Outdoor Express – Destination nature
Hop on a bus and go out into nature, effortlessly and sustainably!
Outdoor Express takes you from the Tampere city centre by bus directly to nature and back. The service is intended for both locals and tourists. The goal is to provide an easy opportunity for hiking for everyone.
Outdoor Express, which operates on weekends in July-August 2023, targets the Seitseminen, Helvetinjärvi and Isojärvi national parks. Upon arrival, there are a few hours to go hiking and enjoy nature. After hiking, you can enjoy refreshments at the cafes and restaurants in the parks. You can also pack your tent and ride back the next day.
In Seitseminen the bus first stops at the Nature Centre, then follows an internal park route to the Kovero Heritage Farm and the accessible nature trail of Saari-Soljanen. At Helvetinjärvi, the destination is the Helvetinportti restaurant, and at Isojärvi, it’s the café of the Heretty Loggers’ Cabin.
Accessible transportation to Seitseminen National Park during the autumn holiday
Enjoy the stunning scenery of Seitseminen, where there are also a variety of accessible services at the best attractions.
Seitseminen National Park is home to the majestic ancient forests of southern Suomenselkä. Over half of the national park consists of vital breeding grounds for birds. At the Seitseminen Nature Centre, you can learn more about nature and relax with a cup of coffee. You can also rent a bicycle or hiking equipment from the Nature Centre. Seitseminen is suitable for people of all fitness levels and ages all year round!
Read more about the possibilities and accessibility of Seitseminen: luontoon.fi
Tickets and timetable
Tampere – Seitseminen – Tampere
There is one round trip to Seitseminen each weekend day. The bus departs from Tampere at 10:15 and arrives at the Seitseminen Nature Centre at approximately 11:30. The return trip departs from Seitseminen at 17:15 and arrives in Tampere at approximately 18:30.
The departure point in Tampere is the front of the Tampere Railway Station. The return trip from Seitseminen departs from the Nature Centre.
Price list
| Customer group | Price |
|---|---|
|
Adults |
10 € |
|
Students |
9 € |
|
Children (4-15) |
5 € |
|
Under 4 years old |
0 € (free of charge) |
|
Bicycle transport |
3 € |
The prices listed above are for one-way travel. The outbound and return trips cost the same.
Timetable
| Date | Departure Tampere | Departure Seitseminen | Online store |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sa 14.10 |
10:15 |
17:15 |
|
|
Su 15.10 |
10:15 |
17:15 |
|
|
Sa 21.10 |
10:15 |
17:15 |
|
|
Su 22.10 |
10:15 |
17:15 |
Accessibility Notice
This is an accessibility service; please arrive 15 minutes before departure to ensure a smooth departure. For more information and companion seat reservations, please email: akseli@matrocks.fi. Please inform us at the time of booking whether a wheelchair space is required in the passenger compartment or if the assisted person can sit on a bus seat. This will affect the number of seats available on the bus.
Companions have free access when you notify us at the time of confirmation.
Limited seating available: book yours in advance, but no later than the evening before departure by 18:00.
Please arrive at the departure location at least 15 minutes before the bus departs.
In addition, the bus runs in the Seitseminen area as follows during the day
| Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|
|
10.15 Tampere Railway Station |
11.30 Nature Centre |
|
Break: 2 hours |
|
|
13.30 Nature Centre |
14.00 Saari-Soljanen |
|
Break: 2 hours |
|
|
16.00 Saari-Soljanen |
16.30 Nature Centre |
|
Break: 45 minutes |
|
|
17.15 Nature Centre |
18.30 Tampere Railway Station |
The implementation of the Outdoor Express service is managed by Ekokumppanit Oy. Travel tickets are sold by Matkahuolto and can only be purchased in advance through Matkahuolto’s online store or mobile application. Ticket sale closes at 18:00 the evening before departure. Matrocks Oy is the operator of the Outdoor Express bus transportation service.
Note! Pets are allowed on board during Sunday shifts.
Contact information
Akseli Kerola
Facilitator of enjoyable leisure time, travel services coordinator
akseli@matrocks.fi
+358 40 658 6868
Accessible transportation
Seitseminen
Seitseminen National Park
The ancient majestic forests of the southern Suomenselkä region rustle in Seitseminen National Park, and over half of the national park consists of vital breeding grounds for birds. At the Seitseminen Nature Centre, you can learn more about nature and enjoy a cup of coffee. You can also rent a bicycle or hiking equipment from the nature centre. The Kovero Heritage Farm introduces visitors to life in the forests of Seitseminen in the early 20th century. At Kovero, traditional cultural landscapes are preserved using old-fashioned methods. Come and enjoy the treasure trove of nature and forest culture and learn about them!
