Heatwave in Southern Finland | Arctic Tour 2024 [12/14]

We had reached Siilinjärvi, just north of Kuopio, and it felt like we had properly left the far north of the Nordics. The Arctic was now far behind us, and the sunshine and summer heat were about to welcome us to the south of Finland. We had set our target on the city of Lahti, where Susann’s aunt lives. Our destination was all within reach for a day of driving. We knew, however, that it was going to be a very hot day. This is the twelfth of fourteen posts about our great Nordic adventure.

Cycling from Siilinjärvi to Kuopio

As the others prepared themselves in the motorhome in the morning, I once more got on my bike to explore. I headed into the center of Siilinjärvi to have a look. This is a quite small settlement with a commercial center next to the highway. It was very calm in the morning as everything began to open for the day. Once I was back at the motorhome, I learned that my company was still not ready to go. What to do? Well, we were heading towards Kuopio, only about 20 kilometers away, so I decided to get back on the bike and cycle there.

The ride from Siilinjärvi to Kuopio turned out to be fairly easy. There was a good bike road all the way and only a few small hills to climb. The most demanding part of the route was the intense sunshine this morning. Halfway to Kuopio, Susann called me to let me know that they were on their way. They were going to go to a beach in Kuopio to swim. This was quite perfect, as I was then in no hurry to meet up with them and could enjoy the views. I even took a detour through the center of Kuopio to explore before heading to the beach.

Cycling from Siilinjärvi to Kuopio, Arctic Tour 2024

Swim Break in Kuopio

We were meeting up at Väinölänniemi in Kuopio. This is a small peninsula with several recreational facilities and a beach. It was easy to find the motorhome parked nearby, and I loaded my bike before walking down to the beach. Finding Susann and the rest of our company was a bit more challenging. They had found a spot at the outskirts of the beach, in the shade of some trees. It is always a delight to see how happy Little A is when she is allowed to swim. Considering the heat on this day, it was a perfect time to relax for a while at the beach before the long drive south, especially since it easily gets quite hot inside the motorhome.

Kuopio is the capital of the North Savo region and is the largest city in Eastern Finland. The city is located on the shores of the large Lake Kallavesi, and much of the city is built on peninsulas and islands. It is a major center for education, commerce, and wellness in the region. Kuopio is also known for its most famous landmark, the Puijo Tower, an observation tower on a hill that offers panoramic views of the surrounding lake district. The city is also famous for the local food specialty, kalakukko, a traditional fish and pork pie baked inside a rye bread crust.

Lunch in Varkaus

It was almost lunchtime when we left Kuopio. We did, however, decide to drive a little bit more south before stopping somewhere to eat. Less than an hour after leaving Kuopio, and only about 70 kilometers later, we stopped in the town of Varkaus. We were all hungry and parked in the town center to find something for lunch. We soon ended up at a Chinese buffet and probably ate a bit too much. Susann, Little A, and I afterward felt a need to walk it off.

So, we headed towards the old industrial parts of Varkaus to try to see some of the town’s famous rapids. We might only have found calm waters, but there were still some nice views and it was good to get some fresh air before getting back in the car. The town was quiet and seemed to be defined by its industrial heritage and its location on the water. It was a pleasant and interesting stop on our journey south.

A Short Stop in Heinola Before Reaching Lahti

There was that need to just arrive once we got closer to Lahti. Finding a reason to stop and delay the drive further got harder. Even as we were sweating in the hot car, we continued onward. It was only when we reached Heinola, just north of Lahti, that we decided to stop for some time. It happened to be that Susann’s aunt, where we were going to spend the night, was still at work. Susann and Little A were too tired to join me, but I opted for a new walk and to explore Heinola a little.

We had only ever just driven through this little town on previous trips. It is a town that might be considered quite boring by some. I did, however, really enjoy walking along the waterfront. It was pleasant to feel the light breeze in the summer heat. Once Susann’s father decided that it was time to continue, I just walked back to the main road and met them. I found them at a grocery store, and we got some snacks for the last part of the drive. Not long after, we arrived in Villähde, just outside of Lahti. Even though it was neither home nor the Åland Islands, it still felt like the end of the real adventure. We were back in familiar areas of the world.