In the picnic bag there is everything you need, from cutlery, plates, and napkins to even a picnic blanket. The plastic bag containing the utensils also functions as a garbage bag. Water bottles function as a cold insulation and are a great idea as such on a hot summer day.

Text and images:
Kristian Meurman
firstname.lastname@sipoo.fi

Zigzaging between store shelves or conveniently to the archipelago?

When the sun shines from a cloudless sky and the calendar is empty, the last thing you want to do, is spend your day in grocery shops trying to figure out what to get into your picnic basket. In addition, there is always the concern about keeping things refrigerated and thus ensuring healthy food. And on top of that you should bring your plates and cutlery and napkins too.

Should you manage to forget the last mentioned, you find yourself forced to buy mega packs of disposable plates, forks and knives and napkins. Then you must carry these packages around back and forth, even if there would only be four people eating.

Some restaurant owners in Southern Sipoo have developped a takeaway picnic bag that has been designed with deliciousness, ease of use and alimentary safety in mind. The bag can be purchased at På Krogen Restaurant in Kalkkiranta, Sipoo.

The convenient cooler bag is easy to carry

All delicacies, actually everything you need, is packed in a cold storing bag with På Krogen’s log on it. Being a soft bag, it is much more comfortable to carry for instance on your shoulder than traditional Styrofoam or plastic cooler boxes. The bag feels qualitative and sturdy and thanks to the ingenious packing, the delicacies inside stay fresh for a long time.

The deposit is returned and even your trash is accepted

When buying the picnic bag, you are charged a twenty-euro deposit, which is returned when you return the cooler bag and the picnic blanket. At the same time, you can also deposit your garbage at the restaurant, so picnic trips really do not get any easier than this.

Hearty portions for two to four

The contents of the bag are available for either two or four people. Inside the bag are ice cold water bottles, that function as cooling units. The contents of these are in any case an excellent idea! On a hot summer day, it is easy to forget to keep hydrated! In addition to the water bottles, there are two kinds of salads: green salad with fresh strawberries and a clear coleslaw. For the grill, there is pressed new potatoes with garlic and lovely pork ribs with På Krogen’s secret barbecue sauce. Because both potatoes and ribs are already cooked, it is sufficient to just heat them up. Obviously, the ribs can be toasted to as dark as you wish too.

The potatoes are cooked conveniently in their own aluminium tray and besides a little jerking of the tin there is not really that much more to do.

Additional beverages can be purchased too

På Krogen Restaurant is licensed to sell mild alcoholic beverages for takeaway too, so microbrewery beers, ciders and other mild alcoholic beverages can be purchased, alongside non-alcoholic refreshments.

Four hungry adults as a test group

We tried out the four persons’ picnic bag containing:

• Green salad with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and fresh strawberries
• Clear coleslaw
• Lime mayonnaise
• Barbecue mayonnaise
• Pressed new potatoes with garlic in an aluminium tray
• Pork ribs with På Krogen’s secret barbecue glaze
• Spring water bottles
• A picnic blanket
• A selection of separately bought non-alcoholic refreshments

While the barbecue was heating, we enjoyed some refreshing beverages. We had a gas grill, but because everything is already cooked, they can easily be heated in an electric grill or oven too. Certainly, the best flavour would come from a real open fire. Since lunch time was already due a long time ago and we were all rather hungry, this test was not only about flavours but also portion size.

Well planned and environment friendly

What you first notice, when you open the bag is how well planned the whole package is. The transportation boxes also function as serving trays and bowls and the bag containing cutlery, plates and napkins finds a new life as a garbage bag. In this way, garbage can be stowed back into the bag, without anything leaking into it. Excess use of plastic has been avoided as much as possible and the cutlery is made out of would, for instance. Therefore they can be burned as can the plates and napkins. Being biodegradable, they can obviously also be composted.

The package is compact and convenient. Nothing too much and nothing to little. The picnic blanket is a really nice feature, although we did not need it this time.

Quickly from grill to table

The potatoes and ribs are cooked – or more exactly heaten – in about the same time, which is in minutes. It is a good idea to give the potato tin a few shakes every now and then. The glazing of the ribs is just perfect. There is not too much of it, to smear up all the place, but enough to flavour and keep the meat moist.

