Beyond Boundaries Travel: Finnish Lakes by Bike

There are reputedly 187,888 lakes in Finland and in Finland's south-west there is more water than land. Our Lakeland cycling tour includes some of the best lakeside rides, including the stunning Punkaharju Ridge, a magnificent ride on a ridge surrounded by pine trees and views to the water on both sides. Other highlights include Savonlinna, a beautifully situated lakeside market town famous for its summer Opera and Ballet festivals. Take your bike on board one of the many ferries criss-crossing the lakes and then ride back to Savonlinna. Accommodation on the tour is of a high level, ranging from manor houses to farmhouses to lake-side guesthouses and small hotels.

Length - 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 per day

Day 1 Mikkeli, approx 30km
Individual arrival to Mikkeli, a typical Finnish market town in the heart of the Lake District. Begin your ride from Mikkeli to your country hotel for overnight.

Day 2 Mikkeli-Puumala, approx 40km or 50km with detour
Head east today into the remote but beautiful lake area.

Day 3 Puumala- Pihlajalahti, approx 55km or 75km - choice of 2 routes
Head north today, you can stop for a lunch at the village of Puumala. There is a local ferry crossing on the day's ride, a short ferry going back and forth acting like a bridge to link the local communities.

Day 4 Pihlajalahti- Savonlinna, approx 35km
A short ride today into the lakeside market town of Savonlinna. Free time to explore the town further or ride more at your leisure.

Day 5 Savonlinna- Punkaharju, approx 60km
Head yet further east today along backroads to the village of Kerimäki. Take a look inside the church, the largest wooden church in the world. Stock up on picnic food from the village stores before heading south. Begin riding the magnificent Punkaharju Ridge, a narrow strip of land surrounded by water on both sides, and one of Finland's most stunning cycle routes.

Day 6 Punkaharju- Parikkala, approx. 30km (or longer for those who choose alternative routes)
Depart the hotel and continue riding the Punkaharju Ridge. There are shops in Punkaharju village to buy refreshments. Continue south to the village of Parikkala where the tour ends at the rail station where there is a direct connection to Helsinki.

EXTRA NIGHTS
Its possible to extend the tour with pre-nights in Helsinki or Mikkeli. There are direct trains from Helsinki to Mikkeli, and bikes can be taken on these trains. If desired, Savonlinna is good place to take an extra night in the middle of the tour as there is the possibility to take a boat trip on one of the lakes, with bike, and then ride back into Savonlinna town. Additionally, add extra nights can be added in Helsinki at the end of the tour.

Train
The cycling tour route begins at Mikkeli rail station and ends at Parikkala rail station. Connections to and from Helsinki by train are easy from these points.