recommended route
Santalahti nature trail
Hiking Route
· Kotka
-
Santalahden luontopolkuVideo: Visit Kotka-Hamina
The Santalahti nature trail takes you to smooth cliffs and untouched forest, allowing you to relax and feel the salty seaside climate.
easy
Distance 4.4 km
1:30 h
18 m
18 m
17 m
2 m
The 4.4 km long Santalahti nature trail leads you through the island to its rocky southern shores, which offer a spectacular view of the Gulf of Finland archipelago. In good weather, you can even see Gogland on the Russian side. The wooded final stretch of the route features the beauty, smells and sounds of the forest. Along the route there are also rugged archipelago cliffs, forests, both gently sloping and steep rocky shores, as well as great swimming and picnic spots amid the cliffs and boulders. These beaches are also popular with dogs.
There are 23 signs along the nature trail explaining what is in the area or what has been done there. The signs provide information on tar-burning pits, shingle beaches and the rapakivi granite typical of South-East Finland, among other things.
Author’s recommendation
Learn more about the Santalahti nature trail using the Kotka parks department’s story map
Author
Visit Kotka-Hamina
Update: August 31, 2022
Difficulty
easy
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
17 m
Lowest point
2 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Forested/wild trail
0.3 km
Path
4.1 km
Safety information
The cliffs along the route may be slippery in wet weather, particularly the algae-covered cliffs and rocks at the water’s edge.Start
Bus turning area, Santalahdentie 178, 48310 Kotka (9 m)
Coordinates:
DD
60.435295, 26.858782
DMS
60°26'07.1"N 26°51'31.6"E
UTM
35V 492226 6699899
w3w
///branched.humility.omnivore
Destination
Bus turning area, Santalahdentie 178, 48310 Kotka
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
From Kotka, you can get a bus (service line P002) from Kotka Island to the gate of Mussalo port, from where it is about a 1.5 km walk to the start of the route. Bus timetables are available hereGetting there
Take exit 73 from the E-18 motorway and continue south along Mussalontie road for 5.7 kilometres. Turn right at the intersection and continue for 1.3 kilometres along Merituulentie road towards Mussalo port. Turn right at the intersection and continue along Santalahdentie road for 1.8 kilometres. Then from the bus turning area, continue for about 100 metres to reach the nature trail’s parking area.Parking
There is a free parking area at the starting point of the nature trail. If there is no space at the starting point, you can leave your car in the parking area of Santalahti Camping.Coordinates
DD
60.435295, 26.858782
DMS
60°26'07.1"N 26°51'31.6"E
UTM
35V 492226 6699899
w3w
///branched.humility.omnivore
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
Printable map of the Santalahti nature trail
Blog post about the Santalahti nature trail
Equipment
Trainers, running shoes, etc. are normally suitable for the trail, but waterproof footwear is recommended during wet weather as the route may be soggy in some places.
Difficulty
easy
Distance
4.4 km
Duration
1:30 h
Ascent
18 m
Descent
18 m
Highest point
17 m
Lowest point
2 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- Waypoints
- Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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Photos from others