The Palokallio nature conservation area is in Kuninkaanmäki city district in East Vantaa. The extensive rock formations in the middle of the conservation area reach a height of 75 metres above sea level at their highest point. The terrain rises quickly towards the western edge.
The western part of Palokallio mostly has pine forests, while the eastern part has newer boreal forests dominated by spruce. The spruce woods as well as the forest swamp in the depression in the middle of the conservatio…n area are very close to their natural state. The route of King's Road - an important part of local history - fell out of use back in the 1770s, but it can still be seen along the Palokallio hills. A powerline crosses the conservation area. Parts of it have been maintained as butterfly areas.
The vegetation is typical to rocky areas, boreal forests, pine bogs and spruce swamps. Exceptionally large small cow-wheat growths grow in the spruce forests of the eastern side. Creeping lady's-tresses, a species of orchids with small blooms growing in old spruce forests, can also be found in the area. Boreal forests and swamps similar to those in Palokallio, which are almost in their natural state, have good continued accumulation of decomposing wood, which means that the local range of species requiring decomposing wood in their habitat is diverse and extensive. The decomposing wood species in Palokallio include aporpium canescens and skeletocutis brevispor, near-threatened species of polypores.
The unbroken forest zone continues from Palokallio to Sipoonkorva national park. Thanks to this, it is possible to sometimes spot a western capercaillie in the Palokallio conservation area, as the species needs extensive, connected forest areas to thrive. The Northern goshawk is another impressive bird species in the Palokallio area. Other animals, such as moose, foxes and badgers, also regularly move in the area. Grass snakes, viviparous lizards and frogs can be spotted near the small open swamps surrounding the forest swamp. The powerline area is maintained as a butterfly meadow, and features species such as scarce fritillary, which is a strictly protected species across the European Union.
The size of the Palokallio nature conservation area is 43 hectares. It became a protected area in 2007.
The area has many well-maintained pathways, such as the former King's Road route. However, Palokallio does not yet have any marked routes.