Gåshällan

The island of Gåshällan was already an important base for fishermen and seal hunters in the 17th century. The southern tip of the island housed a coast guard station from 1950 to 1972, and there was a pilot station in the western part of Gåshällan between 1860 and 1986. 
The old coast guard station has been renovated and turned into the Gåshällan nature information station, which is available for rent. The nature information station and the old pilot station are maintained by the Solrutten- cooperative (solrutten.fi). 
An easy trail takes you from the Gåshällan nature information station to the former pilot station. 

Location

Gåshällan Nature Station, Gåshällan, Närpiö coordinates: Euref-Fin (~ WGS84) lat:  62° 34.317' lon: 21° 2.862' ETRS-TM35FIN: N: 6952006 E: 194412

Connections and Maps

• The closest harbour accessible by car is near Fagerö restaurang, Björkgrundsvägen 1, 64550 Rangsby. 
• Topographic map (1:50 000) nr N324,
• Topographic map (1:20 000) nr 1241 03 ja 1241 02,
• Nautical chart series F (1:50 000)
• Excursionmap.fi 

By boat

•    A marked fairway leads to Gåshällan pier (solrutten.fi). 
•    Information on Gåshällan pier (solrutten.fi)
•    Information on boat services (gashallan.fi; in Finnish and Swedish).

Services 

Harbour 

•  Information on Gåshällan pier (solrutten.fi)

Accomodation 

• The rental hut renovated from a former sea guard station is located on the rocky island of Gåshällan by the sea. Nature Station Gåshällan (gashallan.fi, in Finnish and Swedish) is responsible for the operation. The hut must be rented in advance.

Sauna

• Wood-heated sauna for 5 people (gashallan.fi, in Finnish and Swedish) 

Nature trail

• Gåshällan Nature trail has its starting point on the grounds of the nature  station.

Other services

• Campfire site
• Dry toilet 
• Information boards
• Benches and table
• Rowing boat

Waste management

• A waste disposal terminal maintained by the Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association (pidasaaristosiistina.fi) is situated by the old pilot station at the northern end of Gåshällan.

Notices

• Lighting any campfires is strictly forhibited if the wildfire warning is in effect. Always check the current warnings (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi). This prohibition does not apply to cooking shelters or other fireplaces with a flue. There are no cooking shelters or other fireplaces with a flue on the island.
• You have to bring your own drinking water
• Pets must be kept on a leash when moving around the island.
• Keep to the trails during the period 1.5 – 15.7 in order not to disturb the birdlife during the nesting season.
• Read more about mobile phone coverage (112.fi).
• Protecting yourself against ticks and insects  
• Check which fishing licenses you need (eraluvat.fi).