You can also explore the nature and attractions of the main island of Linnansaari National Park by backpacking. Climb the trail to the scenic lookout on Linnavuori Rock or take a trip back in time at the Linnansaari Croft.
Hiking trails and paths
Trail starting points
All trails are located on the main island of Linnansaari - a boat ride is required to reach them. The trails start from the information board at Sammakkoniemi Camping. The short Linnavuori circle trail can only be hiked from the Perpulanluhta camping area.
The trails vary from easy to demanding. Read more about gear and safety. The Torpanpolku trail and the Linnonkurkitus trail are also suitable for accessible hiking.
There is no winter maintenance on the trails, but during skating season a trail to the Sammakkoniemi campfire site forms on the ice.
Sammakkoniemi Camping has a kiosk during the summer (check opening hours at oravivillage.com), a cooking shelter, an accessible campfire site with chimney (may be used during forest fire warnings), an accessible toilet, rentable huts and a sauna.
Torpanpolku Trail, demanding accessible nature trail, 700 m each way
Demanding accessible nature trail
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time approx. 30 min. each way
The trail to the croft has been hardened and widened, thus making it accessible to visitors with prams and in wheelchairs (with assistance). The trail is suitable for accessible hiking, and there are no real differences in elevation along the trail. The grass on the croft grounds may be wet.
The Torpanpolku Trail runs through a lush mixed forest that gradually becomes spruce-dominated. Along the trail, there are old and more recent slash-and-burn lands and a sheep pasture with fences and gates bordering on the Torpanpolku Trail. The Linnansaari Croft and the slash-and-burn lands around it offer a glimpse into the rural landscape of years gone by, which was shaped by toil, fire and livestock. Slash-and-burn agriculture, mowing hay and the grazing of livestock are part of the landscape management on Linnansaari to this day. In the summer, a flock of sheep maintain the croft grounds.
Hiking structures
The Sammakkoniemi camping site has a cooking shelter and two campfire sites one of which is covered. The camping site also has a dry toilet. The cooking shelter, the covered campfire site and the dry toilet are all accessible. Read more about the accessibility of the hiking structures and services at Sammakkoniemi.
There is a variety of different buildings in the croft grounds, including a dry toilet behind the main building. These structures are not accessible. Remember to bring your own toilet paper.
Sights
The croft grounds with its meadows and buildings is a fine example of an agricultural landscape of the days gone by. The main building is open to visitors during the summer. You need to climb stairs to get in.
Trail description
The trail runs from Sammakkoniemi camping site to Linnansaari croft and it is marked with orange circles located on either side of the trail. You will take the same trail back to the starting point, so there is no risk of getting lost.
The trail to the croft has been hardened and widened, thus making it accessible to visitors with prams and in wheelchairs (with assistance). The trail is well-suited for accessible hiking but there are both climbs and descents on the way. Maximum longitudinal slope is more than 20% on a distance of about 10 metres. As you arrive at the croft grounds, the hardened section ends at the smoke sauna of the farm. The rest of the trail (about 40–50 metres) is shallow grass on hard ground with a maximum longitudinal slope of more than 15% and a cross slope of 12%. The grass on the croft grounds may be wet.
Linnonkurkistus - demanding accessible nature trail, 500 m each way
In snow-free season, about 15 min./each direction
The trail has been hardened and widened, thus making it accessible to visitors with prams and in wheelchairs.
Linnonkurkistus trail passes through the camping area and an old, planted spruce forest, continuing the rest of the way through a lush herb-rich forest. The trail is part of the longer Linnonpolku trail, which is not entirely accessible.
Hiking structures
The Sammakkoniemi camping site has a cooking shelter and two campfire sites one of which is covered. The camping site also has a dry toilet. The cooking shelter and dishwashing stations, covered campfire site and dry toilet are all accessible. Read more about the accessibility of the hiking structures and services at Sammakkoniemi.
Sights
Linnonkurkistus offers a glimpse into the lush nature of Linnansaari Island. There are a few nature trail information boards along the route. In the spruce forest, there is an old “turnip pit” next to the trail. During the time of slash-and-burn agriculture, turnips were kept here over the winter.
