While Haukkalampi stands as the most frequented entrance to Nuuksio National Park, it still offers a chance for tranquility—provided you choose your timing wisely. If you find yourself with an opportunity to visit Nuuksio on a winter weekday, particularly outside the holiday rush, do seize it. Recently, I ventured into this serene winter landscape with my colleagues from the Finnish Nature Center Haltia and my spouse, Joel. Our destination was the picturesque areas of Haukanholma and Mustalampi. The hike provided a perfect escape from everyday life, showcasing all the enchanting aspects of wintery Nuuksio: the soothing sounds of a nearby stream, untouched snow drifts, and the peacefulness of the forest.
With winter firmly settled over Nuuksio, there’s no better time to immerse yourself in its beauty. Previously, I highlighted the Haltia gateway as an ideal low-threshold option for a winter day trip. If you’re ready to dive a bit deeper into Nuuksio’s charms, Haukkalampi is a splendid choice. Unlike Haltia, Haukkalampi isn’t accessible via public bus, and there are no heated facilities on-site, so a bit of pre-travel preparation is essential. Nevertheless, it’s a rewarding option for a winter day hike, welcoming everyone from babies to grandmothers, provided they are dressed for the elements.
This particular trip found me in the company of my colleagues, Gimmick and Moors, both of whom serve dual roles at the Finnish Nature Center Haltia as customer advisors, alongside our office dog, Rune, and my spouse, Joel.
To inspire you to explore wintery Nuuksio, here’s a compilation of tips drawn from our experience:
A Winter Day Hike around Haukkalampi in Nuuksio
Haukkalampi Essentials:
- The official loop trails starting from Haukkalampi include Korpinkierros (7 km), Haukankierros (4 km), Punarinnankierros (2 km), and Nahkiaispolku (2 km).
- Upon arrival by car, a spacious parking lot greets you, with a smaller lot further down the road.
- Note that there are no heated indoor facilities; instead, you’ll find cooking shelters and campfire rings, along with a reservable sauna.
Weekdays Offer the Best Serenity
I strongly recommend planning your hike for a weekday. While the Haukkalampi area is quite popular, midweek visits often reward you with tranquil trails, especially in winter or on overcast days. Personally, I’ve always visited during the week, and tales of packed parking lots have seemed quite foreign to me. This time, the large parking area was blissfully empty, with just one other vehicle sharing the smaller lot alongside ours.
The winter forest is a realm of profound silence. It amplifies subtle sounds—the rustling branches, the soft chirping of goldcrests, and the quiet babble of a stream. Even the rare airplane that glides overhead accentuates the profound stillness that envelops you.
In January, daylight is limited. While a hike by headlamp is certainly feasible—just ensure your batteries are fresh—considering a midday excursion enhances both safety and enjoyment. We hit the trails shortly after ten in the morning.
Pack Your Backpack for Winter
A standard backpack is perfectly suited for a winter day hike, and you likely possess most of the essential gear already. While winter hiking might seem daunting, a bit of common sense can go a long way. A short jaunt along marked trails in a national park is a gentle initiation into winter hiking—venturing out into extreme cold or tackling remote wilderness is a different story altogether.
In our backpacks, we included:
- foam sit pads
- a coffee pot, matches, and fire starters
- our own thoroughly dry, pre-cut firewood
- a few bottles of water
- marshmallows, protein drinks, and dried mango slices
- a knife and a headlamp for good measure
- a plastic bag for transporting trash
Layering for Flexibility
Winter temperatures can fluctuate significantly based on whether you’re on the move or taking a breather. The warmth from a campfire is often insufficient to stave off the cold while resting. Layering your clothing is essential: while moving, fewer layers may suffice, but when you pause, having an insulating layer like a break jacket becomes crucial. Lightweight down jackets and insulated skirts are winter staples that many find indispensable.
Don’t overlook your footwear. Even on marked trails, sturdy, insulated winter boots are key. While lightweight options are great, if you lack higher-cut outdoor boots, consider using gaiters—these can be invaluable for keeping snow out of your footwear.
Firewood: Saw It, Carry It, or Pull It on a Sled
Haukkalampi is dotted with several campfire sites, each accompanied by woodsheds nearby. The firewood stored there is usually in long pieces, requiring sawing before use. It’s crucial to conserve wood; a surprisingly small quantity suffices for brewing coffee, grilling sausages, or roasting marshmallows.
