Biking tour from Guesthouse to Guesthouse and village to village, across Karelian pasty country
The route runs from Salmenkylä in Nurmes, via Valtimo´s Karhunpää continuing with Lake Pielinen views to Männikkölä Guesthouse and from there back to Salmenkylä to Guesthouse Pihlajapuu. The atmosphere of the guesthouses, the beautiful country scenery of North Karelia and interesting places to visit indulges you along the way. The cycling distance is approximately 100 - 200 km depending on the route choice and day trips. During the biking tour, authentic flavors of Karelia à la carte is offered at the dinner table in each inn's own way. The delicious food is local. We also use a lot of organic products! The biking tour is pedalled unhurried at your own pace. Welcome!
Valid: 1.6.-30.9.2025
Groupsize: min 2, max 14
PROGRAM
1. Day
Arrival at Guesthouse Pihlajapuu. Tour info and excursion route choices. Check the equipment and bike ready for the tour.
- Dinner, sauna and accommodation at Guesthouse Pihlajapuu.
2. Day
After breakfast. Go for a bike ride.
Route tips:
- Cycling to Kuokkasenkoski (Kuokkasen rapids). Kuokkastenkoski to Kuokkastenjärvi and then to Pielinen. The drop is 11 metres, and the rapids are nearly one kilometre long. A rationing dam and then a hydroelectric power plant serving local need have been built in the rapids. A campfire and a swimming place have been restored downstream of the rapids. The cycling distance Guesthouse Pihlajapuu > Kuokkastenkoski is about 10 km/ in one direction
- Cycling to Savikylä village hall. There is a cafe and the village's second-hand shop.
The cycling distance Guesthouse Pihlajapuu > village hall is about 10 km/ in one direction
- Dinner, sauna and accommodation at Guesthouse Pihlajapuu.
3. Day
Cycling from Guesthouse Pihlajapuu to Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat. The route passes through the village roads of Kuokkastenkoski, Vastimo village and Karhunpää.
The cycling distance is Pihlajapuu > Laitalan Lomat 22 km.
Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat offers the opportunity to paddle. The hostess of Laitalan Lomat Henna advises on the technique and basics of canoeing, after which guests can go on a self-guided canoeing trip. The changing landscapes of the River Karhujoki always provides new things to see. There are dozens of kilometers of Karhujoki, so you can choose the length of the excursion yourself.
- Dinner, sauna, and accommodation at Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat.
4. Day
After breakfast from Laitalan Lomat trip to Valtimo village. The cycling distance is Laitalan Lomat > Valtimo 10 km.
Route tips:
In the village of Valtimo it is worth stopping to visit some small museums.
Or continue the journey to a lovely small village shop Marjapaikka selling interior decoration and gift items. The store is open by appointment. We will confirm the time for you. The cycling distance is Valtimo > Marjapaikka 8,5 km.
Along the way you can visit the Kalliojärvi Bird Tower. Lake Kalliojärvi is a shallow, grassy, lush lake with open water only here and there. The lake is part of the Nationwide Birdwater Conservation Program. The nesting birds of Lake Kalliojärvi have included horned grebe, whooper swan and little gull. The lake has two bird towers, a nature trail, and a hut.
- Dinner, sauna and accommodation at Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat
5. Day
From Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat, the journey continues towards Nurmes and Guesthouse Männikkölän Pirtti. The route goes through Karhunpää and Jokikylä to Porokylä in Nurmes and from there on to Männikkölän Pirtti.
The cycling distance is Laitalan Lomat > Männikkölän Pirtti 23 km.
- Dinner, sauna and accommodation at Guesthouse Männikkölän Pirtti.
6. Day
After breakfast, cycling to Nurmes Old town and Karelian village.
The cycling distance is Männikkölän Pirtti > Bomba House/Karelian village 12 km.
Route tips: City of Nurmes
- Karelian village
- Karelian Spa
- Old town
In Nurmes, it is worth exploring the historically valuable wooden house area of Puu-Nurmes. The city site plan is of cultural historical significance and a conservation site. From the old merchant village in Nurmes, you can continue to the tourist town of Pielinen to Bomban Talo, Karelian village and summer market.
- Dinner, sauna and accommodation at Männikkölän Pirtti
7. Day
After breakfast, cycling back to Guesthouse Pihlajapuu.
The cycling distance Männikkölän Pirtti > Guesthouse Pihlajapuu 15 km
- Dinner, smoke sauna and accommodation at Guesthouse Pihlajapuu.
8. Day
Breakfast. Time to say Hei hei!
Package price per person: from 1400€/person/7 nights, 8 days
The price includes: Accommodation in double rooms in guesthouses with shared facilities, full board (breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner), sauna every evening, (once the smoke sauna), bicycles and helmet, luggage transport to guesthouse to guesthouse. Transfer from/to Nurmes Train Station.
- Single room: 40€/day/person
- An extra day 80€/person. Including accommodation and breakfast.
By order and for an additional fee:
- Transfer from/to Kuopio Airport
- classic massage 70€/ 60min /person
- Karelia pasty workshop 55€/person
Notice:
! Please note, that because we are saving nature, we take the bed linen with us from the first guesthouse to be used in all the other guesthouses, too. The bed linen bag will be carried by the luggage transfer. You will get clean towels in every guesthouse.
The bikes are Finnish Helkama Hybrid bikes with 24 gears, hand brakes and a little bit wider tyres than the normal city bikes. There are 8 lady model bikes and 4 man model bikes to use.
How to get here?
By train: Helsinki > Joensuu > Nurmes (change to a local train Nurmes) | vr.fi
By plane: Airports: Kuopio, Joensuu, Kajaani
Introductions of guesthouses:
www.laitalanlomat.com
www.aksytammat.fi
www.mannikkolanpirtti.com
