Biking tour from Guesthouse to Guesthouse and village to village, across Karelian pasty country
Biking from the charming village of Karhunpää to the village of Karjala, with stunning views of Pielinen and the Männikkölä Inn. Immerse yourself in the serene atmosphere of traditional inns surrounded by the beautiful North Karelian countryside and fascinating local attractions. The bike tour is also a charming sauna tour, as each destination offers a different traditional sauna atmosphere.
Choose your preferred route, with distances ranging from 100-200 km, including flexible day trip options. Along the way, you can sample the authentic flavors of Karelian cuisine, and each inn offers its own unique take on local dishes. All meals feature fresh, locally sourced ingredients, with a strong focus on organic products.
Once your luggage has been taken care of, you can enjoy the tour at your own pace without any worries. Whether you are an experienced cyclist or just looking for a relaxing outdoor experience, this tour offers the perfect blend of adventure and comfort.
Welcome experience the charm of Karelia!
Distance from accommodation to accommodation:
Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat > Karelian village 24 km
Karelian village > Guesthouse Männikkölän Pirtti 16 km
Guesthouse Männikkölän Pirtti > Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat 34km
+ your own road choices.
Self-guided tour
Valid: 1.6.- 30.9.2025
Group Size: min 2
Departures:
2.-9.8.2025
16.-23.8.2025
23.-30.9.2025
PROGRAM:
1. Day
Arrival at Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat. Tour info and excursion route choices. Check the equipment and bike ready for the tour.
- Dinner, sauna and accommodation at Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat
2. Day
After breakfast. Go for a bike ride.
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.
- Dinner, sauna and accommodation at Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat
3. Day
After breakfast. Go for a bike ride to Nurmes.
Cycling from Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat to Bomba Karelian village.
The route goes through Karhunpää village, Jokikylä village and Porokylä in Nurmes and ending Bomba Karelian village.
- Dinner, sauna, Karelian style spa and accommodation at Karelia village hotel room (like a cottage)
4. Day
After breakfast. Go for a bike ride to Alpaca Farm > 10 km from Karelian village.
In the afternoon you can choose the forest bike path to the shore of the Pielinen Ellun hut or take a route to Toivon tower by Haikola house. Bring a picnic lunch. There is a campfire site.
Lunch or dinner at the hotel.
Sauna, Karelian style spa and accommodation at Karelia village hotel room.
5. Day
After breakfast. From Karjala village, the journey continues to throught Porokylä and Nurmes to Guesthouse Männikkölän Pirtti.
Tips: Old town 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. Visit the local museum at the culture house or visit the Ikola open-air museum at Porokylä.
- Dinner, sauna and accommodation at Guesthouse Männikkölän Pirtti.
6. Day
A relaxing day. The Männikkölän Pirtti Guesthouse is very well known for its Karelian delicacies and the hostess is a world champion in baking Karelian pies. Before lunch, we will have a Karelian Pie Workshop, where we will bake delicious Karelian pies together for lunch. After lunch free time: heat the traditional sauna, swim and have relaxing time.
- Dinner and accommodation at Guesthouse Männikkölän Pirtti.
7. Day
After breakfast, cycling back to the Laitalan Lomat Guesthouse and returning the bikes.
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.
- Farewell dinner at the hut, sauna, and accommodation at Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat.
8. Day
Breakfast. Time to say Hei hei!
Package price per person: 1500/person/7 nights, 8 days.
Single room: + 40€/day/person
The price includes: Accommodation in double rooms in guesthouses with shared facilities, full board at guesthouses (breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner), Half board at Karelian village hotel, sauna every evening at guesthouses, sauna and 1 x spa ticket, bicycles and helmet, luggage transport to guesthouse to guesthouse. Alpaca farm visit. Transfer from/to Nurmes Train Station.
By order and for an additional fee:
- An extra day 80€/person. Including accommodation and breakfast.
- Transfer from/to Kuopio Airport
- Classic massage 70€/ 60min /person
Notice:
- The bikes are Finnish Helkama Hybrid bikes with 24 gears, hand brakes and a little bit wider tyres than the normal city bikes.
- We reserve all the rights to change the order of the activities if necessary due to weather or other conditions.
- Package price does not include personal travel insurance.
Travel insurance:
Travel insurance is highly recommended for overseas travel. A comprehensive plan should include coverage for trip interruption, delay and cancellation, medical expenses, emergency medical transportation, loss and damage to baggage.
How to get here?
By train: Helsinki > Joensuu > Nurmes (change to a local train Nurmes) | vr.fi
By plane: Airports: Kuopio, Joensuu, Kajaani
Links:
www.laitalanlomat.com
www.mannikkolanpirtti.com
https://www.sokoshotels.fi/en/hotels/nurmes/break-sokos-hotel-bomba
