Great Runs in Helsinki
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a vibrant and future-oriented city by the Baltic Sea. As located between the East and West, the city has absorbed influences from both sides, and is combining them in its own special way. Yet first and foremost, it is a quite typical Scandinavian city, with similarities to Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen. Geographically the city is compact, having 1.4 million people living in the metropolitan area. The best running routes, characterized by scenic waterfronts and parks, are located within a few mile radius from the downtown area. Running has the long heritage in Finland as “Flying Finns”, such as Paavo Nurmi, Hannes Kolehmainen and Lasse Viren won dozens of Olympic medals in middle- and long distance running between 1910–1950 and 1970–1980. The fame has slowly faded away, but you can still embrace that golden era in today’s Helsinki by running to the historic Olympic Stadium and hailing the statue of Paavo Nurmi. Helsinki has an excellent transportation system consisting of trams, trains, and buses. A metro currently goes to the eastern suburbs but is being expanded to the western suburbs.
Helsinki has a humid continental climate and usually the best time to visit is spring or summer. The average maximum temperature from June to August is around 66 to 72 °F. In wither months, prepare to run on some snow and ice, and bring also warm clothing. Winter is cold and dark. Snowfall can occur from October to March. Because of the latitude, Helsinki has extremes of daylight; shortest daylight in December lasts only under 6 hours and conversely, running at 11pm in the summer months is a special treat!
Iconic Routes
- Töölönlahti Bay & Hakaniemi
- Senate Square & Ullanlinna
- The Islands
- Suomenlinna Fortress
Töölönlahti Bay & Hakaniemi
1.3-mile loop with add-ons up to 5.3 miles. Start: Finlandia Hall. MAP
Töölönlahti Bay, located north of the city centre, features one of the most scenic running paths of Helsinki. It is extremely popular among local walkers and runners throughout the year, as the path is lit and also kept clean from snow in winter. The core loop is only 1.3 miles, but our route features great add-ons, making the distance up to 5.3 miles. Start your run from the Finlandia Hall, the iconic landmark of Helsinki, designed by the famous Finnish architecture Alvar Aalto. Run north along the waterfront and after passing the new Music Centre, head towards Helsinki Olympic Stadium which was the home of the 1952 Summer Olympics. Make sure to hail the statue of Paavo Nurmi — one of the greatest runners ever, and winner of nine Olympic gold medals. Return to Töölönlahti Bay pathway, cross the train track to the east and continue your run to Hakaniemi. You will pass more landmarks, such as Ympyrätalo (“Circle Building”) and Hakaniemi market square. Return back to Finladia Hall through beautiful Kaisaniemi Park.
Senate Square & Ullanlinna — Helsinki Main Sites
6.2 miles. Start: Esplanadi or any other point. MAP
This route features waterfront, parks and some of Helsinki’s main sights. A good option to start your run is at Esplanadi street in front of the Swedish Theater. At the start, you will pass one of the main landmarks of the city, the white Helsinki Cathedral on Senate Square. Continue your run to Katajanokka, where you will see another major cathedral, the Russian-Byzantine style Uspenski Cathedral. Make a loop around Katajanokka island, run through Kauppatori market square and see the Presidential Palace on your right. Head south towards Kaivopuisto park and pass several embassy buildings on your way. Kaivopuisto park features Kaivohuone restaurant, where Finnish rich and famous gather to see and be seen in the summer season. Continue your run through Ullanlinna and Eira, one of the most prestigious neighborhoods of the city, and head north back to Esplanadi.
The Islands
8 miles + 2-mile add-on. Start: Hietaniemi or any other point. MAP
Access: Bus 24 from downtown
This route offers breathtaking views along the waterfronts and it is a great choice especially in the summer season. Nice spot to start your run is Hietaniemi beach, which is fully crowded on nice summer days. Head north and pass Sibelius Monument, dedicated to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Run through beautiful Meilahdenpuisto park and islands called Lehtisaari and Kaskisaari. When crossing the pedestrian bridge from Kaskisaari to Lauttasaari island, you see Keilaniemi business park on the opposite shore in west. The area features several corporate offices and is also former home of ex-mobile phone giant Nokia. In Lauttasaari island, you can make a shortcut for an 8-mile run and continue directly back towards Hietaniemi along Lauttasaarentie street. However, we highly recommend to make an extra 2-mile loop at the southern tip of Lauttasaari island. The area features nice parks and offers scenic views to the Gulf of Finland. Run back to Hietaniemi beach and go for a refreshing swim.
Suomenlinna Fortress
3-mile loop. Requires a ferry trip. MAP
Suomenlinna is an inhabited fortress built on six islands. It is accessible only by water; ferry service runs throughout the year from Kauppatori market square and the ride takes 15–20min. Suomenlinna offers a totally different kind of setting for your run; you pass fortress walls, old courtyards, church, barracks, cannons and even a submarine Vesikko used in World War II. There is no any entrance fee to the actual fortress — all you need to pay is the ferry. Find more about this UNESCO World Heritage Site from here.
Further Afield
Central Park features about 100k of hiking and running paths. Technically, the southernmost tip of Central Park is located in Töölönlahti Bay but the actual gateway to the park is located north from the Olympic Stadium. Paloheinä — located at northernmost part of Central Park, around 8 miles from downtown — is probably the best area for running. Paloheinä offers sawdust running trails in a beautiful agricultural landscape. See map for 3.2-mile run here. Note that in winter season, some of the trails are kept clean from snow while other are used for skiing, thus not suitable for running. See winter map here and summer map here.
Stay
Helsinki is a rather small city and most of the best hotels are located within a few mile radius in downtown. Any of these hotels will offer convenient access to the best running routes. In addition to big international chains such as Hilton and Best Western, see also the following options:
Sokos Hotel. The biggest hotel chain in Finland. Several locations in downtown.
Radisson Blu. Chain of well equipped hotels. Several locations in downtown.
Scandic. Another chain, several locations in downtown.
Omena Hotel. Two central locations in Helsinki. Known for cheap rates and self-service. There is no reception desk or receptionists in the hotels — rooms are booked and paid for on the internet.
Running Stores
4Runners. The only specialized running store in Helsinki. This 20+ year old store is currently located in Kluuvi shopping mall in the heart of the city.
Intersport Puhos. Not just another Intersport. Highly skilled sales staff helps you to find the right shoes and gear from the wide selection. Located east from the city next to Itakeskus shopping mall.
XXL. Price-driven big box retailer which has disrupted Scandinavian sporting goods retailers recently. Locations in Kluuvi and Itakeskus shopping malls, as well as in Tammisto quite near to the airport.
Group Runs
Helsinki Running Tours offers running events to tourists, tourist groups and companies. Their routes pass lots of main attractions and sights in Helsinki.
Juoksuliike. Running community operating in various cities across Finland. Has regular group runs where anyone can join by paying a small fee. Website available only in Finnish; to get more information in English, contact info@juoksuliike.fi
Helsinki Running Crew. Running community arranging group runs. Free to join, operates mainly through their Facebook group.
Events
Helsinki City Run is an annual half marathon that takes place every May as a road running event around the streets and parks of Helsinki.
Helsinki City Marathon is the main marathon event in Helsinki. It was established in 1980 and is held annually, usually in August.
Midnight Run. 10k annual run taking place in the end of August or beginning of September. Course passes through the heart of Helsinki after the sunset, start time being after 9pm.
Helsinki City Trail. Trail running event featuring 12k and half marathon. Held first time in October 2015.
Extreme Run. Wear your funny hat and prepare to face some obstacles in this not-too-serious race taking place in Vantaa, near Helsinki, every May since 2010.
