The Archipelago Trail – Visit Parainen (2024)

For over 25 years, the Archipelago Trail has been a popular destination among both cyclists and motorists, thanks to the easily accessible archipelago experience it offers. The islands along the route provide charming accommodations, delicious archipelago flavors, fantastic family-friendly activities, historical sights, and beautiful nature trails. Traveling around the trail is free, except for one fee-based ferry between Houtskär and Iniö.

The route is an experience for all kinds of travelers and can be traveled by any means of transport – whether by bike, on foot, by bus, motorcycle, or car!

Ferries: 0

The Archipelago Trail starts at Turku Cathedral. From here, you cycle towards the centre of Kaarina where there are many shops, cafes and lunch restaurants and a lovely beach. This is almost half way at 10km.
After Kaarina head towards the archipelago road nr. 180 (Skärgårdsvägen), which takes you to Pargas.
There is a separate cycle path the whole way to Pargas and one kiosk serving refreshments on the way. There are charming cafes in Pargas centre for cakes or meals as well as well stocked shops and a wide service provision.
Pargas is a municipality that consists of many islands and islets, population 12 200. Pargas is built on three elements: the city centre, the countryside and the archipelago. You can experience everything from beautiful nature to historical sites and buildings, also Finlands biggest open quarry that mines limestone in Pargas centre. The mining industry has always been an important industry in Pargas and it still plays a big part as an employer.

Ferries: 1 (10min, up to 4 departures per hour)

Stock-up onlocally produced products for a picnic before you leave Pargas. There is a separate cycle path the whole way to the first ferry in Lillmälö with a smooth asphalt surface except for the last 4km, which is gravel.
The charming cottages at Sattmark are half way to the ferry, enjoy a refreshment at the summer café and the possibility to buy fresh smoked fish.
After a further 8km, the ferry from Lillmälö to Prostvik takes 10 minutes and departs every 15minutes. There are kiosks in both harbours.
It is a 20km cycle to Nagu village or 15km if you stay on the main road. Both options are tarmacked.
Nagu village is very lively in the summer with many stalls, shops and restaurants. It is also one of Finland’s largest pleasure boat marinas.
You can follow the life of painter Victor Westerholm on the cultural path that starts from the southern harbour.

Ferries: 1 (5min)

From Nagu village cycle along Norrstrandsvägen, which is a winding dirt road with some self-service farm kiosks selling fresh potatoes, tomatoes and other products. Weigh your purchase, write it up in the notepad and leave the appropriate amount in the cash box.
The main Archipelago road is an alternative; it is tarmacked but narrow and busy.
There is a summer restaurant and kiosk at Pärnäs ferry pier. The ferry has regular departures and the crossing takes 5mins.
Pärnäs is also the departure point for the ferry to the outer archipelago islands of Utö, Jurmo, Aspö, Nötö.
On Korpo you immediately get more of an archipelago feeling as the road is smaller. It is a 10km cycle to Korpo village. You pass the village of Österretais on the way with a barefoot culture-path, restaurant, hotel and Bed& Breakfast.
Korpo has a supermarket, shops, tourist information, restaurant and beach. There is also a restaurant before the village in Verkan marina.

Ferries: 2 (Houtskär-Iniö 1h + a short crossing from Skagen on Iniö)

Enjoy the one hour crossing from Mossala to Iniö.
On Iniö the roads are narrow but there is little traffic. Iniö consists of over 1000 islets and skerries and out of all these islets only 10 are inhabited all year round. Iniö has about 210 inhabitants but in the summer the population multiplies
You will find a shop, restaurant, café and newly renovated marina in Iniö Norrby (the main village). More services and attractions can befound here.
The nature trail in Norrby takes you to Kasberget, which is Iniös highest point with its 40 meters above the sea level. From Kasberget you will get a nice view over the islets that Iniö consists of and if the weather is clear can you see the mainland and also the island Brandö that belongs to Åland.
Stay and enjoy the peace and nature of Iniö or take the next ferry fromKannvikto the mainland with up to 8 departures a day.

Ferry: 2 (a short ferry on Iniö, the Iniö-Gustavs ferry takes 30 minutes)

From the center of Iniö, it's 6 km to the Kannvik ferry dock. Here, there is a small ferry on the way. From Kannvik to Gustavs (Heponiemi harbor), there is a ferry that takes 25 minutes.
From Heponiemi harbor, continue on road 1922 (Iniövägen) towards the intersection with Gustavsvägen (road 192). Along the way, you'll find Kustavin savipaja, a craft village, and Laura Peterzen's studio with a restaurant, shop, and guest harbor. If you wish, you can take a detour to the center of Gustavs where there are shops, restaurants, and accommodation options.
From the intersection with Gustavsvägen, it's approximately 10 km to Tövsala. Along the way, there is a service station and a store, and after Kaitais bridge, there is a kiosk with a rest area.

Ferry: 1 or 0

Longer route, along the road without a ferry: From Tövsala to Merimasku, take the northern route by continuing along the fairly narrow Gustavsvägen all the way to Mietoinen. You can stop in Villnäs and take a detour to the impressive Villnäs Castle. From the sandy road leading to Villnäs Castle, you'll also reach a beach. From Villnäs to Merimasku along the fairly narrow Velkuavägen is about 15 km. If you're cycling, it's recommended to go via Merimaskuvägen as it's actually a few kilometers shorter than the car route. However, note that Merimaskuvägen is mostly unpaved.

Shorter route, with ferry (for light traffic only!): From Tövsala center towards Hakkenpää, there's a cycle path that ends shortly after the center. The rest of the way, road number 1961 (Hakkenpäävägen), is narrow. At Hakkenpää harbor, there are facilities including toilets and a beach. Note that this ferry does not transport cars, only light traffic! Familiarize yourself with the schedule, as the ferry does not operate frequently. The crossing takes 45 minutes. In Teersalo harbor, there are good services, including the Kummeli service house. Nearby, there's also a beach. From Teersalo, it's about 18 km to Merimasku.

No ferry

In Merimasku center, there is a shop, a restaurant, etc. Along the road to Luonnonmaa, there is also a cycle path. After that, cyclists must pedal along the roadside, which is fairly wide.
It's definitely worth stopping in Naantali. Here, you'll find all the services you might need. Near the center, there are 3 beaches.

Then please don't hesitate to contact our tourist information!

+358 40 0117 123
visit@pargas.fi