Porvoo Hiking Trails

Iso Linnamäki polku 3 is a very short hiking loop of about 0.1 km on Iso Linnamäki (Great Castle Hill) beside Old Porvoo and the Porvoo River in Porvoo, Uusimaa. Metsähallitus lists this numbered segment on Luontoon.fi for visitors who want the official outdoor trail listing for the crown of the hillfort(5). The City of Porvoo explains how Pikku Linnamäki and Iso Linnamäki fit inside Porvoo National Urban Park and why the earthworks are protected(1). Visit Porvoo still sells the whole hill as a five-minute dash from the old town: weave between rampart lines, cross wooden footbridges over the dry moats, and climb steps toward the views(2). Visit Finland summarises the two castle hills as major ancient monuments, with picnic-friendly Maari Park spread below the slopes(3). Upe Nykänen’s walk story on Retkipaikka follows the classic approach through Maari wetlands and bridges before you reach the fortress earthworks(4). Life à la Sara’s Porvoo day-trip notes recall the climb from Maari parkland to the medieval crown where little timber work survives but the outlook over the river and rooftops remains memorable(6). On the ground, polku 3 is another link-sized loop in the same micro-network as Iso Linnamäki polku 1, Iso Linnamäki polku 2, Iso Linnamäki polku 4, Iso Linnamäki polku 5, Iso Linnamäki alavallin polku, and Iso Linnamäki ylävallin polku—it is not a standalone hike. Linnanmäen heittokenttä, the athletics throwing field just off Linnanmäentie, sits near the path as a handy landmark when you line up the map with the hillside. Most people stitch this minute loop to neighbours on the crown so the visit still feels worthwhile.

Virvikin ulkoilureitti—the Virvik outdoor trail—is about 5.7 km through Porvoo’s Virvik recreation area in Uusimaa, southeast of the city centre. The City of Porvoo lists the Virvik area with a disc golf course, swimming beach, nature trail, golf course, café-restaurant, and this longer outdoor route; the same pages link to a printable map PDF for the trail layout and parking(1). The official outdoor-trails listing describes the route for hiking, trail running, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and backcountry skiing, with access from parking at the sand pits or from the beach and disc golf parking(1). On the ground, a detailed walk-through on Retkipaikka notes blue paint marks on trees, sandy road crossings, wet mire sections where waterproof boots help, a junction where you can choose loop direction, and a crossing with Virvikin luontopolku where hikers sometimes nip across to see the large glacial erratic on that shorter trail(2). Toward the eastern end of the line on our map you reach Virvik Frisbeegolf, Virvikin uimaranta, and Virvikin rannan nuotiopaikat—disc golf, a public beach, and shoreline campfire spots grouped along Pallograniitintie. Give flying discs a wide berth near the course, then wind down at the beach or fire rings. The separate Virvikin luontopolku is a shorter marked nature loop in the same area with orange markings, information boards, and duckboards in wet spots; the city describes it as roughly 2.5 km and moderately demanding underfoot(3). Porvoo is in Uusimaa. The names Porvoo and Uusimaa appear here in plain form so city and region pages link cleanly.

Iso Linnamäki polku 2 is a very short hiking loop of about 0.1 km on Iso Linnamäki (Great Castle Hill) beside Old Porvoo and the Porvoo River in Porvoo, Uusimaa. It sits inside the same tiny path network as Iso Linnamäki polku 1 through Iso Linnamäki polku 5, Iso Linnamäki alavallin polku on the lower rampart, and the Great Castle Hill upper rampart trail—handy if you want to stitch a few minutes of walking onto a town day without leaving the fortress hill. For the legal protection of the hills and their role in Porvoo National Urban Park, review the City of Porvoo’s significant-sites overview(1). Visit Porvoo promotes Iso Linnanmäki as a quick escape from the old town: concentric paths, footbridges across the dry moats, and wooden steps toward the top views(2). Visit Finland characterises the castle hills as major ancient monuments, with dry moats you can still trace and the picnic-friendly Maari Park spread below the slopes(3). Upe Nykänen’s walk story on Retkipaikka describes the classic approach through Maari’s wetlands and bridges before you reach the earthwork platform(4). Metsähallitus publishes outdoor listings for numbered segments on the same hill; one current example is Iso Linnamäki polku 5 on Luontoon.fi(5). Life à la Sara’s Porvoo day-trip notes recall climbing from Maari parkland to the medieval hillfort crown where little remains of buildings but the views stay striking—another angle on how casual visitors experience the place(6). On the ground, polku 2 is a link-sized loop: think of it as a breath of forest floor between the stronger lines of the lower and upper rampart rings rather than a hike on its own. Linnanmäen heittokenttä, the athletics throwing field just off the path, is a useful landmark when you compare our map to what you see on the hillside. Most people combine this strand with Great Castle Hill upper rampart trail, Iso Linnamäki alavallin polku, or one of the other numbered Iso Linnamäki polku segments so the outing still feels worthwhile.

