Finland -- KING'S ROAD BY BIKE
EASTERN ROUTE
EASTERN ROUTE
THROUGH SOUTHERN FINLAND AND THE KING'S ROAD BY BIKE
The majority of visiting tourists to Finland arrive into the capital Helsinki. Helsinki itself is a cycle-friendly city and can be covered in full via dedicated cycle tracks. The countryside of southern Finland is perfect cycling country - varied scenery combined with ease of access to the capital where tours begin and end.
Our cycle tours of the region follow quiet country roads, a region dotted with mediaeval churches, imposing manor houses, picturesque old iron foundry sites, charming towns and villages, rolling hills, lakes and thick Finnish forests - quintessential Finland.
We offer two suggested routes in the area, each with its own particular charm. These 2 routes can be combined to make a longer tour if desired.
The tours follow in part, the course of the old King's Road, a historic medieval postal route which linked Bergen in Norway with St Petersburg in Russia.
The routes are relatively flat on good surfaced roads, with occasional short stretches on gravel roads. There are some rolling sections and occasional steeper climbs, but would suit most reasonably active people.
The majority of visiting tourists to Finland arrive into the capital Helsinki. Helsinki itself is a cycle-friendly city and can be covered in full via dedicated cycle tracks. The countryside of southern Finland is perfect cycling country - varied scenery combined with ease of access to the capital where tours begin and end.
Our cycle tours of the region follow quiet country roads, a region dotted with mediaeval churches, imposing manor houses, picturesque old iron foundry sites, charming towns and villages, rolling hills, lakes and thick Finnish forests - quintessential Finland.
We offer two suggested routes in the area, each with its own particular charm. These 2 routes can be combined to make a longer tour if desired.
The tours follow in part, the course of the old King's Road, a historic medieval postal route which linked Bergen in Norway with St Petersburg in Russia.
The routes are relatively flat on good surfaced roads, with occasional short stretches on gravel roads. There are some rolling sections and occasional steeper climbs, but would suit most reasonably active people.
Eastern Route - Visit the historic Old Town of Porvoo with its
winding cobbled streets, painted wooden houses, and famous
ochre-stained fisherman's storehouses, and stay in a combination
of Manor House hotels, country inns and farmhouses. The seaside
route out of Helsinki is known only to locals and is a special
feature of the tour.
Day 1
Individual arrival to Helsinki.
Overnight in a Helsinki city centre hotel
Day 2 Approx. 60km
In the morning collect your bicycle (unless you take the option to bring your own bike). Take some time to explore Helsinki by bike before heading east towards historic Porvoo.
Overnight and dinner tonight in secluded seaside manor house near Porvoo with its own extensive gardens.
Day 3 Approx. 40km (+ 20 km optional extension)
After breakfast continue into the Old Town of Porvoo and take a break to stroll the winding cobbled streets sitting in the atmospheric cafes or browsing the handicraft and antique shops. Continue via the historic King's Road postal route to Tuusula. Optional extended ride around Lake Tuusula including a visit to Ainola, birthplace of famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.
Overnight accommodation is a restored barn - now a comfortable 3* hotel, with dinner included in adjoining old wooden restaurant
Day 4 Approx 60km
Heading back west, visit the nature reserve at Myllykoski rapids, a good place for a photo-stop.
Overnight in historic lakeside manor house, with dinner (rooms without private bathroom)
Day 5 Approx 55km
See the ruins of the ancient Nunnery at nearby Vihti, where you can stock up with refreshments in one of the village shops before heading south, truly off-the-beaten-track, to your charming overnight stay in a small farmhouse.
Overnight in country farmhouse with dinner
Day 6 Approx 65km (or shorter if you wish, taking train into Helsinki at the end of the tour from a nearby station)
Return back east towards Helsinki today with a chance to visit the famous Hvitträsk manor house. Follow the seaside route back into the city, a route known only to locals with fine sea views and charming seaside cafes to take refreshments.
Overnight in a Helsinki city centre hotel
Day 7
Depart for personal journey home, or extend the tour with an extra night in Helsinki and explore the capital by bike along its many dedicated cycle paths.
* NOTE : This tour can be combined with the Western Route to make a longer tour if desired *
EXTRA NIGHTS
Its possible to extend the tour with pre- and post-nights in Helsinki. Its popular to choose 1 extra day to explore Helsinki itself by bike, which is easy with its many dedicated cycle paths - bikes can be rented for an extra day to the tour as required.
Bicycles
Bicycle (21/24 gear hybrid) hire with repair kit, helmet and panniers :
Extra day:
Luggage Transport
Transfer of luggage between hotels is not currently available on this tour. We suggest that guests bring a main suitcase that they leave in their Helsinki hotel where they spend the first and last nights, and then use the good-sized panniers provided on the bikes for clothing and other items for the cycle touring portion of the guest stay in Finland.
Individual arrival to Helsinki.
Overnight in a Helsinki city centre hotel
Day 2 Approx. 60km
In the morning collect your bicycle (unless you take the option to bring your own bike). Take some time to explore Helsinki by bike before heading east towards historic Porvoo.
Overnight and dinner tonight in secluded seaside manor house near Porvoo with its own extensive gardens.
Day 3 Approx. 40km (+ 20 km optional extension)
After breakfast continue into the Old Town of Porvoo and take a break to stroll the winding cobbled streets sitting in the atmospheric cafes or browsing the handicraft and antique shops. Continue via the historic King's Road postal route to Tuusula. Optional extended ride around Lake Tuusula including a visit to Ainola, birthplace of famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.
Overnight accommodation is a restored barn - now a comfortable 3* hotel, with dinner included in adjoining old wooden restaurant
Day 4 Approx 60km
Heading back west, visit the nature reserve at Myllykoski rapids, a good place for a photo-stop.
Overnight in historic lakeside manor house, with dinner (rooms without private bathroom)
Day 5 Approx 55km
See the ruins of the ancient Nunnery at nearby Vihti, where you can stock up with refreshments in one of the village shops before heading south, truly off-the-beaten-track, to your charming overnight stay in a small farmhouse.
Overnight in country farmhouse with dinner
Day 6 Approx 65km (or shorter if you wish, taking train into Helsinki at the end of the tour from a nearby station)
Return back east towards Helsinki today with a chance to visit the famous Hvitträsk manor house. Follow the seaside route back into the city, a route known only to locals with fine sea views and charming seaside cafes to take refreshments.
Overnight in a Helsinki city centre hotel
Day 7
Depart for personal journey home, or extend the tour with an extra night in Helsinki and explore the capital by bike along its many dedicated cycle paths.
* NOTE : This tour can be combined with the Western Route to make a longer tour if desired *
EXTRA NIGHTS
Its possible to extend the tour with pre- and post-nights in Helsinki. Its popular to choose 1 extra day to explore Helsinki itself by bike, which is easy with its many dedicated cycle paths - bikes can be rented for an extra day to the tour as required.
Bicycles
Bicycle (21/24 gear hybrid) hire with repair kit, helmet and panniers :
Extra day:
Luggage Transport
Transfer of luggage between hotels is not currently available on this tour. We suggest that guests bring a main suitcase that they leave in their Helsinki hotel where they spend the first and last nights, and then use the good-sized panniers provided on the bikes for clothing and other items for the cycle touring portion of the guest stay in Finland.
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
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