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Iso-Kraaseli Island nature trail

—•Hiking Trails

1.8 km

Route

Description

City of Raahe – Ison-Kraaselin luontopolku+

Description

For opening times, boat access, and services on the island, start with the City of Raahe’s Ison-Kraaselin luontopolku page. Visit Raahe’s Iso-Kraaseli island guide adds detail on habitats, the historic pilot buildings, and grazing. Taipaleita’s on-the-ground walk notes marking colours, duckboards, and how the path feels underfoot. The Iso-Kraaseli Island nature trail is about 1.8 km long and forms a loop on Iso-Kraaseli, Raahe’s second-largest island in the Bothnian Bay archipelago. The island lies in the Raahe archipelago Natura 2000 site. Along the route, fifteen nature boards introduce birds, plants, land uplift, and shoreline habitats. The terrain is mostly easy with little elevation change; the surface shifts between even forest floor, stony and rooty sections, and short duckboard crossings over wet ground. Look for the snake spruce and a particularly large old pine that sources highlight beside the path. In the middle of the island, a landlocked coastal lake (kluuvijärvi) sits in quiet contrast to the open sea. Summer sheep graze the island as part of management. Near the main landing area you pass Iso-Kraaselin pooki, the wooden daymark rebuilt in the 19th century, and the historic Iso-Kraaselin luotsitupa area with services run by MeriRaahe (café seasons, accommodation—see their site for bookings). For a break outdoors, Koitelinkosken Tulentekopaikka 9, Iso-Kraaselin Laavu, and Varaustupa (Pikkulahden Palvelut) sit close together by the shore; Iso-Kraaselin Rantautumispaikka offers a landing point a little farther along the loop. In winter, the marked Smitti-Iso-Kraaseli jäälatu ski trail uses the same island as part of a longer ice route toward Smitti, separate from summer hiking maintenance. Raahe is a coastal city in North Ostrobothnia; the archipelago here was named Finnish Outdoor Destination of the Year in 2016 in regional promotion. Check Visit Raahe for cruises and water taxis when planning how to reach the island.

Length & route

The trail is about 1.8 km as mapped for this route. Many municipal and tourism pages describe the signed nature trail circuit as roughly 2.3 km, which usually reflects the full marked walking loop with small spurs to viewpoints and boards. Allow at least about an hour if you read the boards and stop at the shore.

Getting there

The island is only reachable by boat or organised archipelago transport. The City of Raahe states about 3.4 km by water from the Museum shore to the island, a small craft pier by the pilot station, and landing where the shore allows; the shortest crossing from the mainland is just over 200 m from the sea-rescue lodge at Lapaluoto. Summer archipelago cruises call at Iso-Kraaseli. One paddler report used the shore at Helmilaiturintie 69, Lapaluoto, as a launch point for crossing to the island. Coordinates given for the island on the city page are 64°40′46″N, 24°24′19″E.

Good to know

Ants can be numerous in dry weather; sturdy footwear and socks help on warm days. MeriRaahe rents the pilot cottage, sail sheds, and related facilities—check their pages for sauna and terrace rules, which may be reserved for overnight guests. Grazing sheep may be present in summer; give them space.

History

According to Visit Raahe, the island name dates to the 1500s when grey seals were important quarry. The wooden daymark (pooki) and pilot cottage were rebuilt in 1852 on a site where a daymark and pilot building already stood; the pilot station operated until 1964. The nature trail itself opened in 2010, with clearing work noted in municipal materials, and island building renovation drew on city and EU regional funding.

Managed by

Raahe

Official Maintenance

08 439 3111

Trail info

The loop can be walked in either direction; follow the marked posts and arrows.

Route direction

Archipelago

Island

Red paint on posts and tree marks; yellow arrows and signs on some sections.

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Taipaleita – Iso-Kraaselin luontopolku (2.3 km) Raahessa

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

1.8 km

Distance

About 1 hour is reasonable for the loop if you read the boards and pause at viewpoints.

Est. Time

Forest soil and needle litter, rocky and rooty sections, short duckboards over wetlands.

Surface

Loop, Single Track

Route Type

Light Traffic

Traffic

Partial Shade

Shade

2010

Construction year

2013

Renovation years

Taipaleita – Iso-Kraaselin luontopolku (2.3 km) Raahessa

Location

64.67907°N, 24.40323°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

North OstrobothniaRegion

RaaheCity

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Iso-Kraaselin Rantautumispaikka

250 m

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Raahe, 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 Raahe Hiking TrailsIso-Kraaseli Island nature trail