Teijo National Park and its Nenusta Trail is a gem in Southwest Finland, offering visitors a beautiful lookout point and a campfire site for outdoor exploration. The Nenusta Trail stood out to me as a must-visit destination as I was seeking for some beautiful views and a serene connection with nature. I chose to visit Nenusta with my dog in winter when the national park would not be crowded with visitors. It turned out to be stunning and peaceful day at Teijo National Park. We didn’t see a single person on this trail.
Introduction to the Nenustankierros Loop Trail
The Nenusta Trail begins at the Nenustannummi parking area, where you’ll find signage and maps to guide your journey. The path is well-marked with orange trail markers, ensuring that even first-time visitors like me can navigate it with ease. Or, at least without major issues. This 3.6-kilometer trail makes a figure eight shape and winds through wetlands, pine forests, and rocky hills making it a perfect hike for nature enthusiasts. The trail is quite easy, provided that the weather is dry.
If you start walking clockwise from the parking area, the trail leads across the mire on duckboards. The wet duckboards were slippery, so I was walking very carefully on them.
The Nenusta campfire site itself is situated in a pine forest and it had plenty of firewood available. In addition to the little firewood shed, there was a large container full of firewood.
The northern loop of the figure eight takes you to one of the most remarkable features of the Nenusta Trail; its elevated lookout point Nenustannokka. From the campfire site, I accidentally took the second loop clockwise, but it doesn’t really matter which way you walk it. I ended up walking the steepest hill upwards instead of downwards. It wasn’t a long hill but a pretty steep one. I also hiked it up twice because I dropped one of my gloves while taking this photo.
The sun was already setting as the days are really short in Finland in winter.
Whether you’re an avid photographer or just looking to soak in the beauty of Finland’s nature, Nenustannokka won’t disappoint. At the top of the hill I realized that it could have been really slippery if it was any colder. I don’t recommend climbing to Nenustannokka if there is any ice on the ground!
Rest of the way from the campfire site back to the parking area runs in an young pine forest and is easy to walk. My young dog seem to think he could have done another loop but yet he fell asleep in the car on our way back home.
Directions to Nenusta Trail in Teijo National Park
Address to Nenustannummi parking area:
Sauruntie 647
25570 Salo
How to get there:
- Car: The Nenustannummi parking area at Sauruntie 647 can be approached from Teijo village or from road 52 between Salo and Perniö. The parking area is right nex to the Sauruntie road so you won’t miss it.
- Bicycle: As usual, there are no cycling paths. However, a 35-km marked cycling route begins in Salo, runs through Teijo National Park and ends in Strömma in Kemiö. More information on the Coastal Route (bikeland.fi) website. The whole Nenustankierros Loop Trail is not suitable for biking due to the duckboards, but you can cycle to Nenusta campfire site.
- Public transport: You can get to Teijo National Park by public transport from Salo, but several other trails are easier to reach by public transport than this one. The closest bus stop to Nenusta in Teijo is called Sauru. Check the Route Planner or Salon Paikku for timetables. You will have to walk 3,8 km from the bus stop to the Nenustannummi.
Accessibility: This trail is only partially accessible as there is a wide sandy road from the parking area to the campfire site, which can also be accessed by prams or strollers (see the last picture). The highlights of the trail such as Nenustannokka lookout point and the mire are not accessible.
When to go: The trail is open all year but as said, I highly recommend avoiding Nenustannokka when there is any ice on the ground. Hiking time is approximately 2.5 hours, and there is no winter maintenance. For the best experience, visit during weekdays or off-peak hours to enjoy the peace and quiet like I did.
What to wear: Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended, as the trail includes rocky and uneven terrain as well as potentially slippery duckboards.
Facilities: Campfire site without any shelter and dry toilet. Bring your own toilet paper.
Special to know: Teijo National Park is a protected area, so remember to leave no trace and keep dogs on a leash. For more information about Teijo National Park, please visit Luontoon website.
Have you visited Nenusta or Teijo National Park before? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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