Area
land and nautical area 189 hectares
Address
Elfvikintie 4, 02600 Espoo
Services
information boards, parking area, marked routes, cafe
Laajalahti always offers something to observe, and the area is particularly thrilling in the spring when flocks of thousands of migratory birds arrive in the bay to rest. Laajalahti is one of the best bird waters in southern Finland, and a significant wetland on a global scale too.
The area’s two observation towers provide an uninterrupted view of the surrounding scenery. The trail between the two observation towers travels along duckboards past idyllic farmland. You should definitely take binoculars and a bird book with you on your hike.
Area maintainer homepage: Metsähallitus
Making a fire is not permitted.
Camping is prohibited.
Dogs and other pets must be kept on a leash.
Area maintainer homepage: Metsähallitus
Laajalahti always offers something to observe, and the area is particularly thrilling in the spring when flocks of thousands of migratory birds arrive in the bay to rest. Laajalahti is one of the best bird waters in southern Finland, and a significant wetland on a global scale too.
The area’s two observation towers provide an uninterrupted view of the surrounding scenery. The trail between the two observation towers travels along duckboards past idyllic farmland. You should definitely take binoculars and a bird book with you on your hike.
Destination information
The Laajalahti nature reserve consists mostly of open waters. The reserve also includes reed beds and coastal herb-rich groves and meadows. Laajalahti is important for its wide variety of nesting bird species and the thousands of birds that stop there as they migrate in April and May and August and September. The aim of the reserve is to protect the shallow bay but also to enable its use for nature activities. You can learn about birds and other wonders of nature on the nature trail close to Nature House Villa Elfvik.
There are two observation towers in the area, the Villa Elfvik tower and Maarinlahti tower. You can walk along trails between the towers.
Due to bird protection in the area, visitors can only walk along marked paths and in the vicinity to Villa Elfvik, which is not part of the nature reserve. When the bay is frozen, visitors can access any part of the nature reserve. You must not pick berries or mushrooms in the area. Grazing animals must not be disturbed or fed.
The rules and regulations of the Laajalahti nature reserve.
It is also important to check any up-to-date notices regarding the Laajalahti nature reserve before heading there on an outing.
Routes
Nature Sanctuary trail 700 m. The trail starts at Villa Elfvik. The trail has many themes.
The Laajalahti nature trail 2.9 km. The trail can be accessed from Villa Elfvik and Otaniemi.
Accessibility
The 700-metre Nature Sanctuary trail from Villa Elfvik is accessible. There is a ramp to access the Villa Elfvik observation tower. There is an accessible toilet in Villa Elfvik.
The other services and routes in the area are not accessible. Most of the nature trails in Laajalahti are paths on duckboards.
Additional information
The City of Espoo maintains the versatile Nature House Villa Elfvik close to the nature reserve.
Espoo’s waterfront walkway travels in part through the nature reserve.