The new gravel bike routes in Jyväskylä Region take cyclists through the region’s national parks, the gravel roads made famous by the World Rally Championship, and numerous cultural and summer attractions.
Jyväskylä Region’s numerous gravel roads and lake views provide ideal conditions for gravel biking. The Lakeland by Cycle route consists of three ring routes, which can be combined if you wish or alternatively the routes can be divided into smaller sections. The network offers over 1400 kilometers of cycling routes across 22 municipalities.
The three routes of Lakeland by Cycle
Old Church Gravel Loop, (442 km) is a circular route west of Jyväskylä that passes through the population centers of Uurainen, Multia, Keuruu, Petäjävesi, Koskenpää, Jämsä, Korpilahti, and Muurame. Deep in the forest, the route’s highlights include quiet sandy roads and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Petäjävesi Old Church.
Goblin’s Gorge Gravel Loop, (349 km) takes the biker through Jyväskylä, Joutsa, Lievestuore, Suolahti, and Uurainen, largely following quiet back roads. Along the way, you can visit Leivonmäki National Park and admire the Hitonhauta Gorge, a rock and ridge area shaped by ice.
Green Gold Gravel Loop, (333 km) is a long gravel road route in northern Central Finland. It passes through the villages of northwestern Lakeland Finland and loops around, among others, the Salamajärvi National Park and the old forest protection areas of Kuivajärvi.
More information about the routes can be found on the Visit Jyväskylä Region website. During the journey, you can easily follow the route using a digital trail, which can be downloaded to your smart device from either the Bikeland Cycling Travel Center website or Outdooractive.
In addition to tracking the route, the map also features services in the area from restaurants and cafes to viewpoints and accommodations. The routes are excellent for both those staying in inns and for camping, and there are plenty of lean-tos along the routes.
The best time for gravel biking is from May to the end of September
Susanna Ylinen, who won a bronze medal in the Gravel Cycling World Championships, cycled the 349-kilometer long Hitonhauta gravel loop in the second week of May over three days. Ylinen is an experienced cyclist who often goes on bike tours with her six-member family.
“The route is suitable for cyclists of all levels, as you can take as many days as you want to complete it. Due to the diverse services available, bike touring is accessible with a low threshold, as you don’t need to carry your own accommodation or food,” says Susanna Ylinen, an adventure influencer from Jyväskylä.
The Lakeland by Cycle routes were created as part of the “Charm of Gravel Roads by Bike in the Land of a Thousand Lakes” project by Visit Jyväskylä Region. The bike routes were published at the end of the project in September 2023, so they are now available for the first summer season.
For more information:
Rinna Valjakka
Tourist Advisor, Visit Jyväskylä Region
+358 40 7513155