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Bicycle Rides
· Paltamo
27 km in the traditional landscapes of Vaarankylä and Melalahti, Paltamo
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Melalahti, PaltamoPhoto: CC BY-ND, Paltamon kunta
The mother parishes Paltamo's Melalahti and Vaarankylä are nationally valuable landscape areas. The bike route takes you through lush fields, pastures, and wooded pastures.
Paltamo Melalahti is one of the oldest permanent settlement places in Kainuu. Almost as old is the hill settlement in Vaarankylä and Kiehimävaara. At the top of Kiehimänvaara is the Kainuu settlement monument. This cycling route passes through these historical landscapes.
Old traditional landscapes and living countryside meet along the route. The beautiful shore village of Melalahti has developed as a ribbon-like roadside village in a rolling landscape. Along the village street, there are valuable grove areas between fields and pastures, as well as visible traces of lime burning history and old mills. Long-term grazing has created valuable traditional biotopes.
From the gently sloping hills of Kiehimänvaara and Vaarankylä, beautiful views open to the hills and all the way to the open waters of Oulujärvi. Active village activities are visible along the route in many ways, and Vaarantalo is the heart of the village. From there starts the worthwhile Well-being Path (2.2 km). Along it, there is a kota for rest and campfire.
In Melalahti, there is a summer café in the Lahtela house right next to the marina. It is also possible to stay overnight there.
Author’s recommendation
At Melalahti shore, there is a swimming spot (also with changing cabins and an outdoor toilet).
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
A large part of the route is gravel roads. Light traffic routes exist only in urban areas.
Tips and suggestions
The Lahtela summer café is open only in summer, so bring your own hiking snacks then. A good resting place is the Melalahti harbor and beach. There is also a kota for campfires.
Roadbook
The starting point is at the corner of the parking lot next to Eino Leino Park (the so-called Neste lower parking), where there is an information board.
From Paltamo center, drive via Lepikontie to Vaarankyläntie. The journey continues along a separate paved light traffic path up to the top of Kiehimänvaara. At the top of Kiehimänvaara, turn about 100 meters north of the road to the Kainuu settlement monument (approx. 3 km from the center, follow car traffic signs). Shortly after this, the separate bike path ends and you continue cycling on the edge of the main road. At the same time, the road turns into a gravel road, which continues about 6 km to the Vaarankylä village hall. From the top of the hill, the road turns paved again and starts downhill towards the Melalahti views.
After crossing highway 22, continue towards Manamansalo / Melalahti. The turn to Melalahti road (sign: Melalahti) from the highway is less than a kilometer away. The road again becomes gravel. At the first intersection of Melalahti road, turn left towards the fields and follow the road all the way to the shore.
From Melalahti shore, return a little on the same route and turn right to Koikeronlahti road. This leads towards Paltamo center. Alongside the railway, the road turns to run beside it up to Kokonlahti road, where you cross over the railway. The route continues for a stretch along Ouluntie (highway 22) on the bike path and crosses it at Asematie. After this, return through smaller residential streets back to the center.
Salmelantie - Puolangantie - Lepikontie - Vaarankyläntie - Manamansalontie - Melalahdentie - Koikerolahdentie - Kokonlahdentie - light traffic route alongside Ouluntie - Asematie - Kaartitie - Metsätie - Rinnekuja - Salmelantie
Paltamon kirkko
Kainuun asutuksen muistomerkki, Paltamo
Vaarantalo, Vaarankylä Paltamo
Melalahden rannan kota, Paltamo
Melalahden ranta, Paltamo
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
You can get to Paltamo by both train and bus. Check schedules on the VR and Matkahuolto websites.
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
The starting point is in Paltamo center. Follow Paltamo signs on highway 22 (Oulu-Kajaani), main road 78 (Paltamo - Puolanka) passes through the municipal center.
Parking
There are free parking spaces in the municipal center.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
More about Paltamo tourism can be found here
Author’s map recommendations
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
The route is rideable with an ordinary bike, but a geared bike is recommended, and with an electric-assisted bike, the route is pleasantly easy.
Equipment rental available from Kotomo and Arctic Giant
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions