Guide winter 2022 / 2023

Onto a bike and into the wild

The varied terrain of the Lahti region offers a wonderful setting for winter cycling. The region offers a variety of routes for beginners and advanced cyclists alike.

SALPAUSSELKÄ TRAILS in the Salpausselkä outdoor recreation area consist of more than 30 kilometres of marked routes. The multipurpose trails are excellent for winter cycling, walking and snowshoeing.

TIIRISMAA TRAILS in Hollola include two mountain bike trails available all year round: the 5.7 km Tiirismaan huippupolku and the 7.4 km Tiirismaan villilenkki. The connecting trails Hollopolku and Mörripolku are 3.6 kilometres long in total.

The 31-kilometre AURINKO-ILVES HIKING TRAIL, which starts at Aurinkovori in Asikkala, runs along the second Salpausselkä ridge in the countryside scenery. There are four lean-tos along the route. Some of the trails are used as ski tracks in the wintertime, but the multipurpose trails are accessible on foot and mountain bike all year round.

The maintained winter cycling trails in VIERUMÄKI are intended for fatbikes only. The route follows a maintained trail to a level peaty forest area, where it forks into a ring route. The ring route consists of forest roads and paths of different sizes, which are easy or very easy to cycle. The route is 5.2 km long. An optional route, 3.9 km, is clearly marked in the terrain.

HIIDENSAARI ISLAND and HIIDENVUORI HILL in Iitti form an important national landscape. There

are plenty of trails on Hiidensaari that are easy to follow on foot or a mountain bike. The island’s wooden steps will take you to the top of the 60 m high Hiidenvuori, which offers great views.

SYSMÄN BIKEPOLKU is a new mountain bike trail at Päijätsalo in Sysmä. The route circles the Päijätsalo Island in two parts, divided into an easier blue section and a red section with altitude differences that will challenge even experienced cyclists.

The 12.6 km long PÄIJÄNNE-ILVES ROUTE starts at the Padasjoki harbour and goes to the Tarus recreation area, from where you can continue along the Ilvesreitti in Evo. The fairly demanding, versatile route travels along pedestrian and bicycle routes, gravel roads and forest trails. ■

TIP!

Pack a lunch in your backpack!

There are lean-tos and places to make a fire along, or at least near to, many of the routes, so pack a lunch in your backpack and allow enough time to sit by a fire.