Services in Ärjänsaari

Customer Service and Guidance

  • There are information boards near the Säippä boat jetty, the smaller pier on Ärjänsaari Island and other central meeting points.
  • In summer the cafe near Säippä boat jetty gives information on Ärjänsaari Island.
  • You can obtain more information on Ärjänsaari Island from Kuhmo Visitor Centre Petola or by emailing to kajaani(at)metsa.fi or Petola(at)metsa.fi

Services Offered by Enterprises and Organisations in Ärjänsaari

  • Our partner Luonnollisesti Oulujärvi (luonnollisesti.fi) offers many services in Ärjänsaari Island:
    • Boat transportation to Ärjänsaari
    • Summer-cafe in Kotila-cottage near the main boat jetty in Säippä
    • Rental equipment: canoes, kayaks, bikes, sup-boards etc.
    • Rental sauna and sauna experience in Vierasniemi
    • Maintenance of Ärjänsaari services
  • Partners who provide services on Ärjänsaari Island
    • These partners have signed a cooperation agreement with Metsähallitus and follow the principles of sustainable nature tourism in their activities in the nature reserve.
    • The partners provide guided excursions, as well as food, transport and accommodation services. They also rent out hiking equipment.

Meals, Where to Buy and Prepare

Campfire Sites

  • Säippä, Hautakaarre: campfire sites
  • The Vierasniemi campfire site is only meant for those customers who have rented Vierasniemi for their private use
  • Karkeapää: a campfire site next to the day-use hut (Please note! Bring your own firewood)
  • The Säippä tent area: a cooking shelter and a solar power charging point for mobile phones.

Making an open fire is forbidden when a wildfire warning is in effect.
The cooker with a chimney in the Säippä cooking shelter may also be used when a wildfire warning is in effect.

Drinking Water

  • There is a well in the yard of the old café building. The quality of the well water has been studied. You may drink and use it without boiling.
  • The other waters in the area are natural waters, and their quality has not been studied. Their use is at your own risk. It is advisable to boil surface water (such as water from lakes, rivers and streams) for a few minutes before drinking it, since water quality varies from one area to another and it also depends on the water temperature.

Waste Management

The visitors to Ärjänsaari Island must follow the principles of litter-free outdoor activities. The main principle is that hikers take their own litter away with them. Ärjänsaari adheres to the principles of litter-free hiking. Biodegradable waste should be placed in a dry toilet or composter, and small amounts of clean paper and cardboard can be used as kindling in a campfire. More information on Hiking without Littering.

Dry Toilets

There are two buildings with a dry toilet and a firewood shed on Ärjänsaari Island. One of them is located in the Säippä area, close to the summer café, the other within a sheep pasture, close to the small boat pier. Also, a dry toilet is built near the rental huts is Hautakaarre area. The Vierasniemi dry toilet is only meant for those who have rented the Vierasniemi sauna and cabin.

Overnight Stays

Rental cabins

There are four rental cabins which can be rented from the Eräluvat webshop (eraluvat.fi). Other rental cabins are currently being renovated, but they are not yet available.

Camping

  • The tent sites are located in the Säippä tent area.
  • The Kalamaja day-use hut provides shelter from the weather. Please note that there is no dry toilet or woodshed at the Kalamaja hut. Bring your own firewood.
  • Camping is not allowed in other areas in Ärjänsaari Island.

Overnight Stays in the Surrounding Area

Vierasniemi sauna

Vierasniemi has been known as the place, where the directors of the Kajaani Wood Factory used to bring their important guests. Now this place can be hired for day use from our partner Luonnollisesti Oulujärvi (luonnollisesti.fi) during 1.6. - 30.9.2023

Accessible Services

There are ramps for the disabled to the buildings with a dry toilet and a shed. The sandy shores are soft, so the shore areas are not entirely accessible for all, but an assistant is required. 

There are no other services that are accessible for all.

Please contact our partner companies, if you plan to visit Ärjänsaari Island with a wheelchair or pushchair.

Other Services in the Surrounding Area

  • The closest shops, banks, service stations and other services are available in Kajaani, Paltamo and Vuolijoki.