Description
This marked outdoor route in Salmi recreation area is about 5.6 km long; Metsähallitus lists the same line on the national outdoor pages under the title Salmen ulkoilualue / Ulkoilureitti 6,4 km. Despite the name, the route lies in Vihti: Salmi is an 860-hectare Helsinki-owned recreation area north of Nuuksio National Park, often called the “northern gateway” to Nuuksio. For closures, fire rules, the PDF map, and services, the City of Helsinki’s Salmi pages are the main official source. Visit Vihti summarises distances, parking, and how Salmi links to the wider Nuuksio area for visitors.
Salmi’s gravel route network totals about 24 km and is also promoted for cycling and wheelchair use on firm crushed-stone surfaces; the terrain is still hilly, with some long, steep climbs. This 6.4 km line tours the heart of the area: it starts from the outdoor fitness point at the Salmentie and Liimassuontie crossing, passes Salmijärvi Kalastuspaikka, and reaches Salmen ulkoilualue (Iso-Parikas) / Keittokatos and the Paratiisi parking and Salmen ulkoilualue (Paratiisi) / Keittokatos. Farther along you pass Poikkipuoliainen Kalastuspaikka and return toward the main hub near Salmen parkkipaikka, where Salmen ulkoilualue / Taukotupa, Salmen Ulkoilumaja, Café Pohjoinen Pirtti, Salmijärven uimapaikka, Salmen ulkoilualue (Salmijärvi) / Tulentekopaikka, Salmen ulkoilualue (Kanaholma) / Keittokatos, Salmen matkailuvaunualue, and the beach volleyball courts at Salmen ulkoilualue / Lentopallokenttä 1 and Salmen ulkoilualue / Lentopallokenttä 2 sit close together. Dry toilets are available at several points; follow local signs for the exact spots. Open fires are allowed only at marked keittokatokset and campfire places.
You can combine or compare this loop with other marked lines on the same ticket: Salmen ulkoilualue / Ulkoilureitti 2,9 km, Salmen ulkoilualue - Ulkoilureitti 10,7 km (Tapion Trail), and the long-distance cycling route Reitti 2000 all meet Salmi’s path network. In good snow winters the area gets ski tracks on natural-base loops of 3 km, 4 km, 6 km, and 10 km while the gravel network is groomed as winter trails. Retkipaikka’s walk-through of Tapion Taival at Salmi describes wide gravel paths, plentiful information boards, and busy lakeside rest spots—useful background for what Salmi’s longer marked routes feel like on the ground. Dogs must be kept on leash on the recreation area.