Nature reserves

Friskalanlahti is located in Hirvensalo. It is part of the national bird wetlands conservation programme and the Natura 2000 network of protected areas. In addition to water areas in Friskalanlahti, the protected area includes reed beds, grazed coastal meadows and herb-rich islets.  

The area is also well-known as a good spot for birdwatching as approximately 50 bird species nest there, including the rare great reed warbler and bearded reedling. You can observe birds from the birdwatching tower and the platform. Find more information on the Birdwatching towers page: Birdwatching towers 

How to get there 

There are two parking areas in Friskalanlahti: on Vihtiläntie and Rauhanniementie. Easy trails to the birdwatching tower and the accessible birdwatching platform start from the parking area.

You can get close to Friskalanlahti on Föli buses 14, 15, 50, 55.

Find information on bus timetables and routes on the Föli website: Timetables and routes - Föli

Friskalanlahti on the map: Friskalanlahti Nature Reserve 

Rules and guidelines 

In the reserve, it is prohibited to:

• Travel by a motor vehicle, on bicycle or on horseback.
• Go outside the marked trails between 1 April and 31 July.
• Walk domestic animals.
• Collect and damage plants or parts of plants.
• Kill or disturb vertebrate animals.
• Catch invertebrate animals.
• Organise orienteering or other competitions and exercises in the terrain.
• Damage or mould soil.
• Do any activity that harms the nature, animals and vegetation of the area.

Fishing is permitted between 1 August and 31 March.

Collection of edible mushrooms and berries is permitted within the limits of movement restrictions.  

More instructions and information about the nature reserve and its rules can be found in the protection provision:  

Katariinanlaakso is located in the southern part of Turku near the border of Kaarina. The nature reserve consists of herb-rich islets where deciduous trees such as the English oak and small-leaved linden grow. In addition to herb-rich forests, the reserve also has forests underneath steep bluffs, pine forests and dry meadows, as well as coastal meadows.

Katariinanlaakso is home to a large number of plant and animal species, including flora of herb-rich forests and rare meadow species. You can find rare fungi and moss species and many different types of beetles in the area. The bird stock in Katariinanlaakso is also versatile. 

How to get there 

You can get to Katariinanlaakso on Föli buses 13 and 18.  

Find information on bus timetables and routes on the Föli website: Timetables and routes - Föli

There is also a large parking area in Katariinanlaakso. A comprehensive network of nature trails starts right next to the parking area, making it easy to start exploring the area.

Katariinanlaakso on the map: Katariinanlaakso Nature Reserve 

Rules and guidelines 

In the reserve, it is prohibited to:

• Travel by a motor vehicle.
• Go outside the marked trails between 15 April and 31 July.
• Let dogs out of leash.
• Collect or damage plants, parts of plants, berries, or mushrooms.
• Disturb animals or damage nests.
• Organise orienteering or other competitions and exercises in the terrain.
• Do any activity that harms the nature, animals and vegetation of the area.

More instructions and information about the nature reserve and its rules can be found in the protection provision:  

Kulho Island is located between Hirvensalo and Kakskerta. The island’s rocky landscape is divided by an open field and Turku’s largest uniform reed bed area. Out of the area, 20.6 hectares are part of a nature reserve belonging to the Natura 2000 network of protected areas.

A large number of different birds nest in the Kulho Nature Reserve. You can spot woodpeckers as well as the rare bearded reedling. The reed bed area is also a popular nesting spot for sedge and reed warblers and cranes. The island’s sloped meadows grow rare flora, such as the five-stamened chickweed and spring speedwell. 

How to get there 

You can only get to Kulho by boat. Find the island and its nature reserves on the Guide Map: Kulho Nature Reserve 

Rules and guidelines 

In the reserve, it is prohibited to:

• Going outside paths and trails is prohibited between 1 April and 15 July.
• Collect and damage plants or parts of plants
• Hunt, disturb animals and damage nests.
• Any activities that may harm vegetation and animals are prohibited.

Collection of edible mushrooms and berries is permitted within what is allowed in the movement restrictions.  

More instructions and information about the nature reserve and its rules can be found in the protection provision:  

Kurjenrahka National Park is located in the area of several municipalities, its best-known attraction being the old border marker of eight municipalities called Kuhankuono. Its southernmost section is located in the Turku region, approximately 35 kilometres north of the centre of Turku.

