Church-to-church Asikkala cycling route

1. Asikkala parish hall, Kalmarintie 3, 17200 Vääksy

2. Aurinkovuori nature church

You can access the Aurinkovuori forest trails from the Vääksy sports center. Follow the signs for the Aurinko-Ilves route and start climbing uphill from the sports field to the top of Aurinkovuori. 

3. Asikkala church, Kirkkotie 42, 17320 Asikkala

After the Aurinkovuori nature church, return to the bike path running beside road 314 and cycle towards the Asikkala church village. The tower of Asikkala church is already visible from the forest as you reach the clearing.

4. Site of the old Asikkala church, Kappelitie 20, 17320 Asikkala 

Near the million-brick church of Asikkala is also the site of the old church, where an old bell tower still remains as a memorial. The site is located next to the Asikkala cemetery on Kappelitie.

5. Kalkkinen church, Haikelantie 5, 17240 Kalkkinen

From the church village, continue towards Pulkkilanharju along the bike path beside road 314. From Pulkkilanharju, continue over the Käkisalmi bridge and turn towards the village of Kalkkinen (road 3142). The charming wooden church of Kalkkinen is located near the village center. 

6. Vuoksenlaakso Methodist church, Urajärventie 21, 17130 Vesivehmaa

From the village of Kalkkinen, continue over Ruotsalainen to Kopsuontie (road 3132), which leads to road 313. At the junction, turn left (Vesivehmaa/Vierumäki) and continue about 1.5 km until the white church is on the right.

From Vesivehmaa, the journey continues back towards Vääksy along road 313. From Loukkuharju, a bike path starts again leading all the way to the destination. 

Choose a bike that can handle both unpaved and paved roads. An electric-assisted bike is also well suited for completing the route. 

You can reach from Vääksy to the Käkisalmi bridge via bike paths; otherwise, cycle along the edges of paved roads. On the Aurinkovuori forest section, cycle on the base of the fitness trail and there are also other users on the route. 

You can easily reach the Vääksy canal by local bus, for example from Lahti; see more information on the Lahti Region Transport website. Buses from Helsinki and Jyväskylä go to the Old Vääksy market square; check schedules on the Matkahuolto website.

Read tips for planning a bike trip here.

In addition to the church visit sites, the route has many good rest stops where you can get food and drinks.