Biking tour from Guesthouse to Guesthouse and village to village, across Karelian pasty country
Biking from the charming village of Salmenkylä to the village of Bomba, with stunning views of Pielinen. Immerse yourself in the serene atmosphere of traditional guesthouses 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 guesthouse 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 North Karelia!
Distance from accommodation to accommodation:
Guesthouse Pihlajapuu > Laitalan Lomat 25 km
Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat > Karelian village 24 km
Karelian village > Guesthouse Pihlajapuu 20 km
+ your own road choices.
Self-guided tour
Valid: Please inquire about the availability of the trip in 2026.
Group Size: min 2
PROGRAM:
Day 1
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
Day 2
Breakfast. Feel free to take a picnic lunch from the breakfast table. Go for a bike ride.
Route tips: Cycling on the Nälkömäki bike ride. On the tour, you cycle to admire the stunning scenery from Nälkömäki to facing Pielinen. You can continue the journey from Nälkömäki through via Koivikkola hut, where you can make a campfire and barbecue sausages. From the hut you cycle around Lake Viemenjärvi back to Pihlajapuu.
The cycling distance is about 18 km altogether.
Dinner, sauna and accommodation at Guesthouse Pihlajapuu.
Day 3
Breakfast. Feel free to take a picnic lunch from the breakfast table.
Go for a bike ride to Valtimo.
Cycling from Guesthouse Pihlajapuu to Laitalan Lomat.
The route runs passes along through the village roads of Kuokkastenkoski, Vastimo village and Karhunpää. In Kuokkastenkoski, you can depart to look at the rapids dam area.
The waters coming from Valtimo fall through 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 has have been restored downstream of the rapids. The biking distance 25 km.
- Dinner, sauna and accommodation at Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat
Day 4
After breakfast go for a bike ride to Valtimo village. From Laitalan Lomat to the centre of Valtimo village 9,5 km/one direction.
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/one direction.
- Dinner, sauna and accommodation at Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat
Day 5
After breakfast you’ll bike from Laitalan Lomat via Jokikylä village to the Bomba Karelian Village, 24 km.
Route tips: City of Nurmes, Old town of Puu Nurmes
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 continue to the tourist town of Pielinen to Bomban Talo and Karelian village.
Possibility to take a spa afternoon in the Break Sokos Hotel Bomba.
- Dinner, Karelian style spa sauna and accommodation at Bomba Karelian village hotel room.
Day 6
Breakfast.
From Karelian village and Bomba, the journey continues to through Porokylä and Nurmes back to the Guesthouse Pihlajapuu. The biking distance about 20 km.Dinner, sauna and accommodation at Guesthouse Pihlajapuu.
Day 7
A relaxing day or biking tour to Raesärkät Nature preserve area. The biking distance 19 km/one direction.
- Dinner and accommodation at Guesthouse Pihlajapuu.
Day 8
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 from breakfast table, dinner), Half board at Karelian village/ Break Sokos hotel Bomba, sauna every evening at guesthouses, sauna and 1 x spa ticket at Hotel, bicycles and helmet, luggage transport to guesthouse to guesthouse. 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. Helmets are available in Medium and Large sizes
· Handlebar phone holders are not included as standard equipment on the bicycles.
· 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.
