Route description
The cycling tour from Helsinki to Hanko via Kirkkonummi, Inkoo and Tammisaari is scheduled to take four days due to the distance of about 153 km to be covered. Although the total distance is very long, the daily stages are relatively short. Partly the route is a little hilly, but there are no significant gradients. The tour is therefore also suitable for beginners.
Day 1: From Helsinki to Kirkkonummi
Experience the maritime side of Helsinki on the first day by following the coast from the Kaivopuisto shore to Lauttasaari. Afterwards you will reach the houses of Espoo, whose gardens and houses are a feast for the eyes. From here you leave the city area and drive on to the countryside in the direction of Kirkkonummi. The way there is a bit hilly, but it leads you through deciduous forest and past fields, so that you can really switch off from everyday life.
When you have arrived in Kirkkonummi, you have covered the first of the stages with 39 km and can rest after the effort carefree.
Tag 2: From cherry gum to inkoo
The next day your way leads you first to Siuntio. The area is also called the community of manor houses, because the manor houses rise high up and are therefore visible from afar. Most of them, however, are private, so that only an external inspection is permitted. Since this stage is only 33 km long, in Siuntio you could visit the church of Simon Peter in the centre. It dates back to the Middle Ages.
Your trip will take you on to Inkoo, your destination for the second day. Shortly before reaching the city, you should turn your gaze to the sea that shimmers through the trees. In Inkoo itself, the marina near the market square is an ideal place to relax before you go to sleep.
Tag 3: From Inkoo to Tammisaari
The third day takes you over a distance of 44 km from Inkoo to Fagervik. There you will see beautiful wooden houses, which really stand out with their red paint. After leaving the village, the path is a little hilly and meanders to the church of Snappertuna. You will also be able to see the castle of Raseborg, which stands out on its rock from the surrounding landscape. In Snappertuna there is a café which you can use for a rest.
The route continues to Tammisaari. The city has an idyllic atmosphere due to its location by the sea and the "wooden old town", where you can spend a pleasant night. In the evening you can have a closer look at the city. You will notice that the street has unique names or have you ever heard of a street called herring or onionfish?
Day 4: From Tammisaari to Hanko
On the last day you have to cover approximately the same distance as on the previous day. You drive along the coast like you did at the beginning. First you reach the settlement of Lappohja, where you can take a break and go swimming. Then we continue on a nature trail to Högholnen and the Hankoniemi peninsula. The island offers a wealth of bird species - up to 270 species are said to be found there.
Your journey continues in a westerly direction to the tip of the peninsula. There lies the town of Hanko. It is a true paradise for yacht owners and fishermen. Along the coast there are long sandy beaches and rocky hills. You will also see many villas there. The Osthafen is very popular with holidaymakers due to its large number of restaurants.
With the arrival in Hanko the bike tour is over. You can either leave immediately or take one or more days to visit the city and the neighbouring islands. A popular day destination is Bengtskär with its lighthouse.
Return trip
From Hanko you can either return to Helsinki by bike or train. If you are planning a train ride, you should check this beforehand so that you can take your bike with you.
Where to eat
There are places to stop for refreshments and overnight stays at all departure and arrival points.
While Helsinki and Hanko have a lot to offer, there is not much choice in the smaller towns. Therefore you should plan your sleeping places in advance.
Interesting facts
- The bike trail is one of the family friendly trails in the region. The bike trail is also perfect if the kid’s wanna bring their dog on the trip.
- If you get hungry along the way, there are places to rest and get food. Nevertheless it’s recommended to also have enough water and food in your backpack when hiking or biking.
Highlights of the tour
The route mostly leads along the coast, so that you often have a good view of the sea and who didn't want to experience a sunrise or sunset at the sea?
During your journey you will come to many places, each of which is worth a visit. No matter if it is the elegant houses of Helsinki and Espoo, the idyllic atmosphere of Inkoo and Tammisaari or the flair of Hanko, every place is unique.
By the way you can also experience a lot of the Nature, for example the inhabitants of the peninsula Hankoniemi. The 270 bird species will make the heart of any ornithologist beat faster.
Variations
The tour can be shortened if you combine stages or choose a different starting point. In addition, an extension of the tour is also possible, so that you can stay longer at individual locations.
Another possibility would be to travel in reverse order, from Hanko to Helsinki.
Getting here
Travelling by plane
The airplane is the fastest way to get to Helsinki. The airport can be approached directly and is located about 20 km from the capital in Vantaa. From there there are several ways to get to the city centre of Helsinki.
Arrival with ÖPNV
There is a shuttle bus between the airport and Helsinki railway station to Helsinki as well as bus line 615, which takes about 35 minutes to get to and from the airport terminal.
Travelling by car
Finland can also be reached by car via Sweden and Denmark. You can take the Vogelfluglinie or the country road over the Belt Bridge to Copenhagen and from there over the Öresund Bridge to Malmö. The bridges are subject to tolls. To Stockholm you continue via the Silja Line to Turku or Helsinki or you take the Viking Line.
Another option is to rent a car. There are companies for this at the airport as well as in Helsinki itself. The cheaper alternative, however, would be a shared taxi from the airport to the capital.
Note:
If you drive yourself, you should make sure that neither moose nor reindeer cross the road, which can easily lead to an accident.
Arrival by ship
If you want to take your own vehicle with you, but don't want to drive the route yourself, then it is a good idea to travel by ship. Ferries operate between Rostock and Helsinki and between Travemünde and Helsinki respectively.
