Description »
An easy-going cycling tour with a blend of nature and culture
North Karelia in the east of Finland is an area rich in cultural and natural heritage. North Karelian Self-guided Cycle Explorer allows you discover some of the gems of this fascinating region on two wheels.
Featuring three different accommodation locations during the week with luggage transfer included, sauna each night and daily biking distances around 20-40km on country roads and tracks, this is a relaxing cycling experience suitable for adults with flexible dates from May to October.
North Karelia has beautiful rural landscapes deal for exploring on two wheels. Photo: AKA.
Beautiful rural landscapes to discover with bike hire included and wild swimming possibilities
Each day you will make a picnic lunch from the breakfast buffet before heading out on your bikes to explore a new area. The tour features many highlights, including the Kuokkastenkoski, Bomba Karelian Village and Raesärkät Nature Preserve.
Accommodation is in authentic, traditional guesthouses for six nights of the tour and hotel for one night. Photo: AKA.
Cycling distances are typically around 20-40km per day, but there is also flexibility on many days to cover shorter or longer distances depending on your preference and the areas you wish to visit. Your local hosts will be happy to give tips and advice for each day's tour.
Lakes (almost 190,000 of them!) cover around 10% of Finland's land area, so you're never far from the water. Both at the accommodation and when out biking, there are many opportunities to take a dip in the cool, clear waters of the Karelian lakes. Wild swimming is a feature of any summer experience in Finland and temperatures in the lakes can reach 20 degrees or more in summer. If travelling in May or October, you'll probably need to be feeling brave and make it more of a "dip" than a "swim"!
The tour offers many good opportunities for wild swimming along the way. Photo: AKA.
A focus on local cuisine and Finnish sauna experience
For six nights of your trip, you will be staying at two traditional, local guesthouses. A warm welcome awaits from your local hosts, and they'll be delighted to share with you their deep knowledge and love of Karelian cuisine and culture. Meals are prepared from locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, often with fish and game from the surrounding lakes and forests and with mushrooms and berries hand-picked from the woods. The tour also features one night in the cultural village of Bomba.
Sauna is an integral part of Finnish culture - there's no better way to relax after a day outdoors! - and each evening gives you the opportunity to enjoy soothing your muscles and relaxing in the sauna.
Local cuisine and culture is a focus of the tour. Photo: AKA.
If you're looking for an active but easy-going holiday with authentic local accommodation and a chance to immerse yourself in the life and culture of Eastern Finland, North Karelian Self-guided Cycle Explorer is the ideal choice!
...
Itinerary »
The exact itinerary below and order of each day's accommodation and cycling routes are subject to change depending on guesthouse availability.
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive by train to Nurmes for transfer (approx. 30 mins) to the guesthouse which will be your base for the next two nights. Transfers will meet the afternoon train from Helsinki arriving Nurmes 14.00 or the evening train arriving 20.06.
Info meeting with your hosts regarding the tour ahead and route options, and checking your bike and equipment in preparation for your tour.
Dinner and sauna before retiring for your first evening in North Karelia.
Day 2: Nälkömaki
Pack a picnic lunch from the breakfast buffet (as you are welcome to do every morning) before heading out for your first cycle tour.
Today's ride explores the beautiful area between Nälkömaki towards Lake Pielinen. The Koivikkola hut provides a wonderful sport for a lunch stop, where you can make a fire. From here, you continue around Lake Viemenjärvi and back to the guesthouse for dinner and sauna. Why not take a dip in the lake just 100km from the guesthouse to relax after your day on the trail?
Cycling distance: approx. 18km.
Day 3: Kuokkastenkoski
Breakfast and biking towards Valtimo. You will change accommodation today, and your luggage will be transferred while you ride.
Your route takes you along village roads through Kuokkastenkoski, where you can make a detour to see the rapids and dam. The water flows from Valtimo through the rapids and into Lake Pielinen, and the rapids are 1km long with an 11m drop. Just downstream from the rapids there is a fireplace and swimming spot.
You reach your new guesthouse, where dinner and of course sauna (it's Finland after all!) await.
Cycling distance: approx. 25km.
Day 4: Day tour to Valtimo
Today's ride brings you from the guesthouse for a short ride to Valtimo village, 9.5km one way. There are some different options today - you can stop in the village to explore some of the small museums or continue another 8.5km to a local craft store (which opens by appointment - your local hosts will arrange this for you if of interest).
When you're ready, return to the guesthouse for dinner and sauna.
Cycling distance: approx. 19-36km depending on options chosen.
Day 5: Bomba Karelian Village
You cycle via the village of Jokikylä to the cultural Bomba Karelian Village, where you will stay the night. There are a number of things to see along the way, including exploring Nurmes old town. You continue to Pielinen and on to Bomba.
On arrival, there is the option (additional charge applies) to enjoy a spa afternoon in the Break Sokos Hotel Bomba.
In the meantime, you'll have a Karelian-style spa sauna and hotel accommodation in the village.
Cycling distance: approx. 24km. Option: Visit Alpaca farm (on request, additional cost applies locally).
Day 6: Porokylä and Nurmes
From the Karelian village and Bomba, you make your way back towards the guesthouse where you spent Day 1 and Day 2, via Porokylä and Nurmes. You have the option to make a stop at another traditional guesthouse along the way for lunch and a swim (no request, additional cost applies locally).
Dinner and sauna at the guesthouse, which will be your base for the rest of the tour.
Cycling distance: approx. 20km.
Day 7: Raesärkät Nature Preserve
To end the week, take a ride to Raesärkät Nature Preserve, about 19km one-way, before returning to the guesthouse for your final sauna and evening in North Karelia.
Cycling distance: approx. 38km.
