The Archipelago Trail is one of Finland's best-known archipelago routes. It circles six areas of the Turku archipelago — Pargas, Nagu, Korpo, Houtskär, Iniö and Gustavs — using free road ferries and connection ships. The route can be travelled by car, bike or a combination, in either direction.
This guide helps you plan your trip: the areas along the trail, accommodation, practical ferry links and sights along the way.
The trail runs from the mainland into the archipelago and back. It can be travelled in either direction — from Turku southwest, or from Gustavs northeast. Each area has its own character: the central services in Nagu, the quieter village feel in Korpo, the Swedish-speaking archipelago of Houtskär and Iniö, the long cottage tradition in Gustavs.
Actual distances and seasonal schedules vary. Check exact distances as part of your route planning.
The trail works both for a short weekend and a longer trip. Below are two common itineraries — treat them as suggestions to adapt to your own needs and to the ferry schedules.
Iniö and Gustavs are left out at this pace — the full loop requires a longer trip.
The full loop only works in summer, when the Houtskär–Iniö connection is running.
The trail's road ferries are mostly free of charge and run without reservation. The connection ships — in particular Houtskär–Iniö in summer — require you to check the schedule and possibly book a slot.
See ferries and buses Finferries – schedules ↗ Visit Pargas – Trail ↗
Always check official schedules before travelling. Schedules vary by season.
Each area along the Archipelago Trail has its own accommodation — hotels, B&Bs, apartments and cottages. Choose based on the pace of your trip, the season and how you travel.
Planning a multi-day archipelago trip? Pick a base along the trail or see the whole archipelago overview.
See accommodation in the Turku Archipelago →The trail passes by many stops worth a visit. Below are picks from Nagu Now's own guides — all verified places.
It depends on your goal. A quick loop works in 2–3 nights (Nagu–Korpo–Houtskär), but the full ring via Iniö and Gustavs takes 4–5 nights and works only in summer, when the Houtskär–Iniö connection ship is running.
Yes. The whole route can be driven. The main ferries Lillmälö–Prostvik, Pärnäs–Retais and Galtby–Kittuis are free and require no reservation. The Houtskär–Iniö connection ship, the trail's only seasonal leg, requires you to check the schedule.
The trail's road ferries (Lillmälö–Prostvik, Pärnäs–Retais, Galtby–Kittuis) run frequently and are free of charge. No reservation — you join the queue. Summer weekends can have queues. Houtskär–Iniö and Iniö–Gustavs are connection ships with a less frequent schedule; they may require booking in summer. Always check Finferries schedules.
See the "Where to stay" section above: each of the six areas has its own accommodation guide. Nagu, Korpo and Pargas have the widest accommodation offerings. Houtskär, Iniö and Gustavs offer smaller, quieter alternatives. See the whole archipelago's accommodation →
Yes. The trail can start either from Turku (Pargas–Nagu–Korpo–Houtskär–Iniö–Gustavs) or from Gustavs (the opposite direction). The nature experience is the same in both directions — choose based on schedules or ferry queues.