The marked trail at Varlaxudden is a short coastal walk of about 0.6 km through the southern part of the Varlaxudden recreation area on Emäsalo in Porvoo, Uusimaa. Uudenmaan virkistysalueyhdistys (UUVI) manages the 12-hectare shore site; for closures, fire rules, and winter maintenance, the UUVI Varlaxudden page is the right place to check(1). From Varlaxudden parkkipaikka you soon pass Varlaxudden Kuivakäymälä, then Varlaxudden - Grillikota and Varlaxudden - Nuotiopaikka for a break by the water. Further along, Varlaxudden - Katos and Varlaxudden - Katos & Tulipaikka offer wind shelter and designated fire spots, and the route reaches Varlaxudden - Esteetön katos shelters toward the eastern end (one shelter is associated with Emäsalontie 1390). The terrain here is rocky and uneven compared with the separate accessible loop; if you want a shorter, barrier-free line to Fågelboet cape and shared services, use Esteetön reitti - Varlaxudden on our site as well. Retkipaikka’s Emäsalo series captures the archipelago views, smooth rock shores, and how families use the fireplaces and shelters in practice(2). Visit Finland summarises Varlaxudden as a year-round day-trip destination roughly 25 km south of central Porvoo, with birdwatching and seasonal colour along the Gulf of Finland horizon(3). Stay on marked paths, keep dogs on a lead, and light fires only at signed fireplaces when no wildfire warning is in effect(1). The road in from Emäsalontie is narrow and winding; drive carefully where walkers and cyclists share the lane(1).

The Great Castle Hill lower rampart loop is about 0.4 km on our map: a short circular walk along the outer earthwork ring of Iso Linnamäki (Great Castle Hill), the forested fortress hill just north of Old Porvoo in Uusimaa. For archaeology, access, and how this hill sits inside Porvoo National Urban Park, the City of Porvoo’s notable-sites overview is the clearest official starting point(1). Visit Porvoo summarises the climb from the old town in a few minutes and the maze of paths, footbridges across old ditch lines, and wooden steps toward open views(2). Visit Finland’s Castle Hill article places the visit in the wider national-urban-park frame and names Maari Park at the foot of the hills as a popular picnicking and walking area(3). Along the loop you stay mostly in pine forest on the lower rampart. Near the end of the circuit you pass Linnanmäen heittokenttä on the hillside above the path—a local athletics throwing field that also makes a good landmark when you read the terrain. The Iso Linnamäki trail network on the same hill includes Iso Linnamäki polku 1, Iso Linnamäki polku 2, Iso Linnamäki polku 3, Iso Linnamäki polku 4, Iso Linnamäki polku 5, and the Great Castle Hill upper rampart trail (Iso Linnamäki ylävallin polku), so you can combine this short lower-rampart ring with other marked segments if you want more distance. Independent walk blogs capture the atmosphere of approaching the hill through Maari’s wetlands footbridges and circling the summit with its dry moats and boardwalk crossings—worth a read for photos and pacing tips on a relaxed urban-park outing(4)(5). Porvoo in Uusimaa pairs this hillfort with Old Porvoo’s riverfront on the same visit.

