Any hiking or rambling clubs in Espoo area?

[biscayne]

Could anybody tell me are there any hiking groups located in the Espoo area which might also have foreigners in them or be open to having foreigners? I will be located in Kauniainen. I've been involved in hill-walking and climbing for about 12 years, but am thinking it might be more of a solitary or family/friends thing in Finland as I just notice people out doing Nordic Walking by themselves?

Or, would anyone be interested in maybe getting something going? Remember, most hikes end in the pub


Serious replies please..............................

[Rosamunda]

I have definitely seen groups out hiking but, have no idea where they come from. There MUST be a club in Espoo...

The Villa Elfvik nature reserve (near the Gallen-Kallela studio museum) organises nature walks:
http://www.espoo.fi/default.asp?path=1; ... 61EECF359F

Orienteering is quite big in Espoo. The HQ is at the Oittaa/Oitans centre (also HQ of X-country skiing), you may well find some information on hiking groups posted there or in the Nuuksio hut.

http://ulos.fi/index.cgi?E05
http://ulos.fi/pdf/oittaa/liikuntapalvelut_2009
http://english.espoo.fi/default.asp?pat ... 7047;37050

[biscayne]

Thank you Penelope. I will look into this.

BTW, I always find your posts very helpful and informative, might I ask you how long it took you to master Finnish?

[Rosamunda]

... might I ask you how long it took you to master Finnish?

...no, you might not. I don't speak Finnish. I can read a bit, understand some TV, but that's about it. I have a goodish passive vocabulary but am unable to put it all together to make coherent sentences. I can get by in the shops etc.. I speak English all day at work which hasn't helped the learning process. And age isn't on my side
But my French is OK