North Karelia Biking Trails

For grading, violet markings on the ground and on signboards, natural tread, winter maintenance policy, and what awaits you in Uuro, start from the Kontionpolut / Yhdysreitti Kolinpolulle trail page on Luontoon.fi(1). That page describes the leg as an easy connector between the Jaama Trail ring toward Joensuu and the Uuro village end, where the longer Kolinpolku trailhead amenities sit(1). The mountain biking route is about 3.4 km point-to-point. It is not a loop. North Karelia is the regional frame, and the trail sits on Jaamankangas in Kontiolahti, stitching the orange-marked Jaama Trail network into the Kolinpolku Trail staging area at Uuro—useful if you are building a day that combines Kontionpolut loops with the national-scenery trekking corridor toward Koli. The Municipality of Kontiolahti promotes Kontionpolut as its main marked network for mountain biking, trail running, and walking, with four linked loops plus onward links to the Jaama Trail ring and the roughly 60-plus-kilometre Kolinpolku corridor that reaches the famous Koli viewshed when you continue north(2). Visit Karelia packages the same Kontionpolut loops with harbour and biathlon-stadium services, campfire sites, and showers that make multi-hour rides comfortable while flagging the onward hook to Kolinpolku as a separate long trail entity(3). Once you roll or walk into Uuro, services listed for the connector include a shop, restaurant, and indoor toilets—practical before committing to the longer Kolinpolku Trail, which the dedicated Kolinpolku trail page characterises as blue-marked trekking with sustained vertical work over tens of kilometres once you leave the village roads behind(4). Play Kontiolahti’s long read from Jaamankangas adds colour on how esker forests keep many Kontionpolut segments fast and flowy while the Kontioniemi arm carries the steepest technical punches—helpful background if you are chaining short connectors into a full network day(5). Ride in whichever direction matches your loop; reconcile junction colours with the downloadable Kontionpolut PDF map the city publishes(2).

For difficulty, surfaces, violet markings in the field, and winter maintenance policy, start from the Kontionpolut / Palokankaan yhdysreitti trail page on Luontoon.fi(1). Municipality of Kontiolahti describes Kontionpolut as the municipality’s leading marked network for mountain biking, trail running, and walking on Jaamankangas—with four main loops plus links toward Joensuu’s Jaama Trail ring, Liperi’s Kinttupolut, and the Kolinpolku backbone toward Koli national scenery(2). The trail is about 1,1 km as one point-to-point line. It is not a loop. It sits in North Karelia near Kontiolahti and acts as the short Palokangas link that joins the wider Kontionpolut network to the Välilammet pond cluster and onward trail choices. About 1,2 km along the line you are at the Välilampien laavu and Välilampien tulipaikka pair beside small woodland ponds—natural break spots before you merge into Jaama Trail / Välilammet and the longer Kontionpolut / Välilampi Trail. Visit Karelia notes that the Välilampi shoreline lean-to keeps dry firewood for campfires and that families often pause there; the same pages describe Palokankaantie and Taskisentie parking options used when approaching the Välilampi area by car(3). Longer rides on Kontionpolut / Välilampi Trail also reach Jaamankankaan kotalaavu, an accessible kota-style shelter with an accessible dry toilet and wood shelter beside the trail(3). Independent staging from Palokangas makes it easy to stitch this connector into orange-marked Jaama Trail sections or the yellow-marked Välilampi loop while still reading the colour logic spelled out for the broader network(3). Play Kontiolahti’s long-read from the Jaamankangas saddle captures how rolling esker forest makes much of the riding brisk on wide trails, while steeper pinches appear on the demanding Kontioniemi arm—useful background if you are combining short links into a full day(4). Ride in whichever direction suits your loop plan; reconcile junctions with the downloadable Kontionpolut PDF map the city points visitors to(2).

