Would you rather go on a hike by the sea, the oldest church ruins in Finland or check out one of the best bird watch towers in the region? Kaarina offers something for every taste and even an accessible journey on a mountain wheelchair. Now, we reveal the best day trips to Kaarina during autumn season!
Kaarina is a hiker's dream come true: cultural landscapes by the sea, the best bird waters in Southwest Finland, some of Finland's most significant historical discoveries and amazing sports opportunities. Especially in autumn, hikers are delighted by the abundant colors of Kaarina's deciduous trees and access to the shores of the sea, the lake or the river. Which one is your favorite?
Visit as many destinations as you wish and share your travel experiences in the comment section of the blog!
And here's a map to guide you through these amazing autumn day trips in Kaarina!
1. Rauhalinna nature trail
- Length: 2 km
- Starting point: Iso-Rauhalinnantie, Kaarina
- Public transport: Föli operates, buses number 700-707 and K1-K2
- Map: Map of Rauhalinna nature trails (PDF)
- Accessibility: Accessible easy route is 700 meters long wide gravel road and the descend to the shore of Kuusistonsalmi is accessible by wheelchair.
Our first autumn trip to magical Kaarina is located in the culturally and historically significant landscapes of Rauhalinna and its peaceful manor environment. The nature trail leads to golden autumn forests, open fields and to the seashore. To make it easier to navigate, there are beautifully illustrated guide signs that are a piece of аrt on their own.
In the area of Rauhalinna there is also an old manor, which is part of a significant historical cultural environment. The mansion is currently privately owned, so it is not allowed stepping into its yard. According to the story the last resident of the family who lived in the manor, can also be seen returning to her lands to this day. Spooky?
Tip! There is also a lovely little art gallery near Rauhalinna, which is worth a visit! The Mökkigalleria has changing exhibition and they organize some food tasting nights and other events as well. Did you know that Sibel Kantola of Mökkigalleria has designed the beautiful guide signs on the Rauhalinna nature paths?
How do I get to the Rauhalinna nature trail?
There is a parking lot along Rauhalinnantie that can accommodate a few cars. The walk from the parking lot to the nature trail is about 500 m. You can also get to the beginning of the nature trail by Föli's buses.
2. Ravattula's Cross Hill
- Location: Vanha-Ravattulantie, Kaarina
- Public transport: Föli operates, buses number 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 6, 55
- Information: Ravattula Ristimäki project pages
- Accessibility: You cannot easily get to the location with a wheelchair. The roads along the banks of the Aura River are fairly accessible dirt roads.
Auranlaakso in Kaarina has something special hidden in the banks of the Aura River. The ruins of the oldest church in Finland have been found in Ravattula's Cross Hill (Ravattulan Ristimäki in Finnish). The remains have been dated back to the late 12th century–early 13th century, in other words to the end of the Finnish Crusade period and the Early Middle Ages!
Ravattula Cross Hill is a small hill surrounded by large fields near the Aura River. Today, only the stone footing and the foundation of the altar remain of the Ristimäki church. There are also offering stones and Iron Age graveyard nearby.
Tip: In Ravattula Cross Hill, new guide signs and a QR guided ancient path is in progress and shoul be ready this autumn 2021.
If you need a longer autumn walk, you should discover what else can be found along the Aura River. The river banks hide many other historical sites right next to the Cross Hill! In addition, the Ravattula Cross Hill is only a short walk from the shores of Lake Littoinen (our next destination for an autumn day trip!).
How do I get to Ravattula's Ristimäki?
The bike routes to the Ravattula Cross Hill are excellent from Auranlaakso, Turku and Lieto. You should leave the car in the Kuralan Kylämäki car park or in the yard of the nearby Citymarket. From both parking lots you'l, have a bit over 1 kilometer walk. Föli's buses take you close to Kurala parking lot.
3. Järvelä wetland and Lake Littoinen
- Location: Järveläntie 6, Kaarina
- Public transport: Föli operates, buses number 2B, 2C, K1
- Map: Tammireitistöt (in Finnish only)
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible bird-watching place, wheelchair accessible kayaking pier and the road of Järveläntie.
The Järvelä wetland is a real oasis for birds with its ponds of still water and the calmness of the surrounding forests. The area is located north of Lake Littoinen in Auranlaakso on the border of Kaarina and Lieto. The atmosphere of the calm nature can be felt in the wonderful nature video of the Järvelä wetland.
But did you know that the Järvelä wetland was formed in the spring of 2009 by accident?
This 20-acre field was filled with water when a water pump broke. The water took over the fields and the birds immediately found their new home. The wetland is a real bird watcher's dream, one of the best bird waters in the whole Southwest Finland!
To the south of the Järvelä wetland you can find the Littoistenjärvi nature trail. Loved by the locals, this trail guides you to many special destinations. The official nature trail section is about 2.9 kilometers, but you can also head towards an autumn adventure around the lake which makes it about 5,5 kilometers. Along the way you will find the fascinating surroundings of Verkatehdas, a few beaches and some higher cliffs for sightseeing.
