FINLAND -- ISLAND HOPPING BY BICYCLE IN THE TURKU ARCHIPELAGO
ISLAND HOPPING BY BICYCLE IN THE TURKU ARCHIPELAGO
The Turku archipelago are one of Finland's most stunning natural phenomena - 20 000 islands stretching out into the sea from the city of Turku in the country's south-west. Cycling a circular route around the main islands is made easy, and exciting, by a system of local ferry services, constantly going back and forth acting like bridges. As well as the fun of the ferries, there are also picturesque harbour villages to visit, and the true peace of the nature. The tour starts and ends in Turku - the former capital of Finland, and a bustling, attractive market town.
This Island Hopping route can be combined with, Island Hopping through the
Aland Islands, a beautiful
collection of unspoilt islands located between Finland and Sweden,
and easily reached by daily ship. See below for further details of
the Island Hopping in Aland Island tour, either as an extension to
the Turku Archipelago tour, or as a tour in its own right starting
and ending in either Stockholm, or Turku.
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| Length: | 5 nights / 6 days - this can be extended with extra nights along the route, or at the beginning and end, to make a tour length to suit your needs |
| Average Cycling: | 45km per day |
| Maximum day: | 65km? |
| Difficulty rating: | Easy-medium: generally easy, but with occasional rolling sections |
DAY 1
Personal arrival to Turku, Finland's oldest city, reached by a variety of means : by air via Helsinki, by sea from Stockholm, by 2 hour train from Helsinki, or via the port of Hanko with ferries to Germany.
Overnight in Turku centre BB basis - lots of nearby restaurants to choose from for dinner
DAY 2 Turku-Kustavi approx. 65km
Collect your bike from close to the hotel and enjoy a ride around the historic city with its medieval castle, cathedral, and riverside cycle paths. Continue by bike via nearby Naantali. Soon after Naantali the island-hopping begins, first with a stunning ride across the bridge to Merimasku and then take a break from peddling with a relaxing 45 minute ferry journey Continue on by bike to your overnight hotel.
Overnight in a seaside guest house (no private bathrooms). Dinner at nearby ā la carte harbour restaurant.
DAY 3 Kustavi-Iniö-Houtskä-Korppoo-Nauvo approx. 60km
Main island-hopping day with seven ferry journeys today as the real heart of the archipelago is reached. The tiny peaceful island of Iniö is the remotest spot of the trip. Houtskär island has some of the region's most challenging cycling, but you can rest on the half hour ferry ride to Korpoo! From Korpoo it's a short ferry hop to Nauvo, where you overnight in a wonderful B&B, a former barn converted to a guest house located amongst beautiful nature.
Overnight with dinner on Nauvo island
DAY 4 Nauvo-Rymättylä-Naantali approx. 40km
Take the ferry north from Nauvo back to the mainland and continue by bike via Rymättylä to Naantali, an idyllic seaside village with cobbled streets and old wooden houses around a bustling harbour.
Overnight in small hotel in Naantali, with plenty of local restaurants to choose from for dinner
DAY 5 Naantali-Turku 14km
Short ride back to Turku.
Overnight in the same hotel as on the first night
DAY 6
Personal journey home.
Bikes to be returned in the morning. Bikes can be hired an extra day for those who wish to ride more around Turku.
TOUR EXTENSION TO ÅLAND ISLANDS
If you wish, you can extend the ISLAND HOPPING BY BICYCLE IN THE
TURKU ARCHIPELAGO with an
extension to
the beautiful Aland Islands - the
Aland Islands tour can
also be bought as a package in its own right, beginning and ending
in Stockholm or in Turku.
See what types of bikes
are used for these tours.
For further information and tailor-made pricing to suit your exact needs, please contact Beyond Boundaries Travel at 1-800-487-1136, or email
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1-800-487-1136
1515 N. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs,
CO 80907