For grading, tread types, red markings in the forest, and winter maintenance policy, take the Kontionpolut / Kontioniemi Trail page on Luontoon.fi(1) as your first stop. Municipality of Kontiolahti describes Kontionpolut on Jaamankangas as the municipality’s main marked network for mountain biking, trail running, and walking, linked to Joensuu’s Jaama Trail ring, Liperi’s Kinttupolut, and the Kolinpolku corridor that reaches Koli national scenery(2). The trail is about 9 km as one continuous line. On the map it is stored as an open line rather than a closed loop, but in the field you normally follow the signed circuit around the Kontioniemi peninsula in either direction and watch for junction posts. Official materials still class it as demanding terrain (1). Near the Kontioniemi school cluster, about a kilometre into the ride from the geometry’s first kilometre marks, you pass Kontioniemen ulkokuntoilualue and Kontioniemen koulun liikuntasali—handy if you want calisthenics or a short indoor detour before heading deeper into forest tracks. The same hub crosses Kontioniemen kuntorata, the local fitness loop marked in the Kontionpolut family. Around the mid-route shore zone you are close to Lohiluodon pallokenttä and Kontiolahden Avantouimarien talviuintipaikka (winter swimmers’ spot on the shore), so Höytiäinen is never far when the trees open up. Further along, toward the later kilometres on the line, Satamalahden lintutorni sits where the route swings closest to the marina shore: a logical pause for lake views and bird watching before you follow Kontionpolut harbour connector toward the marina side of the network. North Karelia outdoor pages highlight a grill shelter above Höytiäinen with a dry toilet nearby, plus an outdoor gym beside Kontioniemi’s newer school, as public-use stops worth planning around. They also give bus notes from Joensuu via JOJO line 202 and Kontiolahti line 214 if you want to arrive without a car(3). An independent ride write-up on MTBreitti.fi adds practical warnings about narrow boardwalk segments from the marina approach and a very steep, rocky push that many riders meet near the 2,7 km mark along their Kontioniemi lap(4). Play Kontiolahti’s longer network story explains how esker forest makes some stretches fast while the Kontioniemi arm keeps the sharper gradients in the system—useful background if you are stitching day rides(5). The municipality also publishes an overview video titled Kontionpolut for a visual introduction to the whole trail family(2).

The cycling route is about 1.3 km as one point-to-point part of Kontionpolut: it links Kontiolahti harbour on Lake Höytiäinen to the main Jaamankangas trail network towards Kontionpolut / Kontioniemi Trail. For contacts, PDF maps, and winter options for the wider Kontionpolut system, start from the City of Kontiolahti’s Kontionpolut pages(3). Visit Karelia’s dedicated write-up for this leg notes marked duckboard sections, a bird tower, and classifies the segment as demanding riding with modest but punchy elevation change for the distance(2). The same connector is listed on Luontoon.fi with downloadable geodata alongside other Kontionpolut legs(1). Visit Karelia’s regional mountain-biking overview adds useful network context—colour-marked routes, services around the stadium and harbour, and how Kontionpolut connects into the larger Joensuu-area path map(5). North Karelia and Kontiolahti sit a short drive north-east of Joensuu and are an easy base for the wider Kontionpolut loops (Kontionpolut / Kontioniemi Trail, Stadium Trail, Salpalinja Trail, Välilampi Trail), Jaama Trail links, and long-distance connectors such as Kolinpolku towards Koli National Park(3)(5). From the harbour end you are on Satamatie facilities that locals and visitors already use for swimming and lake access. After roughly one kilometre you pass near Satamalahden lintutorni—a good excuse to pause for lake and reed-bed views. A little further along sits Sataman pieni pallokenttä before the route reaches Kontiolahden sataman uimaranta at the shore. Expect mixed forest path with boardwalk where the ground is wet; sources emphasise the short climb profile rather than distance(2). Plan about 15–25 minutes on a mountain bike depending on pace, photos, and how often you stop at the tower and beach. PlayKontiolahti’s 2019 Kontionpolut article captures how the stadium-side legs feel on a fatbike and reminds readers that the wider network is clearly marked with guidance boards—useful background even when starting from the harbour link instead of the biathlon stadium(4).

