10 km hiking round trip around Ärjänsaari, Kajaani

It is recommended to start the trip on Ärjänsaari from Säipä. In the Säipä area, you will find the main pier of the island, an information board, campfire sites, and a camping area. The island's other piers are located at Hautakaari near the old café building and at Vierasniemi. The woodshed is located at Hautakaari next to the white café building. A new toilet-shed will be completed near the Kotila cottage, which serves as a summer café, in early summer 2020.

The trail around Ärjänsaari is approximately 9.2 kilometers long. It can be walked both clockwise and counterclockwise.

It is advisable to check the route guidance before the trip because, besides the map, it contains important information about the island and Ärjä’s rules.

The recommended walking direction is counterclockwise. The trail begins near the Kotila boat dock in front of the summer café. The initial section passes along the sandy beach between rental cottages and sauna buildings towards the Hautakaari sauna and the former café. On the way, there is a well along the trail. Near Saunala, the trail moves close to the shore, and gradually the cliff ahead rises higher and higher. From the highest points of the shore cliff, there is a beautiful view southward and over the Hautakaari area.

The trail runs along a high cliff for nearly two kilometers to Vierasniemi. Before Vierasniemi, there is an old, poorly maintained camp center along the trail. In the Vierasniemi area, there is Kirkkosäikkä, where movement is restricted during bird nesting season from May 1st to July 31st.

From Vierasniemi, the trail turns northwest. It is 2.7 kilometers to Mansikkatörmä. The scenery opens eastward and northward towards Koutaniemi and Neuvosniemi. From Mansikkatörmä, there is a connecting trail across the island back to the Saunala area. There is a bench at the Mansikkaniemi junction for resting.

From Mansikkatörmä, the trail continues along the cliff towards Karkeäpää and Kalamaja, which is 1.7 km away. Kalamaja is a wilderness hut with a campfire site in front of it.

From Kalamaja, the trail returns to the shore cliff towards Lentohiekka, which is 1.5 km away. Lentohiekka is still active, and in strong winds, the sand forms new dunes. There is a bench at Lentohiekka for enjoying the scenery and resting. From Kalamaja all the way to the Kotila area, the trail opens views to the west over Ärjänselkä.

It is 0.8 km from Lentohiekka to Kotila. The trail descends from the cliff towards Säipä and passes by a small wetland area. The Säipä area has a cooking shelter and campfire sites.