What do Pornaistenniemi and Lammassaari offer?
Pornaistenniemi is accessible and you can follow the wide boardwalk to Lammassaari. From Lammassaari, you can make a short stop at the adjacent Kuusiluoto over the duckboards. Lammassaari and Kuusiluoto are public recreation areas.
Accessible Luonnon syli nature trail
The accessible nature trail of Pornaistenniemi is an easy one-kilometre ring trail. The nature trail runs through the Pornaistenniemi alder grove in the nature reserve.
Pornaistenniemi nature trail(Link leads to external service)
Accessible route from Pornaistenniemi to Lammassaari
You can travel from Pornaistenniemi to Lammassaari along the accessible boardwalk. There are accessible observation decks along the boardwalk, where you can observe the life in the reedbed.
Picnic spots
At the Pornaistenniemi picnic spot, you can eat in the midst of nature. Along the Luonnon syli nature trail, there are signs pointing to the picnic area. There are several picnic tables in the area.
Eateries and cafés
Along Katariina Saksilaisen katu, there are stalls and food trucks selling food and refreshments. Note! The area is under renovation and the stalls will return in the summer of 2023.
There is a small café at the Museum of Technology on the Kuninkaankartanonsaari island.
Museum of Technology(Link leads to external service)
Cooking shelters and fire places
There are no cooking shelters or other fire places in Pornaistenniemi or Lammassaari.
Toilets
There is an accessible public toilet, a Helsinki-Outhouse, next to the Pornaistenniemi dog park.
Vanhankaupunginlahti is an oasis for birds in the middle of Helsinki. Observe birds from the numerous observation spots in Pornaistenniemi and Lammassaari.
Birdwatching towers
The Pornaistenniemi and Lammassaari birdwatching towers provide a view of the landscape to the waters of Vanhankaupunginlahti. The birdwatching towers are not accessible.
Pornaistenniemi birdwatching tower
Lammassaari birdwatching tower
Birdwatching platforms and observation decks
There are accessible observation decks along the Lammassaari boardwalk. In addition, there is also an accessible birdwatching platform in Lammassaari.
Lammassaari boardwalk, accessible observation deck 1
Lammassaari boardwalk, accessible observation deck 2
Lammassaari accessible birdwatching platform
Hides
There is a hide in Pornaistenniemi where you can admire the birds swimming on the edge of the reedbed. The Pornaistenniemi hide is not accessible. In Lammassaari, a new hide suitable for larger groups is opening, providing a view of the waters in the direction of the island of Loppi.
Lammassaari hide (coming in 2023)
Fishing
Learn more about fishing areas and more detailed instructions. Fishing in the Viikki-Vanhankaupunginlahti nature reserve is completely forbidden. The fishing info unit (Viikintie 1) is open by appointment (contact us at kalastusinfo@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program)).
Fishing areas and restrictions in Helsinki(Link leads to external service)
Museum of Technology, Kuninkaankartanonsaari
Founded in 1969, the Museum of Technology is the only general museum of technology in Finland.
Museum of Technology(Link leads to external service)
Annala villa and garden, Vanhakaupunki
Annalan huvilan ystävät ry offers café services and organises events in the villa. The Hyötykasviyhdistys ry association organises activities in the garden area.
Kuusiluoto
You can walk along the traditional duckboards from Lammassaari to Kuusiluoto, which is about one hectare in size. Kuusiluoto is a public recreation area and there are some trails in the area. In the summer, you can also come across sheep on the island. Vanhankaupungin kulttuuri-ekologinen klubi ry has rented an old wooden villa on the island.
Kuusiluoto website(Link leads to external service)
Grazing
In Vanhankaupunginlahti, Eastern Finncattle and sheep are involved in the management of the waters. The grazing season lasts from May to September. You can admire the animals from the birdwatching spots. Grazing keeps the valuable coastal meadows open and thus suitable for bird life.
Lammassaari summer cottages
There are approximately 100 private summer cottages in Lammassaari. Summer cottage operations are organised by Raittiusyhdistys Koitto ry. Lammassaari is a public recreation area. As in other summer cottage areas, please take into account the peace of the residents when in the vicinity of the cottages.