The mountain biking route is about 9 km around the Kontioniemi peninsula in Kontiolahti, North Karelia, with long views over Lake Höytiäinen. It is the most demanding of the four main Kontionpolut circuits and suits riders who are comfortable with short, sharp climbs and mixed forest tread. For downloadable geodata and the national trail listing, see Luontoon.fi(1). Visit Karelia describes forest sections, short steep grades, short stretches near houses, red ground marking, and either-direction riding on this ring(2). The City of Kontiolahti’s Kontionpolut pages are the practical hub for PDF maps, contacts, links into the wider Jaamankangas network, and a short overview video(3). Route character strings together three useful clusters from the trail itself. Near the Kontioniemi school area, Kontioniemen ulkokuntoilualue and Kontioniemen koulun liikuntasali sit close to the path—handy if you want calisthenics or indoor sports access before or after a lap. About 3.4 km into the ride you pass Lohiluodon pallokenttä and soon after Kontiolahden Avantouimarien talviuintipaikka on the Höytiäinen shore—useful mental markers if you link in from the harbour side. Further along, about 6.3 km from the start of our trace, Satamalahden lintutorni makes a natural photo stop over reeds and open water before you close the loop. You can reach the ring from the main Kontioniemi trailhead beside the former village school (about 900 m from the Asematie–Kontioniementie junction per Visit Karelia) or ride in via the Kontionpolut harbour connector from Lake Höytiäinen marina(2). An obvious next extension is Kontionpolut / Stadium Trail, marked in blue where the networks meet(2). PlayKontiolahti’s 2019 Kontionpolut article notes that Kontioniemi Trail carries the most height change among the rings and that the Jaamankangas esker landscape is mostly easy rolling forest but still throws noticeable drops and climbs when you move from ridge to ridge(4). Treat spring thaw carefully: Visit Karelia warns that trails can be soft and awkward while snow is melting and states there is no winter maintenance for grip on this leg—reserved winter riding and walking on Kontionpolut uses the maintained Stadium and Salpalinja winter variants instead(2)(3). Off the bike, Visit Karelia points to a grill shelter with a lake outlook near Karelia Golf and dry toilets beside it; KontioLomat also offers lodging and café service in the old school building(2). Plan roughly 1.5 hours on the bike if you pause for views and junction checks(2).

For how Kontionpolut labels main loops versus yhdysreitti connectors—and the note that connection legs mix forest trail with roads so a mountain bike is recommended—start from the Kontionpolut trail map(1) the Municipality of Kontiolahti(2) publishes; it places Kylmäojan koulu squarely on those connector lines north of the Lehmo–biathlon cluster. The route is about 2 km as one point-to-point line. It is not a loop. It sits in North Karelia on Jaamankangas in Kontiolahti and stitches the wider Kontionpolut mountain-bike, trail-running, and walking network toward the Kylmäoja school sports precinct—handy if you want to combine a short forest link with neighbourhood pitches, an outdoor training space, and indoor sports halls at the school address cluster. Municipality of Kontiolahti(2) promotes Kontionpolut as its principal marked network of four linked loops plus onward hooks to Joensuu’s orange Jaama Trail ring, Liperi’s Kinttupolut via Lykynlampi, and the long Kolinpolku corridor toward national scenery; electronic mapping is available through retkikartta.fi(8). Visit Karelia frames the same network as part of a Joensuu-region path system with harbour and biathlon-stadium services, helmets recommended for mountain bikers, and many laavu and campfire stops on the longer loops(3). Play Kontiolahti’s long-read article adds that esker forest keeps much of Kontionpolut fast while the Kontioniemi arm and links toward Kolinpolku bring the toughest grades—useful background if you chain this connector into a demanding day(4). The line shares the Kontionpolut junction family with the short Kontionpolut connector to Kolinpolku Trail (Jaama–Uuro link); ride colours and splits with the downloadable Kontionpolut trail map(1) before you commit at crossings, and keep the same Municipality of Kontiolahti(2) Kontionpolut hub open for operational updates. Joensuu’s Jaama Trail PDF calls out tougher ridge passages around Kylmäoja when you work the wider 60 km ring that also feeds Kontionpolut(7). Our page lists the outdoor gym and ball-sports stops you roll past near the school without needing extra wayfinding jargon(9). Kontiolahti Outdoor at the biathlon stadium can supply advance-booked e-bikes and fatbikes for network rides when you arrive without your own mountain bike—confirm details on the equipment rental page(6).

