The nature reserve just 20 km north of the city centre of Tampere – the biggest inland city in the Nordics – has been uplifted by building architecturally interesting shelters and other facilities for hikers to use freely.

The focus of the project to renovate the nature reserve area with growing visitor numbers was on both environmentally friendly hiking and nature conservation. Emphasis was put on good design and the use of environmentally friendly solutions.

The project included 15 km of guided and structured paths, four architect-designed wind shelters, dry toilets, a parking area and maps of the area. The objective was to use recycled and natural materials in all the structures and markings. An example of this are the guide poles that are protected from the elements by a burned surface treatment. Some of the shelters are built of logs while others have a wood-frame structure. The trails are enforced with woodchips and at places boardwalks. The ongoing biotope restoration includes rehydrating the dried-up mires and letting wood rot in the forest. Hikers are guided and encouraged to make only trash-free visits.