Located in the Archipelago National Park, Metsähallitus first ever underwater nature trail is situated on the shore of Stora Hästö Island. This special trail is intended for boaters, nature school students, archipelago ecotourism entrepreneurs and divers, as well as others interested in underwater nature. Representing the diverse and interesting underwater habitats of the area, the function of this unique nature trail is to stimulate further interest in the underwater world. Along the trail and its evirons can be found seaweed belts on rocky shores, as well as lush vascular plant communities on gravelly sands. Such communities support many small fish species and blue mussels, as well as smaller animals, such as plant-loving crustaceans and snails.
Stora Hästö is situated approximately five kilometres southwest of the Archipelago Centre in Korpoström. Visitors to the island can find the trail, whose starting point is marked by a white buoy (see map). The path is designed to be followed by scuba diving, but when the water is clear, you can see the bottom in places by swimming or snorkeling. The signboards are attached to concrete plates and are located on the bottom at a depth of 2-12 meters. The length of the route is about 300 m. All information plates are linked by rope and marked with yellow buoys to make the trail easy to follow. The guide plates inform visitors in finnish and swedish about underwater nature, e.g. rocky shore alagal zonation, blue mussels, brackish water, fish and seagrass meadows.
There is also a more traditional terrestrial nature trail on Stora Hästö, including a natural harbour with information boards, a fireplace, campsite and toilets. Please note that it is forbidden to anchor on or near the nature trail itself!