The treats are on the plates in a swoosh and our otherwise talkative team grows silent. The happy chatter comes to an abrupt ending, when there is more important business for the mouths.

The lime mayonnaise gets a round of extra praise. It is at the same time rich enough for the ribs, but still fresh and light on the palate to work as a salad dressing too.

Empty plates tell the most important story

All ingredients are of high quality, the salads are fresh and still the hunger ends up quenched. There is definitely enough food and for a smaller hunger, the salads would have worked nicely as a starter, with the warm courses saved as a main course for later.

Travel idea:
Late lunch and a whole afternoon of enjoyment in the archipelago

Since everything is freshly made and quality is of the utmost importance, the picnic bag can unfortunately not be bought “straight from the shelf”. However, På Krogen’s owners promise, that a bag orderd on the previous night will be ready when the restaurant opens the next day.

A pre-ordered bag awaits customers who arrive by car – or by bus.

It is simpe and easy to come by bus from Söderkulla centre to Kalkkiranta, where Pörtö Line’s regular traffic ferry leaves for one of Sipoo’s most beautiful archipelago destinations. The island of Norrkullalandet is reached by M/S Sibbe in only fifteen minutes.

Söderkulla – Kalkkiranta – Norrkullalandet vv. by bus and ferry

How?

By bus from Söderkulla to Kalkkiranta and by ferry from Kalkkiranta to Norrkullalandet

When?

Mon to Fri departing at 13:05 from Söderkulla and returning at 18:37 to Söderkulla

How much does it cost?

HSL D-zone bus ticket 2,80 € / direction, ferry Kalkkiranta – Norrkullalandet for free
Picnic bag 25 € / person + deposit 20 € / bag
(the deposit is returned upon returning the bag and the blanket to the restaurant)

How do I do this?

1)
Pre-order on the previous evening at På Krogen Restaurant a picnic bag according to the size of your party. Bags are available for 2 or 4 persons. You can also order the picnic bag by e-mail: kosti@soderkulla.fi

2)
Get on the bus in Söderkulla centre. One of the party should get off at the second to last stop (Kassivikintie bus stop), that is right next to På Krogen Restaurant. The rest of the party can continue the roughly 300 meter long journey down to the harbour.

3)
The pre-ordered bag awaits, when you get off the bus at about 13:15 on Kassivikintie bus stop. After paying and picking up the picnic bag, walk the short way to the harbour, where the ferry already awaits. The ferry leaves at 13:30 and does not wait for passengers – unless it is known that someone is literally around the corner. The captain does however not like to wait, having a schedule of his own to follow.

4)
Enjoy a lovely afternoon with delicious picnic treats by one of the many barbecue sites and the fantastic sea views at Norrkullalandet island.

5)
Return from Norrkullalandet to the ferry leaving at 18:00 for Kalkkiranta, where it returns at 18:15. From Kalkkiranta the bus departs at 18:25 for Söderkulla, where you are back at 18:37.
(Do remember to return the picnic bag and the blanket to På Krogen Restaurant to get back the 20 € deposit.)

Did you know?

It is easy to arrive to Söderkulla for instance from Kamppi and Itäkeskus in Helsinki, from Porvoo and Vantaa and from Tuusula and Järvenpää via Nikkilä.

If you wish to have a more flexible schedule and maybe want to have a refreshing drink at the terrace at På Krogen Restaurant while picking up the picnic bag, a taxi from Söderkulla to Kalkkiranta only costs around 20-25 euros (which is roughly 5-6 euros per person if there are four of you). You can order the taxi via Lähitaksi or by downloading the Taksini app. When using the app for ordering, you can get a fixed price and with a payment card even pay in advance. This is usually even more inexpensive than other methods of payment. Last time I tried this, I only paid just over 16 euros for the ride!

At Norrkullalandet island, you can visit Café Seasong, if you happen to run out of refreshments or feel like having a nice cup of coffee or maybe an ice cream.

