*Sponsored Collaboration – Fiiliskauppa.fi*
Sipoonkorpi National Park is located right on the outskirts of the Helsinki metropolitan area, making it an easily accessible destination with plenty of great nature spots to explore. The distance from Helsinki city center to Sipoonkorpi is just over 20 kilometers, and the drive takes about 30 minutes.
Sipoonkorpi National Park offers seven different trails, with the Kalkinpolttaja Trail (Kalkinpolttajanpolku) being the longest at 4,9 kilometers.
On this trip, we tested barefoot shoes designed for winter conditions from Fiiliskauppa, and weโll share our experiences with them in this post.
Kalkinpolttaja Trail
Length: 4.9 kilometers
Parking: Kalkkiuunintie 8 / 12, Vantaa
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Trail Marking: White-green trail markers, well-marked route
Description: A loop trail that can be walked in either direction. The route passes through rural landscapes, spruce forests, and impressive rocky terrain. There are many stairs along the path, some of them quite steep.
Kalkinpolttaja Trail – The Best Trail in Sipoonkorpi?
Sipoonkorpi National Park was a new discovery for us, though we had long planned to visit. After looking into different trail options, we decided to take Kalkinpolttaja Trail (the Lime Burnerโs Trail), as it has been widely praised as the best route in Sipoonkorpi. The trailโs name comes from the area’s history of lime quarrying and burning.
There are two parking areas along the route, both located near the trail (Kalkkiuunintie 8 / 12, Vantaa), with space for about 20 cars in total. A larger parking lot is available at Tasakalliontie 1, Vantaa, requiring a short walk to the trail, bringing the total hiking distance to approximately 7โ8 kilometers.
The terrain along the route is diverse. The path is clear and wide, sometimes slightly root-covered but still easy to walk. The rocky sections bring some elevation changes, with multiple staircases built for easier ascent and descent.
We chose to hike the trail counterclockwise, meaning the scenic Hรถgberget cliffs appeared just before the halfway point, while the firepit area was located in the latter part of the route.
Right at the beginning, the trail offers a great preview of whatโs to come, as it runs along a rocky ridge with beautiful views over the surrounding countrysideโforests, cliffs, and open fields. The path winds up and down through varied forest landscapes, gradually leading to Hรถgberget.
The route is well-marked with white-green trail markers, complemented by wooden signposts at key junctions. By following the markers, itโs easy to stay on track, and we never encountered a point where navigation became confusing.
Hรถgberget Cliffs
After the climb to Hรถgberget, a stunning rural landscape opens up over the fields, with particularly beautiful views in the summertime. Despite being so close to the city, Sipoonkorpi National Park offers a peaceful and secluded experience.
Hรถgberget has two picnic tables, providing a great spot for a short break while enjoying the scenery. The best views are found closer to the cliff edge, where fewer trees obstruct the sightlines. For us, this was one of the highlights of the trail.
Barefoot Shoes on Winter Trails
On this hike, we had the chance to test the Oulu barefoot shoes from Fiiliskauppa.fi, and this was the first time for both of us trying barefoot shoes.ย ย
The shoes turned out to be very comfortable and worked well, at least for a day hike like this. Designed for winter use, they kept our feet warm and dry on the snowy trail. During our hike, the temperature was around zero degrees Celsius.
On snowy trails, the shoes performed flawlessly, making for a pleasant walk through the forest. Despite the thinner sole compared to regular shoes, uneven terrain was hardly noticeable. However, on more slippery surfacesโsuch as compacted snow and icy rock facesโwe had to be more cautious, as the shoes lost some grip. On dry and slightly damp rock surfaces, traction was good, as it was on most snowy trails.
Based on this experience, these shoes are well-suited for winter outdoor activities on snowy trails, keeping feet warm in mild sub-zero temperatures. However, in more challenging areas, such as steep ascents, descents, and slippery surfaces, grip could be a challenge. That said, in difficult but snow-free sections, the shoes seemed to provide good traction. Therefore, they could be a good choice for demanding trails in autumn and spring when the weather is cool, and warmth is needed.
Overall, barefoot shoes proved to be a comfortable and functional option for day hikes and light outdoor activities.
From Hรถgberget to the Rest Area
Back to the trailโafter Hรถgberget, the path follows the cliffs for a short stretch before descending between two rock formations into the forest. From here, the trail becomes wider, flatter, and easier to walk.
As the path winds through a dense spruce forest, it reaches the steepest staircase of the route. The climb is relatively short, and the stairs are in excellent condition, making them easy to use. All the staircases along the trail are well-maintained and sturdy.
Kalkkiruukki Rest Area
When hiking counterclockwise, the trailโs only firepit area is about 3,5 kilometers in, starting from Kalkkiuunintie. The Kalkkiruukki rest area features a lean-to shelter with a firepit and a wood storage area, which seemed well-stocked. Thereโs also a picnic table and an outhouse.
Since the shelter was already occupied, we decided to let others enjoy the space in peace and continued our hike.
Kalkkiruukki is the only designated camping spot on this trail. In fact, camping in Sipoonkorpi National Park is only allowed near a few select firepit areas: Bakunkรคrr, Bisajรคrvi, Fisktrรคsk, and รngesbรถle, in addition to Kalkkiruukki.
From the rest area, the trail continues clearly and in good condition through a spruce forest before reaching the end of Kalkkiuunintie, where the final stretch follows the road back to the parking area.
Kalkinpolttaja Trail – A Great Day Hike Near the Helsinki Region
Overall, the Kalkinpolttaja Trail is a great route. Its length makes it ideal for a day hike, and the constantly changing scenery keeps the walk interesting. The two main rest areasโHรถgberget with its picnic tables and Kalkkiruukki with its firepitโoffer good spots for short breaks.
Whether this is the best trail in Sipoonkorpi is hard to say, as we havenโt explored the others yet. However, we can wholeheartedly recommend it and plan to return when summer brings its lush greenery.
