I love the train system in Finland. I also like the national parks. Here is a link to the VR site that gives you all the nature you can reach via train.

Of special notes is the Hillosensalmi stop in Repovesi. I heard they have reopened for the first time in years, and I hope it gets enough use to stay open. I believe the spot to rent kayaks is within walking distance from the train stop. Perfect spot for some Kayak camping.

What are your favorite spots for train accessible nature?

[https://www.vr.fi/en/to-nature-by-train](https://www.vr.fi/en/to-nature-by-train)

4 comments

  1. This summer I plan to bike to a specific area on Lake Saimaa (from Helsinki) for a couple days of camping and rock climbing, and then take the train back. It is such a convenient way to do things.

  2. This is great! We were actually going visit Repovesi a couple of weeks ago when we had a car for the weekend, but ended up not making it. I’m so happy to hear we can go by train as well.

  3. Some additional information. This in order that people don’t lose their hopes too easily!

    It is also possible to reach many of the biggest and most popular national parks by a public transport connection that begins in a town where the railway ends. Some categorization as follows.

    Direct bus route close by to a National Park:

    Urho Kekkonen

    Pallas-Ylläs

    Pyhä-Luosto

    Direct bus route close by to another area of interest:

    Kaldoaivi Designated Wilderness Area

    Paistunturi Designated Wilderness Area

    Hammastunturi Designated Wilderness Area

    Kevo Strict Nature Reserve

    Muotkatunturi Designated Wilderness Area, kind of

    In addition, according to Jouni Laaksonen there was a postal taxi still operating that takes you very close at the gates of Lemmenjoki National Park. This was at least by the years, say, 2015-2016. If it’s still there, then that one counts as well. But it requires one extra layover.

    It is most likely possible to reach the Salla National Park by public transport, but I’m not entirely sure if you have to layover more than once.

    It is possible to reach Ruka by direct bus connection and start the other end of the super popular Karhunkierros Trail from that point. Later, the Karhunkierros takes you into Oulanka National Park. So you might count, or not count, or count this as iffy.

    It is possible to reach Syöte National Park by public transport, but again, you might have to layover more than once.

    It may be possible, by public transport, to reach Sarmitunturi Designated Wilderness Area. Likewise, close by to a semi-popular trail that eventually takes you into Vätsäri Designated Wilderness Area. In these cases I think it’s inevitable that there would be the rail layover and one more layover in Ivalo or Inari. You’d have to find a route that takes you either towards Nellim or into Näätämö.

    To recap all the more questionably qualifying ones, we have: Lemmenjoki National Park, Oulanka National Park, Salla National Park, Syöte National Park, Sarmitunturi Designated Wilderness Area, and Vätsäri DWA.

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