Nuuksio National Park

Nuuksio is a national park in Uusimaa covering about 45 square kilometers, distinguished by dense forests on rocky terrain near Helsinki. Over 150 lakes and ponds are scattered throughout this landscape, forming a natural setting where water and woodland dominate.

Archaeological findings from 2010 revealed traces of early Finnish settlements dating back over 9,000 years to when the first islands formed in this region. These discoveries show that people have inhabited this area for an extraordinarily long time.

The name Nuuksio may derive from the Sami word njukca, meaning swan, pointing to ancient language connections with northern indigenous peoples. Walking through the forest, you can sense these deep historical roots woven into the land itself.

The park is easily reached by public transport through bus line 245A, which connects Helsinki to both the eastern and northern sections from Espoo Center. Key entrances and parking areas are well marked, making it simple to explore different parts of the park on foot.

The park protects the Siberian flying squirrel across roughly 200 small forest patches that serve as habitats for this rare creature. This small, nocturnal animal is rarely spotted by visitors, yet its presence makes this place a crucial refuge for the species.