National park · Finland
Nuuksio National ParkNuuksion kansallispuisto
Entry is free: go for a half day from Helsinki on the Haukankierros 4 km loop, arrive before 10:00 on weekends, and skip it in November–March unless you ski or snowshoe.Entry is free: go for a half day from Helsinki on the Haukankierros 4 km loop, arrive before 10:00 AM on weekends, and skip it in November–March unless you ski or snowshoe.Entry is free: go for a half day from Helsinki on the Haukankierros 2.5 mi loop, arrive before 10:00 on weekends, and skip it in November–March unless you ski or snowshoe.Entry is free: go for a half day from Helsinki on the Haukankierros 2.5 mi loop, arrive before 10:00 AM on weekends, and skip it in November–March unless you ski or snowshoe.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
45 km²17 sq mi
approximate
Established
1994
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Finland ↗Finland is in the EU and the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border.
- Finland ↗The land border with Russia is closed to travellers; do not plan a route across it.
- Finland ↗Everyman's rights let you walk, camp for a night and pick berries on most land, but not near homes, and not to make fires without permission.
- Helsinki and the South Coast ↗The Helsinki–Tallinn ferry is a border crossing for many passports: carry your passport or national ID card and check the rules for your citizenship.
At a glance
- Country
- Finland
- Area
- 45 km²17 sq mi
- About 45 km² of forest, lakes and swamp across Espoo, Kirkkonummi and Vihti (check).
- Established
- 1994
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Espoo
Nuuksio National Park is a 45 km² patch of conifer and birch forest, forty-three small lakes, swamp and bare granite on the western edge of the Helsinki region, about 35 km from the centre and reachable by commuter train and bus. It was established in 1994 to keep a piece of wilderness within reach of the capital; the rocky, wet ground had never been worth farming. Trails are marked and free to walk, the Siberian flying squirrel is the park emblem (nocturnal, high in the trees, almost never seen), and the main decision is a half-day loop from Haukkalampi or a longer day on the southern lakes. Sipoonkorpi National Park covers similar ground on the eastern side of Helsinki, and Karkali Strict Nature Reserve protects the woods and shoreline around Lake Lohjanjärvi further west.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1994.
Size and age
45 km²17 sq mi · national park since 1994
About 45 km² of forest, lakes and swamp across Espoo, Kirkkonummi and Vihti (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Espoo.
Why go
- The closest real forest to Helsinki: 35 km from the centre, reachable by commuter train and bus.The closest real forest to Helsinki: 22 mi from the centre, reachable by commuter train and bus.
- Forty-three small lakes, granite outcrops and mossy conifer and birch forest on gentle hills.
- Free entry, marked loops from 2 km to 8 km, and campfire sites and camping grounds for an overnight.Free entry, marked loops from 1.2 mi to 5 mi, and campfire sites and camping grounds for an overnight.
- Berry picking in late summer and mushroom picking in autumn are normal park activities, not a tour.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecCaution
- JanSnow and ice; trails unmaintained, ski or snowshoe only
- FebColdest; short daylight
- MarSnow crust, longer days, quiet
- AprThaw: wet, muddy, icy patches
- MayGreen, cool, fewer people
- JunLong light evenings; mosquitoes start
- JulWarmest; busiest weekends
- AugBerry season; warm water in the lakes
- SepMushroom season; clear, quiet
- OctColour, then wet and dark
- NovGrey, wet, no snow, no light
- DecDark; snow not guaranteed
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siberian flying squirrel (park emblem)All year · Nocturnal and high in the trees; the Haukkalampi cabin has an exhibit about it. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| VipersApr–Oct · Present but rarely seen; watch where you step off trail. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| MosquitoesJun–Aug · Swampy ground keeps them going; bring repellent. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| BearsApr–Oct · A very remote chance of an encounter; make noise on quiet trails. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Berries and mushroomsJul–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Helsinki
Commuter train to Espoo, then bus 245A to Nuuksionpää, then a 2 km walk on the paved road to Haukkalampi.Commuter train to Espoo, then bus 245A to Nuuksionpää, then a 1.2 mi walk on the paved road to Haukkalampi.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Espoo
Bus 245A from Espoo station to Nuuksionpää or, May–October, on to Kattila in the north.
40–60 min
Open the page →
From Leppävaara
Bus 244 to Siikaniemi on the south side, for the Korpinkierros loop.
1–1.5 h
From Kamppi, Helsinki
Bus 280 to Veikkola, then a taxi or a walk on quiet village roads to the southwest side.
1.5–2 h
From Myyrmäki
Bus U375 to Pyyslampi for the quiet northeast side; lakes start south of the road.
