The new electric ferry gives you a new way to experience the Kvarken Archipelago World Heritage Site
The new electric ferry across Korsbådafjärden along the renewed hiking trail between Björkö and Panike is now in use. The inauguration of the renewed Björkö-Panike hiking trail was celebrated on Saturday 29 June.
Building an electric ferry in the World Heritage Site required completely new solutions, including developing a self-sufficient energy supply for the ferry. The solar-powered cable ferry will have a driver during the first summer, but in the future the hikers themselves will operate the automatic cable ferry.
“The electric ferry will give hikers a more varied and extensive opportunity to hike the trails in the Kvarken Archipelago World Heritage Site. The new routes make it easy for visitors to choose different lengths of hikes according to their interests and abilities,” says Teemu Rauhala, Recreation Specialist at Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services.
In addition to the ferry, the entire hiking route has been developed, two brand new nature trails and two rest areas have been opened. The entire route has also been upgraded with new footbridges, signs and trail markings. Accessibility has been improved with a new accessible section of the trail, a nature platform and an accessible viewing platform.
In 2020, Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services received additional funding of EUR 600,000 from the Finnish Parliament to implement the development plan for the Björkö-Panike hiking trail in the Kvarken Archipelago World Heritage Site. The aim of the trail renewal has been to diversify services for tourists and hikers and to increase accessibility.
The Korsbådafjärden ferry can accommodate 30 people at a time and the ferry journey takes about 15 minutes. A driver will be on site this summer.
The Björkö-Panike ferry can be used as follows:
29 June-15 August 2024 every day from 10.00-18.00
16.8-30.9.2024 Saturdays and Sundays 10.00-18.00
Weather reservation: possible restrictions due to wind and water level. Hikers can check the ferry situation for the day at the Kvarken Archipelago Visitor Centre World Heritage Gateway, tel. 050 346 6200.