For downloadable maps, social updates, and the electronic trail layer on retkikartta.fi, the Municipality of Kontiolahti Kontionpolut pages are the practical place to begin(1). Those pages describe Kontionpolut as Kontiolahti’s main marked network for mountain biking, trail running, and walking on Jaamankangas, with four linked ring routes, a summer link toward Joensuu’s Jaama Trail ring, another connector toward Liperi’s Kinttupolut, and a long connection north along Kolinpolku toward national scenery(1). On our map this leg is about 2.7 km point-to-point across Jaamankangas in Kontiolahti, tying the core Kontionpolut loops toward the Uuro village side where many riders and hikers stage longer Kolinpolku days. Visit Karelia groups the Kontionpolut rings—Salpalinja Trail, Stadium Trail, Kontioniemi Trail, and Välilampi Trail—into one colour-coded mountain-biking story, with Jaama Trail and Kolinpolku treated as separate corridors you can join via short connectors like this one(2). The Luontoon.fi Kolinpolku trail page(4) and the Luontoon.fi Kontionpolut / Yhdysreitti Kolinpolulle trail page(5) spell out how village services, parking, and onward blue-marked trekking separate from the Kontionpolut biking links. You can cross-check the mapotic slug on the huts.fi route listing for this segment when sharing the trip(7). The esker forest is mostly straightforward riding—Play Kontiolahti’s 2019 Jaamankangas write-up is still useful colour on flowy ridges versus the punchier Kontioniemi arm if you expand the ride into the full network(3). Electronic mapping and municipal PDF materials are the quickest way to match junction colours before you commit to a direction(1). Ride it toward Uuro if you are aiming for Kolinpolku Trail and services there, or back toward the stadium and harbour hubs if you are folding the link into a Kontionpolut loop day; reconcile every fork with the city’s published map because several connectors share the same patch of forest(1)(2).

Heinälampi Trail is about 3.5 km on this map as one rideable line through the Kinttupolut network above Ylämylly in Liperi, North Karelia—short enough for an hour outing but rocky enough in places to keep less experienced riders alert. The City of Liperi maintains rules, season notes, and any forestry-related closures on its Kinttupolut hub(1). Visit Karelia’s trail article adds terrain detail, marking colours, and how to link in from neighbouring coloured loops(2). From the Pärnävaara side you normally reach the green-marked Heinälampi line via Kinttupolut / Pärnä Trail (black markings, clockwise) and/or Kinttupolut / Jyri Trail (yellow markings, counter-clockwise), then follow the green waymarks through pine forest beside small kettle-hole lakes(2). Official copy describes one loop on the ground plus an out-and-back spur toward the lean-to at the larger Heinälampi; the rockiest riding is often that spur(2). Along the way you pass Parkin Grilli, an open campfire shelter at the foot of Pärnä Bike Park—roughly halfway into the ride by distance—which is handy for a grilled snack before the lakeland sections(2). About 2.4 km from the start you reach Pieni Heinälampi, laavu, and near the end Heinälampi, laavu ja kotus: two shoreline lean-tos with fireplaces and firewood in the maintained network, plus a closed kota-style shelter and dry toilet at the larger lake(1)(3). A Retkipaikat blog post from a scout overnight at those laavut reminds that paths crisscross and that a stove backup is wise if firewood has run low after busy weekends(3). Deep, round ice-melt depressions (“suppa” kettle holes) beside the paths are the local geological signature(2). If you want a longer day, the same junctions connect to Kinttupolut / Surmilampi Trail for a more technical continuation, Kinttupolut / Yhdysreitti toward Lykynlampi and the wider Joensuu-region trail atlas, or the big Kinttupolut / Jyri Trail loop past additional lakes and shelters(1)(2). Karjalainen notes in a short outdoors piece that Heinälampi belongs among the shorter Kinttupolut loops but still throws roots, cobbles, and punchy climbs rather than a beginner cruise(4). SoiRela in Jyrinkylä rents fat e-bikes steps from the yellow Jyri corridor if you need a bike locally(5).

