Construction of Year‑Round Kauppi–Niihama Trail Network Expected in 2027

A recent survey collected more than 100 route proposals and showed strong demand for keeping trails as natural as possible, Ekokumppanit Oy says. "Most respondents want natural routes; they asked that new trails use existing paths and that very wet or uneven sections be repaired to prevent erosion, while otherwise preserving needle-covered tracks," said Kaisa Mikkola, nature recreation planner at Ekokumppanit Oy. They highlighted developing the Näsijärvi lakeside path as a calm nature route and creating a year‑round link from Kauppi sports park to the Niihama outdoor lodge, with suggestions for routes around Alasjärvi and up to Hepovuori.

Views on mountain biking were mixed. Some users supported shared-use trails; others raised safety and erosion concerns about fast cycling. Proposed solutions include strengthening trail surfaces, creating separate mountain bike and dog routes, and clearer signage. Several respondents specifically called for graveling rocky and root-filled sections on the current mountain bike route and on the coastal path between the Kauppi campfire site and Tapatora.

Planners will prioritise protecting valuable natural features while enabling recreational and sporting use, mainly by restoring and marking existing paths. The city will present the draft at Museokeskus Vapriikki on 6 October 2026 to gather residents' comments on the draft and will continue the planning work in close cooperation with local users and stakeholders. Locals also asked for more rest spots at the Pirunvuori summit, along Kuntokolmonen and on the shoreline between Kauppi and Tapatora.

The project builds on earlier city steps to roll out Kauppi–Niihama outdoor services and trail upgrades, and on a related public feedback round that set a €0.75 million development budget.