Lahti, Finland
The city of Lahti serves as a gateway to the largest lakeland in Europe. Finland has approximately 188,000 lakes and the cleanest water in the world. Lahti is within one hour's drive north of Helsinki's capital city, international airport, and harbors, and 2.5 hours by rail from St. Petersburg.
Lahti, which was chosen as the European Green Capital 2021 by The European Commission in 2021, is a leader in tackling climate change and a forerunner in developing sustainable and intelligent solutions. You may sustainably explore the pristine and diversified environment in the Lahti region. The waterway from Lahti connects the clean Lake Päijänne, Finland's second-largest lake and the source of drinking water for the entire Helsinki region, with the nearby lake Vesijärvi. 74% of the city's area is covered with forest, and 11% is made up of aquatic bodies. The Salpausselkä ridges, which naturally filter and purify the world's greatest tap water, are a daily luxury for Lahti residents.
The Lahti region offers exceptional conditions for sports enthusiasts and energetic outdoor-minded visitors. Lahti Sports Centre is an impressive location for major international sporting events as well as the starting point for more than 100 km of natural trails for cross-country skiing, hiking, trail running, gravel biking, and mountain biking. In the summer, you may cool yourself in the outdoor pool while taking in the breathtaking view from the observation deck atop the Lahti Ski Jump tower. This place, therefore, must be one of the best sustainable destinations for outdoor sports in Europe.
