Excursion to the National Park
Daily between 15th May and 31st October.
The excursion to the national park takes you on a self-guided trip to the magnificent archipelago of Lake Saimaa every day. The journey starts with the traditional white-sided cruiser, M/S Puijo, departing from Järvisydän. The cruise heads from Järvisydän to the labyrinthine archipelago of Linnansaari, the home waters of the Saimaa ringed seal.
There are two islands on the excursion:
1. KAARNETSAARI
First on the journey is Kaarnetsaari, a trip that takes about 15 minutes from Järvisydän. The boat briefly stops at the island on the way to Linnansaari and back to Järvisydän. The island features nature trails, the Finnish Wildlife AR nature trail, fire pits, outhouses, and a summer café.
2. LINNANSAARI
After Kaarnetsaari, the journey continues to Linnansaari, where we dock at Linnavuori pier. From the pier, you have the opportunity to walk to Linnavuori, the national park’s most magnificent viewpoint. From the hilltop, you can admire the landscape of Lake Saimaa far across the labyrinthine archipelago. There are also nature trails around the island and to the nearby camping area of Perpulanluhta.
The duration of the cruise from Järvisydän to Linnansaari is 45 minutes each way. The island excursion time is 45 minutes, during which the boat waits at the pier.
Note: On windy days (over 5m/s), we dock at the southwest end of Linnansaari, at the boat pier. During this time, you can visit the Sammakkoniemi camping area, the quarry museum cottage, or explore nature trails. Island excursion time is 45 minutes, during which the boat waits at the pier.
Longer stays on the island:
If you want to spend a longer day on the island or even stay overnight, you can return to Järvisydän on a later boat or the next day. There are 3km, 5.5km, and 7.5km nature trails on the island. The Sammakkoniemi camping area offers a summer kiosk, a reservation sauna, a well, and an eco-hostel. Near Sammakkoniemi, you can also find the Louhimaan museum cottage, where the courtyard and surroundings are maintained to preserve biodiversity through burning, mowing, and grazing sheep. Admission to the museum is free.
The excursion to the national park is suitable for the whole family. You can also bring your dog on the trip (remember that dogs must always be kept on a leash in the national park). Drinks and snacks are available for purchase on the boat.
Schedule:
Spring season 15.5.-20.6.2024
Departure from Järvisydän at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Departure from Linnansaari at 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
Departure from Kaarnetsaari to Järvisydän around 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM.
*the ship does not stop at Kaarnetsaari in May
Summer season 21.6.-31.8.2024
Departure from Järvisydän at 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 6:00 PM.
Departure from Linnansaari at 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 7:30 PM.
Departure from Kaarnetsaari to Järvisydän at 12:30 PM, 4:30 PM and 8:00 PM
Autumn season 1.9.-31.10.2024
Departure from Järvisydän at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Departure from Linnansaari at 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
Departure from Kaarnetsaari to Järvisydän around 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM.
Make sure you take all the trash etc. with you when leaving Linnansaari as there is no waste management. Biodegradable products can be discarded in the outhouse.
**You can choose Trip to the National Park as your activity, included in some of our holiday packages.