Learn more: luontoon.fi
Tickets and timetable
Tampere – Seitseminen – Tampere
Seitseminen is serviced with one round trip on each day of the weekend. The bus departs from Tampere at 10:00 and arrives at the Seitseminen Nature Centre at 11:15. The return trip departs from Seitseminen at 17:00 and arrives in Tampere at around 18:15.
The point of departure in Tampere is the charter bus stop in front of the Railway station. Along the way, there are stops in Lielahti (Lielahti th L/I), Ylöjärvi (Ylöjärvi C) and Mutalan Helmi. The return trip from Seitseminen departs from the nature centre.
Price list
| Customer group | Price |
|---|---|
|
Adults |
10 € |
|
Students |
9 € |
|
Children (4-15) |
5 € |
|
Under 4 years old |
0 € (free of charge) |
|
Bicycle transport |
3 € |
The prices listed above are for one-way travel. The outbound and return trips cost the same.
Timetable
| Date | Departure Tampere | Departure Seitseminen | Online store |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sa 15.7 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
|
|
Su 16.7 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
|
|
Sa 5.8 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
|
|
Su 6.8 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
|
|
Sa 26.8 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
|
|
Su 27.8 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
You can also board the bus from stops along the way. Choose a suitable intermediate stop (Seitseminen: Lielahti th L/I or Ylöjärvi C, Helvetinjärvi and Isojärvi: Linnainmaa C/B) at Matkahuolto’s ticket shop to get the correct departure location and time on your ticket. The ticket price is the same regardless of the chosen departure stop.
In addition, the bus runs in the Seitseminen area as follows during the day
| Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|
|
11.30 Nature Centre |
11.40 Kovero Heritage Farm |
|
11.45 Kovero Heritage Farm |
12.00 Saari-Soljanen |
|
Break: 1 hour and 30 minutes |
|
|
13.30 Saari-Soljanen |
13.45 Kovero Heritage Farm |
|
13.50 Kovero Heritage Farm |
14.00 Nature Centre |
|
Break: 15 minutes |
|
|
14.15 Nature Centre |
14.25 Kovero Heritage Farm |
|
14.30 Kovero Heritage Farm |
14.45 Saari-Soljanen |
|
Break: 1 hour and 30 minutes |
|
|
16.15 Saari-Soljanen |
16.30 Kovero Heritage Farm |
|
16.35 Kovero Heritage Farm |
16.45 Nature Centre |
The implementation of the Outdoor Express service is managed by Ekokumppanit Oy. Travel tickets are sold by Matkahuolto and can only be purchased in advance through Matkahuolto’s online store or mobile application. Tickets must be purchased 10 minutes prior to departure. Tilausliikenne Atro Vuolle Oy is the operator of the Outdoor Express bus transportation service.
Note! Pets are allowed on board during Sunday shifts.
Helvetinjärvi National Park
The special feature of Helvetinjärvi National Park is two ancient gorge valleys. Helvetinkolu, located in the south-eastern part of Lake Helvetinjärvi, is the best-known gorge in the area. The rocky nature of Helvetinjärvi is rich and diverse, with the best parts found in the surroundings of the gorge lakes. The Helvetinkolu can be reached via the “Helvetistä itään” (“East of Hell”) nature trail, and at the starting point of the trail, the Helvetin Portti Restaurant serves delicious food and coffee before or after the trip. Come and find out what caused the forces of nature to move the earth’s crust millions of years ago!
Learn more: luontoon.fi
Tickets and timetable
Tampere – Helvetinjärvi – Tampere
Helvetinjärvi is serviced with one round trip on each day of the weekend. The bus departs from Tampere at 10:00 and arrives at the Helvetinportti restaurant at around 11:15. The return trip from Helvetinjärvi departs at 17:00 and arrives in Tampere around 18:15.
The point of departure in Tampere is the charter bus stop in front of the Railway station. There is an intermediate stop at Linnainmaa C/B during the journey. The return trip from Helvetinjärvi departs from the Helvetinportti restaurant.
Price list
| Customer group | Price |
|---|---|
|
Adults |
10 € |
|
Students |
9 € |
|
Children (4-15) |
5 € |
|
Under 4 years old |
0 € (free of charge) |
|
Bicycle transport |
3 € |
The prices listed above are for one-way travel. The outbound and return trips cost the same.
