Elk spotting at Porkkala // Out for a ride

Porkkala, a peninsula in the municipality of Kirkkonummi, has long been in military use and today serves – along with few remaining public functions – as a recreation area with lots of untouched nature and a fascinating, rocky coastline.

Located only 30 km southwest from Helsinki, it is the perfect destination for a day ride. It was a week after midsummer last year, when I hopped on my bike in the afternoon and went to explore the area. Besides sitting in the sun and looking out to the calmingly wavy sea, spotting elk on almost every single field on the way back made this a ride to remember. In the end, I cut it short by taking a train back from Kirkkonummi – why go exhaust yourself after such a great outing?

Almost at the tip of the Porkkala peninsula; this is the closest point in Finland to the Estonian mainland on the Southern side of the bay – just 36 km away.

The car ferry from Helsinki to Stockholm passes by.

A young elk (likely last year’s breed, as they get chased away by their mothers around this time of the year to make space for the newborns), not quite sure whether to run or stay.

More elk, in a canola field on the other side of the field.

Obviously, riding out all the way from Helsinki adds a lot of kilometers; taking the bike on the local train to Kirkkonummi is free and cuts the dull suburbian part out from the trip:

It's a nice trip, but beware the hilly parts in the southern part of the peninsula!