 

Links

På Krogen Restaurant
Website only in Finnish and Swedish.
To call the restaurant for service in English, please dial: +358 50 322 8884

Helsingin Regional Traffic (HSL) – Route planner and schedules

Pörtö Line – Sipoon area ferry schedules (pdf)
Schedule only in Finnish and Swedish, the weekdays in the schedule are as below:
Mån / Ma = Monday
Tis / Ti = Tuesday
Ons / Ke = Wednesday
Tors / To = Thursday
Fre / Pe = Friday
Lör / La = Saturday
Sön / Su = Sunday

Lähitaksi Taxi

Café Seasong at Norrkullalandet Island

 

Text and images:
Kristian Meurman
firstname.lastname@sipoo.fi

If you are looking for a lovely meal in a picturesque countryside environment combined with a lovely walk in the eastern parts of Sipoonkorpi, I recommend you to read the following!

HALF A DAY’S TRIP WITH SWIMMING IN A LAKE AND A DELICIOUS LUNCH:
Restaurant Tila – Fiskträsk – Bakunkärr

Total time: Approximately 1 hour of walking
Overall walking distance: 3,2 kilometers
Level: Easy, but not accessible
The bus arrives at restaurant Tila (Korvenportti) bus stop at 12:23
The bus departs from Bakunkärr bus stop at 16:17
Notice: Remember to bring a water bottle, there is no drinking water available at Fiskträsk lake. Bring your own coffee thermos and coffee mugs with you, for a small feel you can fill your thermos bottle with fresh coffee at Ravintola Tila.

NB! The bus does not stop and wait for passengers, you must be on time at the stop.
Tell the driver which bus stop you want to get off at.

Conveniently to the National Park from Tikkurila station

The journey begins at Tikkurila station at the bus station’s platform number ten. It is easy to navigate there, and the bus can be recognised from the Sipoonkorpi Hop-On Hop-Off logo at the front window and the timetable stand next to the platform. I board the Packalén bus company’s neat and tidy bus, where hand disinfection gel is available and if necessary, also double packs of face masks could be purchased, if one would not have remembered to bring their own. I am content with just a day ticket. My card is charged with eight euros, which is cheaper than a round ticket within three zones in the local metropolitan area public traffic. Very well worth its price indeed! Exactly according to schedule, at 11:15 the bus departs from Tikkurila station.

Complimentary Sightseeing onboard the bus

The Hop-On Hop-Off bus leaves the urban milieu surprisingly quickly, driving through more rural settings and stopping for instance at the popular Kuusijärvi swimming beach and passing two stops in the northern part of Sipoonkorpi. After this the bus drives towards the central area of Sipoo, Nikkilä, where in front of the library, more passengers get onboard the coach.

Nikkilä is easily accessible from the direction of Porvoo, so passengers arriving east of Sipoo towards the Sipoonkorpi National Park do not necessarily have to travel all the way to Vantaa. When arriving to Nikkilä, the beautiful two churches can be seen, and on the way back towards Sipoonkorpi, the wolves guarding Sipoo can be seen in a roundabout. The wolf sculptures are a part of the open art collection of the Municipality of Sipoo.

At 12:12 the bus passes a second time by the Byabäcken bus stop. If I would have felt like taking a walk, I could have gotten of here at the first time, make a little half an hour walk through the beautiful scenery of forest, pasture and fields and then board the same bus at the exact same spot. However, I am hungry for the delicacies at Restaurant Tila and did not want to miss the small Nikkilä sightseeing either, so I pass and leave the walking to the afternoon.

Close by produced delicacies in a beautiful setting

At Restaurant Tila, at the Korvenportti bus stop, the Hop-On Hop-Off bus stops exactly at 12:23. It might be a good idea to book a table, because the restaurant is very popular during lunch time. Especially, if you wish to enjoy lunch at the big terrace, overlooking the sheep walking in the pasture.

At the yard of Ravintola Tila, there are also freely walking ducks, hens and a friendly dog. That is plenty to look at for children and adults alike! Tila’s menu is simple and strongly based on nearby produced, organic and seasonal ingredients.

The menu is simple and speaks of quality

I choose the summer platter, featuring today crisp lettuce, new season potatoes, local sausage, slightly salted salmon, organic egg, herring, fried onions and lovely mouth watering local cauliflower. The beautiful portion is filling, but there is not too much to eat. Along the main course, fresh local bread is served. There would be more than plenty of choice also when it comes to beverages. And as with the food, it is high quality that is the main thing with the beverage menu as well. On a hot summer day just plain fresh water can be quite enough nevertheless. No matter that hunger is but a vague memory, I can’t keep myself from having a serving of homemade strawberry ice cream for dessert.