Day 8: Breakfast and departure
It's time to go! Transfers will meet the early-morning train to Helsinki from Nurmes at 06.35 or the afternoon train at 15.40.
Dates & Prices»
Dates 2026
Flexible dates by arrangement from 1st June to 15th October 2026 (latest start date 8th October).
Prices 2026
| Standard Prices | |
|---|---|
| Per adult (based on two persons sharing) | GBP |
| Solo occupancy | GBP |
Optional Extras (payable locally)
- Transfer from Kuopio airport or Siilinjärvi train station (Saturdays only, fixed times): Transfer between Nurmes train station and the start/end point of the tour is included as per itinerary. During the main summer season, transfer may also be available for guests who wish to travel by domestic flight to Kuopio airport or by train to Siilinjärvi station (transfer time to guesthouse approx. 1.5 hours). Please contact us for availability for your preferred dates. Cost for transfer is €/person one-way, payable locally. On arrival, transfers will meet flights from Helsinki arriving Kuopio around 17.00 or trains arriving Silinj&aruml;rvi around 16.00. On departure, transfer leaves the guesthouse around 11.00 and will meet flights departing Kuopio around 14.00 or trains departing Siilinjärvi around 13.00.
- Transfer from Kuopio airport or Siilinjärvi train station (other days or times): Transfer between Nurmes train station and the start/end point of the tour is included as per itinerary. For guests who wish to travel by domestic flight to/from Kuopio or train to/from Siilinjärvi, taxi transfer can be arranged for €/taxi one-way.
What's Included »
Included
Accommodation:
- Six nights' accommodation in double/twin rooms in two simple, traditional guesthouses during the week. Rooms may be in the main house or in adjacent cabins. Single occupancy supplement applies for solo travellers. Guest houses have shared WC/shower facilities. Bedding and towels are provided.
- One night in hotel in Bomba Karelian Village. Exact specifications may vary depending on availability.
Accommodation for six nights during the tour is in two traditional guesthouses. Photos: AKA.
Meals:
All meals from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day.
Equipment:
Bicycles with helmet (helmets are available in Medium and Large sizes). Bikes used are Finnish Helkama Hybrid bikes with 24 gears, hand brakes and tyres a little wider than a city bike (these are manual bikes - e-bikes are not available). Note that handlebar phone holders are not provided.
Example of bikes used for the tour. Photo: AKA.
Maps/Tour Description:
All details for your tour, including route description and local advice on route options and points of interest, will be provided by your local hosts on arrival. The tour does not use a dedicated route navigation app. You will navigate using Google Maps on your phone.
Transfers:
- Return transfer between Nurmes train station and the accommodation at the start/end of the tour as per itinerary.
- Transfer of main luggage between each accommodation location during the tour. You will cycle with a daypack only.
Not Included
- Travel: We do not arrange flights or domestic travel, but are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey. See under "Getting There" for general travel information.
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase at the guesthouse normally used for Days 1, 2, 6 and 7 and at hotel Day 5. Guesthouse normally used for Days 3 and 4 does not sell alcohol, but guests are welcome to bring their own.
Good To Know »
Required
Health requirements/experience:
Minimum age 16 years. Bikes are not available in suitable sizes for children.
General good health and fitness. You should enjoy cycling and the outdoors and be able to follow a route using Google Maps.
The cycling in general is not demanding, but you should be comfortable being out for the day on your bike. Daily distances can often be varied depending on your preference. You will be cycling on small roads, country lanes and gravel tracks.
What makes this "Easy"?
The tour features simple but comfortable standard accommodation on all nights and luggage is transferred between overnight accommodation.
Terrain is in general not challenging, with some ups and downs but no significant climbs/descents.
Daily distances are flexible on many days and as a self-guided tour you have the freedom to cycle at your own pace.
NB: Perception of difficulty is very subjective. What is hard to one person may be easy for another and vice versa, depending on factors including level of fitness, age and previous experience. Weather conditions/temperatures can also dramatically affect the actual level of challenge encountered.
Equipment/clothes needed:
For information on any equipment and/or clothing included as standard for this experience, please see under "What's Included".
A detailed recommended packing list for personal items to bring will be sent with your booking documentation.
NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing. Note of course that the most appropriate clothing to use as well as the level of challenge experienced during any outdoor activity may vary significantly depending on factors such as the time of year and the particular weather/temperature conditions during your trip.
Preparing for your trip:
For further reading, we also have a number of general information articles to get you ready for your trip, covering a wide variety of topics from what to do on a city break before/after your tour, advice on packing, eyewear for winter and considerations for female travellers.
Groups
This experience is also suitable for groups. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Eco Info
The guesthouses used for this tour are small-scale and locally owned. The great majority of food served on the tour is home-made using locally sourced ingredients.
This provider has a written ecotourism policy.
Getting There »
Getting There
See below for a summary of travel options. To learn more about how to travel to this experience, please get in touch!
Detailed information on travel will be provided in response to your enquiry. We are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey.
NB: Please ensure that you make a booking with us first and wait for confirmation that your spaces are reserved before making any travel arrangements.
Travel Summary:
By Air:
Fly to Helsinki for onward travel by train to Nurmes (just under 7 hours). Transfers between Nurmes train station (30 mins) and the guesthouses are included at fixed times as per itinerary.
It may also be possible to travel by domestic flight from Helsinki to Kuopio for transfer (around 2 hours) from there for additional cost, particularly if arriving on Saturdays during summertime - please see under "Prices > Optional extras" for details.
Without Flying:
Train from UK to Stockholm (Sweden) for ferry to Helsinki and onward train to Nurmes.
Where Is It...?
Did you Know...?
- We also offer guided hiking in summer and cross country skiing in this area in wintertime.
