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Scandic Aulanko Spa
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Aulanko
Aulanko Nature Reserve, with its many attractions, is the jewel of Hämeenlinna.
Nature, exercise and enchanting landscapes
Aulanko offers visitors unique experiences in nature and opportunities for spending free time in stunning landscapes. Admire the park forest, cycle around Lake Aulanko or stroll through the Sibelius Forest!
Aulanko Observation Tower
The most famous attraction of Aulanko is its tall observation tower, which is open daily from Mother’s Day until the end of October, from 8 AM to 8 PM. Entry to the tower is free, and at its base, there is a viewing terrace open all year round.
The romantic history of Aulanko
The history of Aulanko began over a hundred years ago when a wealthy colonel, inspired by love, purchased the area and built an English-style park complex on the site.
Sibelius’s Aulanko
Did you know that our national composer, Jean Sibelius, spent a significant amount of his youth wandering in the forests of Aulanko, and the landscape visible from the observation tower is said to have inspired him to compose the Finlandia Hymn? The Sibelius Forest in Aulanko is named in honour of the composer’s legacy.
Arrival and accessibility
Aulanko is located at the address Linnanen 77. Aulanko is signposted from the Helsinki – Tampere motorway (main road no. 3) and the Turku – Lahti main road (no. 10). There is a large car park at the Aulanko recreation centre, located north of the nature reserve.
The bus line 2U runs from Hämeenlinna railway station to the recreation centre. See timetables and routes in the Hämeenlinna Public Transport Route Guide.
The path through the park forest of Aulanko is an asphalted road with car traffic. A steep slope leads from the car park to Aulanko Observation Tower. At the base of the observation tower, there is an accessible viewing terrace. There is also an accessible toilet at the top of the hill. The observation tower can only be accessed via steep stairs, as can the Bear’s Cave. A wooded path leads to the Bear’s Cave from the car park, but its accessibility has not been assessed. The Joutsenlampi pond car park is asphalted, and a flat, gravel-surfaced path encircles the pond.
Accessibility of the campfire hut of the Aulanko recreation centre
The Aulanko recreation centre is located on the shore of Lake Aulanko and can be reached by bus 2U.
Near the recreation centre, there are three accessible parking spaces, offering a short distance to the campfire hut. The spaces are clearly marked with a wheelchair symbol. The surface of the parking spaces and the route to the hut are hard and level.
The hut and accessible toilet are visible from the parking spaces without additional signage.
There is ample space in front of the campfire hut. The clear opening width of one entrance is 37 cm, and the other is 41 cm.
Inside the hut, there are rows of benches, and next to them are two accessible picnic tables. The height of the fireplace from the ground is 19 cm. The height of the grill grate is adjustable, and the grate can be swung away from the fire.
The wood box and waste bins are reasonably close to the hut. The path from the hut to the wood storage is hard and has a slope. The wood box contains pre-chopped wood, which can be accessed from a height of 33.5–62.5 cm.
The waste bin is accessible and can be opened with one hand.
The area has an accessible toilet, which has a slightly high threshold. The toilet has motion-sensor lights both inside and outside.
Accessibility of the campfire hut of the Aulanko artificial islands
Aulanko artificial islands are located in Mäntykärki, Aulanko.
You can drive close to the campfire hut to drop off passengers, but parking near the hut is not permitted. The nearest car park is near Katajisto Manor. The route to the hut has a hard and wide surface. The wooden bridge to the hhut is wide. The railing height is 94.5 cm.
There is ample space in front of the hut, and the clear width of one entrance is 128 cm.
The area around the campfire site is flat and hard. Inside the campfire hut, there are rows of benches, and next to them is an accessible picnic table.
The height of the fireplace from the ground is 31.5 cm. The height of the grill grate is adjustable, and the grate can be swung out from over the fire.
The accessible outdoor toilet, wood storage, and waste bins are reasonably close to the hut on the other side of the bridge. The wood box is quite visible from the hut The wood box contains pre-chopped wood, which can be accessed from a height of 28.5–57 cm.
The waste bin is accessible and can be opened with one hand.