Trail description
The trail starts from the Sammakkoniemi camping area, and its length from the pier of the regularly scheduled boat is approximately 500 metres. The trail runs approximately 150 metres from the boat drop-off pier to the cooking shelter, where it turns 90° to the left. After this, the trail continues for another 100 metres, winding past camping cottages toward the edge of the forest.
About 250 metres of the trail passes through forest. The trail is marked by orange circles on trees. You will take the same trail back to the starting point, so there is no risk of getting lost.
The trail has been hardened and is approximately 100-130 cm wide, thus making it accessible to visitors with prams and in wheelchairs. The trail is suitable for accessible hiking and crosses fairly flat terrain.
There are some uneven points along the trail and a thick layer of stone ash at its edges, thus making the flat, walkable surface only 60 cm wide. The largest climb is where the Sammakkoniemi camping area begins to turn into a spruce forest. There is a gradual incline of about 50 metres, with the steepest point being approximately 8%. There is also a slight rise at the turnaround point.
Nature trail Linnonpolku 2 km, circle trail
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time approx. 1 hour.
The trail is of medium difficulty. There is some variation in elevation and the trail can be narrow and uneven in some places.
Explore the southern part of Linnansaari Island on the circle trail. A couple kilometres long, the Linnonpolku trail introduces the visitor to the history and natural beauty of Linnansaari Island. The landscape varies from barren rocks to lush groves, and hikers might even catch a glimpse of osprey or white-backed woodpecker.
Hiking structures
Sammakkoniemi Camping has an accessible toilet and two campfire sites, as well as a cooking shelter. Remember to bring along your own toilet paper.
Trail description
The trail is marked with orange circles on trees. The direction of travel is clockwise.
The trail starts at Sammakkoniemi Camping. When travelling clockwise, the first part of the trail runs along rocky terrain close to the shore. Haukivesi and its numerous islands are visible through the trees. After about a kilometre, when coming to the Linnansaarenlampi bridge, turn sharply to the right. The remainder of the trail runs inside the island, bordered by groves and birch forests.
Linnavuori Trail 7 km, circle trail
When there is no snow on the ground, travel time approx. 3-4 hours.
The roots and rockiness of the trail make it challenging. Linnansaarenlampi Pond is crossed on a duckboard bridge with railings. The duckboards can be very slippery when wet. The scenic lookout on Linnavuori Rock is reached by climbing metal stairs.
Hike through the varied forests of Linnansaari Island, from the sun-baked rocks to the cool shade of deciduous woods. You will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the Saimaa archipelago from the top of Linnavuori Rock.
Hiking structures
Sammakkoniemi Camping has a dry toilet and campfire site. There is also a dry toilet and campfire site at the Perpulanluhta excursion harbour.
Sights
You can admire the lake idyll of Haukivesi from the Linnavuori Rock lookout.
Trail description
The trail starts at Sammakkoniemi Camping. The trail is marked with orange circles on trees. The direction of travel is clockwise toward Linnansaari Croft starting from the information board at Sammakkoniemi Camping. There are guide signs at trail crossroads that read "Perpulanluhta" and/or "Linnanvuori". At around the halfway point of the trail, at the Perpulanluhta excursion harbour, you can stop to rest and have a bite to eat.
For variable terrain, you should wear sturdy waterproof shoes, such as all-terrain runners or walking boots.
Other Hiking trails
The Linnansaari circle trail (5.5 km) is a shorter version of the 7 km Linnavuori trail. It will take you around the Linnansaarenlampi Pond, but does not go to the Linnavuori Rock scenic lookout.
The trail runs clockwise, starting from Sammakkoniemi Camping, to which it also returns after circling the pond. The trail is marked with orange circles on trees.
The Linnavuori circle trail (2 km) passes near Linnavuori Rock. The trail is a short combination of other trails and starts from the Perpulanluhta camping area. The trail does not stop at Sammakkoniemi Camping.
