an unforgettable path
Lush forests, huge lakes, picturesque lighthouses and charming villages follow one another along the **150 kilometers of the route** that joins the coastal municipalities of Raseborg, Hanko, Kemio and Salo.
But don't be scared, to enjoy these beauties You don't have to go through all of them. ; its sections can be divided both by area and thematically , on more routes gastronomic -with visits to breweries and artisan cheese factories-, plus natural -which run through natural parks- or more historical -with stops in iron and steel towns and cultural centers-.
But how do we go through them? We can either take our own bike O well rent it in any of the 16 establishments that exist on the route, which allow us to pick it up at any point along the way and return it to another. Plus, they all share the same price: 21 euros per day for a bike adult , an amount that decreases if rented for a greater number of days. you can check rates and availability here .
The route passes through charming villages
THE ROUTE
Now that we know how to get our means of transportation, it's time to get going. The beautiful village of Ekenäs , in Raseborg , mark the starting point -you can reach it by train from Helsinki or Turku-, and is separated from the next stop, Hanko, for 40 kilometers. Along the way we will stop at the spectacular **Dagmar National Park,** with incredible views of the bay, as well as the logging town of Skogby.
Hankō , the southernmost city in Finland, is also one of the more green: the route here runs through incredible landscapes dotted by the Baltic Sea like the nature trail Tulliniemi. On its coast, it is worth getting off your bike to embark on a sea safari and see seals in their natural habitat. It is also recommendable to admire the horizon from the emblematic red tower, get lost in Street markets of the area or visit the curious Smörmagasinet butter warehouse .
Beaches surrounded by green await you
The route continues by ferry, and we are presented with two options: the shortest is to go directly to Kasnäs with a little detour in the popular olo island ; the second reaches the historical bengtskär lighthouse , today converted into a hotel – that's where we would stop! –, and from there it goes to Kasnas.
The region of ** Teijo ,** known for having the smallest stone church from Finland and a magnificent National Park in which to fish, sail and grill sausages in front of the lake. And for lunch, how about a visit to the charming town of Mathildedal, famous for his craft breweries, their bakeries and their toasters coffee ?
Back to Raseborg along route 52, and before taking Karis the train back to Helsinki, worth the detour to Fiskars and Billnas , two steel towns full of art, design and antiques. However, these are just a few ideas; sure you want stand in a thousand places more before you say goodbye to this dream tour...
The unique Bengtskär lighthouse