Vuohensaaren luontopolku is a 1.1 km hiking trail on the island of Vuohensaari, a popular recreation area about 4 km from the center of Salo in Southwest Finland. The island's eastern part falls within the Viurilanlahti Natura 2000 nature reserve. For current trail conditions and a downloadable map, check the Vuohensaa...
Visit Salo – Vuohensaaren luontopolku+
Description
Vuohensaaren luontopolku is a 1.1 km hiking trail on the island of Vuohensaari, a popular recreation area about 4 km from the center of Salo in Southwest Finland. The island's eastern part falls within the Viurilanlahti Natura 2000 nature reserve. For current trail conditions and a downloadable map, check the Vuohensaaren luontopolku page on Visit Salo.
The trail takes you through old-growth forests of spruce and pine, along rocky shore cliffs, and past sandy and reed-lined shores. Ancient pine trees with plated bark, mossy boulders, and fallen trunks left in place for forest regeneration give the woods a lived-in atmosphere. Two rare plant species are found on the island — mäkirikko and papelorikko — along with diverse shore flora. Seventeen nature information stations with QR codes tell the story of the island's history, plants, birds, and wildlife; a printed trail brochure is available at the café.
At the start of the trail near Satamakatu, Vuohensaaren uimapaikka is the island's main swimming beach, a broad sandy spot with a changing hut. About 360 m into the trail, the Vuohensaaren grillikatos is a covered grill shelter in a wooded shoreline setting. Note that during summer the shelter is reserved for camping guests from 18:00 onwards; it is freely available to all trail users earlier in the day.
The trail network has three named sections. Kreivin kierros (0.9 km, marked with orange diamond symbols) is the main clockwise loop through old forest and past the historic Ahtelan torppa farmhouse site. Kipparin polku (0.3 km each way, blue square markers) branches off toward Itäsatama, passing a natural spring and two rocky viewpoints with views toward Salon center — this section includes stairs and is the most physically demanding. Torpparin taival (0.3 km each way, orange square markers) is the gentlest option and the only section suitable for strollers; it reaches the island's southwestern tip with an open view over Halikonlahti.
Across the water from the island, the forested cliffs of the Vaisakko nature reserve are visible from shore. The Vaisakon polku and Vaisakko luontopolku offer further hiking nearby — both trails also pass by the Vuohensaaren grillikatos campfire shelter and start from Vaisakon pysäköintialue a short distance away.
The island has a summer café-restaurant with a sun terrace (the café doubles as the island's information point where you can pick up trail maps and rent canoes and SUP boards), a camping area with cabins, caravan pitches, and tent spots, a children's playground, an 18-hole minigolf course, a summer theater, and a dance pavilion. Jonna Saari's Retkipaikka article offers a vivid account of the old forest atmosphere and the trail's sandy beaches. Luontopolkumies Mika Markkanen's detailed Retkipaikka walkthrough covers each section of the route, notes the roughly 40 metres of elevation gain to the island's high point, and describes the summer café as a great finishing stop.
Length & route
The trail on our map follows about 1.1 km from the trailhead area to the swimming beach. The island's full trail network adds up to roughly 1.5 km when walking all named sections, or about 2 km if you include both branch trails in both directions: the main Kreivin kierros loop (0.9 km), Kipparin polku (0.3 km each way), and Torpparin taival (0.3 km each way). Elevation change is approximately 40 m to the island's highest point. The circuit is considered moderately demanding on the main loop and Kipparin polku due to roots, rocky sections, and stairs; Torpparin taival is easy.
Getting there
Vuohensaari is about 4 km from Salo city center. Follow Satamakatu south from the center — the road leads all the way onto the island via a causeway (pengertie) built in 1961. There are two parking areas: the larger one is at Itäsatama at the end of Satamakatu (near the swimming beach at Satamakatu 106, approximately 60.362, 23.063); a smaller lot is located right beside the bridge leading onto the island (approximately 60.366, 23.072). Both have information boards with trail maps nearby. The official start of the trail is at the sign near the dance pavilion at the main parking area.
The island is also easily reached by bicycle from Salo city center along Satamakatu. The boat dock at Eteläsatama (South Harbor) on the island's southern shore serves visiting boats, with overnight mooring available for a fee.
Good to know
Vuohensaari is a nature conservation area and part of the Viurilanlahti Natura 2000 site. Camping is not permitted in the conservation area; use the designated camping area. Open fires are only allowed at the island's grill shelter. Berries and edible mushrooms may be picked; plants and stones must not be removed. Mountain biking is permitted only on the marked trails and roads on the island. The trails have no winter maintenance and may be slippery in wet conditions. Dogs and other pets must be kept on a leash at all times throughout the year.
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Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Salo, 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.