Esteetön reitti – Varlaxudden is a very short, barrier-free walking route on Emäsalo in Porvoo: about 0.4 km to the Fågelboet cape viewpoint over the Gulf of Finland. For map and trail metadata, start with Luontoon.fi(1). Uudenmaan virkistysalueyhdistys maintains the 12-hectare Varlaxudden shore area and describes unobstructed services on the north side, including an easy path of about 350 metres from the northern parking area to shelters and a fire place at the water(2). From Varlaxudden parkkipaikka you reach Varlaxudden Kuivakäymälä almost immediately, then Varlaxudden – Grillikota and Varlaxudden – Nuotiopaikka within the first hundred metres. Further along, Varlaxudden – Katos & Tulipaikka and Varlaxudden – Katos offer wind shelter and seating; at the cape end, Varlaxudden – Esteetön katos pairs accessible shelters with views toward open sea and skerries. The surface is an easy, wide path with duckboards across rocky shore sections and metal ramps onto the flat rock; a winter visit on Retkipaikka describes the duckboards, ramps, and how the shelters sit by the shore(3). The same article notes how exposed bedrock can be slippery when wet or icy, so footwear with grip still matters even on the accessible section(3). Uudenmaan virkistysalueyhdistys stresses that other tracks in the recreation area remain narrow and stony, with hills and slippery rock when wet, so anyone exploring beyond the barrier-free segment should plan for uneven ground(2). The route shares the headland with Merkitty reitti – Varlaxudden, a slightly longer marked hiking line that uses the same parking and many of the same stopping points if you want to extend the outing. Dogs must be kept on a leash in the recreation area(2). Porvoo lies in Uusimaa; Emäsalo is reached by a long, narrow road through the island. The trail is on the north side of the Varlaxudden area before the pilot station at the road end.

The Ekudden nature trail is about 1.5 km in Porvoo, southern Uusimaa, on a private nature reserve roughly three kilometres south of the old town. It threads oak and forest-linden grove, spruce and pine forest, coastal rocks and small meadows, with wide reed beds opening toward the estuary from the Ekudden bird tower. For closures, reserve rules, and the clearest visitor guidance, start with the City of Porvoo’s Ekudden trail page(1). The larger Porvoonjoen suisto–Stensböle Natura 2000 area—including deciduous groves the authorities highlight near Ekudden—is described on ymparisto.fi(2). On foot you follow a field ditch into the woods, pass multilingual interpretation boards about the Stensböle reserve and farm history (the land is held by the Swedish Literature Society in Finland), and climb the bird tower over rustling reeds and coastal meadows. Dry footing is not guaranteed: roots, wet spots, and fallen trunks appear along the path, and narrow duckboards show their age in places. Sturdy footwear is the practical choice. Upe Nykänen’s Retkipaikka walk-through captures how slowly the kilometres pass when you stop for lilies of the valley, lichens on seaside rocks, and the view toward Sikosaari across the water—worth a read if you want a feel for pacing and season(3). Mountain biking, motor vehicles, and open fires are not allowed on the reserve; dogs must stay on leash(1)(3). Near the sports area, the walk connects to everyday Porvoo: you begin from the ball field beside Tarkkisten hiekkakenttä, where parking spreads along Tarkkistentie(3). Finnish media in 1999 covered the opening and a printed brochure for the trail, part of the EU Stensböle–Porvoonjoki Life project with Porvoo, Itä-Uusimaa Regional Council, and Uusimaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment(4)(5).

Iso Linnamäki polku 1 is a very short hiking loop on Iso Linnamäki (Great Castle Hill) beside Old Porvoo and the Porvoo River in Porvoo, Uusimaa. It is the first numbered strand in the same compact path network as Iso Linnamäki polku 2 through Iso Linnamäki polku 5, Iso Linnamäki alavallin polku on the lower rampart ring, and Iso Linnamäki ylävallin polku on the upper earthwork—ideal if you want a few quiet minutes on the medieval fortress crown during a town visit. For how the hills are protected and why they matter inside Porvoo National Urban Park, start from the City of Porvoo’s significant-sites overview(1). Visit Porvoo promotes Iso Linnanmäki as a quick break from the old town: concentric paths, footbridges over the dry moats, and wooden steps toward open views(2). Visit Finland stresses the monument scale of the castle hills—bridges across the old moats, twisted landmark pines, and Maari Park below for picnics(3). Upe Nykänen’s walk on Retkipaikka describes the classic approach through Maari’s wetlands and small bridges before you climb to the earthwork platform(4). Metsähallitus lists numbered outdoor segments on the same hill on Luontoon.fi; a current example is Iso Linnamäki polku 5(5). Life à la Sara’s Porvoo day-trip notes describe stepping up from Maari parkland onto the hillfort crown where timber buildings no longer stand but the river-and-rooftop views remain strong(6). On the ground, polku 1 is intentionally bite-sized: forest tread on the crown with the same moat crossings and short climbs you meet on neighbouring strands. Linnanmäen heittokenttä, the athletics throwing field just above Linnanmäentie, sits near the line and helps orient our map against what you see on the hillside. Most visitors chain this loop with Iso Linnamäki ylävallin polku, Iso Linnamäki alavallin polku, or another Iso Linnamäki polku segment so the outing still feels rewarding.

