Hiking & outdoor recreationLength10 km
Duration(3-4 hours (one way))
Degree of difficultyEasy
The Metsänvartijan polku Trail is a back-and-forth trail between the Lake Valkiaisjärvi beach and Loppula at the heart of the Sanginjoki River. Most of the trail runs on old forest roads. Metsähallitus is responsible for maintaining the trail along its entire length, including the section within the City of Oulu area.
Route marker in the terrain
Multi-purpose trailYou can walk, bike, snowshoe or trail run along the route.
Dry toiletThere is a toilet at the end of the trail in Loppula.
Remember to bring a trash bag
No water point
No winter maintenance
Contact information
Starting pointValkiaisjärven pysäköintipaikka ja uimaranta, Valkiaisjärventie 430, 90670 Oulu
The Metsänvartijan polku Trail starts outside the Sanginjoki nature reserve at the Valkiaisjärvi parking area maintained by the City of Oulu. On the first part, the trail shares the same path with the Muuraiskankaan kierros Trail.
The wide gravel-hardened trail starts at the Lake Valkiaisjärvi and meanders along the southern shores of the lake for 0.9 kilometres.
At the eastern end of the Lake Valkiaisjärvi, the trail turns to the right, first going south on the edge of the Harakkasuo nature reserve and then to the east.
At Muuraiskangas, the Metsänvartijan polku Trail branches from the Muuraiskangas Trail to the left as a wide gravelled path and continues for about 0.8 kilometres until it merges with an old forest road. Turn to the right and continue on the forest road for about 1.8 kilometres. Along the way, you pass two forest road junctions.
In the trail junction at Sammalkangas, turn to the path away from the forest road. This trail section (length 2.3 kilometres) continues to the former Kuparisenpolku parking area.
From the former parking area, the trail continues to the east on the Kuparisenpolku path and soon branches from the forest road as a hardened path. The distance to the Loppula parking area is about 2.3 kilometres.
End pointLoppulan pysäköintialue, Sanginjoentie 1101, 90660 Oulu