When did huts.fi research the data for Hiekkasärkät dune trail to Vihaslahti?

Huts.fi

Hiekkasärkät dune trail to Vihaslahti

—•Hiking Trails

2.2 km

Route

P 1

Description

Visit Kalajoki – Lankkupolku (boardwalk)+

Description

Hiekkasärkän polku is about 2.2 km of easy hiking between the Kalajoki resort dunes and the Vihaslahti end of the bay in Kalajoki, North Ostrobothnia. It is not a loop: you can walk it one way and arrange pickup, retrace your steps, or combine it with other marked routes in the same recreation area. Visit Kalajoki describes the corridor as a boardwalk of more than two kilometres through the Hiekkasärkät shoreline landscape, then a gravel embankment path onward to Vihaslahti, with benches, signs, and litter bins. That same material states the stretch suits walking and cycling and can be used with strollers and wheelchairs on the boardwalk sections; Luontopolkumies notes one bridge crossing is awkward for some mobility aids on a longer round trip along the full dune-to-bay outing. City of Kalajoki lists maintained trails, laavus, and route boards across the Hiekkasärkät network so you can pick a distance that fits your day. From the direction of Kalajoen raviradan kilpailukenttä and Kalajoen raviradan verryttelykenttä on Matkailutie, the path soon threads coastal dunes and pine-backed slopes. About two kilometres in you reach Vihaslahti lintutorni, a good raised viewpoint over the reedbeds and shallows of the Vihas-Keihäslahden conservation area. Beside the shore cluster Vihaslahti tulentekopaikka for a campfire pause and Vihasniemen laavu for shelter; dry toilets serve the area. The line ends near Vihaslahti pysäköintipaikka if you want a car waiting at that end. The wider site links to Hiekkasärkkien rantareitti, Hiekkasärkät rengasreitti, Vihasniemen luontopolku, and the very short Vihaslahden lintutornin polku around the tower, so you can extend into circuits along the beach or ski centre without doubling back on the same metres. Dune ridges here are old coastal landforms shaped by wind and sea level change; low shrubs, pines, and shoreline pastures appear along the embankment sections. Spring and summer bring busy day-trip traffic when Kalajoki’s beach destination fills up; off-season mornings stay calmer for birdwatching toward the tower.

Length & route

The trail is about 2.2 km one way from the Hiekkasärkät side toward Vihaslahti. It is not a loop. Visit Kalajoki presents the boardwalk plus embankment as a continuous easy route toward Vihaslahti; blogs often describe a longer return trip from the southern holiday-area parking if you walk the full dune-to-bay corridor both ways. Allow about 45–75 minutes one way at an easy pace with photo and bird stops; add time if you combine Hiekkasärkkien rantareitti, Hiekkasärkät rengasreitti, or Vihasniemen luontopolku.

Getting there

On our map the route begins near Kalajoen raviradan kilpailukenttä and Kalajoen raviradan verryttelykenttä beside Matkailutie 65 in the Hiekkasärkät area, then runs northeast toward Vihaslahti lintutorni and finishes by Vihaslahti pysäköintipaikka. Visit Kalajoki describes shorter access from Tahkokorva near Ravintola Lohilaakso or about four kilometres one way from Meriluontokeskus; Retkipaikka’s Luontopolkumies walk often started from the large car park between Seikkailupuisto Pakka and Kalajoki camping at Tuomipakkaintie 20 when doing the full day outing. Kalajoki.fi notes public transport to the resort area year-round for drivers who prefer not to take two cars. Use the official route PDFs linked from Visit Kalajoki’s Vihaslahti page if you need a printed overview before you drive.

Good to know

Vihaslahti lies in the Vihas-Keihäslahden conservation area; follow local guidance on fires, dogs near nesting habitat, and seasonal grazing. Summer sheep graze some shoreline meadows. National outdoor service pages list the adjacent Vihaslahden lintutornin polku as its own entry if you want that metadata for the bird-tower spur. For maintenance questions the City of Kalajoki outdoor pages list contact details.

Managed by

Kalajoki

Official Maintenance

GPX data from: © Metsähallitus, 2024

Trail info

Typically walked from the Hiekkasärkät–ravirata side toward Vihaslahti; you may return the same way or pick up another signed route near the tower or parking.

Route direction

Nature Reserve

Area

Recreation Area

Marked Route

Route Signs

Wheelchair Accessible

Accessibility

Stroller Friendly

Accessibility

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Bike

Activity

Terrain & conditions

2.2 km

Distance

about 45–75 minutes one way

Est. Time

Duckboards / Gravel

Surface

Point-to-Point

Route Type

Moderate Traffic

Traffic

Location

64.26139°N, 23.85008°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

North OstrobothniaRegion

KalajokiCity

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Kalajoen raviradan verryttelykenttä

351 m

Kalajoen raviradan kilpailukenttä

322 m

Kuntorata Hiihtokeskus-Hiekkasärkät

438 m

Free

Latu Hiihtokeskus-Hiekkasärkät

438 m

Free

Rate & Review

Be the first to write a review for "Hiekkasärkät dune trail to Vihaslahti"

Share a photo from a recent trip

Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Kalajoki, 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 North Ostrobothnia Kalajoki Hiking TrailsHiekkasärkät dune trail to Vihaslahti

Hiekkasärkät dune trail to Vihaslahti2.2 km

Route

P 1

Parking 1

0.0 km|Free

Vihaslahti lintutorni

2.0 km|Free

Scenic Lookout Towers

Vihaslahti tulentekopaikka

2.0 km|Free

Campfire Spots

Vihasniemen laavu

2.1 km|Free

Wilderness Huts

Vihaslahti käymälä

2.1 km|Free

Outdoor Toilets

Vihaslahti pysäköintipaikka

2.2 km|Free

Free Parking

Description

Visit Kalajoki – Lankkupolku (boardwalk)+

Description

Length & route

Getting there

Good to know

Managed by

Kalajoki

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Location

Typically walked from the Hiekkasärkät–ravirata side toward Vihaslahti; you may return the same way or pick up another signed route near the tower or parking.

Route direction

Nature Reserve

Area

Recreation Area

Marked Route

Route Signs

Wheelchair Accessible

Accessibility

Stroller Friendly

Accessibility