For difficulty, surfaces, violet markings in the field, and winter maintenance policy, start from the Kontionpolut / Palokankaan yhdysreitti trail page on Luontoon.fi(1). Municipality of Kontiolahti describes Kontionpolut as the municipality’s leading marked network for mountain biking, trail running, and walking on Jaamankangas—with four main loops plus links toward Joensuu’s Jaama Trail ring, Liperi’s Kinttupolut, and the Kolinpolku backbone toward Koli national scenery(2). The trail is about 1,1 km as one point-to-point line. It is not a loop. It sits in North Karelia near Kontiolahti and acts as the short Palokangas link that joins the wider Kontionpolut network to the Välilammet pond cluster and onward trail choices. About 1,2 km along the line you are at the Välilampien laavu and Välilampien tulipaikka pair beside small woodland ponds—natural break spots before you merge into Jaama Trail / Välilammet and the longer Kontionpolut / Välilampi Trail. Visit Karelia notes that the Välilampi shoreline lean-to keeps dry firewood for campfires and that families often pause there; the same pages describe Palokankaantie and Taskisentie parking options used when approaching the Välilampi area by car(3). Longer rides on Kontionpolut / Välilampi Trail also reach Jaamankankaan kotalaavu, an accessible kota-style shelter with an accessible dry toilet and wood shelter beside the trail(3). Independent staging from Palokangas makes it easy to stitch this connector into orange-marked Jaama Trail sections or the yellow-marked Välilampi loop while still reading the colour logic spelled out for the broader network(3). Play Kontiolahti’s long-read from the Jaamankangas saddle captures how rolling esker forest makes much of the riding brisk on wide trails, while steeper pinches appear on the demanding Kontioniemi arm—useful background if you are combining short links into a full day(4). Ride in whichever direction suits your loop plan; reconcile junctions with the downloadable Kontionpolut PDF map the city points visitors to(2).

Jaama Trail is a signed outdoor circuit around Joensuu and Kontiolahti marketed for mountain biking, trail running, and walking. Brochures describe the full Jaama ring at about 60 km along lake shores, urban greenways, sand ridges, and pine-needle forest paths, with the south side mainly on easy shared paths and the north side mixing trails, fitness tracks, and forest roads(1). The mountain biking route on this page is about 33.2 km as one rideable line through the same orange-marked network; official material presents the wider tour at roughly 59–60 km with many loop and link options, so your day can be shorter or longer depending on where you join and exit(1)(2). For up-to-date waymarking detail, services on the full tour, and safety reminders, start from the Visit Karelia article prepared with City of Joensuu background(1). The City of Joensuu nature-trails hub names Jaamankangas, Lykynlampi, Lehmo, Välilampi, river canyons around Joensuu, and Linnunlahti among the ring, and notes that the route suits mountain biking especially well while remaining usable in shorter sections(2). The Municipality of Kontiolahti explains how Kontionpolut on Jaamankangas links this same orange network to Kolinpolku toward Koli and to Liperi’s Kinttupolut, and how Harjupolut on the Lehmo–Utranharju ridge ties into the wider Joensuu-area path map(3). Visit Joensuu also maintains a dedicated Jaama Trail landing page for visitors(7). From Lykynlampi at the Kontiolahti end, the first kilometres cluster around the outdoor centre: fitness stairs, two lean-tos, a kota-style shelter, disc golf, volleyball, and cross-country stadium access—natural pauses before you drop toward Marjala. Winter ski lines such as Lykynlampi–Noljakka Ladut and the lit Lykynlampi tracks share junctions here, so check ski-track status if you cross in winter(1). Around 12 km in, Marjala adds school sports yards and outdoor training pockets beside canal-side paths. Near 17 km, Hirvisärkkä brings a swimming spot and a campfire site above Höytiäisen shore scenery. The Lehmo band near 25–28 km packs school fields, an sports hall, artificial turf, outdoor gym terraces, fitness stairs, and Ukonharju outdoor training—useful if you want variety on a long pedal. About 31 km, Utranharjun laavu offers a forest lean-to stop before the line closes toward eastern Kontiolahti. Official copy classes the full tour as easy overall: short rocky, rooty pinches appear on Kylmäoja ridges and between Hirvisärkkä and Häikänniemi, but Visit Karelia states these technical bites are only hundreds of metres and manageable on foot if needed(1). Marking is orange dots on posts and trees, brown directional boards at junctions, and intermittent orange tape in built-up Joensuu; urban gaps mean a phone map or the city’s PDF overview is wise(1)(2)(4). Bikeland’s bike-oriented notes echo the mixed surfaces and waypoint style for riders planning tyres and pacing(5). You can branch onto Harjupolut’s ridge loops, tie into Kontionpolut legs such as the Välilampi Trail toward Jaamankangas shelters, or follow Kinttupolut connectors from Lykynlampi toward Liperi—use junction boards and the regional path PDF when linking networks(3)(4). Joensuu anchors North Karelia’s outdoor hub, Kontiolahti lies along the same corridor, and Liperi’s Kinttupolut are named as a major neighbour link in municipal copy(3).

