Nature excursions

The atmosphere of a spring evening

Mon 18.5.2026 at 17.30-19.30 (FI, EN)

Join us to enjoy the atmosphere of a spring evening on the Savolanniemi shoreline trail and cliffs. We will walk a route of about 2 km and explore the area’s nature. The terrain is partly very rocky. You can get close to the starting point by Vilkku bus.

The tour starts at the parking lot at the Savolanniemi boat shore.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2sSzEM

For more information, please contact the tour leaders: 044 718 2143 and 044 718 2187.

Day trip to Luhastensalo

Thu 21.5.2026 at 9.30–13.30 (FI)

At 9.30 Meeting the passenger harbor behind Ravintola Wanha satama

At around 10.45 Arrival at Luhastensalo

At around 12.15 Boat trip to the harbor begins

In Luhastensalo, you can explore the Järvisissit base or simply enjoy the peace of nature. If you wish, you can bring your own snacks. Campfire coffee will be served, provided there are no active forest fire warnings.

The price of the trip is 10 €, and an invoice will be sent to your home for payment. The price includes the boat trip and campfire coffee. Binding registrations by Thu 14.5. www.kuntapalvelut.fi/kuopio. You can get close to the starting point by Vilkku bus.

The trip departs from the passenger harbor, behind Restaurant Wanha Satama.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2t9c7n

For more information, please contact the tour leaders: 044 718 2509​ and 044 748 2363.

Afternoon trip to Luhastensalo

Thu 21.5.2026 at 13.30–17 (FI)

At 13.30 Meeting the passenger harbor behind Ravintola Wanha satama

At around 14.15 Arrival at Luhastensalo

At around 15.45 Boat trip to the harbor begins

In Luhastensalo, you can explore the Järvisissit base or simply enjoy the peace of nature. If you wish, you can bring your own snacks. Campfire coffee will be served, provided there are no active forest fire warnings.

The price of the trip is 10 €, and an invoice will be sent to your home for payment. The price includes the boat trip and campfire coffee. Binding registrations by Thu 14.5. www.kuntapalvelut.fi/kuopio. You can get close to the starting point by Vilkku bus.

The trip departs from the passenger harbor, behind Restaurant Wanha Satama.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2t9c7n

For more information, please contact the tour leaders: 044 718 2509​ and 044 748 2363.

Bird trip to Pilppa

Wed 27.5.2026 at 8–11 (If the weather is bad, the backup day is Thu 28.5.) (FI, EN)

Let’s meet in the morning at the parking area at the end of Pilpantie and walk from there to Vuorilampi and the old forest surrounding it, listening to songbirds along the way. The walking distance will be about 4–5 km, depending on how many birds we hear and whether we have time to get all the way to the meadows in Tervaruukki. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear.

The tour starts at the parking lot at the end of Pilpantie, at the address Pilpantie 160.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2sYJCg

For more information, please contact the tour leader: 044 718 2145.

Day trip to Iivarinsalo

Tue 9.6.2026 at 10–14.15 (FI)

At 10.00 Meeting the passenger harbor behind Ravintola Wanha satama

At around 11.15 Arrival at Iivarinsalo

At around 13.00 Boat trip to the harbor begins

Welcome to explore Iivarinsalo and its surroundings independently or simply come enjoy the peace of nature. If you wish, you can bring your own snacks. Campfire coffee will be served, provided there are no active forest fire warnings. The boat trip to Iivarinsalo takes 1 hour 15 minutes. There is no shelter or lean-to in Iivarinsalo.

The price of the trip is 10 €, and an invoice will be sent to your home for payment. The price includes the boat trip and campfire coffee. Binding registrations by Tue 2.6. www.kuntapalvelut.fi/kuopio. You can get close to the starting point by Vilkku bus.

The trip departs from the passenger harbor, behind Restaurant Wanha Satama.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2t9c7n

For more information, please contact the tour leaders: 044 718 2509​ and 044 748 2363.

Lupin removal volunteering event

Mon 15.6.2026 at 17–19 (FI, EN)

Let’s safeguard Finland’s biodiversity together by eradicating an invasive alien species, garden lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus). You can join us for as long as you like. Please be prepared with your own water bottle, gloves and rubber boots. If you would like to take part in the wool dyeing workshop, participation in the volunteer work will give you priority. You can get close to the starting point by Vilkku bus.

We will meet at the Puijo ski stadium, near the ski jumps and stairs.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2tyqRh

For more information, please contact the tour guide: 044 718 1543.

