Around Ukko-Luosto with a mountain bike

Starting pointLuostonportti parking area

Alternatively, the trail can be started from the Luostonloma parking area, located along the Pyhä-Luosto road (no. 962), approximately 4 km from the Luosto village center in the direction of Torvinen. It accommodates about 20 cars. Another alternative starting point is the Ukko-Luosto parking area, located between Pyhä and Luosto at the end of Ukko-Luostontie road.

The trail is a circular route, with a counterclockwise description, but it can be done in both directions.

From Luostonportti, the trail heads toward Tikkalaavu. First, it crosses a ski bridge and descends to the ski track base. The biking trail continues under a power line for approximately 300 m before turning left toward Tikkalaavu. The distance to Tikkalaavu from the starting point is about 1 km.

Tikkalaavu lean-to shelter is situated uphill from the trail. At the rest spot, there is also a woodshed, and dry toilet. Please note that making fire is prohibited during wildfire warnings.

From Tikkalaavu, the trail continues as a wide ski track base toward Luostonloma, undulating gently up and down. It briefly approaches the Pyhä-Luosto road before descending toward the Luostonloma parking area. To access the parking area, short steel steps lead up from the trail, located on the right-hand side of the trail.

The trail passes the Torvisen Maja café toward Ukkolaavu lean-to shelter. The distance to Ukkolaavu from the Luostonloma parking area is 5 km.

You ride through old-growth forests on a wide, soft ski track base behind the Ukko-Luosto fell. The ski track base may have larger rocks and roots in some places.

Ukkolaavu lean-to shelter offers stunning views toward Ukko-Luosto's rugged beauty. The rest spot has also a campfire hut, woodshed, dry toilet. Please note that making fires in the lean-to shelter is prohibited during wildfire warning.

The trail continues toward Lampivaara, 3.5 km away. It continues to follow the wide ski track base, which on this section becomes somewhat rockier and rootier but remains easily rideable. Before the final climb to Lampivaara, the trail crosses a wetter marsh area on three-plank-wide wooden duckboards. In the final ascent to Lampivaara, the ski track base narrows to a smaller path.

Lampivaara's café and rest area are located at a junction of several summer and winter trails, beside the rocky top area of Lampivaara hill. The freely accessible rest area features a lean-to shelter (no firewood available) and a dry toilet. The most popular attraction here is the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine, which offers guided tours for a fee. Entry to the fenced mine area is only allowed on the guided tours.

Returning to Luosto, the trail follows a gravel-covered ski track base. Between Lampivaara and Luosto, there are also many hikers on the trail that cyclists need to be aware of – be ready to slow down when you encounter other trail users.

The trail undulates downhill for over two kilometers toward the Ukko-Luosto parking area. 200 m before the parking area, there is a gate that is closed during the snow-free season but can be passed.

The route toward Luostonportti continues through the parking area to Ukko-Luostontie, which is followed uphill for about 100 m before turning right onto Rakkapolku road. Rakkapolku leads to the end of the road about 100 m away, where the gravel trail continues at the base of Ukko-Luosto.

From the base of Ukko-Luosto, the trail descends toward Luostonportti. The final section is a pleasant and fast gravel-covered, wide path. Approaching Luostonportti, the trail crosses a gravel road before continuing on the gravel trail. After approximately 100 m, you reach a t-junction where you turn left. It is about 100 m to Luostonportti, located atop a small hill.

End pointLuostonportti parking area