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Aulanko Bear Cave lower trail

—•Hiking Trails

0.8 km

Route

P 1

Description

City of Hämeenlinna – Luontoelämysten Aulanko+

Description

For bus 2U to Aulangon ulkoilumaja, swimming and winter swimming spots, the observation-tower season, and how short links fit into the wider Aulanko trail network, start with the City of Hämeenlinna’s Luontoelämysten Aulanko outing pages. The reserve’s walking and skiing route index is on Luontoon.fi. The short segment described here lies in Hämeenlinna, Kanta-Häme, inside Finland’s best-known Aulanko park forest. Aulanko Bear Cave lower trail is about 0.8 km as a compact forest path on the lower slopes between the observation-tower hill and Lake Aulangonjärvi—ideal when you want lake views and tower-area services without committing to the full shore ring. About halfway along you pass Lusikkaniemen uimapaikka for a swim; the trace ends near Aulanko Näkötorni kahvilarakennus at the tower foot, a practical coffee stop before or after climbing the granite tower. Karhuluola—the rock hollow with Robert Stigell’s bear-family sculptures commissioned by Hugo Standertskjöld in 1906—lies beside the scenic platform above the lake; Aulangon Tornikahvila counts 322 stone steps down the hillside toward the water. Out in the Nature warns that ice and snow can make those stairs dangerously slippery in winter, so judge conditions carefully. After railing damage, Metsähallitus repaired the stair handrails so the climb could reopen; confirm the latest access status on Luontoon.fi or the city pages before planning around the stairs. The same junctions tie into longer marked hikes: Aulangonjärvi Lake Trail (Aulanko) circles the lake, Aulanko Bear Cave upper trail and Aulanko outdoor lodge to Karhuluola (Bear Cave) cover the classic tower–cave combinations from different sides, Aulanko Rose Valley Trail visits the pavilion ponds, and Aulanko Ruutikellari loop reaches Ruutikellari’s stone magazine through mixed woodland. Hämeenlinna is the home city; Kanta-Häme is the surrounding region.

Length & route

The trail is about 0.8 km as a short, non-loop forest link on the lower slopes between the tower hill and Lake Aulangonjärvi. It connects logically with longer shore routes and tower approaches rather than standing alone as a day hike.

Getting there

The nearest pay-free parking to the tower end is Aulanko näkötorni pysäköintialue; Metsälampi and Joutsenlampi car parks sit a little farther along the park roads if you approach from the west or north. The city directs motorists to Linnanen 77 for Aulanko and notes local bus 2U from the railway station to Aulangon ulkoilumaja. Walk the short link in either direction depending on how you combine it with Aulangonjärvi Lake Trail (Aulanko) or tower visits.

Good to know

Keep dogs under control in the nature reserve; open-fire and camping rules are spelled out for the protected area on Luontoon.fi, with plain-language visitor notes on Out in the Nature. Mountain biking belongs on signed MTB lines, not on this foot path.

History

Colonel Hugo Standertskjöld’s English-style park forest from the late nineteenth century frames Aulanko; the bear sculptures in Karhuluola date to 1906 and sculptor Robert Stigell, replacing an uncooperative live bear cub from Helsinki Zoo with a taxidermy model according to Aulangon Tornikahvila’s account.

Managed by

Hämeenlinna

Official Maintenance

03 621 3370

GPX data from: © Metsähallitus, 2024

Trail info

Walkable in either direction as a short connector.

Route direction

Marked Route

Route Signs

Dogs (On Leash)

Dogs

Open / Good Condition

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

0.8 km

Distance

About 20–40 minutes including a photo stop or swim at Lusikkaniemen uimapaikka.

Est. Time

Dirt

Surface

Partial Shade

Shade

Location

61.02271°N, 24.46737°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

Kanta-HämeRegion

HämeenlinnaCity

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Lusikkaniemen uimapaikka

298 m

Free

Aulanko Rose Valley Trail

282 m

Free

Aulanko Metsälampi Trail

282 m

Free

Aulanko Outdoor Lodge Nature Trail

447 m

Free

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Hämeenlinna, and other trusted sources, in March 2026. Our route / place GPX data comes from Metsähallitus / Lipas, last updated March 2026. Always check their official website for safety-critical updates.

Finland Kanta-Häme Hämeenlinna Hiking TrailsAulanko Bear Cave lower trail