Talk:Archipelago Trail

Pagebanner change?

Current banner: Boathouses in Hyppeis

Suggested new banner: Ferry passage on the trail

What about changing banner? The current depicts boathouses in Hyppeis of Houtskär, which is on a quite long sidetrip. There are similar boathouses in many locations, but I think there are few by the trail proper. Houtskär lacks pagebanner and I would like to use the banner in that article.

There are seven ferry passages on the trail even without sidetrips, and I suppose I am not the only one who thinks they are an important feature of the trail. The depicted ferry quay is the first you encounter if doing the trail clockwise as suggested.

–LPfi (talk) 12:48, 1 June 2021 (UTC)

Changed. I add the previous one to Houtskär. –LPfi (talk) 08:48, 4 June 2021 (UTC)

To late to comment but both banners look good and are informative, the former is what you can see along the route and the second one is literally much of the route. BTW I do think the article has enough information for guide status. --Ypsilon (talk) 10:08, 5 June 2021 (UTC)

• Banner 2 I like the second one. SHB2000 (talk | contribs | en.wikipedia) 10:33, 5 June 2021 (UTC)

Guide

I agree the article has much information. I have hesitated to upgrade it to guide as I know little about the northern (Finnish speaking) part of the archipelago, and haven't been able to write much about Kustavi, Taivassalo, Velkua, Askainen and Merimasku. I while ago I added enough for the article to be coherent.

It is odd there doesn't seem to be an easy-to-find official website. There are a few websites describing the route, but the ones I have found have grave deficiencies, perhaps because of them not having a real interest in the trail as a whole (it seems some sell space to businesses along the route, without much effort of their own or any ambition on completeness). I found a book, which seems to describe the route and many important sights along the way. It is old, but I think not much has changed regarding the sights (for businesses too much has probably changed). I'll try to lay hands on a copy.

I suppose there are accommodations and restaurants that should be mentioned. Some armchair research might suffice. Fuel stations along the route should probably also be mentioned, and ferries should be checked (I have updated some of them). Perhaps I should make a try at writing Kustavi, Velkua and Vakka-Suomi countryside (now redirects).

–LPfi (talk) 11:48, 5 June 2021 (UTC)

As all (or almost all) places on the itinerary have their own articles, I think the places to eat and sleep should go there, also detailed information about attractions. If fuel stations are sparse in the archipelago (I guess they are?) they can be added to the itinerary article so that voyagers know where they should fill up. --Ypsilon (talk) 12:30, 5 June 2021 (UTC)

It's the northern part that lacks articles (the bluelinks were created as empty stubs, now redirected), so the information needs to be here (unless the articles are written). Where I know the route (or have found information), I have added some suggestions outside the centres. For fuel stations, no, they are not as sparse as I thought, typically 20–30 km it seems. I suppose there is one in nearly all parish villages (a few of which are short sidetrips). –LPfi (talk) 15:03, 5 June 2021 (UTC)

Still, I think it'd be best to create a couple of articles for Kustavi/Gustavs, Taivassalo and so on (or one article including several towns and villages) and place the listings and detailed information there, because from Pargas to Iniö (3/4 of the trip) the islands and former municipalities already have their own articles where you can find detailed listings. Ypsilon (talk) 20:06, 5 June 2021 (UTC)

Yes, having the articles would be good regardless, and if we have the listings, writing the articles as decent outlines wouldn't be difficult. Seems I have to get around to doing it. –LPfi (talk) 06:02, 6 June 2021 (UTC)

Hey, nice work on Kustavi and Vakka-Suomi countryside. I guess Taivassalo and Askainen should redirect to the latter or should they get their own articles? Ps. it's possible that we need a replacement for Heathrow Airport as August's FTT... --Ypsilon (talk) 17:33, 8 June 2021 (UTC)

Thanks. Yes they should be redirected there. It s possible that they could be their own articles, but I am now aiming at getting all the Finland Proper articles to usable, so not breaking out any, unless I happen to find a lot related to some of them. Kustavi had surprisingly much and as it is in the Archipelago Sea and connects to articles about the archipelago (the trail, the fairways, Iniö and Brändö) I am happy it got its own.

August is not too good for the archipelago, as much will be closing down when schools start or at latest in September. These articles should ideally be competing for the May–June slots (May is nice weather-wise, and before people have gotten around to travel, services will be available).

–LPfi (talk) 09:26, 9 June 2021 (UTC)

OK, I figured August and therethrough early September, would still be a last opportunity for the season for this itinerary as the ferry between Houtskär and Iniö (which seems to be essential to completing the itinerary) is still sailing. But let's save the article for 2022 then. Ypsilon (talk) 14:01, 9 June 2021 (UTC)

It would be a last opportunity, but I think it is better to allow readers to go when everything is open all week – and have time to plan their visit. –LPfi (talk) 15:05, 9 June 2021 (UTC)