recommended route
Multi-stage route
The Archipelago Trail
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Saariston RengastiePhoto: Juho Kuva, Business Finland – Visit Finland
Get the most out of your visit to the Finnish Archipelago - Explore The Archipelago Trail!
Shiny yellow car ferries and smaller blue and white passenger ferries, fantastic views from bridges and causeways, cute red wooden buildings, marinas brimming with sailing boats, these are all memories you will take home from The Archipelago Trail. The sea is never far away in one of the world’s most beautiful archipelagos.
You will visit most of the major islands in the archipelago. Each island has its own special charm. The route meanders through historic villages where you can find plenty of things to do during the summer.
There are many hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants that are open throughout the year so you can easily plan a visit outside of the main summer season. The ferry between Houtskär and Iniö only operates from mid-May to the end of August; the other ferries operate the year around.
Ferries: 8-9
Length 230 - 250km
Recommended time: 3-5 days
Fully open: Normally mid-May until end of August. Please check the tab “CURRENT INFORMATION” for updated information.
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Safety information
The number one rule is: wear a helmet!
- Make sure you are familiar with traffic rules in Finland.
- Be visible. Make sure that the lamps of your bike function normally. In Finland, your bike lights must be on when biking at dusk or in the dark. Wearing a safety vest makes you more visible to others.
- Biking alone is not recommended. When biking in a group, aid is near if you need it.
- Summer weather in Finland can be unpredictable. Daylight hours are plentiful in the summer, but nights can be cold. Whenever the temperature drops below freezing, roads and paths can get icy and slippery. Studs in tires are recommended in spring, fall and winter.
- Help us to prevent forest fires and grass fires. In Finland, a fire warning is given when the risk of quickly spreading forest fire or grass fire is high. Don’t make a fire when there’s a fire warning in effect. It is your responsibility to be aware of warnings in effect. For up-to-date warnings of storms and forest fire hazards, see the website of the Finnish Meteorological Institute (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi).
- Carry a fully charged mobile phone. However, do not rely on it. Not all areas have mobile network coverage. Battery may also run out.
- Emergency number in Finland is 112. You can call 112 from a foreign mobile phone connection, too. Consider downloading the 112 Suomi application beforehand. It enables the automatic delivery of your coordinates to the emergency service dispatcher when dialing 112.
Text from Biking in Finland
Tips and hints
The trail has attracted cyclists, bikers and motorists for over 20 years. Island hopping is the route’s specialty.
Cycling is great in the Archipelago May through to the end of September but the whole trail is only open for a round trip between mid-May and the end of August. Out of the main season, you can make a return journey by bus, continue to The Åland Islands or use the pick-up, drop-off bike hire service. E-bike hire from 10bikes.
The Small Archipelago Trail is perfect if you are short on time but want to experience the most of the archipelago.
There are many charming small islands to visit near the trail such as the Island of Seili and its grim past. Find more tips and information on www.visitpargas.fi
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Stage descriptions under "STAGES" tab.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
The archipelago is well served by buses, ferries and tourist boats enabling you to make round trips or shorten longer stages. The ferries are free for foot passenger and along the main trail ferries depart up to four times an hour.
The ferry between Houtskär and Iniö only operates during the summer and charges for passengers, bikes and cars. There are no reservations for any of the public ferries.
A bike hire service is available where you can pick-up and drop-off at different locations.
By road
The Archipelago Trail starts in the centre of Turku in the southwest coast of Finland and can be cycled clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Turku is easily reached from Helsinki, Tampere and the rest of Finland by both bus and train. There are even direct busses from Helsinki airport. Turku (TKU) has an international airport with direct flights and onward connections to a wide variety of destinations.
Four daily sailings connect Turku with Stockholm and the Åland islands. The operators are Vikingline and TallinkSilja.
Tourist boat routes serving the archipelago are found on www.visitpargas.fi and ferries on www.lautta.net or the Finnferries app.
A good bus service operates between Turku and Pargas, Nagu, Korpo and Houtskär, busses 810 and 901 - 904 http://tlo.fi/reitit-ja-aikataulut/saaristobussi/
Naantali can be reached by local bus from Turku and there are daily buses to Kustavi for onward travel to Iniö by ferry.
There are direct tourist boats from Turku via Seili to Nagu during the main season.
Parking
There is plenty of free parking in the villages and towns along the route.Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Guide book available in Finnish:
Saariston rengastien opaskirja
Omatoimimatkailijan opaskirja Saariston Rengastielle vie sinut matkalle halki upean saariston! Kirjasta löydät vinkkejä rengastien nähtävyyksistä, matkailukohteista ja muista kiinnostavista poikkeamisen arvoisista paikoista.
Equipment
The first thing you need is a bike. For paved roads, a regular road bike will do. If you plan to travel along unpaved paths, a mountain bike is recommended. The second crucial item is a helmet. Before hitting the road, check that brakes, lamps, and gear of your bike function normally. Depending on the length of your bike tour, you may also need:
- Bike bags, preferably waterproof
- Multi-tool, bike tools, a patch kit and a wheel pump
- Drinking water, snacks, meals and cutlery
- Up-to-date map of the area
- A backpack with rain cover
- Clothes and personal belongings - the archipelago can be cooler than the mainland because of the sea although there is generally less rainfall in summer.
- Ferry timetables or the Finferries app.
Text from Biking in Finland
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Statistics
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