Iso Linnamäki ylävallin polku is a very short hiking loop of about 0.3 km along the upper earthworks of Iso Linnamäki, the great castle hill beside Old Porvoo and the Porvoo River in Porvoo, Uusimaa. For protection status and the hill’s place in Porvoo National Urban Park, start with the City of Porvoo’s significant-sites overview(1). Visit Porvoo pitches the castle hills as a quick workout from the old town: concentric paths, footbridges across the dry moats, and wooden steps up to the top(2). Visit Finland’s castle-hill listing adds texture—twisted-root pines, bridges over the old moats, and Maari Park at the foot of the hills for picnics(3). Upe Nykänen’s piece on Retkipaikka captures how visitors reach the hill through Maari’s wetlands, cross a small arch bridge, climb stairs, and finally cross the moat on wooden footbridges before standing on the medieval fortress platform(4). At the wooded crown of Iso Linnamäki, this loop connects in place to the other Iso Linnamäki mikropaths: Iso Linnamäki polku 1 through Iso Linnamäki polku 5 plus Iso Linnamäki alavallin polku on the lower rampart ring—together they make a tiny trail network for mixing history with a town walk. Near the line you also pass Linnanmäen heittokenttä, the throwing field just off the path, handy as a landmark when reading the map. Porvoo spreads below the ramparts; wider views toward the cathedral and river are often easier a little down the slope than right on the summit, matching what many visitors describe after climbing the upper ring.

Uuvi publishes the main visitor guide for Pirttisaari, including access, services, and safety rules for the island recreation and nature protection area(1). Retkipaikka’s day-hike write-up from Pirttisaari captures how the forest paths and cart tracks link Svartviken and the southern cliffs, and what it feels like to walk between the two(2). Kipparilehti’s harbour feature describes the same southward walk from the boat harbour toward Lerviksudden and the open sea views toward Söderskär(3). The Svartviken–Lerviksudden trail is about 2 km point to point on Pirttisaari in the Porvoo archipelago, Uusimaa. It runs between Svartviken on the east side of the island and Lerviksudden at the southern tip, where the widest sea views open. The terrain mixes easy, shady forest paths and cart tracks with open rocky ground; the route is short enough for a relaxed outing but sturdy footwear helps on rock and roots. From Svartviken you pass near the deep-draft guest harbour and mooring facilities, a campfire ring, and the Pirttisaari nuotiokehä area. Dry toilets are available in the Svartviken area and again at Onas Kuivakäymälä and near Lerviksudden. At the south end, Lerviksudden Rantautumispaikka and the Lerviksudden - Keittokatos give paddlers and hikers a place to land and a wind shelter for cooking and breaks. The route connects to Pirttisaaren yhdysreitit and Reitti Koululaiturilta Lerviksuddeniin at the same junction area around Svartviken and Lerviksudden, so you can extend the walk or combine approaches from the school jetty or other island trails. Respect private yards and the Byviken village when walking between the jetty and the recreation paths. Fires are only allowed at marked campfire sites, and must not be lit during wildfire warnings. Dogs must be on a leash. There is no well on the recreation area—carry drinking water. Stay clear of military structures and the fire-control tower surroundings, where vandalism has left debris including glass.

