How to get there
Arriving at the Arpainen trail
The Arpainen outdoor and hiking trail consists of more than 50 kilometres of trails in total, ranging from the Ähtäri Zoo all the way to the centre of Soini municipality. The trail network includes three shorter routes: the 3.5 km Kalevin kiekka loop, the 3.4 km Arpaiskämppä wilderness hut – Saarilampi shelter route, and the 0.4 km Arpaiskämppä wilderness hut – Arpainen lake trail. The hub for the outdoor area is the Arpaiskämppä wilderness hut, which is suitable for overnight stays and includes a fireplace, a firewood shed, an outhouse, a sauna by the river, and a firepit. Sleeping in a tent is also permitted in the area. The distance from Arpaiskämppä to Ähtäri Zoo and the centre of Soini municipality is 28 kilometres. Please note, that there is no general winter maintenance on the trails.
Eastern parking lot
(Arpaiskämppä wilderness hut)
The parking lot is located 600 m from the hut on the eastern side of the Arpainen lake.
Address: Arpaistentie 631, Soini
Coordinates: N62 41.665 E24 23.012
Note! Some navigators may show the wrong location
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Instructions:
The distance from the crossroads of highways 18 and 68 in Ähtäri to Arpainen via Myllymäki is 32 km. Drive along the Saarijärventie road from Myllymäki for 1.1 km, turn left onto the Rämäläntie road and keep going for 15 km (Rämäläntie 1500), turn left onto the Arpaistentie road and drive for 500 m, turn right and drive for 4.9 km, turn left and drive 1 km, and you will arrive at the Arpainen eastern parking lot, from where the distance to the wilderness hut is 600 m.
Northern parking lot (Saarilampi shelter)
The parking lot is located south of the Saarilampi shelter, 3.4 km north of the Arpainen wilderness hut.
Address: Haasia-ahontie 400, Soini
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Instructions:
The distance from Soini to this parking lot is 24 km. Coming from Soini, drive down to Multiantie 2030, turn right onto the Ulpassuo road and drive for 4 km, and you will arrive at the parking lot. Another way to get there is by driving along the Haasia-ahontie road for 4 km from Löytömäentie 470.
