Sipoonkorpi National Park

Sipoonkorpi is in the far east of the Capital Region, around the tri-point of Helsinki, Sipoo and Vantaa and north of it. In addition to Nuuksio, it's one of two national parks this close to Helsinki, about 25 km northeast of downtown.

You can get in by car, but there may be limited parking. Other possible options are by bus or by bike.

Like other Finnish national parks, there's no entrance fee. The right to access mostly applies.

In the park it's allowed to get around by foot, ski, non-motorized water vessels (e.g. rowing boat or canoe), horse or bike.

There's a network of hiking trails in the park, but notably there are no such trails to the northeastern "exclave" Byabäcken, so you will have to navigate through the forest of walk along country roads. There are also two dedicated nature trails, one of which is around Byabäcken.

During the winter there are skiing trails in the western part of the park from Jokivarsi to Hakunila, providing there's enough snow (for instance the winter 2019-20 was essentially snow-free in southern Finland).

• 🌍 Byabäcken. Byabäcken is a tributary stream to Sipoo river. A section of it was declared a Natura 2000 protection area by the EU already before the establishment of the park. The stream flows past forest, small hills and pastures with grazing cows and a multitude of flowers in the summer. The area has a nature trail, a well and overnighting facilities. (updated Oct 2020)
• 🌍 Kuusijärvi. Lake Kuusijärvi isn't in the park, but next to it, and a notable entry point to the park across the Sipoonkorpi pedestrian bridge. The lake is a popular place for swimming both summer and winter and there's a café. (updated Oct 2020)
• 🌍 Bisajärvi. A little pond halfway between Kuusijärvi and Kalkkiruukki. Interestingly it's shape is reminiscent of Finland, but turned upside down. You can swim here, and there's a picnic area. (updated Oct 2020)
• 🌍 Kalkkiruukki. One of the park's cultural highlights, this is a historical limestone mine and kiln with a trail leading you around the premises and up to Högberget hill with nice views. (updated Oct 2020)
• 🌍 Bakunkärr. A swampy pond with a picnic area nearby. (updated Oct 2020)
• 🌍 Fiskträsk. Fairly easily accessible, eventhough not next to a road. Has a picnic area. (updated Oct 2020)
• 🌍 Storträsk. Not next to a road but the trail there as well as the toilet is disabled-friendly. Fishing in the lake requires two permits (see below), but if lucky you may catch rainbow trouts that have been introduced here. (updated Oct 2020)

In the park there are no shops. The closest grocery stores are the 🌍 K Supermarket in Nikinmäki, and several stores in 🌍 Sipoo (Nikkilä), 🌍 Korso, 🌍 Koivukylä and 🌍 Hakunila, and a 🌍 K market in Östersundom. If you need outdoor gear, the shops in the 🌍 Porttipuisto shopping area are the closest places.

There are two places to eat in the vicinity; other than that, bring your own food.

• 🌍 Café Kuusijärvi, Kuusijärventie 3 (Vantaa). Café at Lake Kuusijärvi also serving burgers and other fast food. (updated Oct 2020)

• 🌍 Restaurant Tila, Knutersintie 262 (Sipoo). Upscale restaurant adjacent to the park. (updated Oct 2020)

There's a well at the Bergström house (Bergströmin torppa) in the Byabäcken area. Drinking from ponds and streams would problably not be a good idea – roads and agriculture aren't too far away. Fortunately tap water is perfectly drinkable in Finland, just fill up some bottles before your trip to bring along.

While the right to access allows visitors to freely enjoy the nature, visitors also have the responsibility to keep the nature as it is. It's OK to collect berries and mushrooms and to some extent fishing is allowed as well. Other animals (including their homes such as birdnests) as well as farm animals, trees and plants, rocks and earth must be left alone.

Driving motorized vehicles in the park, littering, trampling fields, letting pets move around freely (i.e. not keeping them on a leash), and making campfires outside designated fire sites are also prohibited.

There aren't that many dangers in the park other than perhaps slipping or tripping over. Chances of encountering a bear or wolf is theoretical at most and something that would make it to the news. Mosquitoes, while not spreading any diseases, may be a nuisance during the summer. Adapt your clothing to the weather. Cell phone coverage is generally good in the park, but if the coverage is weak, get to a higher place.

To the west there's the Capital Region with a lot of mainly urban sights. To the east there's Sipoo and Porvoo and historical places along the King's Road.