Great Castle Hill trail 5 (Iso Linnamäki polku 5) is a very short hiking loop of about 0.1 km on Iso Linnamäki, the large medieval hillfort beside Old Porvoo and the Porvoo River in Porvoo, Uusimaa. This segment is one of the numbered micro-paths on the wooded fortress crown; the trail-specific outdoor listing is on Luontoon.fi(1). The City of Porvoo describes Pikku Linnamäki’s Iron Age burial ground and Iso Linnamäki as Finland’s largest ancient hillfort, in use from about 700 CE through the 1300s, with the hills protected under the Archaeological Act(2). Visit Porvoo highlights Iso Linnanmäki as a quick escape from the old town: concentric paths, footbridges over dry moats, and wooden steps toward viewpoints over the rooftops(3). Visit Finland adds practical colour—twisted pines, bridges over the old moats, and Maari Park at the foot of the hills for picnics(4). Upe Nykänen’s Porvoo National Urban Park walk on Retkipaikka describes approaching through Maari’s wetlands, crossing a small arch bridge, climbing stairs, and crossing moats on wooden footbridges before standing on the medieval fortress platform—useful context for how these short paths feel underfoot(5). On the ground, this loop ties together the other Iso Linnamäki strands: Iso Linnamäki polku 1, Iso Linnamäki polku 2, Iso Linnamäki polku 3, Iso Linnamäki polku 4, Iso Linnamäki ylävallin polku on the upper earthwork, and Iso Linnamäki alavallin polku on the lower rampart ring—handy when you want history in bite-sized pieces. Linnanmäen heittokenttä, the municipal throwing field off Linnanmäentie, sits a short distance from the line and works well as a landmark when reading the map.

Uuvi publishes the main visitor guide for Pirttisaari, covering ferry access from Byviken school jetty, cart tracks and paths toward the south of the island, and the rules that protect residents and the shared recreation and nature protection area(1). Retkipaikka’s day-hike article follows the same approach from the old school landing through signposted junctions toward Lerviken and the southern cliffs, with practical notes on what you pass along the way(2). Kipparilehti’s harbour feature describes walking from the boat harbour area southward through forest toward Lerviksudden and the open sea views toward Söderskär(3). The route from Koululaituri to Lerviksudden is about 2.3 km point to point on Pirttisaari in the Porvoo archipelago, Uusimaa. It is the land leg that connects the Byviken school jetty, where connection-vessel passengers step ashore, to Lerviksudden at the island’s southern tip. The walking is mostly easy forest path and cart track through Byviken’s yards and woodland, then opens onto rocky ground with the widest sea views at the south end. You start beside Pirttisaari lossi at the jetty. After roughly one kilometre of walking you reach the Pirttisaari nuotiokehä campfire circle and the nearby Pirttisaari WC (3kpl) service point; dry toilets sit close to the fire ring area. A little farther along, Pirttisaaren Rantautumispaikka melojille gives kayakers a marked landing on the shore. Near the finish, Onas Kuivakäymälä serves the trail corridor before Lerviksudden Rantautumispaikka and Lerviksudden - Keittokatos at the cape— a wind shelter for cooking and breaks above the cliffs. The same junction network ties into Pirttisaaren yhdysreitit around Svartviken and Lerviksudden, Reitti Svartvikenistä Lerviksuddeniin along the eastern shore, and the long paddling route Kalkstrand–Bodö–Pirttisaari Lossi -reitti, which uses the same Pirttisaari lossi as one of its ferry links. Respect private courtyards and gardens: routes from the jetties pass close to homes, so keep noise down and leave no litter(1). Fires are allowed only at built campfire sites and are banned entirely during wildfire warnings. Dogs must be on a leash. Carry drinking water—there is no well on the recreation area. Stay away from military heritage structures and the fire-control tower surroundings, where vandalism has left glass and other debris(1).

Virvik Nature Trail is a compact forest and rock loop of about 2.7 km on municipal outdoor land southeast of Porvoo centre, beside Virvik Golf. Porvoo lies in Uusimaa. The walk mixes low knolls, spruce forest, and an open bog edge, with bilingual Finnish–Swedish nature boards along the way(1). For up-to-date wording on length, markings, and conditions, use the City of Porvoo’s Virvikin luontopolku page(1). The City of Porvoo describes orange paint spots and ribbons, boardwalks in the wettest spots, and fairly demanding stretches where you should wear proper boots; rubber boots can help after rain(1). Retkipaikka’s Luontopolkumies walk-through notes red paint blazes in places, extra boardwalks added since earlier visits, a short optional spur onto an old forest-fire clearing, and crossing lines shared with the blue-marked Virvikin ulkoilureitti before the route returns along Virvikintie and the golf edge(2). A standout stop is Virvikin jättiläinen, a large glacial erratic boulder partway around the loop(1)(2). The nature trail itself does not centre on a campfire, but the wider Virvik area fits easily into a longer day outdoors. Virvikin uimaranta is a sea beach roughly a kilometre away, with Virvik Frisbeegolf and Virvikin rannan nuotiopaikat nearby on the longer marked recreation route. See our pages for Virvikin uimaranta, Virvik Frisbeegolf, and Virvikin rannan nuotiopaikat for amenities. Virvikin uimaranta listings note free parking by the shore, changing rooms and outdoor toilets in season, and a picnic and grill area where you bring your own firewood(3). If you combine both marked routes, watch for the colour change from the nature trail markings to the blue blazes of Virvikin ulkoilureitti at crossings(2).

