145 km
2-3 days
1521m
98m
64 %
25 %
2
100 %
The Artists and Writers Route offers a unique opportunity to combine cycle touring, cultural history and outdoor experiences. The route leads from the Helsinki metropolitan area towards the cultural landscapes of Nurmijärvi and Lake Tuusula, where Finnish national identity took shape during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Along the way, cyclists can explore the childhood landscapes of Finland’s national author Aleksis Kivi at Taaborinvuori and visit sites connected to his final years along the historic Rantatie Road in Tuusula. The Lake Tuusula area is especially famous for its artist community, whose most renowned members included Jean Sibelius, Pekka Halonen, Eero Järnefelt and Juhani Aho. The museums, cafés and cultural attractions along the lakeside road offer plenty to see and experience.
In Kerava, the route introduces a modern perspective on sustainable living at the Jalotus community, where historic buildings, circular economy initiatives and community spirit create an interesting contrast to the traditional cultural attractions.
The final section passes through the forests of Sipoonkorpi National Park. The peace and tranquillity of nature provide the perfect opportunity to reflect on the day’s cultural experiences before returning to the centre of Helsinki.
The route is ideally suited for a two-day cycling trip, with convenient overnight accommodation available at the hotels and guesthouses around Lake Tuusula. A more leisurely three-day journey can include camping at either the Myllykoski campfire site or the Ängesböle camping area in Sipoonkorpi National Park.
- Helsinki Central Park and Route 2000 – a green and nature-filled start to the journey.
- Myllykoski Rapids in Nurmijärvi – a beautiful natural setting for a break or an overnight stay.
- Taaborinvuori – the childhood landscapes of Aleksis Kivi, including a museum and event area.
- Aleksis Kivi's Death Cabin – one of the most significant memorial sites in Finnish literature.
- Tuusula's Rantatie Road – Finland's most famous cultural landscape and the home of the artist community.
- The artist homes and museums of Lake Tuusula – Ainola, Halosenniemi, Erkkola and the Lotta Museum.
- Jalotus and the Kerava Manor area – circular economy, community spirit and a new kind of rural culture.
- Sipoonkorpi National Park and Kuusijärvi – peaceful forests, outdoor services and the opportunity to enjoy a traditional sauna.
- • The route can be ridden with any type of bicycle, provided that the tyre width is at least 40 mm.
- • Surface conditions vary from smooth gravel to occasional rough sections, so wider tyres will improve comfort.
- • The best time to ride the route is generally from May until the end of October, although pleasant cycling conditions can occur throughout the year.
- • Bicycle maintenance services are available in Klaukkala and Tuusula.
- • Always stay on the marked route and use only the recommended campsites and rest areas described in the route guide. Please also follow the Finnish Outdoor Etiquette and the Code of Conduct for Mountain Bikers in Finland.
- • The Sarvikallio Recreation Area is located approximately two kilometres from the route and offers a pleasant campfire site and scenic viewpoint. Overnight camping is not permitted at Sarvikallio.
- • Mobile phone coverage is available throughout the route. Emergency assistance can always be reached by calling 112 or by using the 112 Suomi mobile application.
- Suggested Accommodation
- • Krapi Hotel and Cottages, Tuusula
- • Gustavelund Hotel, Tuusula
- Restaurant and Café Recommendations
- • Hotel Korpilampi, Espoo
- • Café Hugo, Klaukkala
- • Pizzeria Capri, Nurmijärvi
- • Summer Restaurant Mankeli, Tuusula
- • Lotta Museum Café, Tuusula
- • Café Sininen Talo, Sipoo
- • Café Kuusijärvi, Sipoonkorpi
- • The route mainly follows easy gravel roads and cycle paths through rural landscapes.
- • The section from Petikko through the Herukkapuro Nature Reserve and Kurkijärvi Forest towards Serena includes several steep climbs. However, the beautiful forest scenery makes the effort worthwhile.
- • The starting point of the route is Kansalaistori Square in central Helsinki, which is easily accessible by public transport. The route can also be started from Pasila Railway Station, which also works well as a finishing point.
- • The route can be divided into two shorter sections by making use of Kerava Railway Station.
- • If arriving by car, Haltiala Farm in Vantaa offers convenient parking and an easy place to start and finish the route.
Helsinki – Korpilampi (29 km)
From Helsinki, the route follows Central Park and the Route 2000 cycling trail towards Serena and Korpilampi. This area offers several suitable lunch stops. The section between Petikko and Serena is fairly hilly but rewards riders with beautiful forest scenery.
Korpilampi – Myllykoski Campfire Site (28 km)
From Korpilampi, the route continues through the Luukki Nature Reserve to the centre of Klaukkala, where a wide range of services is available. After Klaukkala, the historic Old Church Road leads towards Nurmijärvi Church Village.
Located beside the church village, Myllykoski is a beautiful rapids area that is well worth a stop and also provides an excellent overnight camping location.
Myllykoski Campfire Site – Krapihovi, Lake Tuusula (20 km)
From Myllykoski, the route heads towards Taaborinvuori and the story of Aleksis Kivi. The museum and event area at Taaborinvuori introduces visitors to the life and work of Finland's national author.
Aleksis Kivi's Death Cabin, where he spent his final years, is located along the historic Rantatie Road by Lake Tuusula. The area also offers several excellent accommodation options.
Krapihovi, Lake Tuusula – Sipoo Town Centre (23 km)
The museums along Tuusula's Rantatie Road provide an excellent opportunity to explore the lives of Finland's artists and writers. From Krapihovi, it is approximately nine kilometres to Kerava and the educational and sustainability-focused Jalotus community.
After visiting Jalotus, cyclists can also explore the Sinka Art Museum or the Heikkilä Local Heritage Museum in Kerava. The route between Kerava and Sipoo follows pleasant country roads, and in Sipoo cyclists will once again find shops and dining services.
After leaving the services of Sipoo town centre, the route enters Sipoonkorpi National Park. Before reaching the edge of the park, cyclists pass the traditional Sipoonjoki Smoke Sauna, a unique partly underground smoke sauna.
Only five kilometres from the centre of Sipoo, it is possible to make a short detour to the Ängesböle camping area and spend a second night in a tent.
Crossing Sipoonkorpi National Park eventually brings riders to the Kuusijärvi Outdoor Recreation Area, which offers a wide range of services from restaurants to traditional saunas. From Kuusijärvi, the route follows recreational trails along the Keravanjoki and Vantaanjoki rivers towards central Helsinki.
Vanhankaupunginkoski, with its scenic surroundings, provides one final nature stop before returning to Kansalaistori Square in the heart of Helsinki.