If you prefer, you can also bring your own firewood. If your group includes a child thrilled to ride in a sled, you can haul a reasonable amount of firewood along with you. On our trip, we stowed small pieces of firewood in our backpacks; a few dry, compact logs don’t weigh much at all.
Remember, whether you gather firewood from the woodshed or bring your own, fires should only be lit at designated campfire sites. If you wish to linger in a remote nook for your snack break—on a rocky outcropping or perched on a fallen log—consider packing either:
Respect Campfire Sites: Hiking Etiquette Matters
There are numerous campfire sites throughout Haukanholma, as well as two cooking shelters situated by the scenic shore of Mustalampi, just a short walk from the parking areas.
Given their popularity, adhering to outdoor etiquette becomes crucial:
- Be considerate—make room for other visitors.
- Maintain a calm and respectful demeanor.
- Use firewood judiciously.
- Do not burn rubbish.
- Keep pets under control.
- When departing, leave the area clean and take your rubbish with you.
One of the simplest ways to keep campfire sites tidy is to minimize waste. Opt for durable food containers and reusable water bottles for your snacks, so you won’t have to deal with rubbish while hiking—you can pack out any waste in a plastic bag.
Pause to Absorb the Winter Forest
Often, the most memorable moments on a hike occur in moments of stillness. In Nuuksio, you can hear the gentle murmur of streams even in winter, and the stillness in the forest feels almost palpable. The blanket of snow seems to soften both sound and the passage of time. This serene beauty is worth savoring. Studies even suggest that you reap greater well-being benefits from nature when you take the time to appreciate its wonders rather than merely hurrying through.
For me, the most captivating aspect around Haukkalampi was the stream, as I have a particular fondness for open, flowing water.
Punarinnankierros: A Remarkable Trail Option
The Punarinnankierros is an approximately 2-kilometer loop trail at Haukkalampi, making it a splendid choice for a short winter hike. Along the way, campfire spots, frozen pond vistas, a babbling stream, and a whispering forest offer plenty of sights with minimal effort. Although not the hilliest trail in Nuuksio, it does have its share of gentle ascents and descents.
Thanks to its manageable length, Punarinnankierros is perfect for those venturing into the snow for the first time, or for individuals who have already sampled nearby winter trails at Haltia. It serves as a safe environment to learn about winter hiking and assess the effectiveness of your gear—or identify any shortcomings.
Planning for Longer Loops
As the days lengthen, you might feel compelled to explore more extensive winter day hikes. Haukankierros (4 km) and Korpinkierros (approximately 7 km), both originating from Haukkalampi, are popular marked routes. After sampling shorter trails like Haukanholma and Punarinnankierros, you’ll have gained valuable experience in navigating snowy Nuuksio as well as insights into your winter hiking abilities, gear, and clothing. On the Haukankierros and Korpinkierros, you can apply the lessons learned and take your enjoyment of the park to the next level. As always, keep track of the daylight and ensure you have plenty of water on hand—Nuuksio can be quite hilly!
Utilizing the Connector Trail and Public Transport
A fantastic option for a longer day hike is to begin at the Finnish Nature Center Haltia. The connector trail to Haukkalampi runs 4.6 kilometers one way; once you arrive, you can explore Haukanholma, Mustalampi, or any of the loop trails in the area before retracing your steps back to Haltia.
Another, shorter alternative is to take bus 245 from Espoo center to the Haukkalammentie junction, followed by a 2-kilometer walk along the road to Haukkalampi. After spending some time in the area—perhaps enjoying a fire at one of the designated sites—you can return via the connector trail to Haltia to catch a bus back.
Accessing Nuuksio via Public Transport Year-Round
While you can’t take a bus all the way to Haukkalampi, the nearest stop is at the Haukkalammentie junction, leaving you with a brief walk of about two kilometers to the lakeshore at Haukkalampi. Bus route 245 from Espoo operates through winter, allowing you to disembark at the Finnish Nature Center Haltia, the Haukkalampi junction, or at the Nuuksionpää terminal stop. In the summer, the bus extends further into Nuuksio, reaching as far as Kattila.
At Haltia, feel free to drop by the hiker’s living room, explore the shop and restaurant, or enjoy the nature-centered exhibitions. If you cross paths with my colleagues Kikka and Maarit, don’t forget to say hello!
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