Kurjenrahka has a surface area of 29 square kilometres which makes it the largest protected mire in Southwest Finland. It is characterised by rugged soil and dry heath forests which surround raised bogs in their natural state.

Kurjenrahka is home to many animal and plant species, many of which are rare. The diverse bird population includes cranes, boreal owls and black grouse. This park also has a rich insect stock. You might spot otters and the rare flying squirrel.

Kurjenrahka has approximately 150 kilometres of hiking trails and nature trails. It is an excellent destination for both daytrips and overnight hikes. Please check the overnight accommodation and instructions when planning your visit. 

How to get there 

You can get to Kurjenrahka National Park by local Föli buses: some of the routes on lines 21 and 23 go to Kuhankuono in Kurjenrahka. For more information on schedules, see Föli’s website: Kuhankuono | Föli (foli.fi)

There are also parking spaces in the national park, which you can see on the Metsähallitus map:

Kurjenrahka National Park map 

Rules and guidelines 

The Metsähallitus Nationalparks.fi service contains a lot of information on Kurjenrahka and the guidelines and rules of the park: 

Guidelines and rules in Kurjenrahka - Nationalparks.fi 

Muistathan lukea ohjeet ja säännöt tarkkaan ennen vierailua.

The Luolavuori Nature Reserve is located near Luolavuori and Ilpoinen residential areas. The reserve consists largely of pine in its natural state and spruce forests with significant amounts of decaying wood that is valuable for biodiversity. Here you might see the rare flying squirrel, now endangered in Finland.

As its name suggests, Luolavuori (“Cave Mountain”) has many caves, the largest of which is one of the most magnificent in Finland at approximately 45 metres long. There are two cairns in the area, dating back to the early metal period. You can also visit the Ropovaha boundary mark, which is known to have marked the city border already in the 16th century.  

An illuminated track runs through the nature reserve, which is used as a jogging path in summer and ski track in winter. The track is also connected to the Ispoinen-Harittu-Lauste fitness track and the Katariinanlaakso nature trail.  

More information on fitness trails and ski tracks: Fitness trails and ski tracks 

How to get there 

You can reach Luolavuori on Föli buses 13 and 18. For more information on routes and timetables, see Föli’s website: Föli - Timetables and routes

There are also parking spaces near the area.  

Find the location of the nature reserve, its trails and nearby parking areas on the Guide Map: Luolavuori Nature Reserve 

The Metsäkylä-Kuninkoja Nature Reserve is located north of the city, near the districts of Mälikkälä and Nättinummi.

Here you will find brookside meadows, herb-rich forests, young heath forests, dry meadows, and bare rock. The area has versatile vegetation and a large number of bird species, such as a large variety of different types of sparrow.  

The nature reserve is connected by trails to another nature reserve, Mälikkälänmetsä. Mälikkälä also has a fitness trail. 

How to get there 

You can get to the Metsäkylä-Kuninkoja Nature Reserve by Föli buses 300, 301 and 302.

Find information on bus timetables and routes on the Föli website: Timetables and routes - Föli

See the nature reserve on the map: Metsäkylä-Kuninkoja Nature Reserve 

Moving around

In the reserve, it is prohibited to:

• Travel by a motor vehicle.
• Go outside the marked trails between 1 April and 15 July.
• Keep pets out of leash.
• Collect and damage plants or parts of plants.
• Hunt, disturb animals, and damage nests.
• Organise orienteering or other competitions and exercises in the terrain.
• Other activities that impact the landscape of the area or that harm vegetation and animals.

Collection of edible mushrooms and berries is permitted within the limits of movement restrictions.

More instructions and information about the nature reserve and its rules can be found in the protection provision:  

Muhkurinmäki is located in the Muhkuri district near the Naantali expressway. Muhkurinmäki is a lush rocky forest consisting mainly of oak groves. Its vegetation is similar to the herb-rich forests in Ruissalo.  

There is plenty of decaying wood, which creates an ideal habitat for a wide range of unique fungi. The herb-rich forest is also home to rare bird species, such as the Eurasian golden oriole, red-breasted flycatcher, and greenish warbler. 

