20 November 2011

A Day Hike on Torronsuo National Park, Finland

November 2011

Southern Finland has many small places for doing outdoor activities and which are therefore worth visiting. There are many National Parks, Nature Reserves and Recreation areas. These places are usually small. Although they are not comparable to more magnificent similar areas in Eastern and Northern Finland, they all have some special characteristics, which make them unique. And what's more, they are near at you in case you live in Southern Finland. Very many of them can be reached by public transport, too.

Visited one of such places, namely Torronsuo National Park some days ago. It was a mire, one of the largest in Southern Finland.

Its popularity is seen around the year (some statistics of visitors here, in Finnish only); Spring and Autumn time are for birdwatching. Autumn is popular for berry picking (cloudberries and cranberries). At winter time the mire is occupied by cross country skiers. Smell at summer time is fabulous, which alone might attract you.

November is not a perfect time to visit, birds are almost all gone.  Wanted to see some cranes, but didn't have much luck with them (although heard their voices in distant). Duckboards were quite slippery to walk, too. So, be careful out there.

Despite discouraging 'Misember' time, decided to hike through the mire, then to come back via Torro village.

Weather was mild, plus degrees but strong wind made it feel colder. Gore-Tex helped in these situations and especially on sudden showers, too.

The track was marked to be some 10km long. It started from Kiljamo parking lot via duckboards which went across the mire, then followed by a small path. At Torro village the path changed to a sand road and finally a tarmac road. The last km was again on duckboards.

Here's hiked route clockwise (larger view):




With the following photos I try to explain what I saw there:

Road brings you right into the park

Update yourself before hike

A Highway

Berry Picking

Overview of Torronsuo mire

Tough Life

Moss in many colours

Local grass

A couple of shicanes

Bypassing wasn't easy

Time for a break

Sun appeared for 10sec

A forest on the mire

Someone's lunch break's over

Twisted

'All Along The Watchtower'

Tiny ponds on the mire

Idyllic road at Torro village

This is where local rally drivers come from

Which one is older?



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