Kaksi maastopyöräilijää pyöräilemässä polulla.

Mountain biking

Mountain biking involves cycling on different types of terrain, through forests, on fells and along shorelines and riverbanks.

Mountain biking is often referred to by its abbreviation MTB.

When cycling, the landscapes change quickly, and you can explore the surrounding area more extensively than by hiking. Do not overestimate your skills and make sure that you can stop quickly in unexpected situations. Mountain biking improves your physical condition, oxygen uptake, muscle strength and body control.

Tip: Although Everyman’s Right also applies to mountain biking, it may be restricted in nature reserves, if necessary. Mountain biking in national parks is usually only permitted on marked bike routes.

Choose the right bike route for you

There is a wide range of trails available for mountain biking. Easy and often short routes offer relaxed sightseeing rides on gravel roads. On demanding trails, bikers will make their way along rocky, rooted and duckboarded trails as well as climbs and downhills.

Pyöräilijät kohtaavat kävelijöitä Luoston retkeilyreitillä.

Cyclists meet walkers at Luosto.

Tip: Beginners should avoid biking on duckboards, as riding them safely requires good balance and practice.

Getting started with mountain biking can be done with basic gear

It is easy to get started with mountain biking, as information on it can be found on the website, in MTB enthusiast groups and MTB clubs in many places. The right gear makes biking pleasant and comfortable. Basic gear includes a mountain bike or fatbike with thick tyres, along with padded bike shorts/pants and the required safety equipment: a helmet and sunglasses or protective eyewear. Before riding off, check the brakes and tyres. It is a good idea to bring along a tyre repair kit, a mobile phone and a map, just in case you encounter a bit of trouble.

As your enthusiasm increases, you can get bike gloves and bike pedal locks and SPD (clipless) shoes and pedals to improve your foot hold on downhill and uphill slopes and along challenging sections of the trail. You don’t need to buy your own mountain bike immediately - they are also available for rent.

Maastopyöräilijät opastetaulun luona kesällä. Taustalla metsää.

Mountain bikers in Hossa National Park.

Tip: Biking is always safest with others - in the event of an accident, help will be at hand.

Electric vehicles in nature

Electric bicycles and bicycles with electric motors, as well as other light electric vehicles, are permitted wherever cycling is also permitted. Electric vehicles include:

vehicles to assist or replace walking (max. 1 kW, 15 km/h)
light electric vehicles (max. 1 kW, 25 km/h, 80 cm wide)
e-bikes (max. 0.25 kW, electric assist stops at 25 km/h)
motorised bicycles (max. 1 kW, 25 km/h).

Read more about electric vehicles, their requirements, restrictions and, for example, insurance: traficom.fi.