Vartiosaari, Island in the eastern archipelago off Helsinki, Finland
Vartiosaari is a forested island in the eastern archipelago off Helsinki, Finland, with rocky ridges, old-growth forests, meadows, and wetlands covering about 80 hectares. The island is open to all visitors except for the private yards of villa residents, and it is primarily used for recreation.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, wealthy city residents built summer villas on the island to escape urban life. Some of those buildings still stand today and are considered historically valuable.
In summer, sheep from Haltiala farm graze on the island and keep the open areas trim. Walkers often encounter them along the paths or resting near the old fields that were once farmed by villa residents.
In summer, a ferry from Reposalmi connects the island to the mainland, and in winter it can be reached on foot across the ice when conditions allow. The marked trails are easy to walk, and dogs must be kept on a leash to protect the natural areas.
A nature reserve on the island protects the only naturally occurring population of a particular riverbank plant found anywhere in Finland. This small protected area is the single place in the country where this species can be seen growing in the wild.
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