Bring your own thermos and cups!

Coffee will have to wait until lake Fiskträsk shores, but you do not need to bring your own coffee with you. All you need is to have a thermos bottle and some cups and for a small fee, Restaurant Tila’s kind staff will fill your container. I strongly recommend, because fresh, high quality coffee in the thermos bottle is a much more appealing idea, than having to drink something you brew in the morning at home.

The food sets during a little walk

Happy and satisfied, it is lovely to walk the around 900 meters from the restaurant down to lake Fiskträsk. Fiskträsk is a wilderness lake with clear water. In the bottom there is a spring, which keeps the water cool even when the rays of the sun heat the top layers of the lake water. Along the tables and benches it is a true joy to enjoy a nice cup of coffee, every now and then taking a refreshing dip in the water. Fiskträsk is a natural lake area in the true meaning of the words, therefore there are no services available around it. But what would one need more than the beauty of the nature around oneself? However, this means that you need to bring your garbage with you from the area and setting up fires is strictly forbidden.

Rejuvenated towards the next bus stop

After about an hour and half of relaxing at the beach, it is time to pack up and start walking towards the next bus stop, which is at Bakunkärr parking lot. It is a good idea to reserve around 40 minutes for the walk, since you need to be at the stop in time before the bus. The bus only stops at bus stops, where there are passengers signalling for the bus to stop.

At 16:17 the bus brakes next to the Bakunkärr parking lot and I take out my day ticket from my wallet. On my way back I can still see parts of the Sipoonkorpi National Park in east, southeast and south, before the Hop-On Hop-Off bus slides via the Kuusijärvi stop towards the urban centre of Tikkurila.

Back at starting point, platform ten, we arrive just after five o’clock in the afternoon. My own delicious experience in the Sipoonkorpi National Park is over, but the Hop-On Hop-Off bus still makes a final journey to Nikkilä.

Links:

National Railway Company VR long haul train schedules and route planner

HSL Helsinki Region Traffic local bus and train schedules and route planner

Sipoonkorpi Hop-On Hop-Off bus service

Sipoonkorpi National Park @ Nationalparks.fi

Municipality of Sipoo

Text and images:
Kristian Meurman
firstname.lastname@sipoo.fi

I visited Kaskela petting zoo (Kaskelan kotieläinpiha) on a hot summer day with my 10-year-old daughter. To my surprise, the pre-teen forgot about her role as a ”big girl” while literally entering among animals.

Who’s afraid of ”the Sarge”?

The first animal you encounter in its own fenced yard is the huge German shepherd Kessu (”the Sergeant or Sarge”). The big animal is friendly and curious, but due to its huge size some people coul

d be frightened.

-We never keep Kessu free, if there is but one child who is afraid of dogs, the owner of Kaskelan kotieläinpiha Minna Kivistö tells. Kessu however does enjoy the attention and although we have everything from goats to horses and from chicken to sheep, it is without doubt Kessu who is our petting zoo’s absolute favourite, she laughs.

I don’t wonder, for as a dog lover I can but appreciate the goodlooking German Shepherd, but in addition there is something strangely sweet about Kessu. You would want to give him a hug.

Little by little and doing-it-yourself

Minna Kivistö is not the typical animal owner, for she has built the majority of her petting zoo herself. The petting zoo, that opened its doors about a year and a half ago, has been built with love and piety. Her husband has of course helped a little here and there and the most demanding construction work was done by a professional. But it is clear Minna is not the one left standing with her hands down her pockets, if something needs fixing or tidying up.

The projects are in no way over yet. At the moment, a back terrace is being put togehter behind the café building, to ensure shady places to sit down on really hot summer days.

Sensible amount of animals

Kaskela petting zoo is no humongous facility and the number of animals is not too big. Whether you would count the number in different species or total amount of creatures. A sensible amount of animal means, that the staff really has got time to take care of the animals and that there is enough space for species typical behaviour for all individuals.

While listening to the lady of the yard talking, one can really tell that every fencing, building and play site has been thoroughly thought through and planned. There is plenty of room for play and rest and even a non-expert like myself can tell the animals are happy.

