Vallisaari and Kuninkaansaari offer you a chance to enjoy the beautiful archipelago of Helsinki and the sensitive and abundant archipelago nature. The islands have centuries’ worth of war history to be explored. The fortifications, buildings and exceptional number of species tell of the coexistence between humans and nature. It is important to study matters dealing with the area in advance and prepare yourself properly for your trip by reading the instructions and rules.
Respect Nature
Pets
Getting Around
Swimming
Camping
Lighting Campfires
Litter-free Hiking
Fishing
Picking Berries, Mushrooms and Wild Herbs
Biking
Drone flying
Boaters and kayakers
Other Rules and Instructions
Organising events
Forbidden Activities
Safety
Respect Nature
Please respect the sensitive nature of the area and stay on marked trails.
Be respectful also of other hikers in the area. Give everyone the chance to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. Take a look at the Outdoor Etiquette.
Please don’t share any such contents on the Internet that break the rules of the area.
Pets are welcome to Vallisaari and Kuninkaansaari, but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pet droppings must be picked up.
Getting around on foot or on bike
Visitors can learn about the islands by taking a walk on the following marked trails: the Alexander Tour (3 km) and the Kuninkaansaari Island Tour (2.5 km). Stay on the trails, as beyond them dangerous structures and precipices pose a hazard, and there are spots that are at risk of collapsing. Please pay particular attention to children and their safety.
Because of the presence of dangerous structures, the southern tip of Vallisaari is off limits (a location subject to restrictions on movement and sojourn, as stipulated in Decree 1104/2013 issued on the basis of Section 52 of the Police Act). Access and landing to the southern part of the island without Metsähallitus' permission is prohibited under threat of penalty.
Swimming
- Swimming in the pond is prohibited in Vallisaari. There is debris at its bottom you can injure yourself on or get caught in.
- Swimming is also forbidden along the cliffs of the Kustaanmiekka strait due to "mini tsunamis" cause by the backwash from ships. The suction caused by such backwash can be extremely powerful, easily pulling a swimmer far out to sea.
- For safety reasons, swimming is also prohibited in the Torpedolahti Bay harbour area due to heavy boat traffic.
- However, you may swim in the sandy cove in Kuninkaansaari island. Please note that this is not an official beach.
Camping
Camping on Vallisaari is prohibited. Overnight stay is possible in the Torpedolahti excursion harbour in your own boat or by booking accommodation in Vallisaari (vallisaari.fi) och in Kuninkaansaari(kuninkaansaari.fi).
Lighting Campfires
Campfires, including disposable grills, are prohibited for safety reasons. Explosives may still be found in the soil in Vallisaari as a result of an explosives accident in 1937 and the military activity in the area. However, according to research by the Defense Forces, it is safe to move around on the islands.
Litter-free Hiking
Leave no litter behind. Take care to leave all your waste to the island’s waste collection points, or, even better, take them home with you. There are recycling points for mixed and biodegradable wastes, bottles and cans in the island’s harbours, rest stops and cafés. Do not leave cigarette butts in the nature, but place them in the collection bins reserved for the purpose.
Read more about Hiking without littering.
Fishing
Picking Berries, Mushrooms and Wild Herbs
Picking berries and edible mushrooms is allowed, except in restricted areas.
Taking or damaging trees, bushes, other plants or their parts, or mushrooms other than edible ones is forbidden. Picking wild herbs and flowering plants is prohibited.
Drone Flying
Flying drones is allowed anywhere visitors are allowed to go to, as long as it does not disturb other people or wild animals. They should not be flown at all during the birds' nesting time on 1.4. - 31.7.
Read more about the rules for flying a drone (droneinfo.fi).
Boaters and kayakers
- Boaters are served by the Torpedolahti Bay guest harbour.
- On Vallisaari, the possible landing points for kayakers are located in front of the Luotsitalo pilot house, in the small sandy cove next to the jetty and next to the Harbour Café on the Torpedolahti jetty. On Kuninkaansaari, it is possible to land in the Sandy Cove.
- Motorised vehicles such as motorboats or jet skis are not allowed to land in the Sandy Cove of Kuninkaansaari.
- Entering the restricted area in southern Vallisaari and landing there is prohibited under threat of penalty.
Other Rules and Instructions
As a rule, a permit issued by Metsähallitus is required for activities other than those included in everyman's rights, which may include research, organised events and the shooting of films or advertisements in the terrain. Further information on required permits: research and access permits (metsa.fi) and permits and notifications related to events (metsa.fi).
The use of the trails and structures of Vallisaari and Kuninkaansaari for business activities is always subject to a fee, and for frequent business use, a contract with Metsähallitus (metsa.fi) is required. The right of use fees for specific days are paid at the Eräluvat webshop (eraluvat.fi).
Organising events
Forbidden Activities
- For safety reasons, digging the soil is prohibited. Explosives may still be found in the soil in Vallisaari as a result of an explosives accident in 1937 and the military activity in the area. However, according to examinations conducted by the Finnish Defence Forces, walking and the use of motor-driven machines pose no risk in the islands.
- Climbing on the wall of the Sandy Cove or sitting on the fence is prohibited for safety reasons due to the risk of collapse.
- Leaving waste in the area, or damaging structures.
- Extraction of earth material or minerals, and damaging soil or rock.
- Killing, catching or disturbing animals, or damaging their nests.
- Catching or collecting invertebrates.
Safety
It is important that you get as much information as possible about your hiking destination in advance and prepare for your trip thoroughly. Knowing your route and sticking to it and knowing what the weather and warnings in effect (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) has in store, will help make your trip a success.
- Wear hiking boots and clothing.
- Take a water bottle with you. There are water points on the island to fill up your bottle.
- Protect yourself from ticks. Wear clothes with long sleeves and legs. Check for tick bites after your excursion - also from children and pets. You might find ticks especially in crooks and creases. Remove ticks using tweezers that you can buy at pharmacies.
- In case of an emergency during your own hike or if you notice some other fit of illness or a need for help, or if you spot a forest fire, call the emergency number - 112. More information on how to act in an emergency.
- Mobile telephones work quite well in Vallisaari and Kuninkaansaari, except in some areas in the park where cliffs or forest block signals. Read more about mobile phone coverage (112.fi).
- Outdoor Guide
- Before your trip see also page What is New.
