Laajalahden luontopolku

The Laajalahti bay is located on the coast of Lake Öjanjärvi. This bird wetland belongs to the Natura 2000 network and covers an area of 266 hectares. With their swimming beaches and fitness tracks, Laajalahti and Hietanokka are among the most popular recreational destinations in Kokkola. The area is open to visitors all year round. In the winter, there is a ski trail that runs all the way to Koivuhaka. Visitors can move freely in the area under the Finnish everyman’s rights, while keeping in mind the restrictions in force at the swimming beach. Please consider the bird nesting season (from 15 April to 31 July) while hiking in the area. The trail runs partly along duckboards. It is marked with signposts and paint spots. This is a circle trail.

The nature trail starts near the parking area. It meanders in a herb-rich forest and leads along duckboards through shoreline reeds. Plenty of information about the local nature is provided on the trail, and there is a birdwatching tower and hide. In terms of landscape and vegetation, Laajalahti is an outstanding destination for a nature excursion with its pine forests, fossil sand dunes, beaches, alder groves and extensive coastal meadows. The Natura site consists mostly of aquatic and littoral nature and coastal forests. Bird life in the area is one of the most diverse in the region. While there is no winter maintenance on the trail, hikers are welcome to use it. Laajalahti is one of the highlight destinations of Kokkola.

There is a shallow, child-friendly swimming beach in Hietanokka. The trail to the Hietanokka birdwatching tower is marked all the way from the parking area. The beach has a grill shelter, changing rooms and waste management services in the summertime.