The Herrainpäivät Nature Trail Set for Renewal – Goal Is to Offer Nature Experiences to More People
Metsähallitus and the City of Pori are planning improvements to the circular trail that loops around the Herrainpäivät Peninsula in Yyteri. The aim is to make the trail and its services accessible while also preventing further erosion of the trail surface. The upgrades are designed to make it easier to enjoy nature and allow more people to experience the area’s diverse scenery.
– If the project proceeds as planned, the northern section of the Herrainpäivät trail will be made fully accessible. The southern part will be built to so-called demanding accessible standards, which means it will be physically more challenging than a fully accessible trail. The route will follow existing trail lines to minimise the removal of large trees. Any vegetation or trees removed will be left on-site as deadwood, says Anssi Riihiaho, implementation manager at Metsähallitus.
Two scenic viewpoints and a rest area will also be built along the trail. The rest area will include a cooking shelter where visitors can heat their own meals safely. The design of the shelter is inspired by traditional coastal fishing huts. Informational signs will be added to introduce visitors to the area’s nature and wildlife. Plans also include an accessible toilet facility and improvements to local parking.
– The goal is to make the trail enjoyable for a broader range of visitors, whether they’re local residents or tourists in Pori. Improved accessibility means the trail will better serve people with mobility challenges or families with strollers. The project also aims to increase fire safety, stop trail erosion, and guide visitors along clearer paths to protect the most sensitive areas, says Tove Vesterbacka, a senior advisor responsible for Yyteri’s development at the City of Pori.
The trail renewal is funded by a special state allocation, commonly referred to as “Christmas bonus funding,” granted to Metsähallitus for the development of the Preiviiki–Yyteri tourism area. Metsähallitus is responsible for construction, while the City of Pori will maintain the trail.
– Herrainpäivät is one of the sites within the Preiviiki–Yyteri area. Negotiations are currently ongoing with the ELY Centre regarding the area’s potential inclusion in the Bothnian Sea National Park, says Toni Haapakoski, head of infrastructure at the City of Pori.
– With this extra funding, we can proactively renew the structures along the Herrainpäivät trail so they’ll be in top condition if the area is eventually transferred to state ownership, Riihiaho adds.
Metsähallitus will publish the project tender for the Herrainpäivät trail renovation in the coming days. Work is expected to begin after summer, once all necessary permits are in place. Based on preliminary estimates, the trail will be completed in phases during 2026.