YYTERI (PORI) – mountain biking route

Route description

In Yyteri there are more than 30 kilometers of different hiking and nature trails, which are partly also ridable with a mountain bike. Some of the routes are marked on the terrain, while others require a map and local knowledge to navigate.

This mountain biking route is 25 kilometres long. The idea behind the route planning was to make a circle route, which would be versatile enough and would offer mountain bikers some challenge as well. The bird towers of Yyteri and the landscapes that open from the top were also an important part of the route planning.

The route starts from Yyteri Spa Hotel at Sipintie 1, Pori. Here you will find a big free car park, where you can leave your car for a duration of a bike ride. Alternatively, the route can be started at Kortejärventie 17, Pori, where another big parking area is situated.

The first 4 kilometres of the route mainly follow singletracks and hiking trails, next to a sandy beach. This route section was chosen because in is not permitted to ride your bike on top of the sand dunes, thus, the section goes in the forest. This section is technically easy and is suitable for beginners as well. Along this route you will ride plenty of fast and twisty singletrack, which is fun to pedal regardless of the mountain bike type.

At around four kilometres, you will encounter the first bird tower. It is also a landmark for the beginning of the more challenging route section. Thus, if you are a beginner, then you should turn back and return to the hotel along the same route. If you have more technical skills (bike handling) then you should continue for sure. Probably the most challenging section of the whole route starts right after this bird tower. Fortunately is only about 300 meters long. In this section you will have to ride through a dense grass and bush. This section can also be wet in spring and autumn (no duckboards). However, this section is completely ridable and offers an interesting and different challenge.

After the grass, you will reach a well-marked path again (Lietteiden route). Here the first duckboards will also start. Thus, the next 2.5 kilometers are ridden almost entirely on top of duckboards. However, these are in good condition and wide enough, and will not pose a lot of challenge to the average cyclist. In some places, however, you will have to stop, as the trees that grow beside the duckboards are so close that your handlebars will not fit through. At some point, you will reach a few bird-watching towers, which you should definitely climb to see some beautiful landscapes. In average, this section is easy to roll forward at the same time enjoying the magnificent landscapes (especially the section after Sannannokka (bird-tower)).

After the duckboards, the route continues on a short gravel road, in the direction of the Riitsalanlahti. There are more spectacular landscapes in the Riitsalanlahti, which you can enjoy from the top of two nature platforms (Langoura and Huhtala). The duckboards are quite narrow in between of two nature platforms, so it is a good idea to ride carefully during this section. From here the route continues along the forest singletrack and forest road in the direction of Lake Enäjärvi.

After crossing the highway (Mäntyluodontie), the route continues along the singletrack towards Lake Enäjärvi. Then you will reach Haikarapolku route, which is circling the lake. Enäjärvi is Finland’s best bird lakes, which can be best observed from two nature towers, as well as one observation platform. Haikarapolku is pretty demanding for mountain biking due to the narrow and twisty duckboards. Thus, I do not recommend this section to mountain biking beginners. Also experienced cyclists will have to properly test their balancing skills. If necessary, this section is easily bypassed along the Mäntyluoto highway (see GPS-track on the map).

After Haikarapolku route, the Mäntyluoto highway is crossed once again, where the route turns back to Yyteri. On this section there are no more duckboards, but you will ride along forest roads and singletracks. The section is in average technically easy and fast. In some places the route also passes through soft sandy roads, but even these sections can be ridden without the fatbike wheels. The most demanding section comes immediately after the Hiekkarannantie road, where a short forest road section is quite in a bad condition and has some overgrowth in places. This demanding section is only 300 meters long, after which the route turns into a fast trail and a sandy road.

The final portion of the route offers awesome singletrack, which is located just behind the camping ground of Yyteri. Thus, if you want to do some riding with your kids, this is exactly the right place. The trails go parallel to the Kangastie road on the side of the camping ground.

In total, the route is really interesting and variable. In addition to fast singletracks, it also provides more than enough challenge in balancing the duckboards. There are no rooty nor rocky sections on the route, but instead you can find some boggy sand to ride on. This mountain biking route also offers some spectacular sea and lake views. I definitely recommend to combine some mountain biking with your traditional beach break in Yyteri!