Lammassaari summer cottages (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
Pohjolan pirtti, Lammassaari
In the middle of Lammassaari stands Pohjolan Pirtti, a round log cabin built at the beginning of the 20th century. The space is managed and rented by Raittiusyhdistys Koitto.
Raittiusyhdistys Koitto (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
Koskenranta
The event centre Koskenranta rents out spaces for events.
Pornaistenniemi is a lush, herb-rich forest with alder and birch where you can observe an exceptionally large number of polypores and corticioid fungi. The area is also an important habitat for many birds and reptiles.
On the Lammassaari boardwalk, you travel through the Viikki-Vanhankaupunginlahti nature reserve, which is characterised by extensive reedbeds, coastal meadows, forests and open water areas. The internationally valuable wetland for birds is a significant nesting area for numerous aquatic and wetland species. During the migration season, thousands of birds rest and feed in the area.
Lammassaari and Kuusiluoto are not part of the protected area, but they also provide important habitats, especially for birds and bats.
Nature reserves
There are two nature reserves in the Vanhankaupunginlahti area: Viikki-Vanhankaupunginlahti and the Pornaistenniemi alder grove. In order to protect nature, the use of the areas has been restricted through statutory protection regulations. Read more about the restrictions in the rules and recommendations section.
Lue rajoituksista tarkemmin kohdassa säännöt ja suositukset.
Vanhankaupunginlahti nature reserves, location on map(Link leads to external service)
The Citynature website presents the nature of Vanhankaupunginlahti
Read more about nature and history.
Vanhankaupunginlahti’s location page(Link leads to external service)
Vanhankaupunginlahti’s latest bird sightings
See the latest bird sightings in Viikki-Vanhankaupunginlahti
Updating observation page (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
Species observations in Pornaistenniemi and Lammassaari
The iNaturalist application allows you to easily record your species observations on your phone. The artificial intelligence and other application users can help you to identify the species. The confirmed observations are recorded at the Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility (FinBIF), where they serve researchers, authorities and nature enthusiasts.
Species observations in Vanhankaupunginlahti(Link leads to external service)
There are two nature reserves in the Vanhankaupunginlahti area.
Vanhankaupunginlahti nature reserves, location on map(Link leads to external service)
When in Vanhankaupunginlahti’s nature reserves, observe the following rules
- Do not move in the open water and reed areas during the snow-free season.
- Do not move in the Saunalahti area between 1 March and 30 November, or at any other time by motorised means of transport.
- No fishing – fishing in the Viikki-Vanhankaupunginlahti nature reserve is completely forbidden.
- Do not let dogs, cats or other pets roam free.
- No fire making, barbecuing or camping.
- Do not damage the plants, fungi or lichens.
- No motorised vehicles. You can use electronic mobility aids on the Luonnon syli nature trail and the Lammassaari boardwalk (applies to people with disabilities).
- Do not cycle on the Lammassaari boardwalk.
- Do not disturb wildlife or damage nests.
- You are allowed to pick mushrooms and berries.
See all protection regulations for nature reserves
- Conservation decision on Pornaistenniemi’s alder grove (pdf, inaccessible, in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
- Conservation decision on Viikki-Vanhankaupunginlahti (pdf, inaccessible, in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
General rules
In all outdoor areas, observe Everyman’s Rights and rules and move responsibly in nature:
The Pornaistenniemi nature trail and Lammassaari boardwalk are accessible. There are accessible observation decks and a birdwatching platform along the route.
The trails on Lammassaari are narrower and there is a steep climb to the Pohjolan Pirtti cabin at the top of the island. The duckboards running from Lammassaari to Kuusiluoto are conventional in design and narrower than the boardwalk. The Kuusiluoto duckboards may occasionally be submerged under water.
Accessibility information for Pornaistenniemi and Lammassaari’s nature services is still incomplete. Links to accessibility information will be available here when the analysis is completed. There are no lights or winter maintenance on the routes.
Luonnon syli nature trail, accessible
Services of the outdoor recreation area on the map
Pornaistenniemi has an accessible nature trail, a toilet, a dog park and a picnic area. There is an accessible boardwalk leading to Lammassaari. There are several birdwatching towers and platforms in the area, as well as two hides for nature observation.