For yellow waymarking, firewood at the lean-to, driving directions to Taskisentie and Palokankaantie parking, and how this ring links to green Salpalinja, blue Stadium, and orange Jaama Trail arms, start from Visit Karelia’s Välilampi Trail article(1). Municipality of Kontiolahti publishes the downloadable Kontionpolut PDF map, harbour and biathlon stadium access for the wider Jaamankangas network, maintenance contacts, and the overview video that introduces the four main loops(2). The mountain biking route on this page is about 10.9 km along the yellow-marked Välilampi corridor through Kontiolahti in North Karelia. Brochures from the municipality and regional marketing often describe the complete yellow circuit closer to 13–13.5 km when riders follow every marked arm of the ring in the field, so compare junctions with the city map if your GPS distance differs(1)(2). Near the start you quickly pass Hirvirannan uimapaikka, a compact beach on Höytiäinen where many people swim or cool off before continuing toward Jaamankangas. About 2.4 km along the route the Välilampien laavu and Välilampien tulipaikka pair sits beside small forest ponds; Visit Karelia notes dry firewood for campfires and steady family use of the lean-to(1). The section through these ponds also meets Kontionpolut / Palokankaan yhdysreitti and the short Jaama Trail / Välilammet variants for riders stitching loops together(1)(2). Roughly 10.4 km along the route you reach Jaamankankaan kotalaavu, an accessible kota-style shelter with an accessible dry toilet and wood shelter beside the trail—useful as a longer break or bad-weather stop before you close the day toward stadium-side trails(1). Play Kontiolahti’s Jaamankangas ride report captures how the esker forest alternates fast, flowing segments with steeper pinches, especially on the Kontioniemi arm when you link multiple colours into one outing(3). MTBreitti’s Kontiolahti test ride singles out the Välilampi Trail portion after Hirviranta as some of the network’s most playful singletrack, mixing quick corners with short climbs along the ridge before the Välilammet rest area(5). Ride whichever direction matches your loop plan; reconcile every crossing with the municipal map and colour key on the Visit Karelia pages(1)(2). There is no winter maintenance on this summer trail(1).

This ride is a compact mountain-biking spur of about 2,1 km in Lieksa, North Karelia, in the Änäkäinen–Saarijärvi part of the wider Karhunpolku hiking and mountain-biking corridor. For rules, etiquette, and the full 140 km Karhunpolku mountain-biking description, start from Luontoon.fi’s Karhunpolku (mountain biking) page(1) and Visit Karelia’s Karhunpolku mountain biking article(2). The City of Lieksa now maintains key Änäkäinen recreation structures—among them Saarijärvi laavu, cooking shelter, and kota—and the western side of the Saarijärvi circuit, which is explicitly tied into the Karhunpolku network the city already maintains(3). Lieksa Travel places Änäkäinen on the historic Rukajärventie–Salpa battle landscape and notes a short ring path around Saarijärvi (Iso-Änäkäinen) at the north side of the area, with military-history foot loops elsewhere on the site(4). On this ride, about half a kilometre from the start you reach Jongunjoen laavu, a natural early break before the line continues toward the Saarijärvi shore area. In the last section, roughly 1,7 km from the start, the Saarijärvi cluster gathers a laavu, a northern campfire spot, and dry toilets nearby—enough for a snack stop or a longer pause before you join bigger day routes. The Karhunpolku backbone in this region is described as marked forest riding with duckboards, roots, and steeper ridge pitches in places; MTBreitti.fi’s Karhunpolku write-up stresses orange paint/blaze markings, map discipline, and how slippery duckboards become in wet weather(5). Even on a short leg, carry a printed or offline map, mind other trail users, and stay on marked cycling lines where the network requires it(2)(5). From Jongunjoen laavu you can think about longer links that share the same landscape: Karhunpolku yhdyspolku connects toward the Bear Trail network near Jongunjoki, and Jongunjoen melontareitti follows the river corridor for paddlers if you are combining sports on another day.

