Finland is known for its extensive forests and the cultural value placed on spending time in nature. Walking in the woods is a popular activity deeply rooted in Finnish culture and offers various benefits for both physical and mental health. The new Slätberget nature trail goes beyond those with its unique combination of recreation, exercise and education about environmental and climate issues.

Picture 1: Want to have fun? Follow the sign! Start of the trail direction (credit: Anna-Karin Almén)

On August 28, the Research, Development and Innovation team at Novia Raseborg walked the newly opened trail and enjoyed the diverse landscapes at sight.

The trail has been developed for over a year by a team of nature enthusiasts on Västankvarn farmland in Ingå. Anna-Karin Almén is the project leader from Novia University of Applied Sciences, partnering with Aurelie Noel from the Spatial Competence Centre for the accurate spatial planning and with Magnus Grönholm (CEO) from Västankvarn farm. The project is funded by the EU, via the Leader Group Pomoväst ry.

Initiated in September 2024, the trail took some twists and turns before achieving its final track (as seen on the preliminary map on picture 2). The area has numerous features that are worth seeing and learning about, including a mire, a mountain area with dry furrows, an intriguing rocky outcrop, a hazel grove and a wetland. It features two loops where the shorter one of 1,75 km offers an easier hike, and the longer route of 3,2 km is more challenging. Some parts of the trail, such as the wetland and the hazel grove, are also easily accessible from a nearby road and can be visited separately from the nature trail.

Picture 2: Left to right: Map with preliminary tracking, our team walking the trail and pinning points of interest (credit: Aurelie Noel)

The forest in the area is managed as economic forest. Some part of the trail, such as the very beginning, goes through a recently cut area. However, the trail also wanders through an old forest that has not been cut for over 150 years. This part of the forest and part of Slätberget is planned to be protected in a near future.

In spring 2025, the route design was finalized, and the trails were marked during summer. Two students from Sustainable Coastal Management program in Novia volunteered and offered inestimable help in the field. The trail routes were color-coded orange for the longer route and blue for the shorter. Trimming of the vegetation along the trail was done at the same time, in order to accentuate the path.

Picture 3: Left to right: Our team painting the trees marking the trail (credit: Aurelie Noel and Anna-Karin Almén)

Additionally, to fulfill our educational mission, informative signs were added along the route. The variety of landscapes, abundance of biodiversity and associated habitats were ideal settings to showcase. A total of eight trilingual (FI, SW, EN) signs were designed by Anna-Karin partnering with Anni Pöyhtäri from FriskoDesign, produced by Kylttipaja and installed by Martin from MI Forest. QR codes which lead to a newly developed web page, have also been added to the signs .

Picture 4: Left to right: Signs with the map of the area and information about the wetland (credit: Anna-Karin Almén)

The web page gives additional information about the trail including a map of the routes, a page dedicated to the Västankvarn Wetland, and a gallery of pictures taken by the photographer Kjell Svenskberg.

Now the public and the team reflects on the experience. “I really enjoyed the field days, as I got to explore the area and all the different species.  At times it has been challenging, but also fun and rewarding thanks to a great team” Anna-Karin shares. “Walking the trail and mapping it, tracking it, waypoint-ing it, measuring it, refining every time, reflecting on best ways, taking the time to appreciate what we felt and saw and looking forward to sharing it with others – those moments were the highlight of this project for me”, adds Aurelie who leads the Spatial Competence Centre. Slätberget nature trail invites everyone to walk, run, jog, breathe, see, attend, share and enjoy. The starting point is at the car park by the Grav 1918 memorial, Söderlandsvägen 111 in Ingå.

At Novia Raseborg, we are aiming to develop projects that benefit local communities and enhance their welfare while serving education purposes.

The blogpost has been reviewed by Novia's editorial board and accepted for publication on 2.9.2025.