Weekend is a time to relax, yet we rarely have time to travel further away. Luckily there are amazing nature paths in Turku region to be discovered by walking or biking. Our visiting author Titta will introduce us with the most exciting biking routes in the region.
The cultural landscape of the valley of the Aura river (about 40 km)
In the cradle of Finnish civilization you can dive deep into the past, even beyond the Turku cathedral and the Old market square. The deeper layers of history can be found from the upstream of the Aura river. Along this path you can find the ruins of the oldest known church in Finland (Ravattulan Ristimäki) and many ancient ruins from the Iron Age (Virnamäki).
The ruins of Ravattulan Ristimäki were found not until 2013, but archaeologists have been working hard on the area since then. You can get to know the results and the history of Ristimäki in Myllärintalo (by the Halinen Dam) which is conveniently located by the cycling route. In Myllärintalo you can also find a delightful café called Padolla where you can refuel yourself for the bike ride.
In the summertime I ride my bike to work through Virnamäki and Ristimäki. There is a unique and mystical atmosphere in this area, especially in the grove of Virnamäki. You can simply sense it from the landscape that all kinds of things have been happening there through the centuries. Even in the early morning hours I feel like if I wasn’t alone – just like the souls from the past would still be roaming in this place doing their everyday duties.
After Virnamäki and Ristimäki the biking trip route curves towards the countryside of Lieto. When you get to a place called Ilmarinen in Lieto you can pop into a home design store Kotilaituri. After Ilmarinen the route continues to the rural landscape and crosses the river Aura at the beautiful Nautelankoski (Nautela rapids). These rapids are the longest in the river Aura – during 600 meters it falls as much as 17 meters. In the surroundings of the Nautela rapids there is a nature trail as well as a homeland museum. I’m very fond of the leas, meadows and the diverse bird population of the area.
When you’re biking back towards Turku you can still turn to the historical road of Vanha Härkätie and climb up to one of the most significant hillforts of Finland - the Old Castle of Lieto. After the Vanha Hämeentie road you may want to turn away from the traffic noises of Hämeentie road to the right and return back to the other side of the river along the suspension bridge. If you biked on the legendary Student VIllage side in the beginning you can now return on the other side of the river and stop at Koroistenniemi where the first religious and administrative center in Turku was located in the 1200s.
Get to know the biking route here!
The route of Kakskerta (about 50km)
On this straightforward route that road cyclists and roller skaters adore there is no stopping for sightseeing. Instead, it is better to get the sweat up by cycling the uphills full speed as well. The route meanders in hilly and rural landscapes through the island of Satava and around the island of Kakskerta and island of Hirvensalo.
Those who are not planning to break the Strava record can stop for a refreshing swim either on the beach of Brinkhall or the beach of Ekvalla. Classical stop on this route is also the village store of Satava. It’s useless to search for sport drinks or protein snacks from this store but you can enjoy an ice cream by the store if your feeling short of energy. Those who are not in a hurry and have a hunger for cultural experiences should drop by in the cafe of Brinkhall manor.
Get to know the biking route here!
Ruissalo - there and back (around 35 km)
Ruissalo is a familiar biking destination for the people of Turku, especially during the Ruisrock festival. However, in my opinion Ruissalo is at its most beautiful either in the springtime or early in the summer – either early in the morning or late at night when the fog floats over the fields and lures the deers to feed on the fields. When the leaves of the old oaks are still bright green and songs of the birds are passionate and full of expectations.
The best thing in Ruissalo after its beautiful and diverse nature is the variety of restaurants. Even the most urban cyclist would enjoy him/herself in the milieu of Ruissalo shipyard. In the shipyard area one can find Pizzeria al Mare right by the sea shore as well as a café of the home design store Avelia. Also I have heard that they serve an excellent brunch at the restaurant of the Turku University Botanical Garden on weekends.
After the shipyard starts the Via Dolorosa (or Rantapromenadi) which is well known among the Ruisrock crowd and it leads all the way to the beach of Kansanpuisto park. If you have visited Ruissalo only during the festival you may not know that behind the Beach stage you can find beautiful wooden villas. It feels like you would have dived into the Moomin world while walking along the Pikku-Pukki promenade and admiring the little swimming huts that remind me of french cup cakes.
You can find several places in Ruissalo to relieve your desire for coffee (or the thirst for raspberry juice as in the Moomins). In the middle of the island you can find Honkapirtti which is Ruissalo’s honest classic of restaurants. On top of coffee and pastries you can get traditional lunch from Honkapirtti. From café Punainen tupa you could find the biggest and the tastiest pastries (called “möhnämunkki”) of Turku back in the days - greetings to the uncle of my friend Kaisa who used to run the café! When you wander off the main road Ruissalon puistotie to smaller roads you can at least find the summer cafés of Bella Vista and Villa Kuuva. At the western end of Ruissalo right in front of the Saaronniemi beach you can find lovely Café Villa Saaro.
On top of eating deliciously and cycling you can at least go for a swim, rent a SUP board, climb up to a bird hide and relax at the Ruissalo spa. Those who would like to stay longer in Ruissalo in Saaronniemi there is a camping site.
Get to know the cycling route here!
-Titta
You can read more about the neighborhoods of Halinen, Raunistula, Student Village, Hirvensalo, Satava-Kakskerta, and Ruissalo along the routes. Or if you are looking for the most suitable neighborhood, let us help and try our search engine!
