Wild Swimming

Swimming in Liesjärvi National Park

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Liesjärvi National Park is located 95 km from Helsinki, in Tammela. There are many lakes, beautiful shorelines, dense forests and valuable mires in the area. It’s easy to camp in the Park: there are campfire sites, lean-to shelters, wood, waste bins and dry toilets free of charge. There are trails for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding. Swimming and paddling are good ways to experience lake nature. I swam along the Kyynäränharju Ridge, which separates Lake Kyynärä and Lake Liesjärvi from one … Read More

Wild Swimming

Swim Tour – Part 3. Lake Päijänne National Park

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There’s ice cover on lakes now  – so it’s perfect time to think back last summer’s swim tour in July! After saying goodbye to Samuli in the Arctic Circle, I flew back to Helsinki with Jonathan. And then Tuomas, a marathon-swimming pioneer in Finland, picked us from the airport and we drove to Padasjoki by Lake Päijänne. After almost two hours’ ride (160 km), we met Paula and Ismo, who welcomed us to the beautiful location of Villa Takila holiday apartments. Wow! … Read More

Wild Swimming

Day 18 Nuuksio again, now with a lunch

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Lake Kattilajärvi is a clear and remote little lake in Nuuksio National Park area. I was surprised to find a public beach there. Then I noticed there was a small camping center and maybe that’s why the beach was equipped with pier, swimming dock, life belt, etc. Water was really clear and there were hardly any cabins by the lake. I didn’t have time to wander in the woods, but headed soon to Haltia Nature Center to have a lunch. … Read More

Wild Swimming

Day 16 Nuuksio steals swimmer’s heart

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    What could be better than to rinse off a hectic working day at one of Nuuksio National Park’s tiny ponds? I drove to Hauklampi Pond and sinked myself into its brownish water. This lake upland area was again so silent and secret, that it was hard to believe that busy Helsinki City is only 30 mins away. Location: Hauklampi Pond, Nuuksio National Park, Espoo More of Nuuksio National Park

Wild Swimming

Day 8 No bears, just swans

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After training life saving inside a swimming hall all day, boy, what a relief it was to walk in Nuuksio National Park, to get some fresh air and to rinse chlorine off my skin in beautiful lake upland. Nuuksio is “Wild Woods and Lakes on Helsinki’s Doorstep”. So true. The Park is easy to reach by public transportation and there are over 80 little lakes and ponds in the area. And few brown bears and wolves… Today I didn’t reach the most … Read More