Lilla Hallonkobben – a new paddling destination in Suvisaaristo, Espoo

Lilla Hallonklobben, or the little raspberry island, is a small island in Suvisaaristo, owned by the City of Espoo. Next summer, it will also be an excellent new paddling destination, because the City of Espoo will repair the barbecue canopy on the island and build a new toilet.

‘A few places will also be built where the bow of a boat can be tied up and the back attached to a buoy, which makes coming ashore with a small boat easier,’ says Head of Sports Services Jari Järvi.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, recreation islands exploded in popularity, and as more and more people have become interested in paddling, the City wants to provide people with new sites.

‘Theoretically, most recreation islands in Espoo, such as Varsasaari, Tvijälp, or Iso Vasikkasaari, are suitable destinations for paddlers.

Obviously, the choice of destination depends on the skills and canoe of the paddler, as well as the nature of the trip: whether the paddler wants to overnight or visit by day,’ Järvi adds.

The shortest distances to islands in Espoo range from one to several kilometres. According to Järvi, people who look for longer paddling trips often head for the Pentala or Rövaren islands, and the most experienced may wish to choose Torra Lövö or Rövargrundet, for example.

‘The increased popularity of paddling can also be seen in Espoo, where the local associations have actively increased the number of suitable start and end locations for paddlers.’

Text: Thea Ekholm