Close to the Järvelä wetland there is one of the most popular beaches in the entire Turku region. Littoistenjärvi beach has barbecue areas, lunch tables and benches that serve visitors all year around. Just remember to grab some firewood with you!
How do I get to the Järvelä wetland?
There are excellent biking routes to the Järvelä wetland. By car you can reach the parking lots at the beginning and end of Järveläntie, which are only a few hundred meters walk to the wetland. You can get to Littoinen Beach by Föli's buses.
4. Kaarina Central Sports Park
- Location: Viipurintie 32, Kaarina
- Public transport: Föli operates, buses number 700-706 and 801
- Accessibility: Most of the park is accessible by wheelchair.
Kaarina Central Sports Park is the heart of the city's sport facilities and diverse recreational opportunities. The athletics field will be renewed this autumn with brand new outdoor gym with adjustable equipment!
In addition to the athletic field and new gym equipment there are football pitches, basketball courts, frisbee golf, a gym and a running track. The Aktia Arena, located in the Central Sports Park, also enables a wide range of indoor sports from badminton to group sports.
From the diverse activities of the Central Sports Park, you can also head towards to the peaceful forest. A lovely 6-kilometer nature trail starts from the north end of Lakimiehenkatu in the park and leads to Lauste in Turku. You should head for the path during the day or grab a flash light with you!
How do I get to Kaarina Central Sports Park?
It is very easy to get there by bike and the Central Sports Park is located in Nummenniitty right next to the center of Kaarina. The car park can be reached by car and has good parking lots. Föli's buses take you right to the park.
5. Accessible destinations in Kaarina
It is important for the city of Kaarina that everyone can enjoy its unique natural attractions, and in recent years the city has invested in the accessibility of its recreational destinations. You can borrow a wheelchair especially made for nature trails from the city!
5a. Tuorla's accessible nature trail
- Parking: Tuorlantie 1
One of the nature trails in the region, where special attention has been paid to accessibility, is the 1.2-kilometer-long Tuorla accessible nature trail. It can be experienced on a wheelchair, although if you want to do a circular route, it is worth taking an assistant with you for a 300-meter-long wooded and steep section.
The Tuorla nature trail leads to an idyllic deciduous forest amidst oaks and walnut bushes. In autumn, the deciduous trees burst into a particularly beautiful colors of the fall. There is also a fire place along the nature trail, so those who dream of autumn barbecuing should bring some firewood with them. The Tuorla area is also an interesting place to visit and in the area you will find Tuorla Manor, Tuorla Guesthouse, Väisälä Space Park and Vocational College Livia, whose students might sell their products in the markets in Tuorla organized by their school.
Opposite Tuorla Guesthouse you will find an accessible car park, a guide map and access to a toilet in Tuorla Guesthouse. The house has a disabled ramp, although a few thresholds inside. There is also parking for the disabled near the Väisälä Space Park.
5b. The ruins of Kuusisto Castle
- Parking: Linnanrauniontie 633, Kaarina
The Kuusisto Bishop's Castle Ruins are one of the most famous and fascinating destinations in the Turku region. The Kuusisto Castle was in its glory in the 1300s and 1500s, when the castle served as an administrative center. In the 1520s, the administrative center was transferred to Turku Castle by order of Gustav Vaasa, so the demolition of Kuusisto Castle began. Fortunately, it was not teared down completely and these amazing ruins can still be admired by the sea.
The approximately 500-meter-long path around the castle ruins is easy and smooth to go, suitable for prams and a wheelchair with an assistant. There is disabled parking right next to the castle ruins and there is also a fire place, an outdoor toilet and an accessible electric toilet nearby, which is open until the end of October!
5c. The accessible part of the nature trail of Rauhalinna
- Parking: Parking 500 meters from the beginning of the nature trail on Iso-Rauhalinnantie.
The Rauhalinna nature trail has up to 700 meters of wheelchair accessible route in picturesque landscapes. The road is gravel, so if you have any doubts about the comfort of the road surface, you should contact the city of Kaarina and rent their wheelchair especially made for nature trails!
5d. Järvelä and Littoistenjärvi accessible sites
- Parking: Järveläntie 6
The Järvelä wetland has an accessible bird watching place and access to the wetland on the Järveläntie. However, this road is also intended for cars, so it is not a nature trail. One of Järvelä's most interesting accessible destinations is an accessible paddling pier! Here you can easily get on a kayak and start a 5.5-kilometer kayaking trip around the idyllic Littoistenjärvi.
What else can be found in the picturesque Kaarina?
Kaarina is a versatile oasis for hiking. Beside these destinations are you already familiar with the forests and a viewpoint of Vaarniemi, Harvaluoto recreational area or Piikkiö castle hill?
How did you like it?
Did you go for one or more of these autumn day trips? Let us know about your experience. :)
Also, leave a comment below if you know a wonderful nature trail or destination that wasn't on this list and help other hikers find the best day trips for autumn in Kaarina!
-Ninna
