Lahti, Finland, is a European Green Capital incorporating environmentalism in every way possible. The city proves that urban ecotourism blended with traditional environmental friendliness creates a remarkable experience. -By Pamela Grant

Ecotourism usually evokes images of visits to rainforests, treks to spot endangered animals, or city visits where it takes complex planning to reach natural environments off in the distance. Lahti, Finland, is different. This green city changes the narrative about ecotourism by blending urban environmentalism with the opportunities afforded by a nearby natural environment to create a destination sure to please anyone who is a city-lover, nature lover, and adventurous spirit. Thats is urban ecotourism, a type of ecotourism that focuses on visiting a city following sustainability practices and offering natural areas. Lahti, Finland, is one of the places urban ecotourists should have on their bucket list, because it is a fine example of a city that has intentionally and carefully pursued sustainability in interesting ways and offers a gorgeous natural environment at its doorstep, the Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark.

Setting the Bar High for Urban Ecotourism

Lahti, Finland, is a uniquely environmental-focused city that was given the title of European Green Capital in 2021 by the European Commission. The city wants to be the country’s first carbon-neutral city by 2025 and is pursuing that goal with a clear-eyed intent that includes meeting Finland’s national goal of 2035 10 years early. The progressive city is a trailblazer in environmental innovations and plans to develop a thriving, sustainable ecotourism industry. Sitting on the shores of Lake Vesijärvi, the lake itself is an ecological trophy. It was once Europe’s most polluted waterway, and was transformed in the 1970-1980s to become a water source for local breweries and the Teerenpeli distillery.

Lahti has already made significant advances in developing a circular economy to reach its sustainability goal. As much as 99% of all household waste is separated and recycled, and one-third is used to produce recycled materials. Lahti plans on being a totally waste-free city by 2050. The other two-thirds of waste is used for energy production. The Grain Cluster is a network of industrial businesses and farmers that developed a system for recovering the side streams created during manufacturing. To add to this, Lahti stopped using coal in the spring of 2019. It uses the bioenergy plant Kymijärvi III which relies on recycled fuel and FSC-certified wood obtained locally.

Even the orchestra is carbon-neutral! The Lahti Symphony Orchestra reduced emissions it creates with its activities and travel. For the first time in the world, there is real-time tracking and visualization of a personal carbon footprint on mobility that everyone can use, including tourists. The regional roadmap the city is following includes developing a bioeconomy, and new sustainability services. In 2022, a 10-year Regional Health and Environment Programme was introduced, which integrates health and environmental goals.

When visiting Lahti, travelers ride in low-emission public transportation and taxis, but can combine exercise and sustainability by walking or cycling. The tap water comes from a groundwater system certified by UNESCO as “the world’s best drinking water.” There are plenty of cultural opportunities, too, such as the Lathi Museum of Visual Arts Malva and the Lahti Historical Museum. You can safely pedal through the city streets and enjoy the shops and restaurants, or stop for street food at vendors scattered around.

Ice Age Wonders Warm the Ecotourist’s Heart

Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark in Lahti is a geological masterpiece. It is a section of a long ridge system (310 miles long) formed during the Ice Age. The ridge system offers many lakes, forests, and incredible rock formations, all carved by natural processes. The First Salpausselkä (there are multiple ridges) in the city of Lahti by Lake Vesijärvi was formed by melting ice blocks that split off from the continental ice sheet. The ancient glacier meltwaters deposited sand and gravel and created eskers as the glaciers moved. The ice blocks became buried in the sand and gravel at the end of the Ice Age, melting eventually to create funnel-shaped kettle holes. The Second Salpausselkä is also in Lahti.

Numerous forest trails on the ridges provide opportunities for hiking, bird watching, and enjoying spectacular views. Aurinkovuori Hill is on the Second Salpausselkä, lying between two beautiful lakes: Päijänne and Vesijärvi. You can hike the steep ridge called Kapatuosia, which has a viewing tower at the top and the medieval church of Hollola at the hill’s foot. Vierumäki, approximately 12 miles from Lahti, is located on the delta plains formed by the sand and gravel the glaciers deposited. It sits north of the Vierumäki Resort & Sport Institute of Finland, where you will find hiking and golfing. Päijänne National Park, a section of the Salpausselkä Geopark, is a unique park consisting of a long string of small forested, uninhabited islands. People kayak around the islands or hike the Pulkkilanharju Nature Trail, doing some bird-watching and wildlife spotting along the way. Lake Päijänne is the second-largest lake in Finland and an essential source of clean drinking water.

Unsurprisingly, outdoor sports are popular, including cycling, backpacking, and camping. One of the nice features of this area is that you can choose a trail that fits your needs, from easy and flat to challenging and steep. In August 2023, the Ironman 70.3 World Championship will be held here, giving you an idea of outdoor opportunities. Skiing is also popular. There are winter tours where you can try ice-fishing and snowshoeing and view the breathtaking Northern Lights. You can cruise a lake, rent a kayak or SUP board, or go boat fishing. The harbor is loaded with cafes and restaurants, so you have plenty of chances to meet local residents while enjoying locally sourced food.

There are many eco-friendly hotels, as you would expect. You can be an urban ecotourist in style by staying in an environmental-certified hotel. How does a visit to a sauna followed by a good meal of local favorites sound after hiking the Salpausselkä ridges? Since Lahti is on water, fish dishes such as the small fried vendace served with boiled potatoes are popular. Try the traditional majaorokka, a fish soup with potatoes and onions. However, plenty of meat dishes are made with beef, lamb, or pork, and the recipes are quite different from anything you order in the U.S. Warning! The Finns love sweets, so you will encounter them at every turn. Residents make salty licorice called salmiakki, used in everything from ice cream to candy to hard liquor. While in Lahti, you must also try some Finnish pastries made with locally sourced wild berries, or a piece of mustikkapiirakka (blueberry pie).

Perfecting Urban Ecotourism

Urban ecotourism is perfected in Lahti both because of its location and the years-long effort to become a circular economy. It offers eco-tourists the perfect opportunity to enjoy an environmentally friendly city that blends with its natural environment, offering the best of both. There are few places like this in the world. If you thought you would never again see pristine waters or breathe in air not polluted with greenhouse gasses, then visit Lahti. It will restore your faith in people’s ability to develop and live without ruining what nature offers.