Haukankierros Trail, Haukkalampi (Nuuksio National Park)

Haukankierros is a 4 km circular trail that starts at the Haukkalampi trailhead in Nuuksio National Park, in Espoo, Finland. It sits between the short 2 km Punarinnankierros and the longer 8 km Korpinkierros, which makes it a practical half-day option of about two hours. The trailhead address is Haukkalammentie 32, 02820 Espoo. Visitors coming from Helsinki can take an HSL train (U, E or L) to Espoo station and then HSL bus 245 or 245A to the Punjonsuo or Nuuksionpää stop before walking to Haukkalampi. Distances from the stops range from roughly 100 m to 2 km, so the current stop names and timetables should be checked on reittiopas.hsl.fi. Entry to the national park is free.

The route is marked as challenging because of the height differences over its rock ridges, although the individual climbs are short and the overall distance is modest. Under the criteria used for this guide it remains an easy trail by length and total ascent, but the footing demands attention. The path alternates between forest soil, roots and bare granite slabs, and the rock is slippery when wet, so shoes with a good grip are important. Tree cover gives shade in summer, while the ridges open up views over the small lakes around Haukkalampi.

The loop passes the small forest lakes of the Haukkalampi area, typical of the Nuuksio plateau's mix of pine, spruce and exposed bedrock. There are no huts on the loop itself, so visitors should carry about one litre of water and a rain jacket. Because the trail is circular there is no designated turn-around point, but the shorter Punarinnankierros loop starts from the same trailhead and can be used to shorten the outing. Trail maps and national park information are available from Metsähallitus on Luontoon.fi, and an offline map is recommended as mobile reception can be uneven in the forest.