Activities in Kurjenrahka National Park

Kurjenrahka National Park is a great destination for day trips or longer excursions just a short drive away from the bustling city of Turku. The park is brilliant for relaxing, spotting different species of birds, walking, skiing and hunting for geocaches.

Parts of the park are closed to the public during certain times of the year. Please respect the signs!

Walking and Hiking

The park's terrain is excellent for hiking, and there are several marked trails (1–6 km) that can be combined into longer routes. There are five circular trails: Karpalopolku Trail (1,7 km), Vajosuo Mire Trail (3 km), Savojärvi Trail (6 km), Pukkipalo Trail (6 or 9 km) and the longer Hike of Vajosuo Mire (30 km). The Karpalopolku Trail is accessible and so suitable for baby buggies and wheelchairs but assistant is recommended for people with a wheelchair.  Pukkipalo-Takaniitunvuori Nature Trail (1 km) runs through the ancient woodland of Pukkipalo and introduces you to the species found in the area.

There are also several other interesting routes in the park. Some of the trails connect to the Kuhankuono trail network (150 km), which links Kurjenrahka National Park to Vaskijärvi Nature Reserve. The park is also connected to the Suokulla trail network (25-km main route), which runs from Raisio to Vahto via Masku and Rusko. There are lean-to shelters and rental cabins for overnight stays in the park.

Skiing

Skiing is one of the best ways to get to the heart of the park's tranquil wetland scenery in the winter. Ski trails are provided depending on the weather and are not regularly maintained. There are no restrictions on skiing in the park. For up-to-date information about ski trails, visit the website of the Kuhankuono ski trail network (kuhankuono.fi).

Geocaching

The park also has several geocaches. Pick up a new hobby and keep your eyes peeled! Geocaching is a fun way to explore the park.

Other Activities

• Fishing:
  • Hook and line fishing and ice fishing are permitted under everyman's rights, except in the restricted areas.
  • Lure fishing with a single rod is permitted, except in the restricted areas. Persons aged 18-69 years must pay the fisheries management fee (eräluvat.fi). Fishing permits are available from Metsähallitus' online shop (eraluvat.fi).
  • Fishers need to check the restrictions on fishing sites at kalastusrajoitus.fi (In Finnish).
• Birdwatching: There are birdwatching towers on the edges of the Vajosuo and Kurjenrahka wetlands for spotting various species of birds. The viewing platform on the southeastern shores of Lake Savojärvi is also good for birdwatching.
• Snowshoeing: If you are not into skiing, snowshoeing is another great way to explore the park in the winter.
• Nature Information Hut: Kurjenpesä Nature Information Hut provides information about the park and has an exhibition about wetland habitats from a crane's perspective.
• Pick Berries and Mushrooms: There are cranberries (Vaccinium oxycoccos) in the wetland areas and bilberries (Vaccinium uliginosum) and lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) in the woods.
• Sights and Scenery: One of the park's best known sights is Kuhankuono, an old boundary mark denoting the boundary of eight different local authorities. Other sights worth seeing include the old-growth forest of Pukkipalo, the breathtaking scenery around Lake Savojärvi and Takaniitunvuori hill, and a civil war memorial in Vähä-Välisaari Island which dates back to 1918.
• Learn in Nature: The wetland areas and Kurjenpesä Nature Information Hut offer great learning environments for school groups. There are numerous entrepreneurs providing nature-based learning services in the park.
• Guided Group Tours: There are numerous entrepreneurs offering guided group tours in the park.