Access

The trailhead is in the parking area of Villa Elba Youth Centre. Hikers go through a wooden gate to reach the trail. A second starting point for Rummelö-Harrbåda nature trail is at the end of Harrinniementie near Harrbåda light house.

The bird wetland and nature trail of Rummelö-Harrbåda are located on the shore of the Kaustarinlahti bay, just a few kilometres from the Kokkola city centre. The bird wetland covers an area of 236 hectares, and it is part of the Natura 2000 network in Finland. The bird nesting season (from 15 April to 31 July) must be considered while hiking in the area, and visitors must stick to the marked routes. In the summer, the area is used as a grazing pasture.

VILLA ELBA NATURE TRAIL (0.7 KM)

Difficult accessible trail – Villa Elba nature trail is an accessible trail with duckboards. This is a circle trail.

Information is provided about the nature of the area along the trail, and activities organised by Villa Elba for children are available. Please note that the edges of the trail are intended for playing. Hikers must pick up after their dogs and other pets to prevent children’s clothes from getting soiled.

RUMMELÖ- HARRBÅDAN NATURE TRAIL (4 KM)

Difficult accessible trail – Wide duckboards leading to Rummelö bird watching tower. The trail leading from the bird watching tower over the bridge towards Harriniementie and onwards to Harrbåda light house is a wide sand trail with roots and soft sand on some parts of the trail. If necessary, this part of the trail can be avoided by walking along Harrinniementie.

Easy trail – Duckboard trail from Rummelö bird watching tower to Harrbåda. Part of this trail is track without duckboards.

The sheep grazing in the area manage the landscape and delight hikers in summer. On Harrinniemi headland, there is an old beacon made of concrete which is said to be haunted. There are several birdwatching towers along the trail. While there is no winter maintenance, hikers are free to use the trail in winter.

Services

The nature trail starts from the yard area of Youth Centre Villa Elba. Villa Elba operates also a café and offers accommodation services. Along the trail, visitors will find the two birdwatching towers of Harrbåda and Rummelö and a birdwatching platform. The birdwatching tower of Villa Elba is suited also to persons with disabilities. A trail (700 m) suitable for wheelchairs and strollers starts from the parking area of Villa Elba. There are information boards in the area with maps of the routes and destinations.

Nature

The area is characterised by shallow water areas, sludge shores, vast coastal meadows, reedbeds and lush deciduous forests. The different plant zones of coastal land uplift areas are well represented. The cape of Harrbåda is the northernmost visible part of an esker range that is over 200 kilometres long. The greatest environmental value of the area stems from its rich birdlife. The area is a popular resting area for migrating birds, especially for different waterfowl and wader species.