Nature reserve in Haltiala forest
Towards natural state
Haltiala forest is the largest land area in Helsinki that is protected by the Nature Conservation Act (137 hectares). The area is mostly covered by mature, spruce-dominated forests. In addition to the coniferous forests, coniferous swamps and herb-rich forests with a more diverse range of species are also found in the area. The area was logged in the 1930s, preceded by draining the wetlands. The forest has mostly grown in the area after the logging and is gradually being restored to its natural state. The drainage ditches in the lush forested valleys have been dammed since the early 2000s to restore their natural water level.
Cradle of diversity
Soil watering, wind damage, snowfall and bark beetles promote biodiversity in the area. Species that benefit from rotting wood are thriving; about a hundred polypore species have been found in Haltiala. In places rich with rotting aspen, there are also many woodpeckers and flying squirrels that use the wood for their nests.
Nature reserve in the Haltiala primeval forest
Along the duckboards
The Haltiala nature reserve, which has grown freely since the 1950s and been conserved as a nature reserve since 1984, is protected in the true sense of the word; while the Haltiala forest nature reserve and its numerous paths and hiking trails populated by large numbers of outdoor enthusiasts, the primeval forest has only a few paths, and walking outside the paths is prohibited.
Old forest
The spruce-dominated forests in the nature reserves of Haltiala forest and Haltiala primeval forest offer an opportunity to compare a forest that has been allowed to grow naturally since the 1950s with a forest of the same age that has been thinned throughout the years. The trees in the primeval forest vary more in terms of their age, and dead trees are found more abundantly. The nature reserves in Haltiala are essential, for example, for birds that inhabit old forests.
Nature reserve in Pitkäkoski hillside herb-rich forests
Variety of herb-rich forests
Explore the different herb-rich forests in the nature reserve shared by Helsinki and Vantaa. The protected area is home to many species that are typical of herb-rich forests in Southern Finland: the blue anemone, the wood sorrel, the May lily and the ground elder. These plants are often among the most abundant species in their habitats, and their different combinations each create their unique habitat. Some of the herb-rich forest species thrive in spruce stands, while others need more light and prefer to grow among alders near the shore.
From the herb-rich forest to the rapids
In moist herb-rich forests, large ferns, especially the lady fern, the narrow buckler fern and, in the most lush places, the ostrich fern often become dominant. Spring and early summer are the best times to visit the herb-rich forests, thanks to the abundance of species, but at least with a little luck, there is also something to see in winter, when the dipper and otter can be seen on the rapids.
Nature reserve on the Vantaanjoki riverbank
Hillside herb-rich forests in their natural state
The three-hectare Vantaanjoki riverbank is ecologically valuable. The area has different types of hillside herb-rich forests and fertile meadows. The nature reserve of Vantaanjoki riverbank is valuable and diverse in terms of its vegetation types. It is an important part of the protected areas in Haltiala and the wider green network.
Species of herb-rich forests and water areas
The species typical of a herb-rich forest are the alternate-leaved golden saxifrage, the dog’s mercury, the herb Christopher, the wonder violet and the moschatel. For bird species, you can spot the common sandpiper, the hawfinch or the lesser spotted woodpecker. The water and shore areas of the Vantaanjoki riverbank are also home to the otter and the thick-shelled river mussel, both of which are mentioned in the Habitats Directive.
Nature reserve in Ruutinkoski herb-rich forest
Herb-rich forest and shore vegetation
Located in the middle of field landscapes and next to Haltiala farm, Ruutinkoski is a wonderful nature destination with diverse wetlands and herb-rich forests. The vegetation in the moist herb-rich forests and shores of the Ruutinkoski rapids is diverse. The herb-rich forests are home to, for example, anemones that blossom in the spring and the herb Christopher, as well as the rarer large bitter-cress and frogbit. Early summer nights are full of the songs of nightingales, marsh warblers and Blyth’s reed warblers.
Rapids landscape
The Ruutinkoski rapids are 300 metres long. It is the lowest natural rapids on the river Vantaanjoki, and bulrush and water horsetail grow on its banks. The area is popular among visitors, which can be seen in the erosion of the shores. You can prevent erosion by staying on the main paths and trails.
