Finland by bike and Lake Saimaa

Lake Saimaa, Finland by bike

In a country with thousands of lakes (there are more than 180,000 lakes in Finland), Saimaa is one of the most breathtaking. It is also the largest in the country and the 4th largest in Europe. There are nearly 14,000 islands and its shores are 14,500 kilometers long. Some sandy beaches are more than 1 km long. The Wall Street Journal has also put Saimaa in its "top 5" of the most beautiful lakes in the world!

Beyond unique landscapes, this route is an opportunity to discover authentic gastronomy: taste the many local specialties such as "muikku" (a freshwater white fish) or "lörtsy" (croissant-shaped pastries).

Visit the idyllic lake towns with their eccentric art, the beautiful fortress town of Lappeenranta, the rapids of Imatrankoski and enjoy the hospitality of the Karelian people.

Highlights of the trip:

• Cycling around the lake
• The wild nature of this lake region
• The lively atmosphere of Lappeenranta harbour
• The rapids of Imatrankoski
• The garden full of statues of Parikkala
• The village of Savonlinna, built on islands in the lake, and its castle Olavinlinna
• Huuhaaranta beach

Day 1 - Arrival in Lappeenranta

Enjoy the city atmosphere by going out and exploring its lively streets.

Overnight in Lappeenranta

Day 2 - From Lappeenranta to Imatra (48 km)

Start this first stage by bike, passing the most important sites of Lappeenranta: the marina, the fortress and the view of the lake. Discover the over 160-year-old Saimaa Canal, which connects Lake Saimaa to the Gulf of Finland. The Saimaa Canal Museum is a must-see if you want to learn more about the history of the region. Continue to Imatra, a city with a long industrial heritage and a gateway to neighboring Russia. Overnight at the elegant art nouveau Imatra Valtionhotelli, located right next to the extraordinary Imatrankoski (Imatra Rapids).

Overnight in Imatra

Day 3 - From Imatra to Parikkala by bus | Bike from Parikkala to Punkaharju (45 km)

Start the morning with a transfer to Parikkala where you can enjoy contemporary Finnish art in one of the most interesting forest gardens with over 500 human-like statues. Then start your day of cycling towards Punkaharju. Enjoy the best views of Finnish lakes as your route follows a narrow strip of land between the lakes. Stop to learn about Finnish forests at the Lusto Forest Museum. Overnight right next to the lake. Enjoy a room with a private sauna and terrace/balcony.

Overnight in Punkaharju

Day 4 - Punkaharju to Savonlinna by bike (35 km) | bus transfer to Puumala

Continue your bike ride through nature to Savonlinna. This town is famous for its opera festival every summer. Olavinlinna Castle is located on one of the town's many islands. Visit the medieval castle, stroll through the old wooden town and taste local specialties on the market square before taking the bus to Puumala. Repeatedly ranked among the top three summer destinations in Finland, Puumala offers a picturesque setting for two nights.

Overnight in Puumala

Day 5 - Loop around Puumala (60 km)

This loop around Lake Saimaa offers a wide variety of landscapes and natural beauty. You can feel the lake right next to you as you cycle along quiet country roads, sandy ridges, picturesque bridges and narrow passes. A ferry crossing is planned. Be careful, you might spot the endangered Saimaa marbled seal! Enjoy the day, stopping for a refreshing swim for example. Return to Sahanlahti Resort for a second night.

Overnight in Puumala

Day 6 - Bus transfer to Utula | Utula to Lappeenranta (55 km)

The last stageof the tour is the crossing of Lake Saimaa from east to west that brings you back to Lappeenranta. After a bus transfer, you start the cycle tour from Utula and its one and only grocery store that reminds you of a bygone era. Take a detour to Huuhaanranta, known as the “Riviera of Saimaa”, with a white sand beach over a kilometre long where you can lay down your towel in peace. A refreshing walk and a ferry ride make for the perfect end to this beautiful lake tour. You return to Lappeenranta, where you started your tour.

Overnight in Lappeenranta

Day 7 : Lappeenranta

End of tour after breakfast.

General information :

• 7 days and 6 nights
• Standard version : hotels
• Child rates: contact us for more information.

Dates 2025:

Departures on Saturdays, from June to August

• 07/06, 14/06, 21/06, 28/06, 05/07, 12/07, 19/07, 26/07, 02/08, 09/08, 16/08, 23/08

Included:

• 6 nights in a hotel with breakfasts
• Tourist taxes
• Luggage transport between accommodation
• 3 bus transfers (days 3, 4 and 6)
• 2 ferry tickets with bike (days 5 and 6)
• GPS tracks of daily routes
• Travel book
• Telephone assistance service in case of problems (except in case of puncture)

Not included:

• Transport to the departure point
• Personal expenses
• Lunches and dinners
• Drinks
• Parking
• Anything not specified in included

Options:

• Standard bike or ebike rental
• Additional nights in Lappeenranta
• Theft guarantee for rented bike
• Multi-risk cancellation insurance

Level:
1 2 3 4 5 6

Terrain:
The terrain is mainly flat but with some hilly areas. It is an accessible circuit but expect some hills.

Climate:
Summers are mild. In June, July and August, temperatures between 15° and 20°c.

Technicality:

35 to 60 km per day or 3 to 6 hours of cycling.

Unmarked route.

Additional night(s):
You can book one or more additional nights in Lappeeranta, at the beginning and/or end of the tour.

Meals:

• Breakfasts: buffet (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, bread, butter, orange juice, jam)
• Lunch: not included
• Dinner: not included

The bike:

- Bike rental : Standard bike or ebike are equipped with a helmet, front/rear panniers and a smartphone holder.

holder

- Personal bike : we do not recommend bikes with small tires. Standard bikes and mountain bikes are excellent. Remember to service your bike before leaving. At the end of the tour, you will have to take care of your own bike.

Assistance:
Assistance in the event of a breakdown (except for punctures for which we do not intervene).

Luggage:
They are transported by a courier or by our correspondent and limited to one piece of luggage per person.

Travel book :
A welcome document with all the practical information is sent before your trip. You can download the GPS tracks on your smartphone.

Transport:

We advise you to go there by plane (Helsinki airport), then by train to Lappeenranta.

Cancellation insurance:
In order to guarantee the reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay, you can take out cancellation insurance. To learn more about insurance, click here.