Flatland Route

Flatland Route is a 320 km long, 5-6 day gravel road ring route along the Baltic Sea coast in North Ostrobothnia. It connects the villages, towns, nature and history sites and services of the south-eastern coast of the Bothnian Sea along low-traffic side roads, offering an interesting and varied introduction to the area's nature and history. The cycling route is easily accessible by public transport and the flatness of Ostrobothnia makes it suitable for first-timers.

The biking tour of Northern Ostrobothnia is a varied, but also suitable for first-timers, cycling route along the coast of the Bothnian Sea, consisting of four different sections. The first days from the starting point in Liminka follow the flat coastline from sandy beach to sandy beach and from the harbour to the harbour via Lumijoki, Siikajoki, Raahe and Pyhäjoki. This is followed by a stretch along the old embankments of Pyhäjoki inland to Merijärvi and all the way to Oulainen. The return journey northwards towards Vihanti runs through the forest, through Vihanti's huts and homes, until the last part of the route, from Ruukki's old industrial landscape to Liminka, follows the Ostrobothnian Railway and its service roads.

In addition to the quiet side and sandy roads and the varied route sections, the route's main attraction is the tiny villages, whose village spirit is reflected in their personal and unique services. A retired ship has been preserved on dry land as a café and inn, a schoolyard is used as a campsite in summer, or an old Art Nouveau mansion or health centre has been restored as a resting place for guests. In addition to these, the biking route includes, for example, the Liminka Bay nature reserve and nature centre, which is of great international value, as well as several old churches, tree species parks, some of the oldest bridges in Finland and several museum areas. Flatland Route also passes through Old Town Raahe, Wanha Raahe, one of Finland's best preserved 19th century wooden towns.

The cycling route is easily accessible by public transport: the railway stations along the route are in Oulainen, Vihanti and Ruukki. From Oulu to the starting point of the route in Liminka can be reached by bus in just over half an hour, and by bike it takes only 30 kilometres. The route offers anyone a relaxed 5-6 day biking trip, either camping or using only accommodation services. For the more energetic, the route can be done much faster, for example as a three-day weekend cycling trip - weather, fitness and company permitting.

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