Kerava: Nature Trails, Forests and Culture

Explore Kerava through its natural areas, trails and cultural offerings. Choose a marked nature trail through a protected woodland, discover wetlands and birdlife, or explore the city on foot or by bicycle. Art, local history and recurring events add to the options for varied days of travel.

Forests, Ponds and Nature Trails

Haukkavuori is a regionally significant nature reserve. It is home to Kerava’s most valuable and extensive deciduous forests, as well as spruce forests with a primeval character. A marked nature trail, 2.8 kilometres long, runs through the protected area. Ollilanlampi, Kerava’s largest pond, is another nature and hiking destination, with its surrounding wetlands. The trail around Ollilanlampi is accessible: wide boardwalks and level terrain make it suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Other landscapes have their own distinct character. The forest at Kerava Manor is a bird park area where visitors can observe Finland’s diverse birdlife; 47 different bird species have been recorded there. Salmelan lehto is an area of deciduous woodland and floodplain meadow. It is about 400 metres long and covers an area of approximately 2.5 hectares. In northern Kerava, the Myllypuro meander valley lies south of Koivulantie, between the road and the motorway. As there is no suitable car parking nearby, it is best to arrive on foot or by bicycle.

On Foot, by Bike and on the Water

The Kirsikkapuukierros offers two routes of different lengths for exploring Kerava: a three-kilometre walking route through the centre and an 11-kilometre cycling route. An additional 4.5-kilometre loop can be added to the cycling route. Along the way, you can listen to recorded stories about Hanami, Japanese culture and traditions surrounding cherry blossom season.

Another route leads from Keinukallio via Ahjo and Ollilanlampi and back to Keinukallio; it can also be cycled. Keinukallio Sports Park also has a free public 18-hole disc golf course. The terrain is hilly, with numerous changes in elevation. If you’re interested in paddling, the Keravanjoki is suitable for it. Near Kerava Manor, there is a suitable place to launch and land canoes on the west bank at Kivisilta.

Art, History and Events

At the Sinkka Art and Museum Centre, changing exhibitions showcase contemporary art, cultural phenomena, Kerava’s local traditions and the history of industrial design. The programme also includes cultural events, guided tours, lectures, concerts and supplementary activities for families with children. The Heikkilä Local History Museum’s indoor exhibition tells the story of life in a prosperous farmhouse in Kerava, from the mid-19th century to the early 1930s.

Recurring annual events include Kerava Day, celebrated every year in June before Midsummer. Held every September, Sirkusmarkkinat combines circus performances with a varied market programme. Kerava also hosts Valkosipulifestareita in August. Aurinkomäki Park is in the centre; its event stage hosts programmes ranging from concerts to events for children.

More Things to Do

Muinaisranta Park, in the green area of Kivisilta, has a play and activity area known as the art playground. Farm animals such as sheep, chickens and rabbits live in the farmyard and fields at Kerava Manor. For swimming, Kerava swimming pool has a pool area with 800 square metres of water surface and six pools. The swimming pool also has halls for guided classes and three gyms.

Other places in the same directory: Ruotsinpyhtää, Sipoo, Savijoki, Ingå, Kirkkonummi, Lapinjärvi, Pernå, Karjalohja.

For the wider travel overview: Uusimaa.