Finland most intersting road

[manfredschweda]

Going Helsinki north, what are the most interesting roads nature wise
What are the stretches I shouldn't miss
Thanks advice

[Samy]

1. Road to Kuopio from Helsinki is a must and stunning
2. The road from Kouvola-Lappenranta to Joensuu - Lieksa - Nurmes
3. Don't miss Savonlinna

[pecha72]

Originally Posted by Samy

1. Road to Kuopio from Helsinki is a must and stunning
2. The road from Kouvola-Lappenranta to Joensuu - Lieksa - Nurmes

ok, I may see it differently, because I was born here, and these are just opinions just like everyone elses.... but in my view, if it´s main roads we´re talking here (highway 5 & 6), they´re rather boring and straight. Lots and lots of woods, some lakes and tiny villages - and may be they appeal to a tourist, I dont know.

To me, most fun and scenery is to be had on the smaller, more curvy backroads, preferably the ones that have 3 digits in their number, or even 4 (the condition of those last ones may not be so good, especially after last winter, which was unusual). Sometimes there is no asphalt, but with some caution the surface usually remains ok to ride even with a streetbike. A navigator with up-to-date map data is your best friend on small roads - if you have some more specific idea, which way you want to go & time frame, I could suggest some routes to take?

But if you dont have much time, then you may have to stick to the highways. In general, eastern part and northern part of Finland are probably more scenic than the flatter south and west. The lake district is probably something one should not miss, and the reas around Kuusamo, about 800kms north/northeast from Helsinki are also a highlight. But beware of moose everywhere here (there have been accidents with them near Helsinki just days ago - and some happened in broad daylight!), and also reindeer in the north!

[Samy]

Originally Posted by pecha72

ok, I may see it differently, because I was born here, and these are just opinions just like everyone elses.... but in my view, if it´s main roads we´re talking here (highway 5 & 6), they´re rather boring and straight. Lots and lots of woods, some lakes and tiny villages - and may be they appeal to a tourist, I dont know.

To me, most fun and scenery is to be had on the smaller, more curvy backroads, preferably the ones that have 3 digits in their number, or even 4 (the condition of those last ones may not be so good, especially after last winter, which was unusual). Sometimes there is no asphalt, but with some caution the surface usually remains ok to ride even with a streetbike. A navigator with up-to-date map data is your best friend on small roads - if you have some more specific idea, which way you want to go & time frame, I could suggest some routes to take?

But if you dont have much time, then you may have to stick to the highways. In general, eastern part and northern part of Finland are probably more scenic than the flatter south and west. The lake district is probably something one should not miss, and the reas around Kuusamo, about 800kms north/northeast from Helsinki are also a highlight. But beware of moose everywhere here (there have been accidents with them near Helsinki just days ago - and some happened in broad daylight!), and also reindeer in the north!

Hi Pecha,
Thanks for contributing. Could you please tell us more detailed roads to follow with good views. Don't forget we are tourists

I know the road around Koli are magnificent for example.

We need more detail...

[pecha72]

I could try, but I think there are just way too many good roads to list one by one... so it would be a big help, if I knew, when you´ll be planning to do the ride (the summer is very short here - Lapland might get snowed in, while the south is still perfectly rideable!) and also, if you could give an estimate, how long you plan to be here. Also wouldnt hurt, if you had some rough ideas, which part(s) of Finland you´d like to visit.