Tahmelan pikkulähde, Tampere, Pirkanmaa, Finland

## Overview Tahmelan pikkulähde ("Tahmela's little spring") is a lesser-known natural spring located on the edge of the Tahmela swimming beach area in Tampere, Finland. While the main Tahmelan lähde — visible as a striking blue pond on local maps — does not yield water considered suitable for drinking, this smaller companion spring is a different story. Tahmelan pikkulähde feeds a short brook that emerges directly from the ground, and water quality testing conducted several years ago reportedly found the water to be of drinking quality. The spring is sometimes referred to locally as the "pikkuvirtalähde" (little stream spring). Tampere's Tahmela neighborhood sits in a landscape shaped by glacial and post-glacial geology, and groundwater-fed springs like this one are a characteristic feature of the Finnish terrain. The area around the spring is a pleasant mix of residential streets and natural shoreline, making it an easy and rewarding stop for anyone exploring Tampere's outdoor spaces. ## Directions 1. Head to **Jalajankatu** in the Tahmela neighborhood of Tampere. 2. Make your way toward the **Tahmelan uimaranta** (Tahmela swimming beach) area. 3. At the edge of the swimming beach grounds, look for a small brook. The spring is the source of this brook — water flows up from the ground and feeds into the stream. 4. GPS coordinates: **61.499382, 23.711704** *Note: The main Tahmelan lähde (the blue pond) is a separate feature nearby and is not the drinking spring. The pikkulähde is the smaller, less conspicuous source at the brook's origin.* ## What to Expect Tahmelan pikkulähde is a modest but charming natural spring. Rather than a dramatic pool, you'll find a small section of brook where groundwater visibly emerges from the earth. The setting along the Tahmela swimming beach area is scenic and accessible, with no difficult terrain to navigate. Water from this spring has been tested in the past and was reported to be of drinking quality at the time of testing. However, water quality can change over time, and visitors should be aware that conditions may vary seasonally. The main Tahmelan lähde pond nearby is not considered suitable for drinking — be sure you are at the correct smaller spring if you intend to collect water. The area is open year-round, though winter conditions may make the spring harder to locate under snow. Summer visits pair well with a swim at the nearby Tahmela beach. There are no posted hours or access restrictions.