Self-Drive Finland Itineraries

DAY 1: Helsinki - Saimaanranta.
Direct route approximately 260 km.

Head east from Helsinki on the 7 / E18.

Only 50km east of Helsinki is Porvoo, the beautiful old wooden town with narrow streets, craft shops and boutiques. Sites of interest include the old cathedral, home of Finlands National poet J L Runeberg and the town hall square.

Porvoo Tourist Office.

Rihkamakatu 4,
FIN-06100 Provoo
Tel: (019) 5202 316.

Tourist.office@porvoo.fi

www.porvoo.fi

Continue east taking the coast road via Kotka to Lappeenranta or travel in land on route 6 via Kouvola to Lappeenranta.

Lappeenranta.
Located on the southern most edge of Lake Saimaa and close to the Russian border Lappeenranta is a small, pretty town with lots of character. The oldest part of the town is on the Linnoitus peninsula where you will find the fortress, several museums and Finland's oldest orthodox church.

TIP: We recommend you stop for coffee at Majurska, a traditional café near the Orthodox Church.

The town has a bustling market place, especially during summer. Popular day trips include cruises on Lake Saimaa and visa free boat trips through the Saimaa Canal to Vyborg. Canoes & bikes available for hire locally. Good hiking trails in immediate area.

Lappeenranta City Tourist Office.

Tel: (05) 358 5 667 788
www.gosaima.fi

Continue north on road 408 towards Taipalsaari. Drive 14 km and turn right at the crossing to Suur-Saimaa, Rehula (there's a St1-station at the otherside of the crossing). Drive another 14 km and then you are at Saimaanranta.

DAY 3: Saimaanranta to Tuusniemi.
Direct route approximately 260 km.

Drive back to Lappeenranta and then head east on Route 6 through Imatra.

Punkaharju.
There are two places well worth a visit:
Retretti Art Centre, open from late May to the end of August, is in a unique setting. The centre is underground, cut out of rock and measuring 3000 sq. m. The exhibitions change each year and in the past have included classics such as Picasso, Rubens and Matisse together with daring contemporary art.
Lusto, Finnish Forest Museum, open all year, offers an insight into the interaction between man and the forest, past and present. As well as the permanent exhibition the museum has short term exhibitions, many theme days and annual events. Guided walks are also available in the nearby conservation area.

Continue north on Route 14 to Savonlinna.

Savonlinna.

This pretty town plays host to one of the world's most popular opera festivals each July with visitors arriving from all over the world. Performances take place in Olavinlinna Castle, the best preserved medieval fortress in the Nordic countries and built in 1475. The castle is open all year to visitors. Boat trips available during the summer from the harbour.

Savonlinna Tourist Office.

Puistokatu 1,
FIN-57100 Savonlinna.
Tel:(015) 517510

www.savonlinna.fi

An optional detour from Savonlinna is on Route 71 to Kerimaki.

Kerimäki.

25 km,s from Savonlinna is Kerimaki, home to the world's largest wooden church, built in 1847, with a capacity for 5,000 people.

From Savonlinna or Kerimaki you have a choice of routes to Loma-Jussila (Tuusniemi), either on the main road 71 and back on to route 6 to Joensuu and then join route 17 towards Koupio or along the small country roads through the lakes.

Joensuu Tourist Office (Karelia Expert).

Koskikatu 5, 80100

Joensuu.

Tel: (013) 267 5223

Loma Jussila Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast.

Jussilantie 25, 71200 Tuusniemi
Puh. +358-17- 637 146
GSM +358-40- 8249105
Fax +358-17- 637 166
- Get a real feel for country life in Finland by staying on this friendly family run B & B. They also run a popular restaurant using the local produce including the farms milk. You can help to take care of the farm animals, swim in the lake, hike or go fishing. From here you can also head east for a day exploring the Koli National park (see below).
- Accommodation in cosy twin / family rooms. Shared facilities.

DAY 5: Tuusniemi - Lentiira.
Direct route approximately 200 km.

Drive east from Loma-Jussila along the small country roads until you reach Route 6. If you haven’t already done so, this is a good time to visit Koli National Park. If Bear Watching tonight be at Lentiira in good time as dinner I served at 16.00!

Koli National Park.

This 26 sq. km park is one of the countries oldest and best known attractions. This scenic park with breathtaking views is made up of a ridge of rocky hills and typical Karelian eskers and islands. The park has a visitors centre with information on nature and hiking trails.

You can receive further information

During the summer boats sail a couple of times a day across beautiful lake Pielinen from Koli to Lieksa. Journey time each way is approximately 1 hour 40 minutes.

