Gravel Bike
|Joensuu
Gravel biking along the Jaama Trail
The Jaama Trail connects the beautiful shores, urban nature sites, sandy ridges, and pine forest needle trails of the Joensuu region into a circular route about 60 km long.
Description
The Jaama Trail combines the beautiful shores, urban nature spots, fine sandy ridges, and enjoyable needle trails of the Joensuu region into a circular route 60 kilometers long. In this gravel bike route tip, a few of the most difficult rocky sections of the Jaama Trail have been replaced with easier sections, making the Jaama Trail suitable also for gravel biking. Nevertheless, the route still has a few kilometers of trails, but these mainly follow easy pine forest paths.
The southern part of the route runs along the shores of the Pielisjoki and Pyhäselkä lakes. This segment is an easy outdoor path, with several shops, cafés, and service stations along the way. The northern part runs mostly along trails, fitness tracks, and forest roads. For breaks, there are five lean-to shelters or fire places. There are seven beaches on the route.
On Jaamankangas between Häikänniemi and Kylmäoja, there are a few trail sections that add pleasant variety to the gravel roads and outdoor paths.
The route is marked with orange dots and directional signs.
Location & Parking
- Passenger harbor (Rantakatu 2, Joensuu)
- Jokiasema (summer café, toilet, water point), (Hasanniementie 3, Joensuu)
- Linnunlahti beach, (Länsikatu 3, Joensuu)
- Aavaranta beach, (Nuottaniementie 43, Joensuu)
- Marjala ABC (water point, toilet), (Marjalantie 18, Joensuu)
- Lykynlampi outdoor center (water point, showers, toilet), (Onttolantie 94, Kontiolahti)
- Hirvisärkkä beach, (Lukkorannantie 22, Kontiolahti)
- Jaamankangas parking lot, Note! 1.2 km to Jaama Trail via marked connecting route (Palokankaantie 2, Kontiolahti)
- Lehmo sports field (Urheilukentäntie 10, Lehmo)
- Utra island parking lot (Utrantie 86, Joensuu)
Directions
The Jaama Trail is marked on the terrain with orange colors. The guidance is variable. This route tip follows 98% of the Jaama Trail. The route tip bypasses a few rockier trail sections.
On wooden signposts of the Jaama Trail, at junction areas, it either says Jaama Trail or the name and distance of the next destination, such as "Lykynlampi 7.4". You can recognize these signposts by the orange dot of the Jaama Trail’s sign color.
On the terrain, the guidance is clearest and easiest to follow. Orange dots are painted on trees. At junctions outdoors, there is a post with orange color at the top and direction arrows on a brown background.
In urban areas, route guidance is partly intermittent, and it is recommended to carry either a paper guide map or use a GPS device for navigation. In urban areas, light poles have orange tape or white tape painted with an orange dot. There are also occasionally wooden posts in urban areas with orange paint at the top.