How to get there 

You can reach Muhkurinmäki by Föli bus 20.  

Find information on bus timetables and routes on the Föli website: Timetables and routes - Föli

Find Muhkurinmäki on the Guide Map: Muhkurinmäki Nature Reserve 

Mälikkälänmetsä is located in the Mälikkälä district. The terrain here is very diverse and varied: shaded spruce forests huddle between its tall, sunlit rocky hills, with small natural spruce bogs, swamps and open bogs dotting the landscape.  

Mälikkälänmetsä offers a network of trails with a few kilometres of jogging track circumventing it. The fitness trail is also connected to other nearby outdoor recreational areas, such as Metsäkylä-Kuninoja Nature Reserve. 

How to get there 

You can reach Mälikkälänmetsä by Föli bus 20.  

Find information on bus timetables and routes on the Föli website: Timetables and routes - Föli

Mälikkälänmetsä on the Guide Map: Mälikkälänmetsä Nature Reserve 

Nunnavuori is a rocky hill located next door to the Runosmäki residential area and the Impivaara sports centre. Nunnavuori mainly consists of dry pine heath with Hierochloe australis grass. A fitness track runs around the hill.

Here you can also find an ancient shingle beach: a field covered in stones that ancient waves have honed smooth, known as the "Devil's field” in Finnish. The large rock field formed over 7,500 years ago as a result of the coastal forces of the Baltic Sea. The field is a so-called "Devil's field” in Finnish (“pirunpelto”). Fragile, slow-growing moss and lichen cover the rocks.  

How to get there 

You can get to Nunnavuori Hill through the surrounding fitness trail. The fitness trail can be reached from the Impivaara sports centre, Impivaara Swimming Centre and Runosmäki residential area.  

You can also get close to Nunnavuori by Föli buses 13 and 18.

Find information on bus timetables and routes on the Föli website: Timetables and routes - Föli

Nunnavuori on the Guide Map: Nunnavuori Nature Reserve 

Rules and guidelines

It is prohibited to damage soil, vegetation and animals and do anything that alters the nature and landscapes.

Collection of edible mushrooms and berries is permitted.  

Information and instructions in the protection order:  

Pomponrahka is a mire area almost in its natural state located north of Turku. The area includes the northern Isosuo mire and the southern Pomponrahka mire. The area is part of the national mire conservation programme where restoration measures are currently ongoing. In addition to the mire, the area has forest, rocky mounds, and some birch forest in its southern parts.

The nature of Pomponrahka is very diverse, and you can find many endangered or rare species there. Among others, there are plenty of very rare butterfly and moth species, such as the Nola karelica, light orange underwing, and Rannoch brindled beauty. There are also rare heteropteran and spider species. More than one third of the 600 spider species found in Finland live in Pomponrahka. 

How to get there 

The best way to get to Pomponrahka is through the Vahdontie road which leads to the parking area at the edge of the mire.  

Runosmäki Outdoor Trail is also connected to the Pomponrahka nature trail via the bypass bridge.

Föli bus 2A has a stop about 15 minutes’ walk from the trailhead.

Find information on bus timetables and routes on the Föli website: Timetables and routes - Föli 

Rules and guidelines 

In the reserve, it is prohibited to:

• Travel by motor vehicles.
• Keep your dogs off-leash.
• Collect and damage plants or parts of plants.
• Hunt, disturb animals, and damage nests.
• Other activities that may alter the landscape or adversely affect the conservation of flora and fauna.  

Collection of edible mushrooms and berries is permitted.

More instructions and information about the nature reserve and its rules can be found in the protection provision:  

Pähkinäinen Island is located in the Turku Archipelago off Rymättylä. The island is in the area of Naantali, but its eastern half belongs to the City of Turku. The island has a camping area and several kilometres of nature trails.

Pähkinäinen has mostly pine forests which is typical of the archipelago. There are also meadows and lush hollows that interrupt the domination of the rocky terrain. You can find a wide range of birds on the island, including species typical of the outer archipelago, herb-rich forests and pine forests. One of the specialities of the island is the rare northern nutcracker, which only nests in coastal areas in Finland. Pähkinäinen is also one of the most important habitats of the endangered and protected butterfly species Apollo. 

