finns build some very good birdwatching houses and towers and they always seem to be free to use which is an added bonus.
LikeLiked by 1 person