Nuuksio National Park
Hiking map and visitor guide
Nuuksio National Park lies in Espoo, Kirkkonummi and Vihti, about 30 kilometres west of central Helsinki. It covers about 53 square kilometres of forest, small lakes and rocky hills. Polkuopas maps 4 lean-tos, 1 open wilderness hut and 84 outdoor sites in the park. Metsähallitus manages the park, which was established in 1994.
The map and its controls are in Finnish. The glossary below explains the words you will see.
Key facts
- Area
- about 53 km²
- Established
- 1994
- Region
- Uusimaa
- Managed by
- Metsähallitus
- Lean-tos
- 4
- Open wilderness huts
- 1
- Outdoor sites in total
- 84
- Data
- LIPAS (CC BY 4.0), © Metsähallitus, 2026
- Updated
- 10 October 2026
Finnish words you’ll see on the map
The map and the signs in the park use Finnish. These are the words you will meet most often.
- kansallispuisto · national park
- A protected area managed by Metsähallitus. Entry is free, and extra rules apply to camping, fires and dogs.
- laavu · lean-to
- An open-fronted log shelter, usually with a fire ring in front. Free for anyone to use, and it cannot be booked.
- autiotupa · open wilderness hut
- An unlocked hut for short stays, shared on a first-come basis. Carry a tent in case it is full.
- varaustupa · reservable hut
- A hut you book and pay for in advance. It is not open to walk-in visitors.
- kota / keittokatos · cooking shelter
- A shelter with a fireplace for cooking and warming up. Not meant for sleeping.
- tulipaikka · campfire site
- A marked place where you may light a fire, unless a forest fire warning is in force.
- telttailupaikka / telttailualue · camping site
- A marked place for tents. In national parks you may camp only at these sites.
- kuivakäymälä · dry toilet
- A compost toilet without water. Bring your own toilet paper.
- näköalapaikka / näkötorni · viewpoint / viewing tower
- A lookout spot or tower with a view over the landscape.
- luontopolku · nature trail
- A short marked trail, often with information boards along the way.
- pysäköinti / P · parking
- A car park, usually at a trailhead.
Places in the park
A selection of the places on the map. Names are shown in Finnish, as they appear on signs.
What to expect
Nuuksio is a forest park on the edge of the Helsinki region, a landscape of rocky ridges, small lakes, bogs and spruce forest. You can reach it from Helsinki by public transport in about an hour, so it is busy all year. On summer weekends the car parks fill up and the popular trails are crowded. A weekday or an early start makes for a quieter walk. The park’s symbol is the Siberian flying squirrel, which lives in its old spruce forests.
Planning your visit
Getting there
From Helsinki, take a local train to Espoo station and continue by bus towards the park. Connections vary by weekday and season, so check the HSL Journey Planner of the regional transport authority before you set off. By car, there are several trailheads with parking on different sides of the park.
Parking
The car parks at the trailheads fill quickly at weekends, often before noon. Weekdays and early mornings are quieter.
Seasons
The park is open all year. Summer, from June to August, is the busiest time. September and October are quieter, with autumn colours. In winter you can walk, snowshoe or ski, but the trails are not maintained for winter in the same way as in summer. In late autumn and early spring the paths can be muddy.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash. Take particular care in the bird nesting season, from 1 March to 31 July.
Campfires
Light fires only at the marked campfire sites. When a forest fire warning is in force, fires are not allowed anywhere in the park. The Finnish Meteorological Institute publishes the warnings, and Metsähallitus announces them at the park.
Water
Most lean-tos have no water point. Bring enough water for the day, and treat or boil water from natural sources before you drink it. Ask at the park’s information points where you can refill.
Accessibility
There is a short, partly accessible nature trail at Haukkalampi. Most trails cross rocky forest terrain that is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
Everyman’s right and park rules
In Finland, everyman’s right lets you walk, ski and pick berries and mushrooms on most land without asking. National parks add their own rules. Camp and light fires only at the marked sites, keep dogs on a leash, take your rubbish home with you, and follow any seasonal restrictions that Metsähallitus announces at the park.
Emergencies
The emergency number in Finland is 112. Before a longer hike, tell someone your route and when you expect to be back, and carry a charged phone.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Nuuksio from Helsinki?
About 30 kilometres west of central Helsinki. By public transport, take a local train to Espoo station and a bus from there towards the park. The journey takes about an hour. Check the HSL Journey Planner for current connections, as they vary by weekday.
Where can you stay overnight in Nuuksio?
At the marked sites. Polkuopas maps 4 lean-tos in Nuuksio National Park. Lean-tos are open shelters that anyone can use free of charge, and they cannot be booked. Pitch a tent only at a marked camping site, and expect the popular lean-tos to be busy on weekends.
Do you need a ticket or a permit to visit Nuuksio?
No. Entry to Finnish national parks is free, and you do not need a permit to walk the marked trails. The park rules on camping, fires and dogs still apply.
When is Nuuksio busiest?
On summer weekends from June to August and on public holidays, when the car parks often fill before noon. Weekdays, early mornings and the autumn months of September and October are quieter.
Is Nuuksio good for a walk with children?
Yes, if you pick a short trail. The Haukkalampi area has short, easy paths, and the small lakes keep children interested. The terrain is rocky in places, so good shoes and rain clothes help.