Saimaa by Cycle Bikepacking: Central Karelia Loop

The Central Karelia Loop starts at Kitee railway station, making this 170-kilometre bikepacking route easy to reach even without a car. The route is ridden clockwise through Kitee, Rääkkylä and Tohmajärvi, and its character is shaped by quiet backroads, varied gravel sections, narrow passages between lakes and the gently rolling hill landscapes of Central Karelia.
One of the area’s best outdoor and camping areas, Kiteen erä- ja riistapolut, is located close to the station. It makes a good place to start or finish the loop, especially if you want to include a peaceful night outdoors as part of the ride. From Kitee, the route continues towards Rääkkylä, where the village centre services and the Paksuniemi harbour area offer a natural first longer stop in lakeside surroundings.
After Rääkkylä, the loop becomes more intimate and finely textured. The route winds via the Onkamo lakes and Särkijärvi towards the village of Tikkala, bringing together some of the best elements of bikepacking in Central Karelia: quiet small roads, little lakes, swimming beaches and rural village landscapes that few travellers would find by chance. There are 10 swimming beaches along the full route, making the loop especially enjoyable in warm weather, when the riding day can be paced around cycling, breaks and refreshing swims.
In Tikkala, the route serves up a fine swimming and rest stop close to the harbour. The village also has an interesting vintage shop and summer café. The route then reaches Tohmajärvi via quiet backroads. Although the village centre is small, it has everything a bike traveller needs: a grocery store, restaurant, swimming beach, café and accommodation services. Kirkkoniemi, with its landscapes, swimming beaches and rest spots, is well worth the extra kilometres.
The section between Tohmajärvi and Kitee is one of the finest parts of the route. Small gravel roads wind along field edges, forest roads and finally the riverbanks of the Humalajoki towards Lake Kiteenjärvi. Kitee offers food, drinks and accommodation, along with a strong pesäpallo identity and a Nightwish exhibition. The town also has an excellent indoor swimming pool, where the sauna is a perfect place to wash off the effort of the trip — especially if you are planning to spend the final night at the excellent Kiteen erä- ja riistapolut outdoor area.