Blue Highway (579 km/362 miles)
Sininen tie (579 km)
The Blue Highway is one of the oldest official travel routes in Finland. It is part of the international Blue Highway, which in the west runs across Sweden to Norway and on the Atlantic coast and in the east to Kargopol in Russia.
The culture and history found along the route are colorful and original. The Blue Highway offers unique activities and sights as well as memorable experiences for both active travelers and culture lovers. In the beautiful archipelago of Korsholm near the city of Vaasa is Finland's first Unesco World Heritage Site, the Kvarken Archipelago. In addition, Replot island is connected to the continent by Finland's longest bridge (1,045 m), the Replot Bridge.
In the center of Alajärvi, you can get to know the early works of internationally renowned architect Alvar Aalto. In Pielavesi is the modest Lepikko cottage, the birthplace of Finland's longest-serving president, Urho Kaleva Kekkonen. The cottage is now a museum and is open daily in the summer. The cities of Kuopio and Joensuu have plenty to offer: their inland cruises, historical and crafts quarters, and myriad events will make you want to stay a little longer www.sininentie.fi The route: From Vaasa, National Road 3 in the direction of Laihia – National Road 16 via Lapua to Kyyjärvi – Road 77 to Kuopio via either the northern route (a: National Route 77 the whole way) or the southern route (b: along smaller roads; Road 659 to Ahveninen and Road 551 to Kuopio) – National Road 17 to Joensuu – Road 70 to Tohmajärvi and the Niirala border station, where you can cross the border and enter Russia
|