Further information 

Pähkinäinen Island Nature Reserve on the Guide Map: Pähkinäinen nature reserve

You can get to the island by ferry, which departs from Haapala in Rymättylä. Find the ferry harbour on the Guide Map: Haapala harbour

The island has a guest harbour, so you can also arrive on your own boat.

For more information on Pähkinäinen Island and its services, visit the Outdoor recreation islands page: Outdoor recreation islands 

Rauvolanlahti is located in the southern part of the city right on the border of Kaarina. The area is part of Finland’s national bird wetlands conservation programme and the Natura 2000 network. The nature reserve consists of an extensive reed bed and deciduous forests on the shores of the bay. Rauvolanlahti is a habitat to diverse flora and fauna.

Together with the nature reserves of Katariinanlaakso and Vaarniemi, Rauvolanlahti is a popular birdwatching destination. There is also a birdwatching tower in Rauvolanlahti: find more information on the Birdwatching towers page: Birdwatching towers 

How to get there 

The best way to get to Rauvolanlahti is by following the marked trail, which starts in Katariinanlaakso as a walking path and continues along duckboards across the bay to the birdwatching tower.  

You can also get close to Rauvolanlahti by Föli bus 18.

Find information on bus timetables and routes on the Föli website: Timetables and routes - Föli 

Rules and guidelines 

In the reserve, it is prohibited to:

• Travel by a motor vehicle, on bicycle or on horseback.
• Go outside the marked trails between 1 April and 31 July.
• Collect and damage plants or parts of plants.
• Hunt, disturb animals, and damage nests.
• Damage or mould soil.
• Other activities that may alter the landscape or adversely affect the conservation of flora and fauna

Collection of edible mushrooms and berries is permitted within what is allowed in the movement restrictions.

More instructions and information about the nature reserve and its rules can be found in the protection provision:  

The majority of the island of Ruissalo is nature conservation areas, covering a total area of approximately 344 hectares. The areas are mainly part of the Natura 2000 network.  

The old groves on the island are the largest and most valuable oak forest area in Finland. Damp, frond-dominated herb-rich forests, dry slope groves, herb-rich forests growing underneath steep bluffs, and pastures are found here.

The herb-rich forests are home to an abundant and diverse range of endangered species. In particular, there are numerous rare and endangered fungi and beetles. The density of nesting birds is also one of the highest in Finland.

The bird-rich bays and shores of Ruissalo consist of seven separate areas on the eastern and middle parts of Ruissalo. The area is home to shallow coastal meadows and reed beds as well as small, dense, sheltered inlets. The shoreside areas are important mating and resting areas for birds. 

How to get there

There is a separate page with instructions on how to get to Ruissalo. You can find it here:

How to get to Ruissalo

Rules and guidelines

In the reserve, it is prohibited to:

• Travel by a motor vehicle, on bicycle or on horseback.
• Go outside marked trails
• in herb-rich forests between 15 April and 31 July.
• bird islets and shores between 15 March and 30 September.
• Collect and damage plants or parts of plants.
• Kill, trap, or disturb animals and damage nests.
• Let pets off the leash.  
• Build and dig.  
• Off-road races and exercises.  
• Making campfires, camping.
• Other activities that may alter the landscape or adversely affect the conservation of flora and fauna.

Collection of edible mushrooms and berries is permitted within what is allowed in the movement restrictions.

Further information

More instructions and information about the nature reserves and their rules can be found in the protection provision:  

Click here for Ruissalo's own pages where you can find a lot more information about Ruissalo's nature, history and everything you can do on the island:

Ruissalo 

Toijainen is an oak stand surrounded by fields in the middle of Hirvensalo. There are also huge erratic blocks from the last Ice Age. The vegetation in the area is diverse. Here you can also find a number of unique fungi, such as the livid entoloma, Hygrophorus persoonii, and Cystolepiota seminuda. 

How to get there

Find Toijainen on the Guide Map: Toijainen Nature Reserve

Find information on bus timetables and routes on the Föli website: Timetables and routes - Föli 

Rules and guidelines 

In the reserve, it is prohibited to:

• Collect and damage plants or parts of plants.
• Other activities that may alter the landscape or adversely affect the conservation of flora and fauna

Collection of edible mushrooms and berries is permitted.

More instructions and information about the nature reserve and its rules can be found in the protection provision: