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Harakka Island trail network

—•Hiking Trails

1.6 km

Route

Description

City of Helsinki – Harakka Island+

Description

Harakka Island trail network is about 1.6 km of marked walking paths on Harakka, a small sea island off Kaivopuisto in Helsinki, Uusimaa. The City of Helsinki manages the island’s nature reserves, trails, and the Harakka Nature Centre; its Harakka Island pages are the best place for closures during bird nesting, campfire rules, and seasonal access. The Merenkävijät association runs the summer connection boat from the Ullanlinna pier; schedules and fares are published on their site. The trail is a short tour of one of the most species-rich Helsinki islands for its size: coastal meadows, alder groves, cliff shorelines, and duckboard sections. One stretch follows a sandy beach path where a stroller is practical; a longer part runs on open rock on the west side and is steep and uneven, so it is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. Move only on marked routes, especially in May–June when parts of the island may be taped off for nesting birds; staff at the Nature House can suggest the best loop for the day. About 0.4 km along the route you reach Harakka Yhteysvenelaituri, the connection-boat pier; dry toilets are available near the pier. Further along, Harakka, lintulava and Harakka, piilokoju offer close views of archipelago birds. Across the narrow channel, the beaches and services of Uunisaari are a familiar landmark on the horizon. The same Kaivopuisto shoreline ties into Kantakaupungin rantareitti, the city centre coastal bike route, if you are combining seafront legs on the mainland. Retkipaikka’s long walk-through of the island highlights mobile nature trails on a map, duckboards over wet hollows, and the Nature Centre’s borrowable binoculars and family activities—useful colour if you are planning a first visit with children.

Length & route

The trail is about 1.6 km as mapped. The City of Helsinki describes walking around Harakka as roughly one kilometre on easy-to-read trail pages, which matches a compact circuit with the same terrain mix. Independent walking guides often allow about one to two hours for the island including stops.

Getting there

Take the Merenkävijät connection boat from the Ullanlinna pier beside Café Ursula, Ehrenströmintie 3, Kaivopuisto. Service generally runs April–October; raise the white wooden signal on the pier about five minutes before the scheduled departure so the crew knows to stop. The crossing takes a few minutes. You land at Harakka Yhteysvenelaituri on the island. The ferry is not step-free; the driver can help lift a stroller or a light wheelchair. You cannot visit Harakka with your own boat or by landing a private vessel on a visitor berth. Allow time to find mainland parking around Kaivopuisto or Taivallahti before walking to the pier.

Good to know

Dogs are not allowed on Harakka. The southern tip and adjoining water area are closed to travel 1 April–15 August; follow ropes and tape during nesting season. Open fires are banned during wildfire warnings; the shared campfire site near the Nature Centre requires your own firewood and extra care near nesting birds in early summer. There is no café on the island—plan a picnic or use the microwave at the Nature Centre during opening hours.

Managed by

Helsinki

Official Maintenance

+358 931 013 300

Trail info

Walk the marked circuit calmly; follow Nature House advice in May–June if sections are closed.

Route direction

Marked trails; stay on marked routes during nesting season.

Route Signs

No Dogs

Dogs

Stroller Friendly

Accessibility

Open / Good Condition

City of Helsinki – Harakka Island

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

1.6 km

Distance

About 1–2 hours for the island including the Nature Centre and birdwatching stops is typical in independent guides.

Est. Time

Sand beach path on part of the loop, exposed rock on the west shore, duckboards through wet alder woodland, and short earth tread elsewhere.

Surface

Loop, Single Track

Route Type

Moderate Traffic

Traffic

Partial Shade

Shade

City of Helsinki – Harakka Island+

Location

60.15047°N, 24.95593°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

UusimaaRegion

HelsinkiCity

Hiking TrailsCategory

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Helsinki, 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 Uusimaa Helsinki Hiking TrailsHarakka Island trail network