Mathildedal – best choice for one day trip in Finland

Mathildedan is a relevantly new place for local traveling in Finland. It started to be popular among social media influencers and bloggers about 2-3 years ago. Still this is a place with interesting history as it was an ironwork factory village in 19 century. Jep jep, you will find the traces of the factory and quite an interesting museum in the village.

Just 1,5 hours drive from Helsinki and you are at the place of destination. I assure you that in summer you also enjoy the trip itself as the scenery along the roads is truly magnificent. Beautiful landscapes both sides of the road remind of English countryside roads as you approach closer to Mathildedan.

Mathildedan is an atmospheric place with local brewery, hotels, B&B in old wooden buildings, summer terraces, local farmers market, cozy harbor, beach, golf fields, mini-golf area and the National Park just around the corner. Literally, few steps away from summer terraces park and minigolf you are already at the entry point of the Teijo National Park.

I recommend to visit Matildankartanon leipomoravintola – the local biggest attraction. The atmosphere of the garden where they keep summer concerts is something everyone should experience and include into summer wishlist calendar. I fell in love with their piones that bloom in June.

As Mathildedal is situated on the way to Turku, you can easily combine these two destinations in one trip. Visit Mathildedal on the way to Turku on Saturday, stay overnight in Turku and come back home to the capital area Sunday night.

Or the route can be different: visit Fiscars village first and then go further to Mathildedal for staying overnight.

Hiking route with a picnic near Helsinki / October

We came back to the Sipoonkorpi National Park for a one day adventure on a sunny day in October. This time we decided to upgrade our usual way of snacking and arrange proper picnic with hot tea and grilled sausages! Challenge, yeah! In reality it was not hard at all.

We decided to start from Kuusijärvi point that is located just 1 km away from Sipoonkorpi National park . This is so beautiful spot in Autumn and actually easy location to find. When you are there, find the “orange route” start point near sauna building. Follow orange marks on trees that lead you to the picnic point with beautiful view near Lake Bisajärvi, then to the rocks of Kalkkiruukki (also picnic point) and further to Bakunkärr. All in all we did 9,1 km.

Even though Sipoonkorpi National Park is relatively small, it provides with numerous hiking routes possibilities. You can create your own routes easily. It was my 3rd visit to this park, still I was hiking along new trails I have not yet seen before.

My son, Daniel, who recently became a hiking enthusiast, suggested we will grill sausages this time. Also I wanted to brew aromatic tea in the woods. We did our own research and decided to purchase Trangia backpack cooking set with a kettle. I highly recommend to buy Trangia as it came out so light weight to carry in a backpack and very easy to cook. Scroll down for short videos on how Daniel easily managed to grill sausages and boil water. Our model is Trangia 27/3, which the the best solution for 2-3 people. In Finland you can find this brand from various shops that provide outdoor clothes and equipment. We found our baby Trangia from Partioaitta shop in Jumbo shopping center.

We did our picnic on the rocks of Kalkkiruukki. This is quite a big place that is equipped will all amenities needed for a picnic: firewood stock, grill places and ta-da! a toilet booth. The rock terraces of Kalkkiruukki attract hiking people to sit, relax and enjoy views while having a picnic.

Hiking is so amazing experience. It costs nothing but it brings a lot. It makes your healthy and fit. It gives you peace when you hike alone and it brings you joy of friendship when you hike with your family or friends. We love hiking because it brings new adventures and rare possibility to chat peacefully saying nothing about pure enjoyment of drinking aromatic tea on the rock terraces with a view!

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Trangia Stove: how to regulate fire stream

Picnic idea

Grilling sausages with Trangia stove

Finnish National Park Sipoonkorpi / September

Do you know that Finland is equipped with lots of National Parks and by 2020 there are 40 of them? Of course, you do. What can be more Finnish type of a Sunday if not to “get lost” in the forest?! Anyway, our national parks recharge your batteries with a guarantee you will NOT get lost. Each park has numerous hiking routes that are thoroughly marked, nature trails to explore and equipped picnic sites to rest.

We have chosen Sipoonkorpi National Park with my son for starting our new hiking habit. It is one of the “youngest” park in Finland established in 2011, just 30 minutes north from Helsinki. On a sunny September Saturday it is the best place to be, guys. Remember to get a small backpack with you for taking food and drinks for your picnic.

Open Gardens in Loviisa / August

Literally, you have a chance to visit private gardens in the atmospheric old town of Loviisa. Enjoy, my friend, enjoy!

The dates of open gardens in Loviisa in 2021: 30.05., 20.06. and 08.08. We visited Loviisa gardens on 30 May. Not all of the gardens were open but we found gardens ##1-4 and they were MAGNIFICENT. If you can, visit Loviisa on 08.08. for new ideas and inspiration.

August 2020 dates of this event were: 29-30.08.