From Koli head north on road 6 to join road 75 through Nurmes and Kuhmo. In Kuhmo join road 912 north until it crosses Road 89. Turn right to Vartius. You will find large signs for Wild Brown Bear along this road leading you to the camp.

Wild Brown Bear

Kostanmusie 1120, 88930 Lentiira
Tel: (040) 5469 008
- A wilderness centre set up for bear watching. A two night stay including breakfast and dinner. On one night (please specify which, when booking) you have space booked in a hide from 17.00 until the morning for Bear Watching. The hides are just 20-30 metres from the bears.
- During your free time visit Kajaani or go hiking.

DAY 6: Lentiira to Ruka.
Direct route approximately 260 km.

Travelwest for a few miles until you join road 912 north to Suomussalmi.

Suomussalmi.

A pretty area offering activities such as hiking and canoeing. Alternatively just relax by a lake with a picnic.

Suomussalmi Information.

P.O.Box 110
FI-89601 SUOMUSSALMI
Telephone: (08) 615 555 45
www.suomussalmi.fi

From Suomussalmi join the E63/ Road 5 north through Kuusamo to Ruka.

Kuusamo.

This small town offers a good range of shops, information centre a Tropical spa with a swimming pool, saunas and steam rooms. Treatments such massages can also be arranged. Definitely worth a visit for a unique memento or gifts is the White studio offering an excellent range of pottery located next to the Information centre.

Ruka.

This small fell side resort is a walker's paradise. The best-known hiking route in the area is the Bears Ring, a 80km circuit of wilderness paths in the Oulanka National Park area. Animal life in the area is plentiful with 30 species of mammals including bears and over 120 species of birds. The National Park has an excellent information service. There is an excellent safari company Rukapalvelu located next to Hotel Rukahovi offering safaris such as hiking, fishing and white water rafting throughout the summer. The resort boasts an excellent range of restaurants from pizza to a lacarte restaurants offering local specialities.

Rantasipi Hotel Rukahovi.

Rukatunturintie 5, FIN-93825 Rukatunturi.

Tel: (08) 85 910

Fax: (08) 868 1135

- An excellent hotel set at the foot of Ruka fell. Facilities include a popular restaurant, bar and saunas.

Kuusamo Tourist Office.

Torangintaival 2, FIN-93600, Kuusamo.

Tel: (08) 850 2910

DAY 9: Ruka - Rovaniemi.
Direct route approximately 180 km.

Once again you have a choice of routes.

The most direct is to leave Ruka heading north on the 5/E63 for about 10km and then join the 81 heading north west through Posio to Rovaniemi.

The second is travel as above to Posio then join local roads to Ranua to visit the Ranua Wild life park and the Fazer (chocolate) factory shop located next to the park. From here take the 78 north to Rovaniemi.

The third route is a lot longer but a pleasant drive. Travel north from Kuusamo on route 5/E63 about 30km joining local roads near Kayla continuing north through Hautajarvi towards Salla. Prior to Salla you will find the Jotos, Salla Reindeer park open 10-18.00 daily where you can wander freely around the park or join a guide to feed the reindeer.

Tel: (016) 837771. From here continue west along route 82 through Kemijarvi to Rovaniemi.

Rovaniemi.

Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland and the centre of the provinces trade and commerce. Visitors can enjoy the wide range of shops, restaurants and nightlife the town has to offer. Rovaniemi has a lot to offer tourists with many places of interest and well organised safaris. A must while in Rovaniemi is a visit to the Arktikum House Centre overlooking the Ounasjoki River with it's permanent exhibit about Arctic nature and its people. The Centre also has a number of seasonal exhibitions.

As you will know Rovaniemi is the home of Santa who can be found (please check times) at the arctic circle village along with a special post office and range of gift shops.

Rovaniemi Tourist Information.

Koskikatu 1, FIN-96200 Rovaniemi Tel: (016) 346 270

Rantasipi Pohjanhovi.

Pojanpuistikko 2, FIN-96200 Rovaniemi
Tel: (016) 33 711

- Located in a prime riverside location in the heart of Rovaniemi. All accommodation has private facilities. The hotel has a popular restaurant and bar.

Organised Safaris and excursions available while in Rovaniemi such as boat trips, reindeer farm visits and hiking.

To make reservations contact:

Lapland Safaris Koskikatu 1, Rovaniemi. Tel (016) 3311 200.

They are located next to the tourist office behind Hotel Pohjanhovi.

Reservations must be made latest by 16.00 the previous day.

DAY 12: Trip ends in Rovaniemi.

Drop your car at Rovaniemi Airport or city centre. We can arrange onward flights or rail for you.