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Lake Saimaa Islands Tour 158 km, 5 days/4 nights, self-guided
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The blue, glimmering Lake Saimaa is the largest lake in Finland. The route circles its eastern shores. The route jumps from one island to another on bridges, by boat taxis and ferry. Near the Russian border, the cities of Imatra and Lappeenranta buzz with life in the summer.
Tampere–Helsinki 242 km, 6 days/5 nights, self-guided
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The most charming bicycle route, which connects different, wonderful waterways to each other. The trip starts along the Tammerkoski Rapids, followed by several lakes; at the end, they change into a river that runs into a bay in the sea. The most interesting cities in Finland add some spice to the trip.
LAPPeeNRANTA – LAPPeeNRANTA
TAMPeRe–HeLSINKI
5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS
6 DAYS/5 NIGHTS
158 KM
242 KM
eASY
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There are hardly any uphill sections on the way. There are only a few services available between Utula and Ruokolahti. Take drinking water and food with you. Boat transportations, have to be booked in advance: Taipalsaari Kyläniemi Tel. +358 (0)400 886 903 Utula Härskilänsaari Tel. +358 (0)400 456 819 Lappeenranta Region tourist information Tel. +358 (0)5 667 788 lappeenranta@gosaimaa.com Imatra Region tourist information Tel. +358 (0)5 2352 330 imatra@gosaimaa.com www.gosaimaa.com Closest airport: Lappeenranta Train: Helsinki–Lappeenranta, 2 h 10 min express bus: Helsinki–Lappeenranta, 4 h 20 min
Day 1. Lappeenranta–Taipalsaari, 32 km The trip begins from the city harbour along the shores of Lake Saimaa to the Luukkaansalmi Bridge, which is the most popular vantage point in the city. The dazzling views over Lake Saimaa also attract bird watchers.
The start of the trip is hilly. Otherwise the trip is along an even and mostly paved road.
Accommodation www.saimaanranta.fi | www.hostelmansikka.com | www.rantatupa.net | www.maamiehenmajat.com | www.paivolanratsutila.fi
Tampere Tourist Information Tel. 358 (0)3 5656 6800 visittampere@visittampere.fi
Day 2. Taipalsaari-Utula, 34 km You cross Lake Saimaa in a boat taxi and, on a bright day, the horizon is dozens of kilometres away. The trip continues through islands on a quiet road towards the mainland, which you can reach by ferry. The long sandy beaches are excellent places for a rest. Accommodation www.kesaranta.com | Utulan kylätupa utulanseutu@gmail.com | Maatilamatkailu Hertta, Tel.+358 (0)40 0524 633
Day 3. Utula–Ruokolahti, 29 km After crossing a narrow sound, you continue amidst rural scenery. Glimpses of Lake Saimaa peek through the pine forest every now and then. Along the way, you can find rock paintings from thousands of years ago. Ruokolahti is a small village. Stop by to see the old church and its wooden bell tower. Accommodation www.rantalinna.eu | www.saimaanlomahovi.fi | www.gosaimaa.com
Day 4. Ruokolahti–Imatra, 18 km The City of Imatra is known for its forest industry, and you can see the imposing silhouette of its factories. On the way, there is the Church of the Three Crosses, designed by the famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. In Imatra, there are the well-known Imatrankoski Rapids. Accommodation www.gosaimaa.com
Day 5. Imatra–Lappeenranta, 45 km The last section connects the cities of Imatra and Lappeenranta. In Finland, nature and the countryside are always close by, and there is no shortage of beaches for swimming on the shores of Lake Saimaa. There are large tourist attractions on the route. Accommodation www.gosaimaa.com
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Note. Along the way, there are amazing beaches for swimming in the clear waters of Lake Saimaa. The 1½-km long Huuhanranta beach is one of the longest sandy beaches of Lake Saimaa. The rocky islets and sandy beaches can be yours and yours alone, with no other company than the lapping waves and the sound of birds. There are also public beaches along the route, with services that even include saunas.
Day 1. Tampere–Valkeakoski, 45 km From the beautiful park scenery of the Tammerkoski Rapids, you plunge through dense inhabitation into the middle of fertile farmlands. Valkeakoski is located on the banks of rapids. Day 2. Valkeakoski-Iittala–Hämeenlinna, 49 km The highlights of the day are the bridges of Sääksmäki, which rise up high above the Lake Vanajavesi, and its scenery is unsurpassed in its beauty. The most famous glassworks in Finland are located in Iittala. You arrive at Hämeenlinna along a road surrounded by golf courses in a parkland atmosphere. You can see the glimmer of the lovely Lake Vanajavesi on the right before arriving at the city centre. Day 3. Hämeenlinna–Hyvinkää, 50 km From Hämeenlinna, you come into the middle of fertile farmland. The route winds its way through forests and fields before it arrives at Hyvinkää. In Hyvinkää, you should visit Sveitsi, Hyvinkää’s own nature park, with its many paths.
Hämeenlinna Tourist Information Tel. +358 (0)3 6213 373 tourist.info@hameenlinna.fi Helsinki City Tourist Information Tel. +358 (0)9 3101 3300 tourist.info@hel.fi Closest airport: Helsinki and Tampere Train: Helsinki–Tampere 1 h 45 min. The railway follows the cycling route, there are many stations along the way. express bus: Helsinki–Tampere 2 h 30 min
Day 4. Hyvinkää–Järvenpää, 29 km Via the Kellokoski ironworks area, you reach Järvenpää and the cultural history in the scenery around Lake Tuusulanjärvi, where several prominent persons in Finnish art, music and literature have found inspiration. In the evening you can, for example, enjoy a smoke sauna. Day 5. Tuusulanjärven kierros, 24 km One of the most popular bicycle routes in Finland goes around the lake. On the way, there are many important sights to visit. Day 6. Järvenpää–Helsinki, 45 km From Lake Tuusulanjärvi, you follow the lush banks of the Vantaa River to the Vanhakaupunki Rapids. The rapids run into the sea, and following the sea shore, you continue through the Arabianranta park towards the city centre. Visit www.outdoorsfinland.com /106
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