Seurasaarenselkä - HCM route shortly

Route in map
Route: Töölö-Lauttasaari-Kaskisaari-Lehtisaari-Munkkiniemi-Meilahti
Topography: flat, view upphills
Public transportation (starting point): Trams 3B, 3T, 8, several busses from Kamppi

Today was great weather for running. It is already November but no gloves or hat was needed! Last year we had permanent snow cover 18th November. I run today a route that shortly follows Helsinki city marathon route. I ran it first time this year. My tour begins from Töölö, Runeberginkatu.

First kilometer follows Mechelininkatu, turn there to Lapinlahdekatu. You can see Hietaniemi cemetery on your right. When you see Lapinlahti hospital park front of you turn lightly to west towards Ruoholahti. From Itämerensola you go under Porkkalankatu, take steps to right and follow Porkkalankatu towards Salmisaari powerplant.

You will soon cross the Lauttasaari bridge, and after you have reached Lauttasaari, turn right to Pohjoiskaari. If you feel tired you can stop by in circle cafeteria. Along Pohjoiskaari street you have good tour for typical flat roof buildings that were famous in 60s and 70s in Finland. Local beautiful rock offer habitat for many moss and vascular plant species - urban diversity spot indeed. Follow street about kilometer and when you bump into signpoint of Tapiola turn right, and cross bridge that takes you over Länsiväylä highway.

Run pedestrian and biking trail that follows Länsiväylä until you pumb into Tapiola signpoint again, then turn right to Lahnalahdentie. Jump away from street to sandy trail that ends up to Luoteisväylä. Some vascular plants were still flowering, for example Himalayn balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) which is introduced non-native species in Finland. It is aggressively spreading especially to moist habitats.

The next signpoint to Munkkiniemi direct you to turn right to Laukkaniementie from Luoteisväylä. Again follow pedestrian trail to Kaskisaari bridge where you have a good view to high business buildings in Espoo Kaskilahti. Follow the direction of Munkkiniemi sign and you will hit again to bridge that takes you to Lehtisaari. Continue along Lehtisaarentien until you pumb into Munkkiniemi sign again, then turn lightly right to pedestrian/biking trail.

The trail will take you to Kuusisaarentie. Follow the road about two kilometers, until you reach Seurasaari signboard. Then turn right to Meilahti bridge and follow Meilahdentie, and turn from there to Tamminiementie until you are at Seurasaarentie. Follow the road a kilometer to Paciuksenkatu, from there take pedestrian trail that takes you to Merikannontie. Follow seashore trail a kilometer, you will pass very nice cafe Regatta. Turn to Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu or if you prefer you can run through Hesperia park. Finally you will receive Runeberginkatu, the starting point. Congrulations 13,3 km is fully run.

Töölö-Seurasaari

Route in map
Length: ca. 10 kilometers
Topography: flat, few uphills
Easy route for all weather
Toilets in Seurasaari
Public transportation: Töölö, Apollonkatu trams 3T, 3B and 8, several busses; Seurasaari bus 24.

The route starts at Runeberginkatu in Töölö through Hesperia park to Merikannontie where running continues along the shore. If you are not in running mood you can stop by in unique cafe Regatta. This is nice place to visit.

Follow sandy trail few kilometers, finally you end up to road directing to Seurasaari. Avoid asphalt road whenever it is possible and follow small sandy trails. You will pass Mäntyniemi the President's official resident nearby. Finally route takes you to Seurasaari bridge. Seurasaari is a famous island among natives and tourists. There you can get a first touch of real taiga forest and traditional Finnish buildings.

Turn right after the bridge and follow the shoreline. Seurasaari route follows the shore all around the island. If you tired step in Kalevalakehto. After running around Seurasaari, the route length is about seven kilometers. You have two options: continue back to Töölö or somewhere else by running or if you feel tired take a bus 24 that leaves front of the Seurasaari bridge.

Recreation and green areas in Helsinki

The green space covers about 50 % of total land area (214 km2) of Helsinki city.
There are about 4 500 hectares forests, 317 islands and 215 km continental seashore in Helsinki.
The city has a network of 350 km of trails and about 750 km of bike paths.
Read more about recreational possibilities in Helsinki: Sports Department of Helsinki