- Reduce your carbon footprint by cycling through the summer landscapes between guesthouses
- Visit Bomba Karelian Village
- Experience true cultural immersion by staying in small, locally hosted guesthouses
- Enjoy stunning views of Lake Pielinen
North Karelia Eco-Adventure by Bike
| 2027 |
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| 05 Jun - 12 Jun 12 Jun - 19 Jun 26 Jun - 03 Jul 03 Jul - 10 Jul 14 Aug - 21 Aug |
Cycle through the heart of North Karelia on this eight-day adventure, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, active travellers, and those seeking an immersive experience of Finland’s serene lake and village landscapes.
The itinerary balances daily rides with opportunities to explore cultural and natural highlights, allowing you to enjoy both gentle activity and time to relax in traditional Finnish saunas.
Starting and finishing at Pihlajapuu Guesthouse near Nurmes, you’ll follow scenic routes along Lake Pielinen, the Kuokkastenkoski rapids, and the quiet village roads of Valtimo and Karhunpää. Highlights include wandering among the historic wooden houses of Puu-Nurmes, visiting Bomba Karelian Village on the shores of Lake Pielinen, and cycling to the Raesärkät Nature Preserve to experience unspoilt forests and tranquil lakesides.
Along the way, picnic lunches, village museums and cafés, and lakeside swimming spots enrich your journey, while three welcoming guesthouses provide comfort, local hospitality, and a different traditional sauna each evening. This itinerary combines adventure, culture, and relaxation, offering a complete picture of North Karelia’s distinctive landscapes and traditions.
Please note that transfers from guesthouse to guesthouse are by bike and non-guided.
Tour Itinerary
Fly to Kuopio and transfer to Pihlajapuu Guesthouse, your home for the next two nights. This evening, savour a delicious dinner before unwinding in the soothing warmth of the sauna. (D)
After breakfast, pack a picnic lunch from the breakfast table and set off on a scenic cycling adventure. Pedal along the Nälkömäki route, stopping to admire sweeping views across Lake Pielinen. Continue via the Koivikkola hut, where you can light a campfire and grill sausages, before cycling around Lake Viemenjärvi and returning to Pihlajapuu. The circular route covers approximately 18 km of beautiful countryside. (B,L,D)
Enjoy breakfast, then prepare a picnic lunch and set out on a rewarding bike ride to Valtimo. Cycle from Pihlajapuu to Laitalan Lomat via quiet village roads through Kuokkastenkoski, Valtimo and Karhunpää. Pause to explore the dramatic Kuokkastenkoski rapids, where tumbling waters, a historic dam and riverside campfire spot await. After your 25 km ride, relax with dinner, a sauna and overnight stay at Laitalan Lomat. (B,L,D)
After breakfast, pack a picnic lunch and set off on a circular ride from Laitalan Lomat to the town of Nurmes and Bomba Karelian Village. The route takes you through Porokylä to Old Nurmes, where you can wander among the historic wooden houses of Puu-Nurmes, a culturally significant old merchant quarter. Continue to the shores of Lake Pielinen and the atmospheric Bomba Karelian Village before cycling back to Laitalan Lomat. The round trip covers approximately 19 km. This evening, enjoy dinner, a relaxing sauna and overnight accommodation at Laitalan Lomat. (B,L,D)
Following breakfast, prepare a picnic lunch and cycle along peaceful country roads through Karhunpää towards Valtimo village, passing forests, fields and small farming communities typical of rural North Karelia. In Valtimo, take time to explore the local heritage museums or stop at the café in the old school building (summer opening times vary). Before continuing, pause at the Lokkiharju swimming spot by the village lake for a refreshing dip or a quiet picnic. After your 18 km ride, enjoy dinner, a sauna and overnight accommodation at Puukarin Pysäkki, your home for the next two nights. (B,L,D)
Spend the day exploring the quiet village roads around Valtimo at your own pace. Your hosts will recommend a route to suit your preferred distance and the day’s weather, revealing peaceful rural landscapes and small village sights along the way. Return to Puukarin Pysäkki for dinner, a sauna and overnight stay. (B,L,D)
After breakfast, cycle back to Guesthouse Pihlajapuu, a journey of approximately 38 km through the North Karelian countryside. For those with energy to spare, the beautiful Raesärkät Nature Preserve offers an optional extension of around 19 km each way. Enjoy a final dinner and overnight stay at Pihlajapuu. (B,L,D)
After breakfast, transfer back to the airport for your flight back to the UK. (B)
Pricing Information
Price Includes
- Return international flights from the UK to Finland
- All taxes & charges
- 7 nights accommodation at local guesthouses (private rooms with shared facilities)
- Shared return airport transfers
- Bicycles and helmets
- Sauna every evening at the guesthouses
- Luggage transport from guesthouse to guesthouse
- Meals as specified by BLD (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
Price Excludes
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Beverages and items of a personal nature
Price Includes
Price Excludes
Price Notes
- Guide price is based on two people sharing on selected departures in June 2027. This holiday can also be arranged on other dates throughout the season/year. Prices can vary according to your chosen departure date and availability.
- International flights are based on the indirect London Heathrow – Kuopio via Helsinki service, with regional departures from the UK also available (supplements may apply).
| Itinerary Dates | |
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05 Jun 2027
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12 Jun 2027
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12 Jun 2027
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19 Jun 2027
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26 Jun 2027
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03 Jul 2027
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03 Jul 2027
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10 Jul 2027
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14 Aug 2027
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21 Aug 2027
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Tour Route Map
- Finland, Kuopio
Image Gallery
