{"id":7219,"date":"2019-01-06T23:31:29","date_gmt":"2019-01-06T21:31:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mtbreitti.fi\/routes\/urho-kekkkonen-national-park-lapland-mountain-biking-route\/"},"modified":"2020-12-09T11:29:15","modified_gmt":"2020-12-09T09:29:15","slug":"urho-kekkkonen-national-park-lapland-mountain-biking-route","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mtbreitti.fi\/en\/routes\/urho-kekkkonen-national-park-lapland-mountain-biking-route\/","title":{"rendered":"Urho Kekkonen National Park, Lapland, mountain biking route"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Urho Kekkonen National Park, Lapland – mountain biking route<\/h1><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/Nu_-omLmjzw”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row top_margin=”0″ bottom_margin=”0″ css=”.vc_custom_1453202042868{margin-top: -20px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

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Length, km<\/h3><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

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Longest decent, m<\/h3><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_separator style=”dashed” border_width=”2″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text][adning id=”34893″][\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_progress_bar values=”%5B%7B%22label%22%3A%22Yleinen%20vaativuustaso%22%2C%22value%22%3A%2290%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22custom%22%2C%22customcolor%22%3A%22%23dd4814%22%2C%22customtxtcolor%22%3A%22%23ffffff%22%7D%2C%7B%22label%22%3A%22Reitin%20teknisyys%22%2C%22value%22%3A%2270%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22custom%22%2C%22customcolor%22%3A%22%23dd4814%22%2C%22customtxtcolor%22%3A%22%23ffffff%22%7D%2C%7B%22label%22%3A%22Saavutettavuus%20(Kiilop%C3%A4%C3%A4)%22%2C%22value%22%3A%22100%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22custom%22%2C%22customcolor%22%3A%22%23dd4814%22%2C%22customtxtcolor%22%3A%22%23ffffff%22%7D%2C%7B%22label%22%3A%22Palvelut%2F%20tuvat%2F%20laavut%20reitin%20varrella%22%2C%22value%22%3A%2230%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22custom%22%2C%22customcolor%22%3A%22%23dd4814%22%2C%22customtxtcolor%22%3A%22%23ffffff%22%7D%2C%7B%22label%22%3A%22Polkuosuus%20reitist%C3%A4%22%2C%22value%22%3A%2280%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22custom%22%2C%22customcolor%22%3A%22%23dd4814%22%2C%22customtxtcolor%22%3A%22%23ffffff%22%7D%2C%7B%22label%22%3A%22Fun%20factor%22%2C%22value%22%3A%2295%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22custom%22%2C%22customcolor%22%3A%22%23dd4814%22%2C%22customtxtcolor%22%3A%22%23ffffff%22%7D%5D” title=”Route assessment” units=”%”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]\t\t
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<\/i>Route description<\/h4>Urho Kekkonen National Park (UKK)<\/strong> is a wilderness area in eastern Lapland, with an area of 2550 square kilometers. The national park was founded in 1983, and according to the new rules (which were implemented in July 2017), mountain biking in the national park is<\/strong> also permitted, but only on marked routes.<\/p>\n

Please note: According to the new Mets\u00e4hallitus’s instructions (15.06.2020) mountain biking to the top of Kiilop\u00e4\u00e4 is no longer permitted (Kirunapolku). Thus, the gps-track and the map have been changed to reflect this new instruction. In the video, there is a climb on top of Kiilop\u00e4\u00e4, but do not ride it with a bike. The new GPS-track goes around Kiilop\u00e4\u00e4, on the route, which is allowed for mountain biking.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are around 200 kilometers of marked routes the National Park, thus, every mountain biker will definitely find a suitable trail for own skill level and preference. Urho Kekkonen National Park offers amazing scenery, highly diverse terrain, well maintained route network and easy accessibility<\/strong> from Saariselk\u00e4 or Kiilop\u00e4\u00e4. Based on previous, I warmly recommend riding in UKK to every mountain biker!<\/p>\n

In my route selection, I focused on planning a loop route that would pass through as many attractions as possible, and would be also technically relatively challenging. The route was further refined during the actual ride, as I received plenty of useful tips from local hikers along the route. Big thanks to everyone who helped me with some guidance! The total distance<\/strong> of the route turned out to be 40 km.<\/strong> The route is quite challenging in places, so I would suggest to reserve 6-9 hours for riding (depending on your technical level and fitness).<\/p>\n

