Gravel is a form of biking that mainly involves riding on dirt roads, forest trails, and gravel roads. It combines features of mountain biking and road cycling, offering the opportunity to explore new routes and enjoy nature. Gravel biking is currently the fastest-growing cycling sub-discipline.
Ruka-Kuusamo has nearly 900 km of gravel routes
Ruka-Kuusamo has now focused on assembling the area's route network into suitable and scenically stunning circular routes. Along the way, there are wide gravel roads, narrower forest service roads, and paths, and of course, some paved sections as well. The design of the routes has focused on both scenic beauty and the utilization of the area's diverse service offerings.
Gravel ride base camps in Ruka village and Kuusamo centre
The gravel route network consists of several hubs, with the largest being in Ruka village and Kuusamo centre. Additionally, there are intersections in Oivanki and Käylä. The routes can be combined in various ways, so there is something for gravel enthusiasts, those new to the discipline, and families looking to cycle together.
Updates on gravel biking routes in summer 2024:
The Ruka-Kuusamo gravel season begins in June with the melting of the snow and there is plenty to ride until the snow returns in October. Please make sure you do not make harm on the roads while biking. If the surface of the gravel road is soft or the route is otherwise wet, choose another route!
You can report any issues affecting the rideability of the routes to Ruka Info via email at info@rukakuusamo.fi. Such issues may include the grading or resurfacing of gravel roads (sharp crushed stones on the road surface) or the impact of vehicle traffic related to logging operations on the gravel road surface.
- The GPX track of the Vuosselijärvi Circuit partially follows the winter route. Please follow the Vuosseli Outdoor Route (we will correct the GPX track soon).
- Valtavaara Circuit: There is a logging operation in progress on the forest road between Ryötingintie and Virkkulantie as of July 2024. There may be large machinery on the gravel road, and the road surface is slightly uneven due to the machinery.
- Kesäjärvi Circuit: Moisasensuontie was graded approximately on 15.7., and there are sharp stones on the road surface. The section between Kuontivaarantie and Kesäjärventie follows the Kouvervaara mountain bike route, which is currently very wet, and some of the boardwalks have recently been damaged due to moisture. We recommend navigating via gravel roads on this section.
- Kouvervaara Experience: The section along the Kouvervaara mountain bike route is very wet; we do not recommend using the route at this time.
- Tour de Oivanki: Part of the route follows the Kouvervaara mountain bike route, which is currently very wet, and some of the boardwalks have recently been damaged due to moisture. We recommend navigating via gravel roads on this section.
- Kuusamo-Oivanki-Ruka: Part of the route follows the Kouvervaara mountain bike route, which is currently very wet, and some of the boardwalks have recently been damaged due to moisture. We recommend navigating via gravel roads on this section.
- Due to the aforementioned challenges and the feedback we have received, some routes will be re-routed during the summer of 2024.
- All routes will also be published on the Komoot platform by summer 2024.
