Hiking & outdoor recreationLength2.8 km
The Alexander Tour is the only trail on Vallisaari, but it is a very important one. The trail runs through the meadows and herb-rich forests that characterise the island. The highlight of the trail is the rugged Alexander Battery fortification and an outstanding view of Helsinki and the open sea that is visible from the observation platform on its roof. Enjoy a summer day and watch the passing ships sailing to and from Sweden from Kustaanmiekka Terrace. The trail has information boards describing the island's history as well as bat boards intended for children, which provide information about bats and fun tasks to complete during the excursion. The trail is easy to hike and suitable for families with children. Most of the trail is a wide and fairly flat sandy road. However, a few climbs mean that the trail is not accessible.
Circle trail
Camping not permitted
Dry toilet
Water point
No winter maintenance
Contact information
The recommended direction of travel is counter-clockwise, but you can take the route in either directions. When arriving on Vallisaari by water bus, the starting point for the trail is the Pilotyard jetty, where water buses arriving from the Market Square stop.
A sandy road leads approximately 250 metres from Pilotyard to a junction where the Alexander Tour begins.
When turning right, continue past the Vallisaari pond towards the western shore of the island.
A 50-metre trail leads from the north-west corner of the island to the Kustaanmiekka lookout point, which provides a view of Suomenlinna and Helsinki.
After the lookout point, the journey continues to the picnic meadow, where you can either eat your own snacks or purchase something from Kustaanmiekka Terrace.
From the picnic meadow, the trail leads towards the Alexander Battery, which has an observation platform on its roof.
From Alexander Battery, the final segment of the trail passes through an old herb-rich forest.
After the herb-rich forest, follow a gentle downhill slope to the Kuolemanlaakso (Valley of Death) crossing, where you can turn towards Torpedolahti Bay or walk uphill to the starting point of the trail.
Torpedolahti Bay has a second water bus jetty and an excursion harbour with services. Water buses back to the Market Square depart from Torpedolahti Bay.