Meadow volunteering event in Antikkala

Wed 24.6.2026 at 13–16 (FI, EN)

We will manage the meadow by raking off the cuttings from the meadow and, if needed, removing lupins growing near the management area. While working, we will also explore the meadow’s plant species (such as black clover and knotweed). You can join us for as long as you like. Please be prepared with your own water bottle, gloves and rubber boots. Refreshments and light snacks will be available for the volunteers.

You can get close to the starting point by Vilkku bus.

We will meet at the parking lot at the intersection of Ruutikellarinkatu and Kallantie.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2tdRyG

For more information, please contact the tour leader: 044 718 2145.

Volunteering to combat invasive alien species in the Halmejoki grove

Tue 30.6.2026 at 16–19 (FI, EN)

Let’s safeguard Finland’s biodiversity together by eradicating an invasive alien species, Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera). You can join us for as long as you like. Please be prepared with your own water bottle, gloves and rubber boots. Refreshments and light snacks will be available for the volunteers.

We will meet at the parking lot at Halmejoentie 67. There will be a guide to the work sites from the parking lot every hour, but if you arrive at another time call the tour guide: 044 718 2143.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/?link=2jTEiJ

For more information, please contact the tour guide: 044 718 2143.

Volunteering to combat invasive alien species in the Halmejoki grove

Tue 14.7.2026 at 10–13 (FI, EN)

Let’s safeguard Finland’s biodiversity together by eradicating an invasive alien species, Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera). You can join us for as long as you like. Please be prepared with your own water bottle, gloves and rubber boots. Refreshments and light snacks will be available for the volunteers.

We will meet at the parking lot at Halmejoentie 67. There will be a guide to the work sites from the parking lot every hour, but if you arrive at another time call the tour guide: 044 718 2187.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/?link=2jTEiJ

For more information, please contact the tour guides: 044 718 2145 and 044 718 2187.

Volunteering to combat invasive alien species in Lillukkapuisto

Thu 16.7.2026 at 10–13 (FI, EN)

Let’s safeguard Finland’s biodiversity together by eradicating an invasive alien species, Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera). You can join us for as long as you like. Please be prepared with your own water bottle, gloves and rubber boots. Refreshments and light snacks will be available for the volunteers. You can get close to the starting point of the tour by Vilkku bus.

We will meet at the parking lot of the Länsi-Puijo community centre, at the address Rypysuontie 68.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2sTmv5

For more information, please contact the tour guides: 044 718 2145 and 044 718 2187.

Volunteering to combat invasive alien species in Päiväranta

Tue 21.7.2026 at 17–19 (FI, EN)

Let’s safeguard Finland’s biodiversity together by eradicating an invasive alien species, Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera). You can join us for as long as you like. Please be prepared with your own water bottle, gloves and rubber boots. Refreshments and light snacks will be available for the volunteers. You can get close to the starting point of the tour by Vilkku bus.

We will meet at the parking lot of the carpet washing place at the end of Petäjätie.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/?link=2jUAT2

For more information, please contact the tour guide: 044 718 2145 and 044 718 2187.

Habitat management volunteering event in Pilppa

Thu 23.7.2026 at 11–16 (FI, EN)

We will manage the traditional habitat of Pilppa by cutting back shrubs and raking and collecting the cuttings into piles. You can join us for as long as you like. Please be prepared with your own water bottle, gloves and rubber boots or good outdoor footwear. Refreshments and light snacks will be available for the volunteers.

We will meet at the parking lot at the end of Pilpantie, at the address Pilpantie 160.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2sYJCg

For more information, please contact the tour guide: 044 718 2145.

Volunteering to combat invasive alien species in the Halmejoki grove

Wed 5.8.2026 at 16–19 (FI, EN)

Let’s safeguard Finland’s biodiversity together by eradicating an invasive alien species, Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera). You can join us for as long as you like. Please be prepared with your own water bottle, gloves and rubber boots. Refreshments and light snacks will be available for the volunteers.

We will meet at the parking lot at Halmejoentie 67. There will be a guide to the work sites from the parking lot every hour, but if you arrive at another time call the tour leader p. 044 718 2143.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/?link=2jTEiJ

For more information, please contact the tour guide: 044 718 2143 and 044 718 2187.

