Finland: Turku & Åland Islands Bike Tour
Six nights; five days of bicycle touring on quiet roads and pathways through the Turku Archipelago and the Åland Islands.
“What a beautiful part of the world to experience by bike” – Marlene H
WHY THIS TRIP?
- Excellent cycling culture; quiet roads, paved paths, coastal vistas.
- Tiny, brightly coloured seaside villages.
- Deliciously fresh fruit and vegetables and craft beer.
- Friendly, charming inns.
- Complex history.
- Ferry hopping to beautiful small islands.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Daily Distance:
- DAY 1: Introductions
- DAY 2: ~63 km
- DAY 3: ~47 km
- DAY 4: ~64 km
- DAY 5: ~58 km
- DAY 6: ~69 km
- DAY 7: Farewells
Turku & Åland Islands Bike – Elevation Profile
(Click image to enlarge)
Turku & Åland Islands Bike
Activity Levels
The easiest routes we offer, these are generally flat and cover relatively relaxed distances. You will be comfortable riding a hybrid bike, walking in sneakers, or paddling a light kayak, and will normally have time to take many photos and enjoy extended lunches.
This is primarily an easy route, but some days may fall into the moderate category. You can expect time to stop and smell the roses, but some of the rides may be on more hilly terrain.
Requiring moderate fitness levels, these cover terrain with hills and valleys, and tend to include distances of 50-80km (30-50mi.)/day cycling, or 3-6 hours of walking per day. Most Freewheeling Adventures fall into this category, and are suitable for most ability levels.
This is primarily a moderate route, suitable for most ability levels, but some days may be a little more challenging. You can expect some long distances, and/or some big climbs/descents.
The most challenging trips, these include longer distances, bigger hills, long hikes, exposed paddling, and full days of activity. We recommend a higher degree of fitness and training to make the most of the experience.
There is also a rare double black diamond, reserved for only the most difficult adventures.
Start: Turku, Park Hotel, 16:00, day one.
Finish: Mariehamn, 10:00, day seven. Flights and ferries available to Stockholm, Helsinki, Riga and Tallinn.
Please contact us to arrange alternate plans, if necessary.
Introductions
Meet your guides in Turku, the oldest city in Finland and former national capital, for a bike fitting and short warm-up ride before dinner. Recognized as a European Capital of Culture in 2011, medieval Turku is split by the lazy Aura River and is home to cobblestone streets, an impressive castle, and a charming riverside promenade. D (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips. Self-guided trips include breakfast only)
Park Hotel, or, Radisson Blu Marina Palace Hotel, Turku
Turku to Korpo Island ~56km
Starting in Pargas, today’s route follows the archipelago trail, a popular bike route that winds its way toward the open ocean across several islands with the help of bicycle-friendly ferries. Set amongst quiet forests, today’s smooth paved roads seem like they were built for bikes, not cars. The route finishes on the island of Korpo at a humble inn. Settle in for a relaxing night and prepare for your ferry trip to Åland tomorrow morning. BLD
Hotel Nestor, Korpo
Ferry to Åland Islands (~5hrs), cycle to Saltvik 45km
After breakfast you will board an inter-island ferry at 10:00 to head to Fasta Åland, or Åland mainland. Winding through the archipelago, and calling in at several outlying islands on route, we like to think of this as more of a cruise than a ferry ride. Upon landing on Åland you will hop on your bike and head north toward the town of Saltvik and your cosy, family-run inn. BLD
Kvarnbo Guest House, Saltvik
Vardö Loop ~64km
With the help of bicycle ferries, today’s route circles out from Saltvik to Vardö Island, birthplace of two notable Finnish authors, Sally Salminen and Anni Blomqvist. On the way enjoy a picnic at the 19th-century Russian fortress at Bomarsund, a battleground during the Crimean war. After more island hopping the route loops back, via ferry, to Fasta Åland, and your inn in Saltvik and an independent dinner. BL
Same lodging
Saltvik to Havsvidden 56km (Optional sea kayaking and hiking available)
Today’s route heads north toward the cliff-side resort at Havsvidden. Trading bikes for boots, or boats, you have plenty of options this afternoon. Scramble the rocky coast, kayak the gentle waters or curl up with a book at your uniquely modern hotel. BLD
Havsvidden Hotel, Havsvidden
Havsvidden to Mariehamn 68km (Optional ride to Järsö)
Today you ride south along the western coast of Fasta Åland toward Mariehamn, the islands’ only city. Mariehamn, home to two ice-free harbours, an international port and a square-rigged floating museum, is one of Scandinavia’s most intriguing cities. Riders looking for more mileage today have the option to continue riding south along route 30 toward Järsö before returning to Mariehamn for the night. Your guides will bid you farewell this evening following dinner. BLD
Hotel Pommern, or, Hotel Arkipelag, Mariehamn
Farewells
Your tour concludes this morning following breakfast. From Mariehamn there are flights and ferries to many destinations throughout the Baltics and Scandinavia including Turku, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn or Riga. B
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SCHEDULED DATES
2023 Guided:
- Jun 3-9
- Aug 5-11
2024 Guided:
- May 25-31
- Jun 22-28
- Aug 3-9
Self-Guided available any dates, except for those listed above. New dates are also welcomed for guided or private departures.
PRICING
Guided: C 4885 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners, ferries, van support, full-time guide, luggage handling, maps and route instructions, taxes
Small groups or private tours, fully supported with drivers/guides and vehicles, all lodging and most meals included. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Self-Guided: C 4295 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, inn to inn luggage transfers, maps and route instructions, essential transfers, on-call emergency support, taxes
Semi-supported, independent tours including welcome briefing, lodging, luggage transfers and necessary vehicle transfers. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Single Occupancy: 995
Bike Rentals:
Hybrid-Fitness: 265
Electric-Assist: 495
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
Please see above for accurate pricing and inclusions, unless we have proposed a customized trip for you and those details are provided in your custom proposal.
1. Choose an advertised date to join a small group, or see our Join a Group page to see where groups are already forming.
2. Pick your own dates. We will confirm quickly, and are happy to talk with you as you make your choice. If you would like a private guided date, this usually comes at a surcharge depending on the details, please get in touch for more information. If you prefer self-guided, we usually only require two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and can sometimes reduce prices for you if you have four or more.
More Reading:
Not exactly Swedish, but not entirely Finnish either, the autonomous Åland Islands, a rocky chain of some 6500 skerries and islands spread across Finland’s Archipelago Sea, are a unique Nordic cycling destination. Scraped flat by enormous glaciers during the last Ice Age, the islands of Åland – and the nearby Turku Archipelago – are a cyclist’s dream, laced with empty roads, coastal vistas, and tiny, brightly coloured seaside villages.
Starting in Turku, Finland’s oldest city, the route snakes westward through the southernmost islands of the Turku Archipelago before traveling via ferry to Åland. Turku, the most important city in Finland’s long history, is the gateway to the Archipelago Sea, and, in our opinion, the perfect starting point to explore the region’s islands.
Of Åland’s many islands, your route circumnavigates Fasta Åland, the largest and most populous, home to the largest city, Mariehamn, and the hulking Russian fortress of Bomarsund. Hopping on and off several small bike ferries, the route weaves around the coast, finishing back in Mariehamn where your trip ends. This charming maritime city has myriad options for further exploration of the Baltics, with direct flights and ferries to Stockholm, Helsinki, Riga and Tallinn.
