This beautiful hike in Teijo National Park, Southern Finland, leads the hiker to lake Sahajärvi. There’s a campfire site on an island in the lake. Visit Teijo!
This nature hike in Teijo National Park, Southern Finland, is a beautiful gem: the route circles around lake Sahajärvi, and there’s a campfire site with an overnight sleeping area on a small island, Kalasuntti, in the middle of the lake. The route leads the hiker on and off the island through a hand-operated cable ferry, a cool experience as such.
Lake Sahajärvi is a narrow and an elongated mid-sized lake, situated right in the middle of Teijo National Park. The lake reaches from almost the seashore in the West to the Eastern national park border. Kalasuntti island sits exactly in the middle of the lake.
The hiking trail encircles the eastern part of the lake through the island. On the northern shore of lake Sahajärvi the hiker comes close to lake Hamarijärvi, the biggest lake of the national park with its rugged cliffs and spectacular views.
This hiking trail consists mostly of forest paths and trails on the lakeshore cliffs. There are some uphills and downhills, and occasionally the trail leads through swamplands. To reach Kalasuntti island the hikers need to operate the cable ferry. There are actually two of them, on both sides of the island. Operating the ferry is fun, but be prepared for some bicep muscle work!
Sahajärven kierros Trail is the longest hiking trail in Teijo National Park, with a distance of 9 kilometers. A good starting point would be the Lavionkallio parking area, about a kilometer away from the Northern cable ferry. Another good starting point would be the Nenustannummi parking area on the Eastern National Park border. From here you will reach the trail immediately.
Sahajärven kierros trail features
There’s a campfire site and a wanderers’ hut on Kalasuntti island. This is a especially beautiful spot to have break and just enjoy the nature. It is allowed to have a sleepover in the doorless hut or build your own tent in the vicinity.
South from lake Sahajärvi, along the hiking trail, there’s an observation deck with an overall view to the national park. And it is a mind-glowingly beautiful one!
The cable ferries are inoperative during winter season, as the lake will freeze.