Hiking & outdoor recreationLength9.1 km
Visitors can experience the beaches and sand banks, dunes, the island's geology and colourful cultural history as well as open stretches of the lake on a single excursion. In summer, sheep grazing on the island add interest to the walks. Always remember to close the gates when passing through the pasture! Kotila café and kiosk, where you can also rent hiking equipment, serve visitors in Säippä in summer. Kalamaja day hut and several campfire sites are located along Ärjän kierros trail. Water in the well near the sheep pen is good for drinking. Wet parts of the trail have duckboards.
Contact information
The trail starts from the pier and leads clockwise around the island. The path leads very close to the edge of the bank, and in places the old trail has collapsed into the lake. Be careful when using the paths!
After walking for about a kilometre, you will arrive at Lentohiekka. This area was created as winds carried fine sand over a long period of time and built it up as a huge sand cake in the pine woods on top of the bank.
From Lentohiekka the trail goes on for around 1.5 kilometres to Kalamaja. Originally a fishermen’s base, the cabin used to be an open wilderness hut and now serves visitors as a day hut. There is a campfire site at Kalamaja, but please note that there is no firewood shed or toilet. The bow of an old sand barge sticks out from the shoreline waters like a skeleton near Kalamaja.
From Lentohiekka the distance to Mansikkatörmä through Karkeapää is 1.7 kilometres. After Mansikkatörmä with its splendid views of Lake Oulujärvi, there is a steep drop to the water level.
The distance from Mansikkatörmä to Vierasniemi is 2.7 kilometres. Vierasniemi is a rental destination, so please respect the privacy of guests staying here. Access to Kirkkosäikkä bird nesting area is prohibited from 1 May to 31 July, as any disturbance can easily cause nesting to fail.
The trail continues along the steep shoreline bank of Hautakaarre, where pine roots uncovered by erosion catch the hiker's eye. Hikers soon come to the first holiday houses that were formerly owned by the forestry company UPM.
Saunala cottage inside the sheep pen was renovated for the use of shepherds at Ärjä. Please remember to close the gates when passing through the sheep pen. Keep dogs on a leash and do not let them approach the sheep.
The trail returns to Säippä along Säippä beach.
• Stay away from birds’ nesting grounds in Kirkkosäikkä (eastern tip of the island) between 1 May and 31 July. The nesting of birds living in this area can easily fail if they are disturbed. • Do not feed the sheep. They are happy to try anything edible, but their stomachs cannot handle all food items. • Take note of safe bathing areas along the tour of the island.