Hiking & outdoor recreationLength3.3 km
Duration(1 hour)
Degree of difficultyEasy
Walk across the vast forest to a large seita rock, a sacred place for the Sámi. See the historical meadow barn and lime kiln. The information boards on the nature trail tell about the historical sights, forest and aquatic nature, as well as about fishing. This easy nature trail is also suitable for the smallest hikers. Walking is recommended for this trail. The trail has a campfire hut and dry toilets as well as steep metal stairs to Saivojärvi Lake. Äkässaivo and Seitapahta are valuable relic sites. The relics are protected under the Antiquities Act and damaging them prohibited. For example, climbing on the rocky formations is prohibited. Read more about Äkässaivo on its own page.
The trail can only be used during the snow-free season
Circle trailThe recommended direction of travel is clockwise.
Campfire siteAlways check for any wildfire warnings in effect before making a fire.
Camping permittedIn the Special zone, Recreational zone and Cultural zone Camping is permitted only in the vicinity of wilderness huts, campfire huts and campfire sites.
Dry toiletRemember to bring toilet paper.
Remember to bring a trash bagThere are no waste bins on the trail. Bring along your own trash bag and take your waste out with you when leaving.
Contact information
Starting pointÄkäsjoen pysäköintialue
The Äkässaivo relic area is one of Finland’s nationally significant cultural environments. The area is a protected forest established by Metsähallitus. The ground in the area must not be damaged. The relics are protected under the Antiquities Act and damaging them is prohibited. The Antiquities Act prohibits all damage and tampering with relics. Digging of the lake bottom and shores is forbidden, and no objects, stones, wood or other movable objects may be collected from the lake or its environment. Climbing on the rock formations is prohibited to prevent erosion and protect species. If you see old objects in the area, you can take a photograph and the coordinates and send them to the Finnish Heritage Agency. However, do not touch the objects.
From the parking area, start by crossing Aakenuksentie road. Continue into the forest and follow the green Saivonkierros signpost. There are low information boards along the trail that describe the historical sites as well as forest and aquatic nature and fishing. The trail is marked by low posts with orange tops.
The first 500 metres of the trail runs along the right side of Äkäsjoki River in easy forested terrain. The path is rocky in places, and you need to watch your steps carefully. The trail continues left at the crossing. The trail climbs along the river and deeper into a pine forest, where it continues for about 600 metres before arriving at a campfire hut. The total distance travelled is approximately 1.1 km.
The campfire hut has an campfire site, wood shed, dry toilets and an ash shelter. The Äkässaivo relic area is one of Finland’s nationally significant cultural environments. The area is a protected forest established by Metsähallitus. The ground in the area must not be damaged. The relics are protected under the Antiquities Act and damaging them is prohibited. The Antiquities Act prohibits all damage and tampering with relics. Digging of the lake bottom and shores is forbidden, and no objects, stones, wood or other movable objects may be collected from the lake or its environment. Climbing on the rock formations is prohibited to prevent erosion and protect species. If you see old objects in the area, you can take a photograph and the coordinates and send them to the Finnish Heritage Agency. However, do not touch the objects.
From the campfire hut, follow the green Saivonkierros signpost. The trail continues for approximately 35 metres up steep metal stairs and down a more challenging natural trail. You can also make a visit to the shore of Äkässaivo Lake. After Äkässaivo Lake, you cross a mire along wooden duckboards. The Seitapahta seita rock is behind you on the right, and the duckboards provide a good view of it. Along the way, you also pass an old lime kiln site.
After the mire, the trail winds through varied terrain between rocky areas. The trail soon arrives at a lookout point where you can see the remains of a meadow barn in the mire. The distance travelled from the campfire hut to the lookout point is approximately 400 metres. From the meadow barn, the trail continues approximately 400 metres along an easy forested path towards Äkäsjoki River. The trail turns right just before the river. The total distance travelled is approximately 2 km.
The trail turns to the north and continues along Äkäsjoki River, which remains on the left. This section was marked in the fall of 2024, and the route is indicated by posts with orange tops and painted markers; there is no visible path. The trail passes through a pine forest in easy terrain towards the first crossing. The trail continues north from the crossing before you cross Aakenuksentie road and arrive at the parking area. The total distance travelled is approximately 3 km.
End pointÄkäsjoen pysäköintialue