Espoo's outdoor islands: Käärmesaari

Welcome to Käärmesaari, located on the border between Helsinki and Espoo, just barely on the Espoo side. Käärmesaari is a recreational island jointly managed by both cities.

Let's start the story on the southern edge of the island. I circled the island counterclockwise. You'll also get to observe a Finnish summer. One might think that the weather in mid-July would be favorable, and it was - for a few moments.

Quite close to the dock, sheltered by the forest, is a grill hut. In recent years, Espoo has built this type of enclosed hut on two sides on its islands. If it had happened - this is a completely hypothetical example - that rain had soaked you and your camera, this spot between the fire and the back wall is a good place to dry off.

Fortunately, the rain passed, and the weather became more favorable for photography. Here is the western edge of the island, facing south.

There are magnificent cliffs and another grilling area on the south shore.

We were not the only ones hanging out there.

Here is the western edge of the island, looking north. Vehkasaari is in the background.

Here is a view almost directly south. In the distance, you can see Länggrundet and Korkeakumpu, I believe.

We are now on the eastern edge of the island. In the background, Lauttasaari is already visible.

Some of the pictures have blurry spots. I tried hard to crop them out, but rainy weather, a wet camera, and a waterproof bag are a bad combination.

A romantic outdoorsman left me a message.

This beach on Käärmesaari is 1,092 meters long.

I didn't wander much inland. However, the island has a decent forest.

Elsewhere on the web:
> General plan for Käärmesaari from 2009. The plan has been partially implemented, for example, the grilling areas have been renewed according to the plan.