”You can go in there!”

While I am trying to stretch myself to take a picture of the beautiful horses, Minna says that it is fine to go among them. I have always been a friend of horses, but since my own experiences are limited to only some riding trips, I feel like thinking over the proposition. However, before I even think the thought through, I find myself amongst the horses, where the friendly animals come to greet. As I am stroking the mane of the beautiful Finnish horse and look into its soft and curious eyes, I almost forget to snap the picture.

Only when I am in the horses’ paddock, I realise what a vast area they have at their disposal. But then it occurs to me that even this is only a part of their pasture. They also have a summer pasture by the banks of Kerava river, where they can enjoy grass and other delicacies growing on the fields of the embankment. If I were a horse, I would certainly be happy living in Kaskela petting zoo.

Of course, guests are not usually allowed inside the paddock, especially children, since the horses with their big manes could frighten especially smaller children. But among the sheep and the goats it is more than OK to go with guardians and at their responsibility! Naturally, one should however wait for someone of the staff before entering the inside of the fence, as the animals could be frightened with strangers coming in unannounced.

Children’s camps, birthday parties and other events

Children’s camps for children of different ages are held at Kaskela petting zoo throughout the summer. In addition, one can organise for instance a birthday celebration with open fire barbecue and even horse or pony back riding.

Plenty of parking space and delicacies at the café

The entrance fee is paid at the café building by the entrance, where there also are a few tables and chairs. The entrance is right next to the big parking lot, that has been cleared on a big field. In addition to coffee, cold drinks, sweets and ice creams, the café always serves at least one sweet and one salty treat. Dietary restrictions can also be considered.

You can also choose to eat literally in the middle of animals. In the central parts of the petting zoo, there are several table groups, where eating your own picnic food is also allowed. However, the delicacies at the café look so good that at least I would not bother to drag any food with me from home.

Stick horse course is free to use

In addition to real horses and ponies, there is also a stick horse course, with stick horses that you can borrow for free. Children and adults alike can therefore organise their own stick horse competitions amongst friends or family members. I felt a little sorry that my daughter thought that this might be a little juvenile for her. For once I would have been free to look even more stupid than usual, without feeling embarrassed!

The cherry on the cake is the nature trail

A short nature trail ranging around 600 meters begins at the end of the yard. Rounding the horses’ summer pasture, it encircles a part along the embankment of Kerava river. Among the nature trail there is also an interesting building that will catch the eye of at least the smaller children, but it did start a funny conversation also between myself and my 10-year-old.

You could spend the entire day here

The area is in no sense vast, and the feeling is laid back. There is plenty to see but, on the other hand – as the owner herself says – many times it is just enough to sit down and watch the animals do whatever they are doing. It is actually quite therapeutic, especially when you know that you can pet the animals if you feel like it.

Kaskela petting zoo is not yet widely known, partly due to its rather young age. But being the unique place it is, I am confident that will change over time.

I can warmly recommend Kaskela petting zoo to adults and children of all ages. Worth noting is however, that since the area is uncovered, heavy rains and thunderstorms can force to shut the place down temporarily.

Additional information

Kaskelan kotieläinpiha
Kaskelantie 424
04240 Talma

Open during summer from Wednesday to Sunday from noon to 5 pm (12-17)

Entrance fee 6 € / person
(Children under 2 years and personal assistant to disabled person enter free of charge.)

Assisted pony riding on Sundays between 2 and 3 pm (14-15) à 4 € / child.

NB! For safety reasons, customers own animals are not allowed to enter the petting zoo area.

Link

Kaskelan kotieläinpiha (Website in Finnish)

Half a day in the wilderness conveniently with the Hop-On Hop-Off bus service

I wanted to enjoy as much as possible of the Sipoonkorpi National Park, so I decided to test the Hop-On Hop-Off bus service with a combination of hiking right through the national park. My aim was to fit in half a day’s time as much of the forest in Sipoonkorpi, taking a break with a nice cup of coffee and a sandwich and stroll around in the forest without having to hurry. Although the bus schedules force to keep a little eye on the time.

