CyclingLength8 km
Duration(1-2 hours)
Degree of difficultyEasy
The trail mainly runs along dry pine heaths on the west side of Highway 4. With the exception of Kuivakuru, the elevation differences are relatively small, so it is suitable for relaxed cruising. The trail passes through past and present gold prospecting lands, and along the trail gold pan shaped signposts explain the history of gold prospecting in the area between the 1800s and 1900s: On the Laanila Gold Trail, you can see the openings of mine shafts from the gold rush era, the Kuivakuru washing plant, the old residence of gold prospector Kerkelä, glittering quartz rock, and the beautiful scenery along the Tolosjoki River. Gold prospecting continues near the trail even today. The Laanila Gold Trail is marked with orange trail markers, but it is partially unmarked. There are stream crossings on the trail, which can be done either by walking and wading with the bike or by riding over. There is also unmarked path, so following the map will be essential. The trail has several shortcut options via Highway 4. The trail is available when there is no snow on the ground.
Length
8.0 km
Unpaved
-
Duration
1-2 hours
Forest path
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Uphill section
-
Degree of difficulty (1-5)
-
Downhill section
-
Suited for biking
-
Contact information
Starting pointKutturantie 160, 99830 Saariselkä
When leaving from the Laanilan kultareitti Trail parking area by the Kutturantie Road, you will first travel along a narrow trail, where you have to walk your bike for a short distance. At the beginning of the trail, you can see the old Kaarle Kustaa Mine Shaft.
The trail continues from the mine shaft through a pine forest. This 3.3-kilometre-long section to the next attraction, the Eversti Shaft, is easy to hike but partly rocky.
From the shaft, continue down the slope for approximately 300 metres and then cross a stream. If the water level is high, you might get your shoes wet if you walk your bike over the stream.
After the stream, there is a steep hill. Then, follow the edge of the Kuivakuru Gorge for approximately 700 metres towards the next wetland. You can see gold prospecting areas along the way. After this area, you can take a detour to the left to the shore of the Tolosjoki River, which is approximately 500 metres away.
If you continue to the right towards Laanila from the junction, you can find the Laanila quartz rocks by the trail after approximately 1.5 kilometres. Continue for a short distance from the information board at the quartz rocks and then turn right. The trail gets wider and goes past the Kerkelä settlement.
The distance from the Kerkelä settlement to the parking area is 922 metres.
End pointRovaniementie 3812, 99830 Saariselkä