The diverse nature of our National Urban Park from Mölymäki to Kuopionlahti

Thu 13.8.2026 at 17.30–19 (FI, EN)

Join us for an excursion to explore Aarnen, Myhkyrin, and Martti Merenmaan parks located within the National Urban Park area. During the trip, we will get to know the local vegetation, insects, and natural rainwater management solutions. We will walk along park paths with a crushed-stone surface as well as asphalt. The route includes one set of steep metal stairs. You can get close to the starting point of the tour by Vilkku bus.

The excursion starts from the Music Centre’s parking area by Kuopionlahdenkatu.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2sU7Qo

For more information, please contact the tour guide: 044 718 5711.

Day trip to Luhastensalo

Wed 19.8.2026 at 10–13 (FI)

At 10.00 Meeting the passenger harbor behind Ravintola Wanha satama

At around 10.45 Arrival at Luhastensalo

At around 12.15 Boat trip to the harbor begins

In Hietasalo, you can explore the surroundings independently or simply enjoy the peace of nature. If you wish, you can bring your own snacks. Campfire coffee will be served, provided there are no active forest fire warnings.

The price of the trip is 10 €, and an invoice will be sent to your home for payment. The price includes the boat trip and campfire coffee. Binding registrations by Wed 12.8. www.kuntapalvelut.fi/kuopio. You can get close to the starting point by Vilkku bus.

The trip departs from the passenger harbor, behind Restaurant Wanha Satama.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2t9c7n

For more information, please contact the tour leaders: 044 718 2509​ and 044 748 2363.

Afternoon trip to Luhastensalo

Wed 19.8.2026 at 13–16 (FI)

At 13.00 Meeting the passenger harbor behind Ravintola Wanha satama

At around 13.45 Arrival at Luhastensalo

At around 15.15 Boat trip to the harbor begins

In Hietasalo, you can explore the surroundings independently or simply enjoy the peace of nature. If you wish, you can bring your own snacks. Campfire coffee will be served, provided there are no active forest fire warnings.

The price of the trip is 10 €, and an invoice will be sent to your home for payment. The price includes the boat trip and campfire coffee. Binding registrations by Wed 12.8. www.kuntapalvelut.fi/kuopio. You can get close to the starting point by Vilkku bus.

The trip departs from the passenger harbor, behind Restaurant Wanha Satama.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2t9c7n

For more information, please contact the tour leaders: 044 718 2509​ and 044 748 2363.

Bat trip to Kolmisoppi-Neulamäki

Wed 26.8.2026 at 20.30-23 (If the weather is bad, the backup day is Thu 27.8.) (FI, EN)

We will explore the secret life of bats on an excursion to Vuorilampi and Pilppa. We will walk along wide forest paths and outdoor trails. You may bring a headlamp or flashlight if you wish. The trip is organized in cooperation with the Kuopio Nature Friends Association.

The tour starts at the parking lot at the end of Pilpantie, at the address Pilpantie 160.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2sYJCg

For more information, please contact the tour guide: 044 718 2143.

Finnish Nature Day Cruise

Sat 29.8.2026 at 10–16 (FI, EN)

We will cruise in South Kallavesi in the scenery of the National Urban Park with Jässi ship. We will stop by at Hietasalo (1,5–2 hours). Please bring your own snacks. There is a fee of 10 € for adults paid in cash. Pre-registration starts on Wed 12.8. at 10 am at www.kuntapalvelut.fi/kuopio. Choose: ryhmät, retket ja työpajat, luontoretket ja työpajat. Children can be entered in the additional information field. The first 50 registered will be able to join. The trip is organized in cooperation with the Kuopio Nature Friends Association. You can get close to the starting point of the tour by Vilkku bus.

The tour starts at the passenger harbor, at the address Makasiininkatu 1.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2sUCvP

For more information, please contact the tour guide: 044 718 2143.

Mushroom foraging trip

Sat 12.9.2026 at 10–15 (FI, EN)

Bring a mushroom knife, a basket, weather-appropriate clothing, and your own snacks. Pre-registration starts on Wed 12.8. at 10 am at www.kuntapalvelut.fi/kuopio. Choose: ryhmät, retket ja työpajat, luontoretket ja työpajat. The first 50 registered will be able to join. There is a fee of 10 € for adults paid in cash. The excursion is organized in cooperation with the Savon Mushroom Society. You can get close to the starting point of the tour by Vilkku bus.

The trip starts from the charter bus stop on Maljalahdenkatu.

https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2sSQMc

For more information, please contact the tour guide: 044 718 1543.