Even if summer makes you wait for it, a certain sign of summer is the explosion of colours at the Haaga rhododendron park in Helsinki. The splendour only lasts for a few weeks in June, and this destination is definitely worth visiting even if your knowledge of flowers is limited only to “Oh, look how pretty they are!”.
One way to get to the park is by train to Huopalahti train station from where you can walk to the park. There are no signs at the station helping you find your way to the park so it took a while to figure out which way to turn. The park is very close, only about 300m from the station. We spotted the park when we noticed large crowds gathering together – since the full bloom season lasts only for a few weeks, pretty much everyone is there at the same time.
The park is a bit special: it has both a gravel road and wooden walkways for visitors to use to get as close as possible to the colours of the flowers. The duckboards were used also by those in wheelchairs and with children in buggies. Thankfully, there were a lot of benches to use for resting and a quick picnic. The amazingly tall rhododendron bushes even offer shade together with the pine trees so visitors stay comfortable all the way until their feet give out from all the walking.
There is an incredible array of flowers all around the park: there is a section just for rhododendrons and another one for azaleas. Flower-buffs will enjoy the wide variety of colours and species which stretch out into the distance. The sweet smell surrounding visitors whisks you away to a different reality where the sun always shines and life is nothing but sugar and flowers. We all need a bit of that in our lives so go visit!
Directions
Address: Type Laajasuontie 37, Helsinki on your navigator. You can also try Haagan alppiruusupuisto and you will find your way to the park.
How to get there: You can get to the rhododendron park by car, by bicycle, and by public transport.
- Car: There are limited amount of places to park your car near the park. As you are in central Helsinki, parking spaces are hard to come by.
- Bicycle: The cycling routes follow pedestrian and vehicle roads.
- Public transport: The easiest and best way to get to Haaga rhododendron park is by public transport. Check the timetable from the Capital area Route planner.
- The nearest bus stops are Laajasuonpuisto, Eliel Saarisen tie or Ilkantie. These are right next to the park. However, the best way to get there is by train to Huopalahti train station only 300m away.
Accessibility: The park is very accessible. The park has gravel pathways and wooden walkways that are easily accessible to people with limited mobility or children in buggies. There are lights in the park so you can visit even when it’s getting a bit darker.
When to go: The park is open 24/7. The rhododendrons bloom at certain temperatures but usually are best in early to mid-June.
“train to Etelä-Haaga train station ”
No such thing, it is Huopalahti
Harri, Thanks for this! This is what you get when you concentrate on the memory of the flowers more than what you write. All corrected now.