South by Cycle: Nuuksion Kansallispuiston Yöretki

Day 1, centre of Helsinki–Mustalampi campsites (54 km, elevation gain 810 m)

Parks and green areas account for approximately one-third of the area of the City of Helsinki. The Helsinki Central Park is the longest uninterrupted park area, offering a beautiful green route away from the city, also to this trail, all the way to the shore of the Vantaanjoki River and Pitkäkoski rapids.

The first day of cycling largely follows Route 2000, with a little additional spice and reliefs. When approaching the Nuuksio Lake Uplands along Route 2000, the elevation gains increase and the hills become steeper: over a distance of a little over 30 kilometres, the elevation gain is up to 450 metres, which is a lot in Finland. Fortunately, the hills are short and there are also a couple of lean-tos offering opportunities for taking a break, if necessary.

After the Luukki recreation area, there are two wet and technical single track sections, which are easy to go around via Nettaa and Pakankylä. The sections are marked on map for clarity. Recommended unless you don’t mind a little hike-a-biking and possibly wet feet!

Cafe Ukén in Pirttimäki serves as the gateway to the Nuuksio National Park. In addition to a campfire site and cafe, you can rent a sauna in Pirttimäki, although only during the opening hours of the cafe, and preferably with advance booking. The distance from Pirttimäki to the Mustalampi campsites is only 13 km, but you probably will not be able to do it without sweating even after bathing in the sauna, as the elevation gain of the green Nuuksio roller coaster amounts to 250 metres during the evening sprint.

The Nuuksio National Park is one of the highlights of the South by Cycle trails. In terms of its location and characteristics, it is quite unique even internationally, so you will get a lot for the elevation gain. The trail in the national park is almost fully gravel hiking trails, so cycling through the park is easy – at least technically speaking.

Haltia – The Finnish Nature Centre is located in the heart of Nuuksio, and the exhibition and restaurant are located approximately 5 km before the Haukkalampi and Mustalampi campsites. Haltia Lake Lodge serves those looking for accommodation next to the Haltia Finnish Nature Centre, along with the alternatives Oravankolo forest lodge and Tikankolo forest lodge with a sauna. Staying in Oravankolo lengthens the day’s distance by some 5 km, Tikankolo about 8 km.

The Mustalampi and Haukkalampi campsites are idyllic places to spend the night with their rocky forest lakes landscapes, but also some of the most popular hiking destinations in perhaps all of Finland. Fortunately, there are lots of places for tents in a total of three different tent site options, so there should be room for all, even during busy summer weekends. If you still have a little of extra juice in your legs and it is not dark, the Saarilampi campsite is located 6 additional kilometres from these campsites.

Day 2, Mustalampi campsites–Kirkkonummi train station (36 km and elevation gain 380 m)

From the Nuuksio Natural Park, you will ride gravel and then paved backroads to the village of Veikkola, from where the trail continues across rolling rural landscapes to the Kirkkonummi train station along paved roads. The trail is particularly popular among road cyclists, and part of motorists already mind cyclists well, but you should nevertheless acknowledge that the trail section is one of the potential hazards of the South by Cycle routes.

On the way towards the centre of Helsinki, the Lapinkylä bakery is one of the popular places for a break among cyclists. After the stop, the trail continues along a rolling paved road to the Wohls manor.

The Meiko outdoor and nature conservation reserve is a fine place for a break or resting place worthy of a second night before arriving in Kirkkonummi. The return to the centre of Helsinki takes less than an hour from the Kirkkonummi train station by commuter train, unless you decide to cycle back to Helsinki among the seaside trails of the Western Uusimaa tour. Returning by cycling will add 56 kilometres and 650 metres of elevation gain to the second day of cycling.