Masters' Round, 75 km

Sceneries that inspired significant works of Finnish art also crowned Finland’s gravel champions. The route largely follows the 2024 Gravel Finnish Championship competition route. Although this route has been used for championship contests, it is also a perfect choice for more relaxed bike tours. The route suits both gravel and mountain bikes, and the landscapes reward equally riders using electric assistance or muscle power. The route invites adventure, peace, scenery, sweating, enjoying, and above all, experiencing something memorable.

Please note that the route runs on roads where motor vehicle traffic is also present.

General emergency number: 112 or the 112-app.

By car: Koli is easy to reach by private car via main highways. The drive from Joensuu takes about 1 hour. There is plenty of parking space near Koli Church at the route’s starting point. Distances from other major cities: Helsinki 490 km (5h 43min), Tampere 453 km (5h 40min), Kuopio 159 km (2h 4min).

By public transport: Joensuu is the nearest railway station, reachable by train from various parts of Finland. From Joensuu, a bus runs to Koli twice on weekdays. Ticket reservations must be made in advance via Matkahuolto by 17:50 the previous day. In summer, an alternative route is: train to Joensuu → rail bus to Vuonislahti → boat to Koli harbor.

By plane: The nearest airports are in Joensuu (1 hour drive) and Kuopio. Daily flights are available from Helsinki to both, flight time about 1 hour.

By bike: Bikes are allowed on trains and buses.

You can reach Koli by bus from Joensuu all year round, and in summer also by train-boat connection via Vuonislahti across Lake Pielinen.

See bus schedules at the Matkahuolto timetable search and summer boat tickets at Koli.fi.

There is free parking at the starting point. In addition to the Koli Church parking lot, we recommend the large parking area along Rantatie, which is also free and located on the route.

This cycling experience begins at the parking lot of Koli Church, along Ylä-Kolintie. A short, under two kilometers, route progresses on a light traffic lane. Then you arrive at the intersection of Ylä-Koli and Jerontie, where the true adventure of the route begins. You are stepping into the footsteps of the masters.

Right at the start, you will enjoy the peace of nature as you pedal down gently on Jerontie towards the Paimentupa valley and the horses grazing on its pastures. The route follows the edge of the national park until it branches off onto Kotaniementie. Here a narrow gravel road dives deep into the shade of trees alongside Lake Jeronjärvi. You will feel the enchanting power and openness of the coniferous forest.

At about nine kilometers, the most challenging part of the route begins – the conquest of the fell. Ahead is a 4.5-kilometer climb, where the route initially twists and the slope angle varies. After the Jerontie intersection, a continuous ascent starts. Don't forget to glance back at the views left behind occasionally. Stop at the latest at the summit to admire the expansive fell landscape.

After the climb, a rewarding section dominated by downhill leads towards the first resting place. At about 25 kilometers, the route passes Kiviniemi tourist farm. Here you can take a break, pet the sheep, and replenish your energy reserves at the café (remember to check opening hours). There is a water point at the location where you can fill your bottle even if the café is closed.

From Kiviniemi, the journey continues about five kilometers on quiet, narrow gravel roads until you reach Ahveninen Road (road 515). On this asphalt section, traffic is generally light, but stay alert. The route soon returns to gravel and to the tranquility of nature.

The next stopping place is Ahveninen's Red House (42.5 km), an idyllic traditional yard where a handicraft shop, café, barn flea market, and cattle barn museum operate in summer. If the Red House is closed, the Ahveninen kiosk along the route offers a beautiful view over Lake Pielinen.

The final stage follows magnificent lake scenery, although Pielinen is not constantly visible. After Herajoki, you slide back onto gravel roads through the national park. Prepare for the route’s last but most rewarding climbs, the first of which is over two kilometers long. These are the very climbs where the 2024 gravel masters tested their skills. The climbs are followed by long, fast, and enjoyable descents where staying vigilant is necessary due to possible road damage and traffic.

About 12 kilometers before the finish, the route offers one more unforgettable experience: a peek into the mythical Devil's Church. The Devil’s Church cave is a 34-meter long rock church shaped like the letter Z, where artists have left their marks on the walls. On the cave wall, Eero Järnefelt wrote a poem in red that is still visible on the rock surface.

"one secret one spirit, one happiness for each, this is the church, its sacredness we always remember"

In this sacred space, you understand why the master artists found something unique in Koli – a place where nature and mysticism meet.

The route ends with a return to the village of Koli and the starting square, but if you have energy left, you can still pedal to the top of Ylä-Koli, where the final bursts of the gravel masters were decided. Stand at the very spot where recent history was written.

Gravel or mountain bike, minimum tire size 35 mm.

Digital route guidance with GPX track.

Demanding - good fitness is essential and prior training is recommended.