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Ahtela is a national youth camping centre owned by the City of Turku and located in Sauvo. It is 50 km from Turku and 13 km from the centre of Sauvo. The area is over 40 hectares and the buildings located around the area hold facilities for activities, accommodation, meetings, and dining, as well as washrooms and saunas.
Seven different buildings offer accommodation for 92 people and in summer, when the small cabins are in use, for 112 people.
In summer 500 people can have their meals at once in the maintenance building and under the dining canopies.
The nature reserve of Toijainen is located along Toijaistentie, in the centre of Hirvensalo, and is approximately one hectare in size. Landscape-wise Tammimäki is a very typical small woody hill in Hirvensalo, surrounded by fields. The south and south-west slopes of the hill have large, nearly three metre high boulders as relics from the last ice age.
Both nature and cultural history considered, Ruissalo is a valuable and versatile area. Ruissalo is characterized by the cultural heritage of old fields, gardens, villas from the 19th century, oak forests, and diverse nature.
The nature reserves of Ruissalo were extended notably in 2006 along with an agreement between the State of Finland and the City of Turku concerning land ownership. At the same time the requirements of both the Herb-Rich Forest Conservation Programme and the Natura 2000 network were met.
Rauvolanlahti (Rauvola Bay) is located on the border of Turku and Kaarina cities. It belongs to the national Waterfowl Habitats Conservation Programme which was confirmed by the Council of State in 1982. The bay is part of the Natura 2000 network.
Pähkinäinen is an island located in Naantali. It can be accessed with a commuter ferry from Röölä in Rymättylä. There is a Turku City campsite in Pähkinäinen, and Turku owns the eastern half of the main island of Pähkinäinen. The western half of the island is circled by several kilometres of nature trail.
The majority of Pähkinäinen consists of rocky pine forests typical to the middle archipelago. Depressions with lush groves cut the long rock ridges here and there. A dense vegetation grows in these moist hollows.
The Pomponrahka area consists of the northern Isosuo bog and the southern Pomponrahka bog. The area is part of the national Mire Conservation Programme.
The rock hill of Nunnavuori rises to the height of over 63 metres and is located between Runosmäki residential area and Impivaara Sports Centre. From the top of the hill opens a grand view to south and south-west over Turku City. A fitness trail circles around the lower slopes of the hill. Nunnavuori is mainly dry boreal forest. The southern sweet-grass (Hierochloë australis) is a specialty of the area and it grows in patches on the western slope of the hill.
Protected Muhkurinmäki is located in the Muhkuri district between Naantalin pikatie and Turku–Uusikaupunki railway line.
The vegetation of the area is luxurious rocky forest consisting mostly of oaks. It is an interesting place for a mushroom enthusiast to explore, because is is possible to find some rare mushrooms growing on decaying oak trunks and in the lush groves.
It is also possible to spot rare bird species such as golden orioles (Oriolus oriolus) and greenish warblers (Phylloscopus trochiloides) in the grove.
The protected Metsäkylä-Kuninkoja area includes waterside meadows, groves, fresh boreal forests, small dry meadows and barren rocks.
The richness of bird species and pairs competes with the groves of Southern Finland. It is possible to see almost all of the passeriformes typical to Southern Finland forests.
Metsäkylä-Kuninkoja is also a great spot to find rare plants.
Kurjenrahka is a 29 square kilometre wide nature reserve known as the domain of cranes. With its bogs and forests Kurjenrahka is well suitable for day hikes. One of the best known sights in Kurjenrahka is Kuhankuono, an old boundary marker of eight municipalities. The part of the Kurjenrahka bog area that belongs to Turku is a sector facing directly south from Kuhankuono. There are altogether around 150 km of hiking trails in Kurjenrahka which means the area is well suited for long hikes.
Kulho island is located between Hirvensalo and Kakskerta, on the western side of Lemunaukko. The large rock rises, the field in the middle of the island, and the largest continuous reed bed in Turku that divides the island in half command the landscape of the island. Most of Kulho island has been added to Natura 2000 network of conservation areas.
Katariinanlaakso is a 17 hectare nature destination consisting of hardwood grove patches. It is located near the southern suburbs of Turku close to the Kaarina border. The area includes also rocky forests, pine forests and dry meadows. The southern part of the nature reserve consists of waterside meadows.
