Transportation routes designed based on customer feedback are suitable for everyone, from babies to grandparents.
This summer brings exciting news for fans of domestic nature and water tourism, as more and more of Saimaa’s enchanting destinations are now accessible with Hop On Hop Off transportation. A wider range of Saimaa Hop On Hop Off routes, combining bus and boat trips, will be available starting after Midsummer.
These guaranteed-departure tours will take travelers to popular hiking routes in the Saimaa Geopark area. For instance, you can take a bus from Mikkeli to Puumala, with stops at Anttola Harbor, Pistohiekka, and Sahanlahti.
According to project manager Hanna Airas of the “Saavu Saimaalle” project, the routes are designed for everyone—from families and groups to solo travelers or couples exploring Saimaa’s nature destinations.
This summer is also expected to bring many international visitors eager to experience the beauty of Saimaa.
Saimaa Hop On Hop Off routes have been tailored to meet customer requests, taking people to popular destinations that previously could only be reached by car or private boat. Now, for example, you can get from Mikkeli directly to the Astuvansalmi rock paintings, just 10 meters away from the site, without having to walk several kilometers on a difficult path.
The tours also offer options to combine activities at the destinations, such as sauna and swimming at Pistohiekka or paddleboarding at Sahanlahti. Travelers can also stop at any point along the route to enjoy a relaxing summer day or stay longer at a destination before catching the return bus later.
“You can even bring your own bicycle if you want to bike part of the way. Some destinations also offer bike rentals,” says Airas.
In addition to being convenient and smooth, the shared transportation routes also make the journey more environmentally sustainable. The combined bus and boat routes offer the added benefit that no one has to take on the role of driver or map app navigator—everyone can simply enjoy the scenery and, if desired, listen to audio stories.
Digital audio stories, developed by South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, introduce listeners to routes such as the “Green Gold Cultural Route.” A handy location-based app automatically starts the story when the listener reaches a set navigation point along the route.
According to Airas, development of tourism in the Saimaa region is ongoing. Future plans include trips along the Green Gold Cultural Route and the development of an electric boat network.
Bus and boat tour tickets can be purchased online through Visit Mikkeli’s experience shop, and one-way trips are planned to be available through Matkahuolto’s Reitit ja Liput app. The boat routes are also expected to be added to the Reitit ja Liput app.
SAIMAA HOP ON HOP OFF | Visit Mikkeli
www.visitmikkeli.fi/saimaa-hoponhopoff
