Go running in the northernmost city in the world with a population of over 1 million! Helsinki is the vibrant, livable capital of Finand, located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, by the Baltic Sea. The city has a vibrant, future-oriented feel, with influences from relatively nearby Tallinn, Stockholm, and St. Petersburg. Running has a long heritage in Finland, as the “Flying Finns”, Paavo Nurmi, Hannes Kolehmainen and Lasse Viren won dozens of Olympic medals in middle- and long distance running in the 1910–1950 and 1970–1980 periods. This has contributed to strong infrastructure and culture for running in Helsinki. Note: winter days are very short due to the northern latitude — but the streets and paths are very well-lit.
The best places to run in Helsinki take advantage of the city’s waterfront location, with some great routes along the Gulf, around Töölönlahti Bay, and out to the numerous islands, including the UNESCO site, Suomenlinna Forest. For a sense of the city’s history, enjoy our run around Senate Square and the City Center area. For some uninterrupted greenery, and a bit of trail runing, head to Central Park. We’ve also included some routes in Espoo and Vantaa, which form part of Helsinki’s core.
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.