Great Castle Hill trail 4 (Iso Linnamäki polku 4) is an extremely short hiking strand on Iso Linnamäki, the large medieval hillfort beside Old Porvoo and the Porvoo River in Porvoo, Uusimaa. It works as a tiny forest-floor link between the other numbered micro-paths on the fortress crown; the trail-specific listing is on Luontoon.fi(1). The City of Porvoo summarises Pikku Linnamäki’s Iron Age burial ground and Iso Linnamäki as Finland’s largest ancient hillfort, in use from about 700 CE through the 1300s, with protection under the Archaeological Act(2). Visit Porvoo pitches Iso Linnanmäki as a quick workout or quiet wander from the old town: concentric paths, footbridges over dry moats, and wooden steps toward viewpoints(3). Visit Finland notes the twisted landmark pine, bridges over old moats, and Maari Park for picnics at the foot of the hills(4). Upe Nykänen’s Retkipaikka walk through Porvoo National Urban Park describes crossing Maari’s wetlands, a small arch bridge, stairs, and moat crossings—helpful atmosphere for how these short treads feel(5). Because this line sits only about 40 metres along from Linnanmäen heittokenttä, the municipal throwing field off Linnanmäentie makes a practical map landmark. Tie it together with Iso Linnamäki polku 1, Iso Linnamäki polku 2, Iso Linnamäki polku 3, Iso Linnamäki polku 5, Iso Linnamäki ylävallin polku on the upper earthwork, and Iso Linnamäki alavallin polku on the lower rampart ring for a longer circuit.

Pirttisaari connecting trails is roughly 1.8 km of one-way shoreline walking on Pirttisaari in the Porvoo archipelago, Uusimaa. The island’s outdoor and nature conservation areas are managed by Metsähallitus and Uuvi together; planning details for the destination appear on Luontoon.fi(1) and Uuvi’s Pirttisaari pages(2). On our map the route starts at Pirttisaari lossi—where the long Kalkstrand–Bodö–Pirttisaari Lossi -reitti water connection meets the island—and follows the Svartviken side past Pirttisaaren Rantautumispaikka melojille, Pirttisaari nuotiokehä, Pirttisaari Svartvikenin kiinnityspaikka (6 kpl), Pirttisaari Poiju (3kpl), Pirttisaari Laituri, and Pirttisaaren vierasvenelaituri (Svartviken), then continues toward Onas Kuivakäymälä and Lerviksudden - Keittokatos where the gravel shore link opens onto sea cliffs and the cooking shelter area. The segment fits between the fuller marked walks Reitti Svartvikenistä Lerviksuddeniin and Reitti Koululaiturilta Lerviksuddeniin: use it when you want a short waterfront link with kayak landings, moorings, and campfire infrastructure rather than only the inland forest loop from Byviken school jetty. Dry toilets are available near Pirttisaari nuotiokehä and elsewhere along the main shore facilities. Retkipaikka’s Pirttisaari article, produced with Visit Porvoo, describes wooden trail signs at the first junctions, easy walking through mixed forest and rock, and how Lerviksudden’s shelter frames open Gulf of Finland views toward Söderskär while Svartviken stays a favourite stop for boat traffic(3). Open fire is only allowed at marked fireplaces when no wildfire warning is in force, dogs must be on a leash, and wild camping is not permitted on the Metsähallitus-managed part of the island(2). Visitors should carry drinking water because the recreation area has no wells(2). Wet rock and smooth cliff shelves beside the shore can be slippery(2). Dedicated YouTube searches did not surface a clip that focuses on this exact 1.8 km connector; wider Pirttisaari trip videos show the general archipelago setting.