Top 7 running routes in Helsinki

What is it? Helsinki’s undisputed running heartland, a 2km oval bay that acts as the city’s communal gym. It’s mostly flat, save for one cheeky, lung-busting incline that overlooks the white functionalist majesty of Alvar Aalto’s Finlandia Hall.

Why we love it: The ‘people-watching’ is world-class. You’ll be whizzing past the National Opera, daintily preserved wooden villas, and half the city’s stylish locals. It’s centrally located, perfectly lit, and impossible to get lost on.

Time Out tip: Aalto designed Finlandia Hall so that, from a specific spot on the hill, the National Museum’s tower looks like it’s part of the building. Slow down for a second to find the optical illusion.

Why we love it: It’s basically the 'Greatest Hits' of Helsinki in one sweat-inducing playlist. You launch from the Rock Church, a copper-domed UFO blasted into prehistoric granite, then sprint past the grave of Moomin creator Tove Jansson at Hietaniemi Cemetery. The scenery is a trip: one minute you’re admiring the hallowed silence of Finland’s elite, the next you’re whizzing past the bronzed beach bodies of Hietsu Beach, and soon you find yourself shouting into the 600 steel pipes of the Sibelius Monument to test the acoustics (and your lungs).

Time Out tip: The finish line at Seurasaari Open Air Museum hides the Kekkonen Fitness Stairs. Don't just run up them – that’s for amateurs. Legend has it that Finland’s long-reigning President, Urho Kekkonen, could leap six of the seven steps in a single bound well into his seventies. Give it a go; if you nail the jump, you are clearly proper presidential material in the eyes of the Finns.

Why we love it: It’s island-hopping without the ferry. You get a salt-air, high-end tour of Helsinki’s western islands, finishing with a dash past the hauntingly beautiful Lapinlahti mental hospital and its gothic gardens. It’s the ultimate "just felt like running" moment for the urban explorer.

Time Out tip: The bridges can be total wind tunnels. Check the forecast before you set off, or you might find yourself running a 15km uphill battle against a punishing Baltic gale. Keep an eye out for the architecture – some of the houses on these islands make the Rock Church look like a budget renovation.

Why we love it: You start at the feet of the ‘Flying Finn’ (Olympic legend Paavo Nurmi) and immediately disappear into the woods. It doesn't feel like a city park; it feels like the wild North. The 12km out-and-back trek to Pirkkola is the gold standard for local club runners. Best of all, there’s no need to fear getting lost; while the forest is long, the strip is rather narrow. If you lose your bearings, just head east or west for a few hundred metres and you’ll hit civilization.

Time Out tip: For an extra shot of adrenaline, try this route at night. The path snakes past the local pet cemetery, which – under the moonlight – feels suspiciously like something straight out of a Stephen King novel. If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll know that ‘sometimes dead is better,’ so you might find yourself hitting a new personal best just to get back to the streetlights.

Why we love it: It’s ‘Primal Man’ territory. One minute you’re dodging WWI-era trenches, the next you’re sprinting through a fairytale landscape that hasn't been touched by humans in decades. It’s rugged, and wonderfully quiet.

Time Out tip: Keep an eye out for the local Highland cattle near the Haltiala farm – they’re the hairiest spectators you’ll ever have for a sprint finish.

Why we love it: It’s essentially sightseeing at 10km/h. You’ll salute the Helsinki Cathedral, loop the Jugend-style island of Katajanokka, and sweep past the Presidential Palace. It finishes with a run through Eira, the city’s most prestigious (and pastel-hued) neighbourhood.

Time Out tip: Huvilakatu is widely considered the most beautiful street in the city. If you’re looking for a ‘running selfie’ to prove you were doing Helsinki the running man style, this is the spot.

Why we love it: Where else can you sprint past cannons, barracks, and a genuine WWII submarine? The views of the crashing Baltic Sea from the high fortress walls are enough to make you forget your quads are screaming.

Time Out tip: The ferry crossing is part of the experience. Stand on the deck to catch the sea spray – it’s the best pre-workout wake-up call you can get.