CyclingLength49.3 km
Duration(4,5 hours)
Degree of difficultyHard
The Sininen saavutus Trail is a long and therefore demanding trail that requires some mountain biking skills. In addition to its length, the trail has some technically demanding sections as well as challenging climbs and descents on the eskers. The trail goes around almost the entire National Park, with the exception of the Värikallio Cliffs and Lake Julma-Ölkky, and it can be shortened in several places according to your tastes. Naturally, you don’t have to start the trail at the Visitor Centre, although the official starting point is located there. You may also cut the route at several points, shortening the cycling distance. Bikers with some experience may also cycle the entire trail in a day. The overall technical level of the trail is classified as medium. Weather is also important on the long trail, and if it’s rainy, the technical sections will become even more demanding as the trail criss-crossed by roots gets wet. The final section of the trail in the Jatkonvaara area can also take a lot of energy. No winter maintenance. In the summer, you can only use mountain bikes on mountain bike trails, not on other trails.
Length
49.1 km
Unpaved
-
Duration
4,5 hours
Forest path
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Uphill section
-
Degree of difficulty (1-5)
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Downhill section
-
Suited for biking
-
Contact information
Starting point: Visitor centre, the starting point for MTB-trails, Jatkonsalmentie 6, Suomussalmi.
The initial part of the trail runs along the yellow trail, all the way to a trail that connects Lake Syvä-Suottajärvi and the Hakokoski Rapids. From there, the trail continues along the shores of Lake Syvä-Suottajärvi to Lake Puukkojärvi. The trail continues along the shore of Lake Puukkojärvi to Talassalmi. The Puukkojärvi lean-to shelter is located in this section. From Talassalmi, continue along the shores of Lake Talasjärvi, to Laukunsalmi. At Laukunsalmi, you will arrive at crossroads of trails, from where you can branch off to the Laukkujärvi Open Wilderness Hut.
The trail turns left towards Laukunsalmi, passing over a bridge to the southwestern shore of Lake Laukkujärvi. After approximately 250 metres, turn left and climb onto the ski track on the esker towards the Lihapyörre parking area. The bicycle trail leads from the Lihapyörre parking area along the same route as the walkable Värikallion kaarros Trail and branches off south of Korkeakangas. You may not cycle any further on the Värikallion kaarros Trail, but you can leave your bike for a while and visit the Värikallio Cliffs on foot.
From there, the trail continues for a while along a rockier connecting path leading to Värikallio, until it branches off, continuing straight towards Laurintyrnänlampi and Levälampi. This section of the trail is smaller and more technical, with root-filled paths where riders can test their riding skills. Note that cycling to Värikallio is not allowed during the summer.
After crossing Pistonlehdontie Road, the trail continues from the southwestern side of Kirkasvetinen Pond to Kaunislampi Pond. This is also a more technical, root-filled section. After Kaunislampi Pond, the trail becomes easy and continues towards Valkeisenvaara Hill and Lake Kokalmus. By the Kokalmus reindeer shed, the trail turns to the right towards the Kokalmus lean-to shelter.
The trail running along the shore of Lake Kokalmusjärvi is undulating, even though there are also some roots on the terrain. After Kuikkalahti, there will be several duckboard sections that can be cycled. Thereafter, you will arrive at a reindeer shed that is located close to the Kokalmus lean-to shelter. After bypassing it, you will arrive at a lean-to shelter that is located at a tip of a small peninsula in the Korealahti.
From the bottom of Korealahti , turn to the right and start ascending, along a maintenance road, until you arrive on a forest road that runs to Pistonlehdontie Road. The trail continues along the road for about 5.5 km until you arrive at Alakoski, River Aittojoki, on the western side of Variskangas. Before the bridge across River Aittojoki, turn to the left onto a small, undulating trail along the riverside. By the pond on the edge of a mire area, you will be able to enjoy the loud mating concert of birds when pedalling towards the shore of Lake Lavajärvi. Before Likolahti, turn to the left and continue to the Syrjäsalmi lean-to shelter and to Syrjäharju Esker.
After crossing the Syrjäsalmi bridge, you will ascend to Syrjäharju Esker. The stony trail takes you, along the narrow ridge, to the east, and you will see the Iso-Nimetön watercourse on your right side.
Thereafter, the trail turns and descends to the right just before Nimettömänsalmi. The undulating trail that runs along the shores of Pikku-Nimetön goes across streams and bypasses moister sections. Then you will arrive at the Joukovirta lean-to shelter.
After the Joukovirta lean-to shelter, the trail takes you to the shore trails of Lake Joukojärvi and to the side of Virtasalmi. Thereafter, there is a fairly steep ascent. Continue along a trail that goes towards a former reindeer roundup pen. The trail descends towards Poroaidanlampi Pond. After riding round the pond, there will be a brisk ascent, and you will arrive at the trail section on the western side of Lake Lounat-Valkeinen. This trail is much more stony and unlevel all the way to the shore sections on the western side of Lake Lounaja.
After the Rytipuro duckboards, you will arrive at a trail that connects Lake Kokalmusjärvi and Lipposensalmi. Next, you will arrive at the Lipposensalmi bridge and an idyllic lean-to shelter.
The trail continues along the southern side of Lipposenniemi to the shore trail of Lake Lounatkapea. Thereafter, it turns to the left to a small-scaled, more technical trail that takes you onto Jatkonvaara Hill. You will arrive at the top of Jatkonvaara Hill after a two-kilometre ascent. Thereafter, the trail starts descending towards Pistonlehdontie Road, connecting to the white trail.
After crossing Pistonlehdontie Road, continue towards the Huosivirta parking area. The final section goes along Jatkonsalmentie Road to the visitor centre.