KONTIOLAHTI (JOENSUU) – mountain biking route

Route description

Kontiolahti is located just 20 km from Joensuu, thus, a trip by car will take less than half an hour. There are 5 parking places in the area, with easy access to each route. Depending on the difficulty level of the selected route and your planned distance, the suitable starting points are:

1. 1. • Kontiolahti Harbor (Satamatie 1, 81100 Kontiolahti) – Kontioniemi Trail
      • Kontioniemi (Kontioniementie 26, 81100 Kontiolahti) – Kontioniemi Trail
      • Biathlon Stadium (Napakympintie 24, 81100 Kontiolahti) – Stadium Trail
      • Kylmäojan Koulu (Pohjatuulentie 6, 80710 Lehmo) – Välilampi Trail, Salpalinja Trail
      • Palokangas (Palokankaantie 2, 80710 Kontiolahti) – Välilampi Trail

The starting point for the route ridden on this map was Kontiolahti harbor. There is also a café, a beach and a water point here. Next, the ridden route is divided into sections and each part is described below.

Kontiolahti Harbor – Kontioniemi Trail (0-1.2 km)

The transition route starts from a short path that passes the bird tower. From the tower you can enjoy beautiful lake landscape and see various bird species. Immediately after the bird tower, the route passes through the wetland, where you will have to ride on duck-boards. These duck-boards are in good condition, but in some places quite narrow and high from the ground. Thus, this section of the route is not recommended to beginners. In other words, if you are still not sure about your own mountain biking skills, you should not choose the Kontiolahti Harbor as a starting point. For the average mountain biker, however, riding on top of duck-boards should not bring major challenges. In addition, the scenery during this section is pretty spectacular, so you should definitely see it. The duck-boards go almost to the beginning of the Kontioniemi Trail.

Kontioniemi Trail (counterclockwise) – Stadium Trail (1.2 – 8.4 km)

Kontioniemi Trail is officially rated as difficult. This is due to the rocky trail at the beginning of this route. However, it is not very demanding, and already with average riding skills you will be able to clear it. This rocky trail has a few gentle ascents and descents. At 2.7 kilometers mark you will encounter one of the most demanding climbs of the entire route. The climb is rocky and very steep. It’s pretty likely that you’ll have to push the bike at least some meters uphill.

A beautiful lake landscape opens on the top of the hill. In addition, you will ride a fun trail section with some small elevation variations. Here you will also find the first resting place, where you can get shelter from the rain if needed. After the resting area the trail continues for the additional 800 meters. Then you will reach a one-kilometer-long transition section on an asphalt bike path. After the transition section, you will enter the forest again. Here you will follow a fitness route for around two kilometers.

At about 7 kilometer mark you will reach a crossroads, where you will turn to the right, following the “Stadium Trail” sign. One of the most fun bits of the route will start here. It is a twisty single track with plenty of short climbs and descends. Certain places on this section can be challenging for beginners due to the steep slopes, so be careful while mountain biking here.

Stadium Trail (counterclockwise) – Hirviranta (8.4 – 12.3 km)

The Stadium Trail is officially rated as easy and you will definitely notice it here. The next 4 kilometres are mainly run along easy fitness trails and forest roads. There is very little single track here. Despite of this, it is worth riding this section because of the beautiful lake landscapes. So if Kontioniemi Trail took a lot of your energy, here you will be able to relax a bit. At 12.3 kilometers you will arrive to Hirviranta (Moose Beach), which is definitely a stopping point worth visiting. In addition to the traditional fireplace, here you will also find a small sandy beach and a stunning lake landscape.

Hirviranta – Välilammet (12.3 – 21.8 km)

After Hirviranta you will first ride a short section of Salpalinja Trail (counterclockwise). Then you will reach the finest section of the entire route – Väillampi Trail (counterclockwise). The first 900 meters run along the single track, after which you will transfer on a little more than one kilometer long gravel road. After the gravel road you will reach a spectacular single track, which is great for mountain biking. The single track is fast and twisty, and is also suitable for beginners. This is definitely one of the best sections of the route. Sometimes single track turns into a forest road, but these sections are quite short. Around one kilometer prior the Välilampi resting place, the route runs along the trail on top of scenic ridges. Here you will encounter many fun climbs and descents, as well as beautiful landscapes. This is definitely a must-ride section. At a Valilammet resting area you will find a shelter, fireplace and TOILET.

Välilammet – Biathlon Stadium (21.8 – 28.5 km)

The next seven kilometers the route runs mainly along the single track. At some sections you will also ride along short forest roads. This section is technically mostly easy, so it is also suitable for beginners. The route first follows the Välilampi Trail, and later you will continue along the Salpalinja Trail. As its name suggests, Salpalinja Trail runs along the Salpalinja, so in addition to mountain biking, you can explore the defense line from World War II. This section of the route ends at Biathlon Stadium, where, if necessary, you can fill up your water reserves.

Biathlon Stadium-Kontioniemi (28.5 – 31.6 km)

After the biathlon stadium, the Stadium Trail continues along the easy forest path. At this stage, mountain biking is mostly a gentle downhill, so you can enjoy the easy and fast kilometers. Approximately after 30 kilometres you will reach the Kontioniemi Trail junction. From here you will follow already familiar path, but in the other direction. However, this 2 kilometer long section is quite fun, so it is a pleasure to ride it twice.

Kontioniemi – Kontiolahti Harbor (31.6 – 34.3 km)

The last section of the route follows along the bike lanes and and a gravel road back to the duck-boards of Kontiolahti harbor. You will have to ride these duck-boards also in other direction, thus, you will be able to properly practice your bike balancing skills. The route ends at the same parking place in Kontiolahti Harbor.

In general, Kontiolahti trails were quite a positive experience. There were lots of gravel and forest roads, as well as fitness trails along the route, but on the other these were compensated by spectacular scenery and fast and twisty single track sections. If will sometimes visit Joensuu with your bike, I would strongly recommend paying a visit to Kontiolahti Trails. You will not be disappointed!