Nuuksio National Park

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Nuuksio National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Map of Finland
Location	Southern Finland
Coordinates	60°18′27″N 24°29′57″E / 60.3075, 24.49917
Area	45 km² (17 mi²)
Established	1994
Visitors	170,000^[1] (in 2007)
Governing body	Metsähallitus

Nuuksio National Park (Nuuksion kansallispuisto in Finnish, Noux nationalpark in Swedish) is one of the 35 national parks in Finland. Established in 1994, the park spreads over an area of forests and lakes in Espoo, Kirkkonummi and Vihti. North-west from Helsinki, it is the closest national park to the capital. The name is derived from the Nuuksio district of Espoo.

Mustalampi Lake

The park can be reached by public transportation from Helsinki and Espoo. Buses 85 and 85B leave from Espoon keskus to Nuuksionpää and Kattila at daytime. From Leppävaara take bus no. 28/28K to Siikaniemi or bus no. 28T/28KT to Siikaranta. There are three marked trails for hiking and locations for grilling, camping, skiing, and berry and mushroom picking. In addition to four camping sites it is also possible to rent a cabin at Wild North.

The Siberian Flying Squirrel (Pteromys volans) is the emblem of the national park due to its density of population. [1]

The national park comprises the westernmost part of the so-called Nuuksio lake highlands. Dozens of endangered or near threatened species of animals, plants and fungi are known to live in the area; for instance the Siberian Flying Squirrel, the European Nightjar and the Woodlark.