Ruutana

At Lake Ruutanajärvi, you’ll find a 27-hectare nature reserve. The Ruutana Nature Trail starts from the parking area at the end of Haukankatu. This easy four-kilometre route is well-marked with signposts and offers a wide variety of natural landscapes. Halfway along the trail, by the shore of Lake Ruutanajärvi, there is a maintained campfire site.

At the start of the trail, the scenery features groves and dry heath forest. Closer to the Ruutana Nature Reserve and Lake Ruutanajärvi, the environment transforms into lush woodland with impressive hazel bushes. Giant ostrich ferns line the stream flowing south from the lake, while lungwort and daphne add vibrant colours in spring.

The grove is also home to bird species such as the tawny owl and the nutcracker, which depends on the hazel. The impact of the Ice Age can be seen when climbing up Ruutananvuori, where large boulder fields and massive erratic rocks are scattered throughout the area.