When did huts.fi research the data for Kuukkeli mountain bike loop, Tankavaara?

Huts.fi

Kuukkeli mountain bike loop, Tankavaara

—•Biking Trails

4.7 km

Route

P 1

Description

Luontoon.fi – Tankavaaran luontopolku Kuukkeli+

Description

For official length, seasonal use, marking, and the exact rules for cycling on Kuukkelilenkki in Urho Kekkonen National Park, start with the Tankavaaran luontopolku Kuukkeli page on Luontoon.fi. Metsähallitus describes Kuukkelilenkki as a candle-spruce forest loop over Pikku-Tankavaara with no formal difficulty grade, but calls the climb to the little fell top moderately demanding. Cycling is allowed in summer, while the path is rocky and rooty in places; walking is the summer standard and snowshoes the winter one. The gravel surface extends only about the first 0.5 km; after that you follow the orange pine-cone blaze, keeping to the right-hand branch at two junctions where other Tankavaara nature trails share the same stem. The Gold Museum introduces Tankavaara “gold village” around Sompio-talo and notes driving distances from the E4 highway—helpful when you aim for Tankavaara pysäköintialue as the usual start. Visit Sodankylä summarises Tankavaaran Kultakylä services if you want to combine a ride with coffee, exhibitions, or an overnight nearby. The route is about 4.7 km as one marked ring south of Sodankylä in Lapland. After the short gravel beginning near Sompio-talo and Tankavaaran lintutorni, expect a mix of forest singletrack character: roots, stones, occasional short boardwalk sections that trip reports say can wear out between renovations. About a kilometre in, Kuukkelilenkki splits from the shorter Koppelo loop; the climb eases onto Pikku-Tankavaara, where Tankavaaran luontopolku Pikku-Tankavaara torni and Pikku-Tankavaaran luontotorni give wide views toward Nattaset and Sompio. Along the early shared segment, information boards describe the parallel Tankavaaran sotahistoriapolku and wartime structures Taipaleita and others describe in detail. Mid-loop, Hopiaoja’s rest corner groups Tankavaaran luontopolun tulipaikka with a kota, dry toilet, and firewood storage that Luontoon lists beside the stream; closer to the finish you also pass Tankavaaran luontopolku tulipaikka 2 and Tankavaaran luontopolun kota before returning past Tankavaara Gold Disc Golf toward parking. Shorter loops such as Tankavaaran luontopolku Urpiainen 1 km share the same trailhead, and riders often pair Tankavaaran maastopyöräreitti Koppelo, Tankavaaran maastopyöräilyreitti Urpiainen, or Tankavaaran geologinen polku maastopyöräreitti for a longer day on the same fell side. The walking counterpart is the same line as Tankavaaran luontopolku Kuukkeli if someone in your group prefers to hike the ring at a slower pace. Independent trip writing is useful for how the boardwalks and fell-top views feel on the ground: Retkipaikka’s Kuukkelilenkki report gives timing, elevation feel, and candid notes on duckboards, while Taipaleita’s write-up adds photos of the replica bunker, artillery sites, and Sompio-talo services at the trail gate. If you need a bike near the park, Saariselkä and Kiilopää about half an hour north are the practical bases: Tunturivaruste lists Tunturi eMAX hire with delivery around Saariselkä–Kiilopää, Kuukkeli Rental Shop takes online bookings for a large e-fatbike fleet at Kauppakeskus Kuukkeli, and Kiilopää Adventures rents mountain and fat bikes (including e-assist and kids’ sizes) from the Kiilopää resort rental—see Where to rent equipment for direct links.

Length & route

About 4.7 km as one summer cycling and walking loop on official copy. Only the first roughly 0.5 km is gravelled; the remainder is natural forest tread with roots, stones, and short boardwalk. Trip reports still speak of roughly 120 m cumulative climb and about two to two and a half hours on foot—useful as a walking benchmark even though your bike pace will usually be quicker.

Getting there

Start from Tankavaara pysäköintialue on Tankavaarantie; foot and bike traffic enters the Sompio-talo / former Tankavaara nature-centre yard where Tankavaaran luontopolut branch, including Kuukkelilenkki at the main gate. The Gold Museum gives E4 driving context (for example on the order of half an hour south of Saariselkä) so you can time the turn toward Tankavaara. From the shared stem, follow orange pine-cone posts and take the right-hand option at the two marked fork pairs that Luontoon describes. Use the coordinates on our map for Tankavaara pysäköintialue when navigating.

Good to know

Respect Metsähallitus wildfire warnings before lighting fires at Tankavaaran luontopolun tulipaikka, Tankavaaran luontopolku tulipaikka 2, or other fireplaces on the loop. Dogs must stay on leash throughout Urho Kekkonen National Park. Winter use is geared to snowshoeing—there is no machine grooming for bikes. For mountain-bike conduct in protected areas, Metsähallitus links trail etiquette from the same Luontoon entry.

Where to rent bikes

Tunturivaruste in Saariselkä rents Tunturi eMAX fat e-bikes with delivery to accommodation around Saariselkä and Kiilopää; rental hours run roughly 08:00–17:30 and the hire product page lists included helmet, lock, charger, and light for the M-size bike. Kuukkeli Rental Shop operates from Kauppakeskus Kuukkeli (Kiveliöntie 8) with online booking for a large e-fatbike fleet via their Rentle shop. Kiilopää Adventures at Kiilopää rents Orbea and Rockmachine mountain and fat bikes (electric and muscle-powered, including children’s sizes); reserve through their Johku rental storefront and pick up at the resort rental desk.

Guided tours & Experiences

Roll Outdoors runs guided mountain bike and e-MTB outings in the Kiilopää and Urho Kekkonen National Park area, tailoring routes to the group and including weekly rides; their Saariselkä guided bike tours page describes programmes and how to book. For other resort-guided experiences in the same area, browse the Kiilopää activities index.

Managed by

Sodankylä

Official Maintenance

GPX data from: © Metsähallitus, 2024

Trail info

Luontoon.fi recommends travelling the ring counterclockwise.

Route direction

Luontoon.fi describes an orange pine cone inside an orange square on posts, with about 0.5 km of gravel at the start and orange blazes thereafter.

Route Signs

Dogs (On Leash)

Dogs

Open / Good Condition

Luontoon.fi – Tankavaaran luontopolku Kuukkeli

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Bike

Activity

Terrain & conditions

4.7 km

Distance

Trip reports typically allow about 2–2.5 hours on foot for the same ring with breaks. On a dry summer day most fit mountain bikers finish considerably faster than that, though technical sections still reward patience.

Est. Time

Short gravelled start, then forest mineral soil with roots, stones, and short wooden walkways that can be rough between repairs.

Surface

Loop, Single Track

Route Type

Luontoon.fi – Tankavaaran luontopolku Kuukkeli+

Location

68.17769°N, 27.09713°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

LaplandRegion

SodankyläCity

TankavaaraVillage

Biking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Tankavaara Gold Disc Golf

359 m

Free

Rate & Review

Be the first to write a review for "Kuukkeli mountain bike loop, Tankavaara"

Share a photo from a recent trip

Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Sodankylä, and other trusted sources, in March 2026. Our route / place GPX data comes from Metsähallitus / Lipas, last updated March 2026. Always check their official website for safety-critical updates.

Finland Lapland Sodankylä Biking TrailsKuukkeli mountain bike loop, Tankavaara