Walking through the southern part of the National Park, it is possible to choose among different lengths and types of paths and should the coffee break turn out to be a little longer than anticipated, there is also an option of cutting corners and reaching the end point a little quicker than through the forest path. On the other hand, should you walk with a faster pace, there’s always the option of taking an extra break, sitting down on the sun heaten rocks and admire the view over the pasture fields – and the end point’s bus stop is not a bad place to sit down either, with its cows walking slowly around on the fields. Not a bad place to wait for the bus at all!

Leaving from Tikkurila in Vantaa or Nikkilä in Sipoo in the morning

You can catch the Hop-On Hop-Off bus either from Nikkilä in Sipoo (at 08:45 am) or from Tikkurila in Vantaa (at 09:30 am). In Nikkilä, the bus leaves in front of the library and in Tikkurila the bus leaves at the Travel Center’s bus station at platform 10. Depending on the situation, the bus is either a 16-seat minibus or a fullscale tourist coach. In either case, it is easy to distinguish thanks to the ”Sipoonkorpi Hop-On Hop-Off” sign in the front window and in addition, right at platform 10, there is also a schedule stand placed, where you can check the timetable for the service. To get to Tikkurila, you can catch the Greater Helsinki Area local service (HSL) trains or buses and long bound trains also stop at Tikkurila train station. There is even a straight train and bus connection to the Helsinki-Vantaa international airport from Tikkurila.

Traffic connections to Nikkilä include bus services from for instance Kerava, Järvenpää, northern Sipoo, Itäkeskus in Helsinki, southern Sipoo and Porvoo.

You can check connections through these services:
HSL Greater Helsinki Area traffic journey planner
VR Finnish national train company
Matkahuolto longbound bus services

You can distinguish the Sipoonkorpi Hop-On Hop-Off bus from the sign.

HALF A DAY’S HIKE:
Bakunkärr – Brännberget – Kalkkiruukki – Kalkinpolttajanpolku – Sotunki (Kalkkiuunintie)

Duration: 1½ – 2 hours of walking + 30 min coffee break
Walking distance: approximately 7 kilometers
Level: Basic
The bus arrives at Bakunkärr parking lot at 10:15
The bus leaves from Kalkkiuunintie bus stop at 12:45
Notice: Remember to bring your water bottle! There is no drinking water available.

NB! The bus does not stop and wait for passengers, you have to be on time at the stop.
Please tell the driver at which stop You wish to leave.

Picture: Kristian Meurman

The path in blue takes around 1 ½ hours to walk and there is enough time for a good half an hour’s break.

The path begins at Bakunkärr parking lot and moves towards Bakunkärr pause retreat. Among the route there are a wide variety of different kinds of forest and planks help to get over wet spots. Especially after rain the terrain can be quite wet, so city sneakers are not a recommended footwear here.

Picture: Kristian Meurman

It is important to choose good shoes for the path. My choice were the Finnish Defence Forces’ boots M/05.

 

The beginning of the journey goes along a narrow path, but the markings are clear. In the vicinity of Bakunkärr there is a shorter round path that is with its 2 kilometers suitable also for smaller children. This path is marked in blue, whereas the path towards Kalkinpolttajanpolku (Chalk burners path) is marked in yellow.

The route markings are clear, and it is easy to distinguish the wanted path from others. There are enough of signs that also help to keep You on the right track, even if crossing paths occur every now and then. There are quite a few places to take a break, either simple benches made of wood stubs and planks or table groups. Therefore, it is not necessarily an issue to enjoy your cold snacks at the designated rest areas with their fireplaces.

Picture: Kristian Meurman

Route markings are clear, and the different paths are easy to distinguish one from the other. The Bakunkärr round route is blue and the route towards Kalkkiruukki is yellos. The longer round route Kalkinpolttajanpolku is marked in green and white.

The first bigger rest area, that also comes with a tidy dry toilet, is Bakunkärr resting area. Should you want to take a break there, you keep walking the approximately 200 meters straight forward, instead of turning right to the west, in the directions of Kalkinpolttajanpolku and Kalkkiruukki resting area. The turning point is simple to distinguish, as the narrow forest path turns into a wider gravel path, that is big enough to fit even a fourwheel buggy, that are used by Metsähallitus (the forest organisation that takes care of the Finnish National Parks). At the resting area there are two firepits, of which one also has a roof over it. At the table groups You can enjoy a view toward southeast where in the distance, you can see a small marsh pond.

