Guided Walk into the taiga forests
There is a positive relationship between the exposure to forests and the mental, physical and social well-being. Studies have shown that even 20 minutes’ stay in a forest helps to recover from stress and increase positive emotions.
Shinrin-yoku in Japanese and metsäkylpy in Finnish mean ‘forest bathing’. It describes well the experience one can have in a forest. All your senses take part in forest bathing.
While walking in the Boreal Taiga Forests we will observe the interesting life of the forests. Your guide is a professional biologist who is able to explain details about the Boreal forest habitats, forest species and their life, including secrets behind the scenes. Come and take your refreshing dose of nature!
Additional information
- Starting point of the walk to be confirmed when you have booked your trip. At request, we can pick you up from the railway station of Kirkkonummi.
- Guided Walk is normally for 1-4 persons. But do not hesitate to ask walks for bigger group as well.
What do I need with me?
Clothing suitable to weather.
Hiking shoes (or similar).
Own water bottle (at least during the summer). The tap water in Finland is drinkable.
Please make sure you have a valid travel insurance.
eating
Please check with us.
frequently asked questions
- How do I pay the forest walk? At spot with a card.
In the forests of Porkkala peninsula…
The journey to Porkkala Peninsula takes you along an old, historical road known already from mid-1600s. It’s a picturesque narrow route, winding through forests where houses with gardens and stretches of agricultural land appear, yet forests remain the dominant feature of the landscape. The road takes you closer and closer to the Baltic Sea. These woods are primarily mixed with spruces, pines, birches, and aspens. The understory is commonly adorned with mosses, blueberries, and lingonberries. The forests in the tip of the Peninsula are the most special and oldest ones.
You may also observe the abundance of lichens on the trees and stones, which distinguishes the forest landscape significantly from, say, the beech forests of Central Europe which we do not have in Finland. As you approach the end of the Peninsula, you will encounter Boreal Taiga forests, a forest habitat type of priority importance on a European scale. Within the EU, this forest type is exclusive to Northern Europe. The Natura 2000 site of Kirkkonummi Archipelago protects part of this forest type found in Porkkala, meaning that those forests within Natura 2000 sites are part of the EU-wide protected area network.
Furthermore, the area is full of fascinating local cultural history.
Potential Observations of animals during the Forest walk..
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) or a Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) are the most likely mammals that you encounter in the forests. If you are lucky, you may get a glimpse of an elk (Alces alces). Additionally, the little Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus) might come to greet you!
In any case, the tracks and sounds of wild animals that we observe and hear reveal more about the secretive habitants of the forest. We are there to help to read “Nature’s book”.
Contact us
Let’s plan a nature trip to you!