After the Kuopio Marathon: Savonlinna

The Route: Kuopio → Savonlinna → Helsinki Logistics: One long public transport journey south-east, then walking in a small town. The castle is 20 to 25 minutes on foot from the railway station. Marathon Month: August Duration: 3 nights

Kuopio ──(train or bus)──> Savonlinna (3 nights) ──(train, bus or flight)──> Helsinki

Savonlinna is a town spread across islands in the Saimaa lake system, and the main reason to go is Olavinlinna, a fortress on a rocky islet that Erik Axelsson Tott founded in 1475, in what was then the eastern border of the Swedish kingdom. The summer opera festival that fills the castle belongs to the high season. Late summer is quieter, which suits a runner with sore legs.

August in Savonlinna. Services thin as the season ends. Lake cruises and some attractions run seasonal timetables, so check before booking anything. Pack a waterproof, because the lake makes the weather change quickly.

Getting there

The journey from Kuopio goes by train or bus. Journey times and changes vary, so check the VR and Matkahuolto timetables for the Sunday after the race, and book a seat. Savonlinna also has an airport with flights from Helsinki in under an hour.

Night one: arrive and walk

Stay in the town centre so that the station, the bus station and the harbour are close. Compare cancellable rates on a booking site and ask about luggage storage.

The flat walk to start with is the lakeside promenade around the harbour, which is level and paved. Keep the first evening to a meal and a short stroll.

Night two: Olavinlinna

The castle opens at 10:00 on weekdays and 11:00 at weekends, closing at 16:00, and the hours extend to 18:00 in summer. Guided tours are available, and the administration on +358 29 533 6942 handles bookings. Check ticket prices on the National Museum website. The bus station is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the castle, and the railway station is about 2 kilometres away, a walk of 20 to 25 minutes. The castle has stone stairs and uneven floors, so go slowly and ask a guide about the easiest route.

Night three: lake and rest

A boat trip on Saimaa is the usual last outing. Operators run seasonal timetables and check the late-August schedule with the tourist office first. If boats have stopped, a long meal and a slow walk along the shore serve the same purpose.

Getting home