1–1.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Haukkalampi (east) | Main information cabin, Haukankierros and Korpinkierros trailheads, parking. | Open; bus 245A to Nuuksionpää plus a 2 km walk.Open; bus 245A to Nuuksionpää plus a 1.2 mi walk. |
| Kattila (north) | Northern trailheads and parking, quieter than Haukkalampi. | Bus 245A terminus, May–October only. |
| Siikajärvi and Siikaniemi (south) | Lake shore, camping ground and the southern half of Korpinkierros. | Bus 244 from Leppävaara. |
| Veikkola and Tervalampi (west) | Rarely visited western trails and village roads. | Bus 280 or 243 to Veikkola, then taxi or walk. |
| Pyyslampi (northeast) | Quiet lakeside entrance with no facilities. | Bus U375 from Myyrmäki. |
Sketch map
- 1Haukkalampi information cabin · Headquarters≈60.309, 24.514Free simple maps, trailheads and the flying squirrel exhibit.Map ↗
- 2Haukanpesä information centre · Gate≈60.309, 24.514Start of Haukankierros and Korpinkierros; approximate.Map ↗
- 3Kattila parking and trailhead · Gate≈60.340, 24.490North side; bus 245A terminus May–October; approximate.Map ↗
- 4Siikaniemi · Ranger station≈60.300, 24.530Bus 244 stop on the south side; approximate.Map ↗
- 5Mustalampi camping ground · Sleep≈60.315, 24.510On the Korpinkierros route; approximate.Map ↗
- 6Oravankolo wilderness cabin · Sleep≈60.335, 24.465Map ↗
- 7Tikankolo wilderness cabin · Sleep≈60.316, 24.453Map ↗
- 8Lake Pitkäjärvi climbing area · Viewpoint≈60.330, 24.440One of two permitted climbing spots; approximate.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Finnish national parks have no entrance fee. |
| Parking at Haukkalampi or Kattila | Free | car | Free, but fills on good-weather weekends; check current signs. |
| Topographic map at Haukkalampi information cabin | EUR 10–20 | map | Free simple maps are also available (check). |
| Guided hike with a park partner operator | EUR 50–120 | person | 2026 estimate; varies by length and group size. |
| Wilderness cabin (Oravankolo, Tikankolo) | EUR 150 | day | 2026 estimate; varies by season, no running water or electricity, bring sleeping bags. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping permit or guide
Rock climbing permit or guide
Fishing permit or guide
Park rules
- Motor vehicles
- Prohibited inside the park; park only at Haukkalampi and Kattila.
- Cycling
- Allowed on about 30 km of designated routes, including 14 km of National Cycle Route 2 through the park.Allowed on about 19 mi of designated routes, including 8.7 mi of National Cycle Route 2 through the park.
- Camping
- Only at the four designated camping grounds; no facilities other than campfire sites.
- Fires
- Only at marked campfire sites, and only when no wildfire warning is in force.
- Off-trail walking
- Allowed, but the ground is wet and easily damaged; stay on trails where they exist.
- Drones
- Permission from the park authority is needed; check before flying (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Designated camping grounds
Four grounds, no facilities beyond campfire sites; bring everything and carry it out.
In the park
Oravankolo and Tikankolo wilderness cabins
Lakeside cabins for 6 with sauna, no running water or electricity; book well ahead.
Near the park
Hotel Nuuksio
Conference hotel with restaurant, pool and sauna; bus 244 from Espoo station.
Near the park
Hotelli Lepolampi
Simple hotel near the southern side; bus 243 from Espoo station.
Near the park
Espoo or Helsinki
Any city bed works for a day trip; the last buses back run in the evening.
Safety
Wet, rocky and rooty trails medium
Getting lost off trail medium
Cold and dark in winter high
Thin ice on the lakes high
Mosquitoes and ticks low
Accessibility
- The Haukkalampi information cabin area and the first stretch of Haukankierros are the easiest ground, but the loop includes rock and roots.
- Trails are not paved or graded; wheelchair users should check current route descriptions with the park authority before travelling.
- Buses 245A and 244 are low-floor regional services; the 2 km road walk to Haukkalampi is paved.Buses 245A and 244 are low-floor regional services; the 1.2 mi road walk to Haukkalampi is paved.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails where they exist; off-trail walking damages moss and swamp vegetation.
- Use only designated campfire sites and respect wildfire warnings.
- Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins along the trails.
- Pick berries and mushrooms within everyman's rights and leave the rest for wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Nuuksio National Park?
Nothing. Finnish national parks, including Nuuksio, have no entrance fee, and parking at Haukkalampi and Kattila is free. You pay only for extras: a topographic map (about €10–20), a guided hike (about €50–120 per person), or a wilderness cabin (about €150 per day).
What are the best hikes in Nuuksio National Park?
For a first visit, the 4 km Haukankierros loop from Haukanpesä around Lake Haukkalampi gives lake views, cliffs and mossy boulders in 1.5–2 hours. Add half of the 8 km Korpinkierros loop via Mustalampi and Siikaniemi for a fuller day. Both start at the same place.
When is the best time to visit Nuuksio National Park?
June to September for warm weather, long daylight and berries or mushrooms; September is the quietest of the good months. October is wet and dark, and November usually has no snow and little light. Winter is for skiing and snowshoeing only.
How do I get to Nuuksio from Helsinki without a car?
Take a commuter train to Espoo station, then bus 245A to Nuuksionpää, and walk 2 km on the paved road to Haukkalampi. For the south side, take a train to Leppävaara and bus 244 to Siikaniemi. Services are limited, so check timetables before setting off.
Can I camp in Nuuksio National Park?
Yes, but only at the four designated camping grounds, which have no facilities beyond campfire sites. Light fires only at marked sites and only when no wildfire warning is in force. Wilderness cabins must be booked well ahead and you bring your own sleeping bag.
Is Nuuksio crowded?
Haukankierros gets busy on sunny weekends and public holidays. Arrive before 10:00, or use the Kattila, Siikaniemi, Veikkola or Pyyslampi entrances, which see far fewer people.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go