Vuohensaaren luontopolku is a 1.1 km hiking trail on the island of Vuohensaari, a popular recreation area about 4 km from the center of Salo in Southwest Finland. The island's eastern part falls within the Viurilanlahti Natura 2000 nature reserve. For current trail conditions and a downloadable map, check the Vuohensaa...
Visit Salo – Vuohensaaren luontopolku+
Description
Vuohensaaren luontopolku is a 1.1 km hiking trail on the island of Vuohensaari, a popular recreation area about 4 km from the center of Salo in Southwest Finland. The island's eastern part falls within the Viurilanlahti Natura 2000 nature reserve. For current trail conditions and a downloadable map, check the Vuohensaaren luontopolku page on Visit Salo.
The trail takes you through old-growth forests of spruce and pine, along rocky shore cliffs, and past sandy and reed-lined shores. Ancient pine trees with plated bark, mossy boulders, and fallen trunks left in place for forest regeneration give the woods a lived-in atmosphere. Two rare plant species are found on the island — mäkirikko and papelorikko — along with diverse shore flora. Seventeen nature information stations with QR codes tell the story of the island's history, plants, birds, and wildlife; a printed trail brochure is available at the café.
At the start of the trail near Satamakatu, Vuohensaaren uimapaikka is the island's main swimming beach, a broad sandy spot with a changing hut. About 360 m into the trail, the Vuohensaaren grillikatos is a covered grill shelter in a wooded shoreline setting. Note that during summer the shelter is reserved for camping guests from 18:00 onwards; it is freely available to all trail users earlier in the day.
The trail network has three named sections. Kreivin kierros (0.9 km, marked with orange diamond symbols) is the main clockwise loop through old forest and past the historic Ahtelan torppa farmhouse site. Kipparin polku (0.3 km each way, blue square markers) branches off toward Itäsatama, passing a natural spring and two rocky viewpoints with views toward Salon center — this section includes stairs and is the most physically demanding. Torpparin taival (0.3 km each way, orange square markers) is the gentlest option and the only section suitable for strollers; it reaches the island's southwestern tip with an open view over Halikonlahti.
Across the water from the island, the forested cliffs of the Vaisakko nature reserve are visible from shore. The Vaisakon polku and Vaisakko luontopolku offer further hiking nearby — both trails also pass by the Vuohensaaren grillikatos campfire shelter and start from Vaisakon pysäköintialue a short distance away.
The island has a summer café-restaurant with a sun terrace (the café doubles as the island's information point where you can pick up trail maps and rent canoes and SUP boards), a camping area with cabins, caravan pitches, and tent spots, a children's playground, an 18-hole minigolf course, a summer theater, and a dance pavilion. Jonna Saari's Retkipaikka article offers a vivid account of the old forest atmosphere and the trail's sandy beaches. Luontopolkumies Mika Markkanen's detailed Retkipaikka walkthrough covers each section of the route, notes the roughly 40 metres of elevation gain to the island's high point, and describes the summer café as a great finishing stop.
Length & route
The trail on our map follows about 1.1 km from the trailhead area to the swimming beach. The island's full trail network adds up to roughly 1.5 km when walking all named sections, or about 2 km if you include both branch trails in both directions: the main Kreivin kierros loop (0.9 km), Kipparin polku (0.3 km each way), and Torpparin taival (0.3 km each way). Elevation change is approximately 40 m to the island's highest point. The circuit is considered moderately demanding on the main loop and Kipparin polku due to roots, rocky sections, and stairs; Torpparin taival is easy.
Getting there
Vuohensaari is about 4 km from Salo city center. Follow Satamakatu south from the center — the road leads all the way onto the island via a causeway (pengertie) built in 1961. There are two parking areas: the larger one is at Itäsatama at the end of Satamakatu (near the swimming beach at Satamakatu 106, approximately 60.362, 23.063); a smaller lot is located right beside the bridge leading onto the island (approximately 60.366, 23.072). Both have information boards with trail maps nearby. The official start of the trail is at the sign near the dance pavilion at the main parking area.
The island is also easily reached by bicycle from Salo city center along Satamakatu. The boat dock at Eteläsatama (South Harbor) on the island's southern shore serves visiting boats, with overnight mooring available for a fee.
Good to know
Vuohensaari is a nature conservation area and part of the Viurilanlahti Natura 2000 site. Camping is not permitted in the conservation area; use the designated camping area. Open fires are only allowed at the island's grill shelter. Berries and edible mushrooms may be picked; plants and stones must not be removed. Mountain biking is permitted only on the marked trails and roads on the island. The trails have no winter maintenance and may be slippery in wet conditions. Dogs and other pets must be kept on a leash at all times throughout the year.
Be the first to write a review for "Vuohensaari Nature Trail"
Share a photo from a recent trip
Answers to your questions
Our data was researched from Salo, 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.