Saimaa Archipelago Route
160 km
Imatra
The Saimaa Archipelago Route, located in the southern Saimaa region, offers cyclists a stunning scenic road and the opportunity to explore unique cultural sites. Following the shores of Lake Saimaa and the pine forests of the Salpausselkä ridges, the approximately 160 km route showcases the attractions of the two towns Lappeenranta and Imatra and also four charming municipalities of Taipalsaari, Savitaipale, Ruokolahti, and Joutseno.
Distance
160 km
% Unpaved
10 %
Duration
2-7 days
Total ascent
2283m
Difficulty (1-10)
2
Highest point
126m
% Rideable
100 %- Saimaa Geopark sites in urban areas and in nature along the route
- Ferry trip between Sarviniemi and Kyläniemi
- South Karelian cheerful cities Imatra and Lappeenranta
- Five charming smaller towns / villages
- Getting to know the centuries-old history of the border area
- The bicycle ferry Rastin operates from June to August, five days a week, from Monday to Sunday. It is worth checking the timetables carefully and buying tickets in advance.
- You can start the route from anywhere along the route and you can cycle it either clockwise or counterclockwise.
- You can get to South Karelia by train from Helsinki or Joensuu, the stations on the route are in Lappeenranta, Joutseno and Imatra. There are bus connections from different directions in Finland. Cyclists can access the route from Etelä-Savo to Puumala on the Rastilauta, which has connections to the island of Lintusalo to the island route of Puumala.
It’s recommended to allocate several days for the Saimaa Archipelago Route, as there is so much to see. Along the route, you can stay in unique hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, or camp by the shores of Lake Saimaa. One of the route's highlights is the ferry crossing between Sarviniemi and Kyläniemi, made on the bicycle ferry Rasti.