Friskalanlahti (Friskala bay) in Hirvensalo is mostly protected area. The bay is part of the national Waterfowl Habitats Conservation Programme and Natura 2000 network. In addition to the waters, a wide reed bed, pastured waterside meadows and two grove patches are included in the nature reserve.
Rent a campground!
- Times of arrival and departure should be given to the campground supervisor at least one day before the arrival.
- The facilities of the camping lodge area will be handed over at 17.00 at the earliest.
- The facilities must be vacated on the day of departure by 14.00.
Reservations
- Reservations can be made up to two years in advance.
- Reservations should be made with camp reservation application forms, unless otherwise noted.
- Enquiries by phone at +358 (0)2 262 3112.
Bird Watching Towers in Ruissalo
Hirvensalo
Making a fire on the land administered by Turku City is allowed only on places designated for making an open flame. Making a fire on any other place than the official campfire and barbeque sites is always forbidden.
Barbeque places can be found e.g. from Saaronniemi in Ruissalo and from the city’s outdoor recreation islands (Vepsä, Maisaari, Pähkinäinen). It is possible to barbeque on these sites also during risk of wildfire, as long as extra caution is exercised when handling fire.
There are 12 different nature reserves in Turku City area.
Because the areas are so versatile, every nature enthusiast can surely find a destination suitable for his/her taste.
From the links below you can see the basic information and features of each area.
The best way to get to know the areas is to go and get first-hand nature experiences on the spot.
Paavo trails are routes that have been marked on the terrain and introduce walkers to the local nature and urban environments in various places in Turku. In many places the trails merge with other outdoor recreation paths and link them together.
Paavo trails have been marked on the terrain with blue runner marks and round markings on trees and rocks. Cross-country biking is allowed in the forest parts of Paavo trails, as per the public right of access.
Nature trails and their lengths
- Hirvensalo: Kyyrlä–Toijanen 3 km + 2 km
- Katariina: The nature trails in Katariina join with the St Catherine’s Paths in Kaarina, 2 km
- Moikoinen 3 km
- Paattinen 1.8 km
- Pomponrahka 2 km
- Ruissalo 20 km
- Runosmäki 4.5 km
Kuhankuono
Kuhankuono area stretches over several municipalities and has many nature trails and beautiful hiking routes. The hiking routes of Kuhankuono are located approximately 35 km north of Turku City Centre.
There are 150 playgrounds in the parks of Turku. The playgrounds are maintained and the condition of the playground equipment is being followed regularly. Some playgrounds offer instructed activities for children.
The city does its best to make the playgrounds safe and stimulating environments the whole family can enjoy.
The playgrounds are inspected approximately once every three months. The inspection includes checking the safety and condition of the playground equipment. The basis of the standards concerning playground equipment is to prevent accidents and damages.
Turun puistoissa on 150 leikkipaikkaa. Leikkialueita hoidetaan ja leikkivälineiden kuntoa seurataan säännöllisesti. Osassa leikkipaikoista on ohjattua puistotoimintaa lapsille.
Leikkipuistoista pyritään luomaan turvallisia ja virikkeellisiä leikkialueita, joissa koko perhe viihtyy.
Leikkipaikoille tehdään tarkastuksia noin kolmen kuukauden välein. Tarkastuksissa tarkastellaan muun muassa leikkivälineiden, kalusteiden ja turva-alustoiden kunto ja turvallisuus. Leikkivälineitä koskevien standardien lähtökohtana on ennaltaehkäistä vahinkojen ja havereiden syntyminen.
Turku National Urban Park is the prestigious core of the city’s recreation areas, and it extends some 15 kilometres from Airisto to Kylämäki Village of Living History. The heart of the park is the River Aura milieu. The urban park areas reach from Kylämäki Village and the cultural landscape of the River Aura through the Student Village, the old City Centre of Turku, the Chiewitz switchback and former Kakola central prison all the way to Ruissalo island.
Come and enjoy the warm water and the summer night at the moonlight swim!
Moonlight swims at Samppalinna Swimming Stadium
When coming for a moonlight swim please note:
With these instructions we want to secure a safe and pleasant visit for everyone. Please follow the rules and regulations of the pool, advice from the staff, cleanliness and good manners.