If there is no need for a break, it is recommended to keep walking towards the Kalkkiruukki area.

Picture: Kristian Meurman

Already one kilometer into the journey, there is a resting point with a tidy dry toilet. Should you however not need this service at this time, you can walk past the Bakunkärr resting area and save the extra walk of around 300 meters.

When closing in on Kalkkiruukki resting area, the scenery becomes hillier and in places there are quite impressive height differences. This path is however suitable for people with basic physical abilities and does not demand a sporty trim. The path is also easy to walk with its gravel paths, planks and small bridges.

The Kalkkiruukki resting area is well equipped. There are two tidy dry toilets and plenty of seating areas. Even if all the seats would be taken, it is definitely not a bad idea to sit down on the rocks that have been warmed by sunlight. Tents are allowed at the Kalkkiruukki area and next to the fireplace, there is even a sleeping hut for two.

Picture: Kristian Meurman

Kalkkiruukki resting area has a fireplace and plenty of seating areas.

After the coffee break it is time to continue the journey, because the path is only halfway through. The remaining half is a joy to walk: mostly level and partly downhill. From the darkness of the forest, the path emerges on a wide sandy road right next to pasture fields. The road is also used by cars, so it is important to stay at the side of the road. If the coffee break has been a little too long, there is the option of walking the rest of the way along the big road all the way to the paved road. You can thus save a good 15-20 minutes but will miss a few sceneries well worth seeing. However, if you worry about missing the bus, it is a good option to keep in mind. Taking the path will double the time necessary.

The route is easy to follow, white and green squares tell you where to turn, but it is still important to keep your eyes open, otherwise it is easy to miss where the path gets back into the forest.

Picture: Kristian Meurman

If your break was longer than anticipated, you can walk straight forward here instead of taking the stairs up into the forest. By walking straight to the bus stop from here, you reach the bus stop in about 10-15 minutes. By walking through the forest, you need to schedule at least another 15 minutes.

In total the around 7 kilometers of walking felt joyful and although I usually am a fast walker, I tried on purpose to take my time and enjoy the scenery, stopping for photographs. I took a few extra rounds to time both the straightest road and the smaller path and can therefore say, that 2 hours and 45 minutes is more than enough time from the starting point to the end point, even if you need to be on time at the bus stop to wait for the bus. If there is time to spare, you can always do as I did and take a second pause on the rocky hills, enjoying the scenery with pasture lands and cows on the Vantaa side of the National Park. So, it might be a good idea to spare some extra coffee in the thermos just in case – if for nothing else, you can enjoy it at the bust stop while waiting for the coach!

Picture: Kristian Meurman

For half a day’s journey readymade food is recommendable. Remember to bring a water bottle, since there are no water points in the southern parts of Sipoonkorpi National Park.

I recommend you bringing readymade food with you for this journey. Brewing coffee and making a fire might turn out to be a little too time consuming and there might not be time to actually sit down and relax, which should be a priority for your pause. In my blog postings to come I will give you hints about longer journeys, to which you should bring both matches and sausages!

Picture: Kristian Meurman

It is important to be on time at the bus stop since the bus does not stop and wait for passengers. Wave clearly with your hand, signalling to the driver that you want onboard.

For more information on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus service, check the link below:

Sipoonkorpi Hop-On Hop-Off bus

 

Text & Images:
Kristian Meurman
firstname.lastname@sipoo.fi

Text and images:
Kristian Meurman
firstname.lastname@sipoo.fi

Taasjärvi – an oasis amidst urban environments

Picture: Kristian Meurman

Right next to Söderkulla center, just a stone’s throw away from major retail shops, the beautiful oasis of Taasjärvi lake can be found. Easily accessible by car, it’s also close to the nearest bus stops. Söderkulla area recreational routes circle Taasjärvi and make it thus very accessible by bicycle also from a little bit farther away.

The soft sandy beach features a sturdy pier that is perfect for jumping in the cool lake water. Actually, there are two beaches, the smaller one with its smaller pier is popular among recreational swimmers and winter bathers, while the bigger one with its L shaped pier gives good shelter for big and small splashers alike to enjoy a hot summer day. Changing cabinets and a dry toilet are available at the beach, as well as a beach volleyball court. Although no real services are provided right at the beach, Söderkulla center with its shops, cafés and restaurants are close enough to be reached on foot.

