Enjoy an unforgettable weekend fat biking in the unspoilt wilderness of Martinselkonen in Finland. You will ride along the Eastern border of the EU, close to the Russian border, where bears hibernate deep in the Taiga forest. Evening excursions are included to make the most of your short time away. During your trip you will see many animal tracks in the snow, and in the evening you can relax in the heat of a sauna and perhaps catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights dancing in the sky.
Day 1: Arrival
Our guide will welcome us at Kajaani or Kuusamo airport. A transfer by private car/coach will take us to the Martinselkonen Wilds Centre (duration 2 hours). Depending on arrival time dinner or a light evening snack are included.
Day 2: Teerilampi trail 17km
After breakfast its time to get to know the bikes and equipment. After our guide is satisfied that everyone’s bike is correctly fitted for the rider and we have learnt some tips for cycling safely in the snow we'll start our first ride. We'll head to the Teerilampi circle trail that will take us to Martinselkonen Nature Reserve and will ride in the snow-white landscape beside the Russian border and enjoy an outdoor lunch at Teerilampi wilderness hut. A hot sauna awaits us on our return before we then head out into the snow once again, this time to explore the forest by snowshoe. We'll start part way on our 4-5km route to enjoy a hot drink and hopefully we'll get a chance to witness the Northern Lights.
Day 3: Lake side trail 15km
Today we will follow a trail that goes around beautiful Öllöri lake with one part of the trail on ice. On they way we can see the Finland-Russia border stones and enjoy an outdoor lunch beside an open fire. In the evening you can try fat biking in the dark. Bike lights will be provided and we'll take a 7km trail though the darkness, enjoying the starry night.
Day 4: Departure
It’s time to say goodbye. After breakfast transfer to the airport by private car/coach.
Steven, a member of the Whereabouts Holiday team shares with us his time in Northern Finland taking on the unusual and adventure filled Fat Biking tour. Right click here to read his story.
The fat bike trails in Martinselkonen are maintained tracks where the snow is dragged as hard as possible. On the longer trails a snowmobile travels in front marking the trail and the guide takes up the rear. This means everyone can ride at the speed that is best for them. Riding on snow is harder than on a hard surface, so participants need good basic fitness and previous experience of biking.
Where is the starting point of the holiday?
We recommend flying to Kajaani / Kuusamo Airport.
By air
Transfers to and from the airport are included. Depending on the tour the meeting point is either Kajaani or Kuusamo airport, operated from Helsinki by Finnair (www.finnair.com) on the following flights:
Arrival Kajaani 17:15 or 22:40; Arrival Kuusamo 21:35
Departure Kajaani 11:25; Departure Kuusamo 14:05
Please check the joining point for the trip and transfer schedule before booking any flights as we organize only one airport transfer for each group on arrival and departure.
General, visa, passport and health information.
For passport and visa information, please check the relevant section on this page: https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship/passports. General Travel and health Information for your destination is available on the FCO website. Click here for the latest travel advice for Finland, and click here for useful ‘know before you go’ information also from the FCO. Please note that this information relates to UK passport holders only and that other nationalities should refer to their own authorities for this information.
Travel Insurance
For details of specialist insurance for our travel packages, please visit our insurance page. You must ensure that your travel insurance policy covers you to participate in the activities included as part of your holiday.
- Airport transfers, (Kajaani/Kuusamo-Martinselkonen-Kajaani/Kuusamo)
- Accommodation in twin rooms
- Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening snack)
- 2 days fat biking
- One evening snow shoe trip
- Daily evening sauna
- English speaking guide
Included, please bring your own helmet.
Martinselkonen Bikes are Finnish built SUP brand bicycles that are especially built for Finnish winter conditions.
There are 2 different sizes of bikes.
The Winter Fat Biking Weekend tour stays in the Martinselkonen Wilds Centre, this is a small family-run company located on the East border of Finland in Suomussalmi. The old border guide station has been transformed into comfortable accommodation facilities.
Accommodation is in twin or single rooms. Each of the rooms have en-suite bathroom. The main house has a cosy dining area for 32 persons. Both accommodation buildings have drying rooms for clothing. There is a sauna for client’s free use.
Any local tourist taxes are not included in the holiday price and are payable at the hotel.
Departure | Dates From | To | Price |
Departure 1 | 6 February 2020 | 9 February 2020 | £629.00 |
Departure 2 | 20 February 2020 | 23 February 2020 | £629.00 |
Departure 3 | 5 March 2020 | 8 March 2020 | £629.00 |
Departure 4 | 12 March 2020 | 15 March 2020 | £629.00 |
Options | Price |
Single Room Supplement | £99.00 |
Date From | Date To |
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