Midsummer route

On Monday (18/06) I decided to make a short four-day bike trip to Åland (from Thursday till Monday). I’m a pretty experienced bike traveller, so I decided that it would be possible to plan and have it realized in the matter of a few days. I wanted to spend some time alone to reload and rest as the past few months I had been too active.

My route

Day 1. Thursday. Bus from Saint-Petersburg to Turku.
Day 2. Turku — Nagu.
Day 3. Nagu-Korpo-Galtby-Kökar.
Day 4. Kökar-Föglö-Maarianhaminan.
Day 5. Ferry Maarianhaminan-Turku and bus to Saint-Petersburg.

At the very beginning I had a more ambitious plan, but after checking on local roads, wind and weather conditions I made some changes. During my first day I experienced heavy rain, strong wind and changes of attitude up to 800 meters while covering quite challenging 70 km. All other days weather was merciful to me) I had no plan, if to be 100% honest :) I bought a ferry ticket and made a bus reservation from and to Spb. During 3 days I covered 200 km by bike, went up to 1500 m, visited 12 islands and used 6 ferries.

Useful info

1. Timetable. Be careful.
2. Camping map.
3. Internet.
4. Navigation.

More details

Day 2

My adventure started in Turku where I had a ride across the city center. The city turned out to be surprisingly nice, and I do plan to explore it in future. I decided to have a ride across Turku archipelago and the southern part of Åland as my wish was to compare Finland and Åland. The archipelago gives you a chance to enjoy the typical Finnish landscape and architecture but nothing more to it. I visited a few picturesque towns where I got a chance to have lunch and drink their so-called coffee in quite pleasant and relaxing atmosphere.
It was the hardest part of my journey because of the relief and rain, also it was a real challenge to find a camping site to stay on with a tent. There are no campings suitable for a tent marked on official maps, and locals know no such places. I made a research and found one place on the island. Its inhabitants told me that such type of camping is called “guest camping”, it resembles a guest house, which means that a landlord gives you an opportunity to rent some place where you can use utilities such as a shower, a kitchen and the like at an unbelievably high price (it was the most expensive place on my way). Everything was just basic. But still I was happy to reach that place, put up the tent and had lunch.

Camping Grännäs Homestead.

Sights:

1. Kuusisto Bishop’s Castle Ruins.
2. Kustö kyrka.
3. Nagu kyrka.
4. The Bell Tower of Nagu.

Day 3

I had enough time before the ferry to explore the island. On my way I met a couple cycling to Korpoström to have coffee and they highly recommended me to visit it. I’m grateful to them for that tip :) That breathtaking view which I could enjoy even made the disgusting Finnish coffee taste much better. After that I had a ride to the ferry station, it was located not far from the main town. I relaxed while listening to jazz tunes heard coming from a nearby house during my waiting for a ferry trip.

In 2 hours and a half I reached the Kökar island. It is impossible to describe my amazement at the sight of its magnificent landscapes, I highly recommend everyone to visit it. There I enjoyed the marvellous scenery, the silence which I had been looking for and felt free from all my thoughts.
I stayed in Camping Sandvik Gästhamn&Camping, they have all necessary equipment for cooking, a big kitchen, a sauna, a shop, and a bar with a great view on the island.

Sights:

1. Korpoström.
2. Seal hunting camp.
3. Kökar kommun.
4. The church of St. Anna.
5. The monastery ruins and Hamnö.
6. Picturesque views and historical monuments.

Days 4–5

On my way to Maarianhaminan I made one more stop at the group of Föglö islands, I reached it by ferry from Kökar to Överö. There I admired viewing rural areas, enjoyed restful atmosphere and good breakfast in the company of locals at Gästhem Enigheten. After it I got on a ferry to the main island.

Sights:
1. Lemlands kyrka.
2. Channel between Lemland and Jomala.

On way to Maarianhaminan I felt that we were approaching quite a big town because of lots of cars on roads.

The Capital

Maarianhaminan is an amazing place to enjoy the absolutely unbelievable atmosphere, there are two harbours in it with the western being one of the biggest in the Baltic region. That is a great place to enjoy the Scandinavian way of living. I had a full day before the ferry to enjoy that place.

Sights:

1. Mariehamns Seglarförening.
2. ÅSS Marina.
3. Vattentornet på Badhusberget.
4. St. George church

I highly recommend visiting Aland as it is a really great place to have rest and enjoy oneself. Of course, it was sad to return home, but fortunately I got a lot of great emotions, realized the dream and met plenty of interesting people. Fears of travelling alone didn’t come true :)

Enjoy the photos.