For closures, fire rules, and how to use Ruunaa responsibly under Metsähallitus management, read the instructions and rules for Ruunaa Hiking Area on Luontoon.fi(1). General mountain biking behaviour on state trails—including staying on marked bike routes and moderating speed—is summarised in Metsähallitus’s mountain biking etiquette material(2). This point-to-point mountain biking route is about 9.5 km between Lieksa’s Ruunaa recreation area and the forest-and-mire landscapes that lead toward Patvinsuo National Park (Reposuo–Ritojärvi–Patvinsuo are the corridor names in the title). The GPX line begins near the Hongikkoranta parking and campfire cluster, follows shared multi-use paths through Neitikoski and the wider Ruunaa lake-and-ridge country, and finishes toward the Surkanpuro parking and Kaatiinlammen nuotiopaikka end of the sector. VisitKarelia’s Karhunpolku mountain bike guide describes the same Patvinsuo–Ruunaa long-distance system: on the Kitsi–Ruunaa leg the line crosses Inarintie, threads demanding ridge-and-boardwalk country before Särkkäjoen laavu, passes Suurijoen nuotiopaikka, and uses gravel links as well as needle-path forest—terrain very similar to what you ride here(3). Lieksa Travel notes that you can pedal from Ruunaa toward Patvinsuo on Karhunpolku-class trails and points visitors to Metsähallitus overview pages for maps(4). The northern kilometres stay busy with day-trip infrastructure. Besides Hongikkoranta pysäköintialue you have Ämmäkosken and Neitikosken campfire sites, Neitikoski parking, and the grill shelter at Neitikosken parkkpaikka grillikatos within the first half-kilometre—ideal if you want to watch Ruunaa’s rapids before pedalling south. Kirppuvirta veneenlaskupaikka and the Paasikoski–Haapaniska–Haapavitja string add more picnic shelters and dry toilets along gentle lake shores before Kakkisen laavu and Haapaniskan laavu appear among mixed pine-and-spruce woodland. Around Neitijärvi the NEITIJÄRVI Juolukka, Pilvi, and Puolukka vuokrakämppä rental cabins sit metres from the water; they are useful context for multi-day link-ups even if you only roll past on a day ride. Huuhkajanvaara luontotorni lies a short detour off the main line for anyone craving a viewing tower stop. Farther south, Miikkula laavu with its campfire and dry toilet, Mutikaisenkari pysäköintialue, Korpiniemen laavu, and Mutikaisenkari tulentekopaikka form another natural break zone before the route dives into more open mire-and-forest scenery. The southern section passes Suurijoen nuotiopaikka and Särkkäjoen laavu—places VisitKarelia highlights as part of the wider Karhunpolku ride where boardwalks, roots, and ridge climbs can demand dismounts after rain(3). Surkanpuro pysäköintialue and the neighbouring Surkanpuro matkailuvaunualue mark a practical road access point, while Kaatiinlammen nuotiopaikka on Kaatiinlammentie offers a campfire stop before longer continuation toward Patvinsuo. The Ruunaa Neitijärven kierros hiking loop shares some of these shores, and Surkanpuro - Olkkonen reitti ties in at Surkanpuro if you want a short walking connection(3). If you continue from Kaatiinlampi toward the national park, check Patvinsuo National Park instructions on Luontoon.fi as rules tighten inside park boundaries(6). Trail markings on Karhunpolku sections use orange paint blazes and trail posts; riders are asked to follow those marks so fragile mires and slopes stay protected(3)(4). Dry conditions make the needle-path and gravel segments flow; wet weather turns boardwalks and roots slippery—VisitKarelia repeats the warning for the whole Karhunpolku corridor(3). Pole fatbikes are advertised for rent from Ruunaan Retkeilykeskus at Neitikoski if you need a wide-tyre bike locally(5).