Before starting the route, I recommend you to get a Summer Trails of Saariselk\u00e4 (Saarisel\u00e4n Kes\u00e4reitit) map. <\/strong>It is sold at Saariselk\u00e4 Information Desk (Saariselk\u00e4 Shopping Centre Siula, Kelotie 1, 99830 Saariselk\u00e4) or at Suomen Latu Hotel at Kiilop\u00e4\u00e4 (Kiilop\u00e4\u00e4ntie 620, 99830 Saariselk\u00e4) for a price of 4 euros. It is a map for hiking routes, which does not yet provide any information on the route difficulty levels (situation at summer 2017). This will probably evolve in the future, maybe already next summer. This map shows all routes opened for mountain biking and distances between different points. You will get by very well with this map, as all the summer trails of Urho Kekkonen National Park have great signposting in the terrain (for example, at each crossroads you will find a map of the area). In addition to the paper map, is a good idea to take a compass and even some sort of GPS device for navigation. This will be really useful, in case you plan to ride further into the national park (e.g. Rautulampi, Vellins\u00e4rpim\u00e4, Moitakuru).<\/p>\n

The starting point of the route is Kiilop\u00e4\u00e4<\/strong> (Kiilop\u00e4\u00e4ntie 620, 99830 Saariselk\u00e4), where you will find a large free car park. Along the 40 km route you will ride the following sections:<\/p>\n

Kiilop\u00e4\u00e4 – Luulampi<\/strong><\/p>\n

The route starts at Kiilop\u00e4\u00e4’s parking lot and follows the Rumakuru route next to Kiilop\u00e4\u00e4. Unlike the video, you can no longer ride a mountain bike on top of the Kiilop\u00e4\u00e4. This part of the route follows mainly the forest road and is technically a medium-level. The crossings of small streams and various rock-gardens will keep your speed in check here. At the end of the section, Luulampi Hut will offer a very comfortable setting for a break and a meal.<\/p>\n

Luulampi – Taajoslaavu<\/strong><\/p>\n

This section follows the forest road and is not technically challenging. After an initial slight ascent, at around 2,5 kilometer mark, the route descents into the swampy area. At the time of the video shooting, there were no duck-boards over the swamp. This made the crossing a very interesting experience. You should keep this in mind especially during the colder seasons, when your wet feet will get you cold really quickly. At the end of the section at Taajoslaavu you will find a comfortable resting place with a shelter and a fireplace. Here you can also fill your water reserves from the nearby stream.<\/p>\n

Taajoslaavu – Vellins\u00e4rpim\u00e4<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here you will ride one of the best sections of the route! The section is mainly a nice singletrack, the first half of which is a gentle uphill and the second is a downhill. The trail is not technically challenging, but it has some worn duck-boards and wet swampy sections. At the end of this section you will find a Vellins\u00e4rpim\u00e4 hut, which will provide you with a comfortable rest settings and a possibility to fill water reserves from the stream.<\/p>\n

Vellins\u00e4rpim\u00e4 – P\u00e4\u00e4si\u00e4iskuru<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is one of the most challenging sections of the route. It includes rocky trails, many duck-board sections, steep technical climbs and descents (especially the last 2 kilometers). I recommend to reserve more time for riding this section. This section ends in the magnificent scenery of P\u00e4\u00e4si\u00e4iskuru.<\/p>\n

P\u00e4\u00e4si\u00e4iskuru – Vesijakop\u00e4\u00e4<\/strong><\/p>\n

This section is technically easy, with fast descents and stunning scenery (especially first 2 km). It is well suited also for beginner mountain bikers.<\/p>\n

Vesijakop\u00e4\u00e4 – Laanila<\/strong><\/p>\n

After a very steep climb, the route offers a spectacular view of the fell landscape and fast descent. The route then follows the forest road, which can be technically challenging in some places. The last 1.8 km of the route follow an easy gravel road.<\/p>\n

Laanila \u2013 Kiilop\u00e4\u00e4 (Ruijanpolku)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ruijanpolku trail runs outside of Urho Kekkonen National Park, but despite of this offers one of the longest and most fun singletrack on the route. The singletrack is mostly of moderate difficulty, but there are also a few challenging sections along the trail. The first half of the Ruijanpolku trail climbs on top of the fell. The top offers a staggering view over UKK National Park. The second half is a fast and technical singletrack descent, which all mountain bikers will surely enjoy. Last 2 kilometers of the route follow cross-country skiing paths and the asphalt road towards Kiilop\u00e4\u00e4.<\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]<\/i>Download GPS-file here<\/a>[vc_empty_space][vc_separator style=”dashed” border_width=”2″][vc_empty_space]

Compare hotel rates and book an affordable accommodation below:<\/h2><\/div>[vc_empty_space][vc_column_text][booking_product_helper shortname=”urho kekkonen”][\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space]
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What do you think about the route? Do you have any tips regarding the route?<\/h2><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][fbcomments][\/vc_column_text][vc_separator style=”dashed” border_width=”2″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

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[vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/Nu_-omLmjzw”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row top_margin=”0″ bottom_margin=”0″ css=”.vc_custom_1453202042868{margin-top: -20px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column][vc_column […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":7159,"parent":6742,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[229,224],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7219","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-northern-finland","category-pohjois-suomi"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t