Take rubber boots, a compass, a proper map, water and snacks and your mobile phone (just in case).
The sketch above shows a walk which I have done several times, but which could be improved to make it more accessible. It starts in Suvilahti, across the road from the beginning of Pietarsaarenkatu, where the Suvilahti 'koirapuisto' (dog exercising area) is. This is Point A. Walk past the entrance to the koirapuisto, around the boom which is just there to stop unauthorised cars, and on up and down the slope. This rough vehicle track swings round to the right and continues, industrial stuff to the left, trees to the right, for about 500 metres. The story continues below. Click on the photos to enlarge.
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1. After about 500 metres you'll see a cottage on the left. Carry on past this to... |
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2. ..a cute wooden bridge. This is Point B. |
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3. This is the view west to the sea from the bridge. |
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4. This is the view east along the canal towards Vanha Vaasa. |
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5. Cross the bridge and a few metres further on to your left is the beginnings of the path which you will need to follow. This is quite an easy path with the canal and its flood-plain always to the left. |
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6. After about 200 metres you'll come to this rock. This is Point C. Go over it, or around it to the right and get back up onto the dyke. Keep on going. |
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7. The path gets more and more difficult, the trees closer together and making you duck under the odd broken branch. |
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8. This is where your rubber boots will start coming in handy. The reeds in the autumn are three metres high and provide an interesting corridor to walk or push your way through. However, the canal is always to your left, so navigation is not difficult. |
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9. The path eases up a bit and you come across a series of antique abandoned car parts. |
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10. Here is another. |
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11. The path continues fairly easily. |
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12. Anybody know the make and model of this one? |
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13. Or indeed these? |
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14. The path continues, and after almost a kilometre from the rock arrives at the point where the canal sweeps around to the north. |
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15. Here it is, and if the water is high it is time to turn to the south. |
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16. Point D - If there was a little bridge here, across the stream, you could carry on along the canal and come out at Point K on the map. |
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17. Here is a view south along the stream. |
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18. The path is clearly visible on the right of the picture, follow this south. |
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19. This path goes on for about 500 rather difficult metres, and this is one stretch that could use some improvement. |
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20. Eventually the stream swings to the east and the forest is in front of you. This is Point E, and there is no clear path anymore. |
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21. Swing a bit to the right and head for this rock in the trees. |
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22. Round the rock. Now here you have a choice. Ahead is a fir forest, not easy to go through, so you need to go round it. I suggest skirting around the west of it, by the sea. You are heading for the end of a forest track a little east of south (Point F). A compass and a good map would help a lot. |
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23. This is the western route around the firs, but it's easy to get lost. If you do, just keep heading south and you must, eventually, reach the track to the Lintutorni (Point H). (Click on this link to see what it's like). The bird-watching tower is worth the visit, reachable across a Lapland-style board-walk across the marshes. Another viewpoint is the old bird-watching structure, which is Point I on the map). To get home, go to Point G, then on to Point J, and go left again to Vanhasatama. |
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