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Niemisjoki–Lake Ähtärinsalmi cycling route

—•Biking Trails

0 km

Route

P 1

Description

Luontoon.fi – Niemisjoki - Ähtärinsalmi+

Description

This is a compact mountain-bike and shared-use path along River Niemisjoki between Ähtäri’s tourism area and the Ohrakoski rapids rest stop near Lake Ähtärinsalmi. For the national outdoor description and map layer for this exact corridor, use the Niemisjoki - Ähtärinsalmi page on Luontoon.fi. Visit Ähtäri publishes PDF maps and a written stage-by-stage account of the Niemisjoki fishing and hiking trail, including parking coordinates and notes on winter maintenance. From the Ähtäri Zoo trailhead the outing is about 4.8 km to Ohrakosken laavu on easy road and path, or you can start from the forest-road parking on Niemisvedentie where permit sales are available in season. After roughly three kilometres of light-traffic route and village road, the path drops to the riverbank through old-growth spruce with beaver-felled trees; rooty sections make riding technical in places though overall elevation change is modest. At Ohrakoski you reach a lean-to with fireplace and dry toilet, and a kota on the far bank reached by a footbridge—Löytöretkiä lähelle describes how local volunteers and the angling association improved surfacing, an accessible boardwalk, and a stronger bridge for safe access. The same river landscape draws fly fishers and families; a regional news piece captures the busy laavu atmosphere on club outings. The City of Ähtäri’s outdoor recreation page lists how Väliveden and Arpaisten routes link into the same tourism cluster for longer rides. Longer options from the zoo and camping area include the Niemisjoki–Lake Ähtärinsalmi trail (hiking), Arpaisten reitti, the Väliveden ulkoilureitti and Väliveden reitti (lyhyt) loops, Kolmen tähden polkaisu - Pyöräillen Ähtäriä ympäri, Zoo-Ula, and the shorter Niemisjoen retkeilly-ja kalastusreitti and Niemisjoen maastopyöräreitti variants that share Ohrakoski.

Length & route

Visit Ähtäri’s route description gives about 4.8 km from Ähtäri Zoo to Ohrakosken laavu and about 1 km from the forest parking to the laavu. The PDF route description records roughly 30 m of vertical difference and suggests about two hours by mountain bike for a there-and-back outing, or about three hours walking. Rooty riverside tread and duckboards after wet weather call for care on bike.

Getting there

Primary start: Ähtäri Zoo at Karhunkierros 150—follow the zoo’s trail departures onto the light-traffic spine toward the river. Alternative start: from Ähtäri drive toward Niemisjärvi, turn left toward Niemiskylä after about 4 km, continue about 1.4 km and follow the sign right onto a forest road; the parking at N 62.554071, E 24.215588 has room for several cars and seasonal fishing permit sales. No winter maintenance on the forest road.

Good to know

Fishing for stocked trout and grayling requires the relevant permits; permit sales and information are associated with the forest parking in season. Respect fire rules at the lean-to and kota. For closures or event use of the rest area, check current municipal and association notices.

History

Timber floating was practised on Niemisjoki in the late 1800s; the river was restored toward a more natural state in 2010 to improve fish habitat and recreation. A new footbridge to Ohrakosken kota replaced an older span, with on-site works noted around spring 2019 in Visit Ähtäri’s PDF.

Where to rent bikes

KiuluRent at Karhunkierros 167 rents Tunturi e-fatbikes and related models with online booking; pick-up is beside Saunaravintola Kiulu on the Hankavesi shore, convenient for rides toward Niemisjoki and the wider Ähtäri trail network.

Managed by

Ähtäri

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Primarily follows Niemisjoki upstream from the tourism area toward Ohrakoski; you return on the same line or combine with other signed loops such as Väliveden or Arpaisten where they meet the Ähtäri tourism cluster.

Route direction

Marked with trail posts and signs along the corridor; Visit Ähtäri’s PDF emphasises clear guidance to the rest area.

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Visit Ähtäri – Niemisjoki route PDF+

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Bike

Activity

Terrain & conditions

0 km

Distance

About two hours by mountain bike for a full out-and-back from the zoo description, faster from the closer forest parking; walking times are longer.

Est. Time

Mixed light-traffic and village road, then forest singletrack and riverside tread with roots; duckboards at wet crossings.

Surface

Loop, Point-to-Point, Single Track

Route Type

Light Traffic

Traffic

2010 river restoration; bridge works around 2019 at Ohrakoski (Visit Ähtäri route PDF).

Renovation years

Visit Ähtäri – Niemisjoki route PDF+

Location

62.55407°N, 24.21559°E

Parking coordinates

FinlandCountry

South OstrobothniaRegion

ÄhtäriCity

NiemiskyläVillage

Biking TrailsCategory

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Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Ähtäri, 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 South Ostrobothnia Ähtäri Biking TrailsNiemisjoki–Lake Ähtärinsalmi cycling route