Address: Closest parking: Corner of Talvikintie and Kielokuja (Söderkulla), in the south: Taasjärventie 40.
Type of beach: Sandy beach with surrounding grass fields, big sturdy pier and smaller recreational swimmers’ pier.
Services: Dry toilet, changing cabinets, beach volleyball court.
Parking: Free of charge (4 h), restricted number of parking spots.
How to get here: On foot (approx. 15 min) from Söderkulla center, on bicycle through Söderkulla recreational paths, by bus: closest bus stops in Söderkulla, by car.
Accessibility: Accessible by wheelchair, dry toilet not accessible.

Pilvijärvi – The Lake Garda of Sipoo

Picture: Kristian Meurman

To get to the true whole family’s summer paradise, Pilvijärvi, you take the main road Söderkullantie, that runs between Söderkulla and Nikkilä. Like the lake Taasjärvi, Pilvijärvi is close to Söderkulla, just north of Hansas village, but it is easily accessible also from Nikkilä by bicycle. There is plenty of paying parking and if you plan to visit several times during the summer, it’s recommendable to buy a seasonal parking ticket that is vehicle specific.

The sandy beach is large with vast green grass areas around it. The area features toilet facilities, barbecue sites and a summer kiosk. It is also convenient to take a swim from the big pier. Plenty of space for games and playing, although during high season Pilvijärvi is for obvious reasons quite popular.

Address: Pilvijärventie 40.
Type of beach: Sandy beach, big pier.
Services: Toilets (also wheelchair accessible), dressing rooms, children’s playground, swings by the water, barbecue site (2 fire pits) with firewood available, tables and benches, summer café (open during school holidays daily from 10.15 am to 7 pm, except during Midsummer weekend from 10:15 am to 5 pm). The beach is open between 10 am and 8 pm, access to the beach area is restricted outside opening hours. Circulating supervisor / guard on site.
Parking: Paying parking 5 € / time or 30 € / season (vehicle specific permit), mopeds and motorcycles 2 € / time.
How to get here: By bicycle or walking along Söderkulla recreational routes (approx. 6 km from Söderkulla center), buses 841, 841B and 841N, closest bus stops on Söderkullantie (Pilvijärventie bus stop), by car.
Accessibility: Accessible by wheelchair when assisted (rather steep path downhill from parking lot to beach).

Fiskträsket – a wilderness lake in the middle of the National Forest

Picture: Kristian Meurman

Close to Restaurant Tila, the wilderness style lake Fiskträsket is nowadays accessible to a much wider public thanks to the new Hop-on Hop-off coach service. The lake can be reached on foot through the beautiful dense wild forest in about 40 minutes from Bakunkärr parking lot, whereas the slightly shorter return on the Fiskträsket round route takes approximately half an hour.  There is a spring in the bottom of the lake with crystal clear water and thus it remains cooling even on the hottest of summer days. Several small currents run from the lake towards the middle parts of eastern Sipoonkorpi National Park and its marsh areas. There are a few benches with tables, but it is just as lovely to spread the picnic blanket on the smooth rock. Setting up a fire is not permitted in the area, so guests are encouraged to bring cold food with them and preparing the coffee in their thermos bottles in advance.

Restaurant Tila is less than 1000 meters away and restaurant customers can have a refreshing swim before enjoying their food – or fill their coffee thermos for a small fee at the restaurant and enjoy coffee after lunch after a small walk by the lakeside.

About half a kilometer (500 meters) away the smaller lake Abborträsket is situated, also reachable by path.

Address: Knutersintie 421 (Bakunkärr, parking) / Knutersintie 262 (Restaurant Tila).
Type of beach: Natural state beach.
Services: Benches and tables, Restaurant Tila (open Tuesday to Saturday) 900 m from the lake.
Parking: Bakunkärret parking lot a little over 2 kilometers away. Restaurant Tila’s customer parking space 900 meters away.
How to get here: By Hop-on Hop-off bus service either to Korvenportti (Restaurant Tila) stop or Bakunkärr bus stop, by car.
Accessibility: No accessible road, forest paths and narrow plank bridges.