Timetable
| Date | Departure Tampere | Departure Helvetinjärvi | Online store |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sa 8.7 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
|
|
Su 9.7 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
|
|
Sa 29.7 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
|
|
Su 30.7 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
|
|
Sa 19.8 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
|
|
Su 20.8 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
You can also board the bus from a stop along the way in Linnainmaa. Choose the suitable intermediate stop (Linnainmaa C/B) in Matkahuolto’s ticket shop to get the correct departure location and time on your ticket. The ticket price is the same regardless of the chosen departure stop.
The implementation of the Outdoor Express service is managed by Ekokumppanit Oy. Travel tickets are sold by Matkahuolto and can only be purchased in advance through Matkahuolto’s online store or mobile application. Tickets must be purchased 10 minutes prior to departure. Tilausliikenne Atro Vuolle Oy is the operator of the Outdoor Express bus transportation service.
Note! Pets are allowed on board during Sunday shifts.
Helvetinjärvi
Isojärvi
Isojärvi National Park
Tickets and timetable
Tampere – Isojärvi – Tampere
Isojärvi is serviced with one round trip on each day of the weekend. The bus departs from Tampere at 10:00 and arrives at the Heretty Loggers’ Cabin café at around 11:15. The return trip from Isojärvi departs at 17:00 and arrives in Tampere around 18:15.
The point of departure in Tampere is the charter bus stop in front of the Railway station. There is an intermediate stop at Linnainmaa C/B during the trip. The return ride from Isojärvi departs from the Heretty Loggers’ Cabin café.
Price list
| Customer group | Price |
|---|---|
|
Adults |
10 € |
|
Students |
9 € |
|
Children (4-15) |
5 € |
|
Under 4 years old |
0 € (free of charge) |
|
Bicycle transport |
3 € |
The prices listed above are for one-way travel. The outbound and return trips cost the same.
Timetable
| Date | Departure Tampere | Departure Isojärvi | Online store |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sa 1.7 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
|
|
Su 2.7 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
|
|
Sa 22.7 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
|
|
Su 23.7 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
|
|
Sa 12.8 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
|
|
Su 13.8 |
10:00 |
17:00 |
You can also board the bus from a stop along the way. Choose the suitable intermediate stop (Linnainmaa C/B) in Matkahuolto’s ticket shop to get the correct departure location and time on your ticket. The ticket price is the same regardless of the chosen departure stop.
The implementation of the Outdoor Express service is managed by Ekokumppanit Oy. Travel tickets are sold by Matkahuolto and can only be purchased in advance through Matkahuolto’s online store or mobile application. Tickets must be purchased 10 minutes prior to departure. Tilausliikenne Atro Vuolle Oy is the operator of the Outdoor Express bus transportation service.
Note! Pets are allowed on board during Sunday shifts.
Provide feedback and help us develop even better access to nature
What did you think of the Outdoor Express service?
Share your experience of the trip and participate in a movie ticket draw from this link.
The survey is conducted by the University of Tampere as part of its cooperation with the Sustainable Tourism Mobility project. The results will help us to develop the service.
Thank you for your feedback.
More info
The implementation of the Outdoor Express service is managed by Ekokumppanit Oy. Travel tickets are sold by Matkahuolto and can only be purchased in advance through Matkahuolto’s online store or mobile application. Tickets must be purchased 10 minutes prior to departure. Tilausliikenne Atro Vuolle Oy is the operator of the Outdoor Express bus transportation service.
Note! Pets are allowed on board during Sunday shifts.
Contact information
Pyry Rinkinen
Project manager
Ekokumppanit Oy
pyry.rinkinen@tampere.fi
+358 40 176 2485
Provide feedback
In partnership with
Outdoor Express – Destination to nature
The summer 2023 Outdoor Express bus connections have been implemented with the support of Metsähallitus’ National Parks Finland Lakeland nature services and the municipalities of Tampere, Ylöjärvi, Ruovesi, and Kuhmoinen. The service is produced in cooperation with Matkahuolto, Visit Tampere, Ekokumppanit Oy, and the Lake Trails.
The Outdoor Express experiment is part of the development work for the lake and nature tourism roadmap of Tampere. The goal is to test the service’s functionality and to make it a permanent part of the nature tourism service offerings in the Tampere and Pirkanmaa regions.
The tests conducted in autumn 2022, which were part of the development of sustainable travel services carried out in the Sustainable Tourism Mobility project, provide the background for the experiment. The Sustainable Tourism Mobility project is a development project implemented by Visit Tampere, the Baltic Institute of Finland, and the University of Tampere. The project is funded by the Council of Tampere Region’s REACT-EU instrument from the European Union’s COVID-19 pandemic response measures.
Also check out Art Express
Art Express takes you from Tampere to cultural destinations in Pirkanmaa region.