Forest Tales & TrailsHelsinki
Taste of the wild
Hear the silence and feel the forest, just a short distance from Helsinki’s city centre. Nowhere else in the world does an urban capital change so rapidly into forest.
From €189 per personSee all group sizes →
© Anneliina Sipiläinen
The experience
We step off the asphalt and into one of Helsinki’s peaceful forests where pines still whisper Finnish legends. This is not just a walk but an immersion into the Finnish mind and the restorative power of nature — you’ll breathe deeper and slow down, believe me all within the city limits! We stop for a Finnish break with juice and korvapuusti (cinnamon roll) I’ve baked that morning. Take time for yourself — the Japanese call it Shinrin-yoku, some call it forest bathing, others call it mindfulness in nature and I call it the taste of the wild in the Finnish forest.
Perfect if you have half a day, want the forest rather than a view of it, and would rather hear its stories than read a plaque.
What makes this special? The change from hectic city life to serenity and silent sound world. Wander with me and leave the noise and the digital world behind.
Where we go
- Haltiala recreation areaHelsinki · ~30 minutes each wayEasy
- Uutela recreation areaHelsinki
Thirty minutes east of the centre, where old forest, glacier-scoured rock and meadow run down to the sea on three sides
Easy
What’s included
Included
- Private transfer from your hotel or an agreed pick-up point, and back
- Four hours of guiding, just your group
- The vehicle stays with us throughout, so we can change plans with the weather
- A guided, hands-on walk where you hear, feel, see and smell the forest, not just pass through it
- A break in the nature with Finnish berry juice and homemade korvapuusti, the sweet cardamom bun
- Time to yourself at the break — wander a little, or rest in a hammock I hang between the pines. Yes, in January too.
- Choose your theme: spirits of the forest, or the bear
Not included
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Additional meals or snacks
Before you come
What to bring
- A water bottle for each participant
- Sturdy footwear
- Weather-appropriate clothing and a hat
Who it suits
No particular fitness requirements. Suitable for ages 7 and up.
Before you book
We go out in all weather, unless I judge it too harsh. Some rain gear is available to borrow or buy. Terrain, difficulty and the exact itinerary can vary depending on the group.
Weather, kit and who a trip suits — see the frequently asked questions.
Every trip is guided by Anski. More about your guide
Pricing
Every price is per person and covers everything listed under What's included above.
- Just you€495per personTotal€495
- Two of you€255per personTotal€510
- Three of you€210per personTotal€630
- Best valueFour of you€189per personTotal€756
- Five or moreLarger vehicle neededAsk about your group
Sundays on request, 30% more per person.
No payment now — we confirm the date and details with you first.
This is a lovely way to get to know Helsinki’s many sides — if you are short of time we can tailor a short forest relaxation for you!
Other trips you might like
Echoes of the ice age
The land the glaciers carved, and the stories we told about them. How did 200-ton boulders — once frozen in glaciers — come to rest in the forests, as if placed by giants or “Hiisi” (the devil)? Two trails: stunning Kallahti in east Helsinki, or Hanikka in Espoo for more challenge.
Treecreeper’s day trip
With a background in service design and project management, I’ll turn your vision into an unforgettable trip. Share your interests — nature, history or Finnish folklore — your time and where you’re staying, and I’ll plan a seasonal route at your pace, from one forest day to a multi-day hike.