Route description

The Mäntyharju-Repovesi mountain biking route is a well-maintained route that is also easily accessible by public transport (e.g. train). As its name suggests, the route starts in Mäntyharju and runs to Repovesi National Park and back. Depending on the end point, you will ride 48 km to the Lapinsalmi parking lot, 57.6 km to Orilampi, or 97.7 km back to the starting point in Mäntyharju. Thus, depending on your wishes and fitness level, you can mountain bike the route in several ways. The route can also be started in Orilampi and ridden towards Repovesi and back as a circle route.

Personally, I recommend mountain biking from Mäntyharju via Repovesi to Orilampi for the night (57.6 km). And the next day the second leg of the route from Orilampi back to Mäntyharju (40.1 km).

The route starts at the parking lot of Mäntyharju Sports Park (Urheilutie 1, 52700 Mäntyharju). Here you can leave your car for the duration of the ride (free and unlimited parking). Mäntyharju can also be reached by train, and the distance from the local train station to the start point of the route is only 900 meters. During this 900 meter transition you will pass Mäntyharju Market Square, ABC petrol station and some other shops, which you can use for some food supply.

The Mäntyharju-Repovesi route is marked in the terrain (blue signs on trees), so there is no need for a separate map on that section. On the Repovesi side, however, the signs partially disappear. The Lapinsalmi parking lot – Orilampi section is not marked in the terrain at all. Thus, GPS-file is neccersary for navigation if you want to ride the route according to the map as a circle route.

Route follows mostly singletracks and forest roads. There are also some road transitions, but these are quite sections that do not have busy traffic.

The cycling route is technically relatively easy and is also suitable for beginners with good fitness level. There are only a few technically challenging places as long as you will stay on the mountain biking route (blue markings on the terrain). I also recommend this route option if you have more equipment with you (e.g. tent and sleeping bag). For experienced cyclists with little equipment, I recommend to also try partly riding on hiking trails (orange marks on the terrain). Hiking trails will definitely challenge your fitness and technical skills. The GPX file has also been ridden in such a way that the Mäntyharju-Repovesi section is ridden on the hiking trails and the way back (Repovesi-Mäntyharju) goes on the official mountain biking route. In this way, you will get an extra variation on the route.

There are a lot of altitude differences on the route , so take that into account when planning your trip. Biking an entire route 97.7 km requires good condition due to the length of the journey.

There are only few places with running water/wells along the route, so you should be careful with your water reserves, especially during warm weather. The wells along the route are marked on the map (below). Drinking water, on the other hand, is not a problem if you have a boiler with you. There are a lot of lakes in the area that can be utilised.

There are many well-equipped rest places on the route, usually equipped with a shelter, toilet and a fireplace. The best resting place can be found from Matkoslampi shelter – here, apart of all the mentioned before facilities you can also find a free sauna! Also Pitkäjärvi and Pitkälampi shelters are really great places for a break.

Keep in mind that mountain biking in the Repovesi National Park area is only allowed on service roads! My GPS track can be used to reach Olhava and then to Lapinsalmi on the permitted roads.

Resting places along the route

• • Uutela shelter, 3 km from starting point
  • Sammalinen hut, 6 km from the starting point (well)
  • Pitkäjärvi shelter, 13 km from the starting point
  • Matkoslampi shelter, 23 km from the starting point
  • Pitkälampi shelter, 33 km from the starting point
  • There are several stopping places in Repovesi National Park
  • Orilampi (paid area to stay), 58 km from the starting point
  • Murjanvuori shelter, 59 km from the starting point

 

In recent years, several kilometres of new mountain biking trails were created nearby Repovesi. If you have already taken this route before, you should definitelly go back and ride the new sections!

A strong recommendation for this route, especially due to its accessibility (by train) and versatility!

 

Route description, GPX- track and map were updated on 26.07.2021. A new route video is coming soon.