“August is just a perfect travelling month in Finland by bike. Finnish nature is at its most bountiful in august when the crop is been gathered from the fields, apples are ripe and ready and you can really sense the aroma of sweetness while passing farms, apple gardens and wild meadows.”
Day 1. Distance 80 km
Hämeenlinna – Lepaa – Hattula – Iittala – Sääksmäki
I woke up early to catch a train from Tampere to Hämeenlinna. After arriving to the train station with my gear (which is not very much) I lifted the bike inside the train. There are hooks where you can hang your bicycle and attach it so that it doesn´t move around. It´s also good to book the bicycle place beforehand because those are limited in number.
It took only one hour to travel to Hämeenlinna so soon I was on my bike and ready to pedal. My first pinpoint was Häme Castle which is located almost in the center of Hämeenlinna city.
The morning was great, sunny and not too hot. Cycle path ran right by the shore, and I saw fishermen sitting with their rods and high hopes, boat repairers and just people biking or walking by the castle. There were massive willows hanging their long branches over the waterline. Vanajavesi lake was so bright that my eyes were dazzled.
I crossed an old wooden rail bridge and got to Aulanko. Soon the road took me away from the shore while I started my way towards Lepaa.
I knew that my interest to visit Lepaa made for a 15 km to and fro extra loop, but I found Lepaa Manor an area way too interesting to visit, so I didn´t mind about these additional kilometers. Especially when the weather was this good!
Hint: Hopealinjat boats travel from Hämeenlinna city to Lepaa Manor, so you can also hop on with your bike and arrive by the water!
Since I arrived to Lepaa first I visited Lepaa Pottery Shop. I saw artisans creating clay figures and pots, all of them were sold there in their shop.
Next to the pottery shop was Lepaa Garden and Wine Store, which was full of their own wines, ciders, beers, etc. and of course different kinds of flowers and garden products. From here I cycled little further and finally found the Lepaa Manor, in the middle of hundreds of apple trees. I had a buffet lunch and enjoyed my coffee and desert at the manor´s terrace.
I felt almost sad to leave but there were so many places waiting me today, so I steered my bike back on the road.
Now I was coming back exactly the same way (but there was no other option) towards Hattula and stopped at famous Mierola Bridge Cafe. From here I made a stop by Hattula´s Holy Cross Church which was just a few kilometers away. After visiting the church, I steered my wheels to the west – my next target was going to be really interesting: Parola Armour Museum. I had never been inside a tank, so this was my first time. Actually you could visit quite many tanks there but most of them where just eye candy. Two big halls full of Finnish armour history and there was also outside exhibitions. Place also had a cafeteria and a museum store.
Time was now 16 o’clock when I left the museum and headed to Iittala Glass Museum. I stopped various times just photographing and enjoying beautiful countryside sceneries. Wind was strong and even my bike fell down when I left it by the sandy road while taking photos. My seat and rack got a bit twisted, and it took me some time to fix everything back in the right angle.
When I finally arrived to Iittala Glass Museum I was very hungry, but the Museum restaurant didn’t serve meals anymore (they only had lunch) so I went to a store and had a picnic. After that I was ready to visit all the places. Actually this area is called the Glass Capital because there was so much more than just the Iittala Glass Factory. There you can actually follow the production of all kinds of glass artefacts, as talented glassblowers create birds, bowls and many other famous Iittala brands. But this scene was so hot to watch! I couldn’t understand how the workers could manage in such temperatures… There are also several shops and a chocolate factory Kultasuklaa too. Interesting place overall.
Next my way was towards the east and to Valkeakoski, but before that I wanted to bike through Päivölä College because I had heard that you can also stay overnight there, and I was curious. Also I had planned this pit stop for me just in case if the night was falling on me and I wouldn’t have reached far enough. The college is located at the top of a steep hill. Rolling down from there was great fun!
Now I passed Visavuori Museum which I visited during my last trip (See Wanderer 1 -blog) and amazing Sääksmäki Bridge and Sääksmäki Stone Church (these are also mentioned in that same blog). Just a few roads more and I was at my friend’s home where I had had an invitation to stay overnight. Otherwise I could have cycled few kilometers more and stayed in a cottage at Apianlahti Camping.
Day 2. Distance 40 km
Sääksmäki – Valkeakoski – Pälkäne
After the breakfast I thanked my host and hopped on my bike. Valkeakoski was calling!
Myllysaari Museum was first on the list where the permanent exhibition talks about the journey of Valkeakoski and Sääksmäki from the Iron Age through to today. At the third floor there´s also Finnish football museum.
I have always found Valkeakoski very interesting for a bike traveller since it offers so many intriguing and fascinating visiting targets: All the historic places in Sääksmäki, vivid nature and a wide range of services at the center of Valkeakoski – lots of places to eat and accommodation options. I passed the beautiful pedestrians bridge at the city now towards Pälkäne village and Laitikkala.
This quiet tarmac road was so easy to bike until it turned in the direction of Laitikkala and I was on a tiny forest road. High spruces and silent surrounding escorted me to Laitikkala and to Rönnvik Winery.
You want to make sure that the winery is open and check the opening times from their website. I had booked this visit earlier so there was the owner Eila receiving me. I found the winery’s ”Four wine tasting set” very interesting and of course the beer and wine store. Eila also told that you can arrive to Laitikkala by boat from Valkeakoski Visavuori by m/s Suvi-Ellen boat (sure you want to check do they transport bicycles as well). This whole place was like being inside a fairy tale!
Few kilometers to north located Suttinen berry and vegetable Farm. Farm store was full of all sorts of season goodies and outside I found myself inside a Maize Maze!
I passed Heikkilä Cheese Farm on my way up north towards Pälkäne village and there I filled my stomach with pizza at Pizzeria Saranda. Bought some food from a local market for my breakfast and head to Paija´s Potato Farm where I had booked a cottage for the night. Some sauna, swim and bed.
Day 3. Distance 60km
Pälkäne – Kangasala – Tampere
After the breakfast (which I had bought yesterday) was a time to pack up and head towards Kangasala and Tampere.
First I stopped at Vehoniemi Automobile Museum and had a really good salmon sandwich and a tour in the museum. At this time rain had caught up with me and I had to pull my rain gear on. From this moment forward rain just got heavier all the time and it made no sense to stop at the pinpoints I had planned earlier. So I just kept going. Otherwise I would have also visited Keisarinharju Observation Tower.
Biking along Tiihala road I steered to Kangasala city center, passed it while rain forcing me to bike even faster… So I found myself after few hours in Tampere, my home city. I had dreamed of having a sauna at Finland’s oldest public sauna Rajaportti, but since all my clothes were leaking wet I just ran straight to home and took a warm shower. A different kind of end, but a very satisfying trip!
