Article

Cycling the Archipelago Trail

Watch the video

Cycling the Archipelago Trail

Off Finland’s west coast lies one of the country’s most beautiful and most unique tourist destinations. Shaped by the Ice Age, the Turku archipelago consists of over 20,000 islands and islets.

The area is naturally popular with sailors, but the numerous islands mean that the area can also be explored by road on the circular Turku Archipelago Trail.

The Archipelago Trail is one of Finland’s most popular tourist routes. In the summer season, which runs from May to September, it attracts about 20,000 visitors, by car, by motorbike and by bicycle. Rather than a road, it is perhaps best described as a network, made up of many sections of roads linked by ferry crossings. Besides 160–190 kilometres of road sections, the crossings from one island to the next cover an additional 30–50 kilometres depending on your chosen route.

Coast and Archipelago

Coastal Finland with its stunningly beautiful archipelago offers a variety of fascinating destinations that are easy to reach.

Coast and Archipelago

Best for bikes

The circular route might have been made for cyclists as the winding roads that cross the archipelago encourage drivers to drive more slowly than they might on the main roads of the mainland. A large proportion of them are tourists too, taking it slowly and enjoying the scenery. Pedalling through the islands, the views change often and quickly from bare rocky islets to the green countryside of the inner archipelago with its wooden houses, and red wooden boatsheds. There are countless small bridges and the ferry crossings provide excellent opportunities to rest and recharge your batteries.

Plenty to see

Although the length of the Archipelago Trail might not sound much to an experienced cyclist, it’s worth leaving plenty of time as there is lots to see along the route in the summer. There are plenty of museums, historic buildings, fortresses and ruins in the archipelago as well as the Saaristomeri National Park, one of two national parks in Finland to be awarded PAN parks certification as a protected wilderness area. This makes it an ideal place to explore the varied natural landscape, flora and fauna, e.g. on a guided boat trip.

In the summer visitors can stop off at exhibitions of the islands’ maritime culture, do some shopping and settle down for the evening in one of the many guest harbours which are buzzing with life on summer nights in June and July. The harbours also offer overnight accommodation. On top of this there are also plenty of campsites for tents and, this being Finland, cottages to rent, not to mention family hotels and B&Bs offering a home from home.

The whole trail or a shorter option?

The Archipelago Trail can be explored in many different ways. If you’re starting from Turku and the whole 200 kilometre main route might be pushing it a bit, there are shorter sections, all of which are shown in the Archipelago Trail guide. All the routes are also perfect for beginner cyclists because there are plenty of places to stop off for a rest along the way and the ferry crossings mean sometimes you don’t have any choice but to get off and enjoy the scenery.

Activities

You might also enjoy these
Coast and Archipelago

Into the Wild by Bike

Plenty of gradients and the terrain varies from bare rock and undulating sandy ground to ancient spruce forests with tree roots and gravel ridges – perfect for taking it to the max.

At the Top with the Snowmobile man

Take a look at the geographical shape of Finland and you’ll see why people call her “The Finnish Maiden”. At the tip of her thumb is the only part of the country where peaks rise 1,000 metres above sea level. Nestled in those peaks you will find a tiny village called Kilpisjärvi, home to roughly a hundred year-round residents.

Meet Pasi - the Husky Farm Owner

Fall in love with the winter wilderness and it could completely change your life. Pasi Ikonen is a prime example of what the pull of Lapland can do.

A Canine Case – a ride with the huskies in Lapland

They’re cute and they’re fast; a husky tour is an exquisite way to see the Arctic wilderness in Finland.

Ice skating in Southern Finland

Finland is a true winter wonderland and the place where ice skating dreams come true. Here are our top picks for the best places to go skating in Finland.

Must-do winter activities in Lakeland

Experience Finnish Lakeland like never before – here are some of the outdoor winter sports and adventure activities that get your heart pumping!

Article

Cycling the Archipelago Trail

Watch the video

Cycling the Archipelago Trail

Coast and Archipelago

Best for bikes

Plenty to see

The whole trail or a shorter option?

Related Links

Cycling in Finland

The Archipelago Trail

Cycling and bike tours in Finland

You might also enjoy these Coast and Archipelago

You might also enjoy these
Coast and Archipelago