Arrival by Bicycle
It's easy to reach Hailuoto by bike, as there's no need to wait in line for the ferry like cars do. Wait until the motor vehicles have boarded the ferry before you board. Both ferries have a passenger cabin where you can take shelter from the rain. Additionally, the ferries have covered areas where you can wait with your bike.
Once the ferry has docked, allow the motor vehicles to disembark first. Always follow the instructions of the ferry staff. The Hailuoto ferry is free of charge, and reservations are not possible.
Hailuoto's main road is narrower than usual, so exercise caution while cycling. It's recommended that cyclists ride in single file rather than side by side. The bike path begins at Ailasto and ends shortly after the town center. Be aware that there are some rough patches on the bike path, especially near Hailuoto Sale, so adjust your cycling speed accordingly.
Hailuoto is the largest island in the Bothnian Bay. The distance from one end of the island to the other is about 30 kilometers, so be prepared for this when arriving on the island. However, there are plenty of places along the way, especially during the summer season, where you can stop for a rest or a coffee break.
Services for Cyclists
Hailuoto's businesses offer a wide range of services for cyclists. Here are some tips for your cycling trip to Hailuoto:
-
At the Oulunsalo ferry terminal, you can spend time at the café while waiting for the ferry. The café is open daily during the summer season. Check Visit Hailuoto's social media channels for opening hours. There are restrooms available at the café during its opening hours, but you cannot refill your water bottle in the café’s restrooms.
-
At the Hailuoto ferry terminal, Café Farestiina is open daily during the summer season. Check Visit Hailuoto's social media channels for opening hours. There are restrooms available at the café during its opening hours.
-
The summer café Tuulesta Temmattu is located about 11 kilometers from the ferry terminal toward Marjaniemi and is open during the summer. The café offers refreshments and snacks. In summer 2024, a small flea market will also be available at the café. A bike pump is available for cyclists if needed.
-
Ailasto offers accommodation and café services for cyclists. Ailasto has the Welcome Cyclist certification.
-
LuotoRent is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM during the summer season. In addition to renting electric mountain bikes and city bikes, the rental shop offers guided cycling tours in Hailuoto.
-
At Mille's Place, you can enjoy food and refreshments, access restrooms, and refill your water bottle. The food truck is open daily until the end of September and on weekends in October, weather permitting.
-
At Puutarha Merivilja, you can refill your water bottle during opening hours. Merivilja has already closed for the 2024 summer season but will reopen in May 2025.
-
Hailuoto Seolta offers bike maintenance services and coffee. The service station has restrooms and water bottle refill facilities. It is open Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM year-round, except on public holidays.
-
At Luovon Puojit, you can find café products and souvenirs. The shop is open daily from 11 AM to 5 PM until the end of August. Restrooms and water refill facilities are available.
-
Hailuoto Brewery’s Pub & Shop is open daily in August 2024. Check Visit Hailuoto’s social media channels for opening hours. The pub has restrooms and water refill facilities. You can also enjoy sunny days on the patio and the unique atmosphere of the organic brewery.
-
At Café Loma, you can stop for coffee, grilled food, or a delicious salad. The café has restrooms and water refill facilities. A pump and a small selection of tools are available for bike maintenance. Check Visit Hailuoto's social media channels for opening hours. Café Loma has the Welcome Cyclist certification.
-
At K-Market Hailuoto, you can find items needed for bike maintenance. The store is open year-round, so follow Visit Hailuoto's social media channels for opening hours.
-
Restaurant Iltalento is open during the summer season on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 PM to 1 AM (or 4 AM). The restaurant offers refreshments and grilled food during its opening hours. Restrooms and water refill facilities are available.
-
At Hailuoto Sale, you can find pharmacy supplies, among other things. The store is open year-round, so follow Visit Hailuoto's social media channels for opening hours.
-
At Dancing Bobcat Bar, you can charge your e-bike even outside the bar's opening hours. Refreshments are available during opening hours, which are announced on the company's social media channels.
-
At Pöllän Mökkimajoitus, services are available for cyclists staying in the accommodation. Pöllän Mökkimajoitus has the Welcome Cyclist certification.
-
Hailuodon Loma-Asunnot offers accommodation for cyclists.
-
At Hailuodon Halstari, cyclists can enjoy delicious salmon soup, among other things. The Halstari has restrooms available for customers. It is open daily during the summer season; follow Visit Hailuoto's social media channels for announcements.
-
Frans Bistro & Majapaikka offers accommodation and restaurant services for cyclists. Restrooms are available to restaurant customers during opening hours.
-
Luotsihotelli offers accommodation and restaurant services for cyclists. Restrooms are available during opening hours. Luotsihotelli has the Welcome Cyclist certification.
-
At Café Helmi, you can charge your e-bike for a service fee of 1 euro. Restrooms are available during opening hours. In the summer of 2024, Café Helmi is open daily until the end of August.
-
Cafe Kaija offers restaurant services for cyclists. The restroom behind the marina is available for free during the summer season.
Please be mindful of Hailuoto's delicate nature
Hailuoto has a lot of delicate terrain, such as lichen heaths. Please respect our fragile nature by staying on marked trails and well-trodden paths. Lichen grows slowly, only about a millimeter per year, so it takes years for lichen heaths to regenerate. Help preserve our national landscape by following the responsible visitor's code.
Respect the privacy of residents and cottage owners by keeping away from private yards. Use only designated fire pits for open fires. You can find them here. Check the forest fire warnings before making a fire. During a forest fire warning, fires are only allowed in fireplaces with chimneys, which can be found at Petsamo shelter cabin and the Kirkkosalmi Bird Watching Tower's lean-in-shelter. Staying overnight in the shelter cabin is not allowed for fire safety reasons. You may stay the night in a tent in Hailuoto under the "Everyone's Rights" without disturbing landowners. Remember that you always need the landowner's permission to make an open fire.
Bring your own firewood or purchase wood from Hailuoto's shops; during the summer season, firewood is also available at Cafe Kaija.