For how the yellow-marked Välilampi circuit meets orange Jaama Trail sections, the lean-to and campfire place beside the Välilammet ponds, and car access to Taskisentie and Palokankaantie parking, see Visit Karelia’s Välilampi Trail article(1). For orange markings and wooden direction posts on the wider Jaama ring and staging from Jaamankangas parking, read City of Joensuu’s Jaama Trail article on Visit Karelia(2). Municipality of Kontiolahti publishes the downloadable Kontionpolut PDF map, marina and biathlon stadium trailheads, and a YouTube intro to the four main loops on Jaamankangas(3). The mountain biking route on this page is about 1 km. It is not a loop. It lies on Jaamankangas in Kontiolahti, North Karelia, and works as the short orange-marked stitch through the Välilammet pond cluster between the yellow Kontionpolut / Välilampi Trail corridor and the larger Jaama Trail ring managed from Joensuu. Near the beginning you reach Välilampien laavu above the small forest ponds, with dry firewood for campfires and a quiet view over the water—Visit Karelia notes steady family use of this lean-to(1). About 0.5 km into the route you pass Välilampien tulipaikka, another natural pause before you choose longer yellow loop kilometres on Kontionpolut / Välilampi Trail or join orange Jaama Trail toward Joensuu and Lykynlampi(1)(2). City of Joensuu states that Jaama Trail uses orange dots on trees plus wooden direction posts, and lists Jaamankangas parking off Palokankaantie with a 1.2 km marked link toward the main Jaama circuit—handy context when you combine Kontionpolut parking with outbound orange kilometres(2). Day-long combinations can add Kontionpolut / Välilampi Trail toward Jaamankankaan kotalaavu, an accessible kota with an accessible dry toilet and woodshed beside that longer yellow route(1). Play Kontiolahti’s ride story on the saddle describes rolling esker forest that alternates flowing riding with short pinches when you stack several coloured arms into one outing(4). MTBreitti’s Kontiolahti test ride highlights Hirviranta-to-Välilampi singletrack as especially playful before this pond hub—useful pacing context if you arrive from the beach side of the yellow ring(5). Follow junction colours carefully: yellow for Välilampi, orange for Jaama Trail, violet for Kontionpolut / Palokankaan yhdysreitti from Palokangas, plus green Salpalinja and blue Stadium arms described on the wider network pages(1)(2). Summer trails here are not maintained for winter riding(1).

The Neitikoski Accessible Trail page on Luontoon.fi is the place to start planning a visit to this part of Ruunaa Hiking Area(1). Visit Karelia’s article on the same corridor explains how the path leaves Neitikoski parking, crosses open lake-and-rapids scenery on Ruunaa, and is promoted first and foremost for walking, wheelchairs, and strollers on a 600 m leg each way with a 1.2 km round trip in total(2). Retkipaikka’s Luontopolkumies trip write-up gives a ground-level feel for the boardwalks, viewing platforms, and campfire clearings near Neitikoski(3). The cycling route on our map is about 0.5 km through Lieksa in North Karelia, following the Neitikoski–Ämmäkoski visitor strip beside Kirppuvirta. At the north end, Hongikkoranta pysäköintialue sits a few hundred metres from the line with Hongikkoranta tulentekopaikka and a dry toilet in the same cluster—handy if you approach from that side. About 0.14–0.18 km along, Ämmäkoski esteetön tulentekopaikka 1 and Ämmäkoski tulentekopaikka 2 give spaced picnic stops above the channels. Further on, Neitikoski pysäköintialue is the main trailhead described in brochures; Neitikoski tulentekopaikka 1, Neitikosken parkkpaikka grillikatos, and Neitikoski tulentekopaikka 2 concentrate campfire and shelter space beside the pools. Near the downstream end, Kirppuvirta veneenlaskupaikka offers hand-launch access for canoes and kayaks. Surfaces along the public trail are described as coarse gravel on the first roughly 200 m and easier plank decking beyond(2); wet duckboards can be slippery after rain(2), so soft tyres and careful braking help on a bike. Because official marketing centres on the accessible walking experience, confirm from the Neitikoski trail instructions on Luontoon.fi whether cycling is welcome on each section for your visit, ride slowly, and yield on any narrow boardwalk(1)(2). For a long hiking day from the same landscape, the Neitijärvi loop (Ruunaa) circles Neitijärvi and returns through these points on a marked walking network tens of kilometres in length—worth combining if your group mixes bikes and boots(1). A wider 2023–2025 Ruunaa improvement programme led by Metsähallitus touched Neitikoski parking capacity, accessibility structures, and signage; check their news pages for anything still under work when you travel(4).