Nautelankoski

Nautelankoski, also known as Kukkarkoski, is located in Lieto, approximately 20 kilometers from the center of Turku. It is easily accessible from Turku by taking a Föli bus. Cycling along the Old Tampere Road is also a pleasant option thanks to the good pedestrian and cycling routes in the area and the beautiful scenery.

As with many places along the Aura River, Nautelankoski offers a sense of the lives of past inhabitants and the beauty of nature in the same landscapes. Near the rapids is one of Finland’s most significant archaeological sites, the Kukkarkoski prehistoric site. Evidence of permanent settlement dating back 6,000 years has been found in the area, when Kukkarkoski was an island in a sea that extended all the way here. As you walk along the nature trails, you can reflect on how much the area has changed throughout history. Human activity has influenced the land and the river, but the greatest changes have been the Ice Age and the subsequent slow but steady rise of the land.

Several mills have operated in connection with the rapids, and the earliest mention of the Nautelankoski mill dates back to the 15th century. The current mill building was constructed in 1806. Nearby is the Nautelankoski museum area, maintained by the museums of Lieto, where visitors can explore the site’s history in more detail. During the museum’s opening hours, there is also a shop and a café.

Nautelankoski is the longest rapids of the Aura River. The rapids stretch approximately 800 meters with a drop of about 17 meters. The natural environment in the area is beautiful, and it is home to the largest nature reserve in the Aura River Valley. The protection of the area is based on its riverside forests and meadow areas. The flora and fauna of the area have been extensively studied; over 300 vascular plant species have been recorded. The area also has a rich birdlife, including species such as the lesser spotted woodpecker and the nightingale. The nature reserve has its own regulations that visitors must follow. For example, walking dogs is completely prohibited in the area.

The Nautelankoski area offers excellent opportunities for outdoor activities and hiking. Trails run along both sides of the rapids, allowing visitors to see the dense riverside forests and the meadow areas on the slopes of the river valley. Some parts of the trail are steep and may be challenging, and when wet, the paths can be slippery in places. The nature reserve offers excellent opportunities to identify plant species, spot birds, or explore other local wildlife. There is plenty to see and hear along the trails. Time passes quickly as you admire the varied landscapes along the path and listen to birdsong and the sound of the rapids.

At Nautelankoski, it is also possible to fish for salmon in the Aura River. Only fly fishing is allowed in the rapids area, and it requires both a fisheries management fee and a special fly-fishing permit for Nautelankoski. Traditional angling and lure fishing can be practiced outside the rapids area, i.e., above the mill dam and in the lower pool below the observation tower. For more information about fishing in the Aura River, click here.