Parks, islands, forests and historical monuments – the Helsinki Outdoor Challenge consists of 24 tips for different types of summer outdoor recreation activities. Many of the activities on the list can be realised at several destinations at a time that suits you best. Most of the challenges are suitable for people of all ages.
Participating in the Outdoor Challenge in a sustainable manner is easy if you walk, cycle or use public transport. It’s a good idea to pack a picnic lunch for the longer trips. Please move around in nature without leaving any trace of yourself – if you use a reusable lunch box, you won’t have to carry any litter with you.
“The idea with the Outdoor Challenge is to inspire people to explore Helsinki’s diverse nature sites in a sustainable manner. Exploring your own city is a rewarding way of passing the time – you’ll always learn something new and interesting about your neighbourhood,” says Environmental Specialist Mira Lainiola.
Take part in the Outdoor Challenge and share your outdoor recreation tips on social media with the hashtag #hkiulkoiluhaaste!
Helsinki Outdoor Challenge 2023
1. Have a picnic in a park. Explore Helsinki’s parks on our website.
2. Climb a set of fitness stairs. All the fitness stairs in the Helsinki region can be found on the Service Map(Link leads to external service).
3. Visit a nature reserve. See all the nature reserves in Helsinki.
4. Admire blooming rhododendra. Visit the Rhododendron Park(Link leads to external service) in Haaga or Kaivopuisto Park in June.
5. Explore a historical monument. See all wartime trenches and ancient monuments(Link leads to external service). When visiting these sites, please move around carefully so as not to damage the protected monuments.
6. Walk along duckboards. You can find duckboards at Haltiala primeval forest(Link leads to external service) and Lammassaari accessible boardwalk, for example.
7. Take the metro to explore nature. Which metro station is close to the best nature oasis? Share your tips!
8. Visit a national park. Tip: in summer, you can get to Sipoonkorpi with a Hop-On Hop-Off bus from Mellunmäki metro station!
9. Walk along a waterfront trail. Choose one of the three waterfront trails in Helsinki, or tour them all: the Eastern Waterfront Trail, the Inner City Waterfront Trail(Link leads to external service) and the Seurasaarenselkä Waterfront Trail.
10. See grazing sheep in their summer pasture. In summer, you can see sheep at Vartiosaari, Kuusiluoto, Haltiala farm and Särkkäniemi in Uutela, for example.
11. Discover different tree species at an arboretum. Helsinki’s arboretums(Link leads to external service) are in Viikki, Meilahti and Niskala.
12. Take a photography tour. Capture your favourite landscape or a stunning natural detail.
13. Sail to an island. Pihlajasaari, Vartiosaari or Harakka? Get to know the islands in Helsinki on our website.
14. Take a guided tour. See the nature tour calendar for free nature tours in the Helsinki metropolitan area.
15. Visit a botanical garden. Discover plants from all over the world in Winter Garden, Kaisaniemi(Link leads to external service) or Kumpula.(Link leads to external service)
16. Visit a high vantage point. Where can you find the best view over the city?
17. Fry a sausage in a public barbecue area. Don’t forget to check that there is no forest or wildfire warning(Link leads to external service), though! See all the cooking shelters and hiking lodges.
18. Spend a summer day at a beach. See our website for public beaches and their current blue-green algae status.
19. Visit a natural monument. Find protected trees, giant’s kettles and other natural monuments on our website.
20. Walk a nature trail. Explore nature trails around Helsinki.
21. Take a birdwatching trip to a bird tower. See Helsinki’s birdwatching sites.
22. Climb to the top: Malminkartanohuippu(Link leads to external service) is the highest point in Helsinki, while Vuosaarenhuippu(Link leads to external service) is a versatile outdoor destination.
23. Take a friend or family member on a surprise trip.
24. Take a walk in an ancient forest. You can visit the Haltiala primeval forest(Link leads to external service)or the accessible nature trail in Kivinokka primeval forest to admire some shelf fungi.