Information about trips

The gravel cycling weekend can start as early as Friday evening, August 22, when you can warm up in the evening sun. The idyllic route runs from the village of Koli along the coastal road to the stunning lake scenery of Ahveninen and via the equally exciting Vorna Museum Road to the village of Vuonislahti.

There is a boat transfer from Vuonislahti harbour back to Koli harbour. Due to the ship's bike capacity, the number of participants is limited - act quickly and register via this link !

There is one light food and drink service point along the way, where you can grab a snack and fill your water bottles. The service point is at about 39 kilometers, after the village of Ahveninen and the bridge, on the sand of the Pielinen beach. In addition, drinks and snacks can be purchased at your own expense in the Vuonislahti harbor and on the ship.

Before the return trip, there is also a sports festival atmosphere in the harbor: that is where the Sorahiisi 320 starts its all-night journey.

There are two ways to start the Sunset Ride. You can set off with your own group – or even alone – at a time of your choice between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Or you can join a guided mass start, which sets off at 6:00 PM. The mass start will be driven at a speed of approximately 20 kilometers per hour, and the event organizer's own riders will be on duty at the tail end to take care of the slowest riders. The guided start will stop at a service point for approximately 10 minutes and arrive in Vuonislahti at approximately 9:00 PM.

The Sunset Ride is about 61 kilometers long. For experienced gravel road drivers, the route serves as a warm-up, but inexperienced drivers should reserve enough time. Google Maps indicates the driving time for the route is about 3.5 hours, and there are a lot of uphill climbs, especially on the Koli coastal road. So set off on time and with enough fuel!

The participation fee includes:

• Opportunity to participate in a pulled mass start.

• Route files.

• One food and drink service on the route.

• A boat ride for myself and my bike across the darkening Lake Pielinen.

• A small token of appreciation.

• Transportation to Vuonislahti harbor or back to Koli if your trip is interrupted.

SEE ROUTE MAP

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The 160-kilometer Sorahiisi is a wide stretch of gravel landscapes in and around the national park. It offers the shimmering surface of Lake Pielinen, rugged climbs and stunning rural landscapes.

Sorahiisi 160 will start on Saturday 23.8. from the village of Koli, and the base will be Sokos Hotel Koli Kylä. The route descends to the edge of Pielinen and heads north along the village road through fields.

After the centre of Juua and its magnificent wooden quarters, the route takes a short detour through the fields before turning back south. From the northern shore of Höytiäinen, turn east towards Kol. At the Vaarajonon, you drive to the Koli coastal road, from where you turn back to the village of Koli and from there to the finish line at the top of the Vaarajon.

Notes about the route:

The route has been renewed since 2024 and is marked on the terrain in critical areas. We recommend using your own navigation device (at least a smartphone). A printed route map is also available for participants.

The route crosses Highway 6 on two occasions, but does not follow it at all.

Participation includes:

• Route information as a gpx file, map link and, if necessary, printout.

• Four food and drink service points along the route. Light snacks and drinks available.

• Drinks and light snacks will be provided at the finish.

• Gravel-themed gift.

• Timekeeping.

• The right to personal use of event photos.

SEE ROUTE MAP

SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE

The king of gravel roads is a 320-kilometer stretch of Lieksa's endless gravel road network. The era starts on Friday 22 August in the evening and of course from Ylä-Koli. We start at Koli harbour and from there by boat across Lake Pielinen. From the opposite shore we head into the darkening night. The route goes around Lieksa's most rugged wilderness landscapes and even more rugged gravel roads. We return to Koli on Saturday evening and the final stop is Ukko-Koli, on the roof of the national landscape.

Sorahiisi 320 is a grueling long route race! On the route will be team leader, and the service car, in which you can bring your own equipment box/bag. There are about five service points along the way and, if necessary, additional fuel can be supplied directly from the service vehicle. If the trip falls short, a ride back to Koli will be arranged from the wilderness. There is also a personal photographer, so evidence of the heroic deed will be preserved.

The regular price for the Sorahiisi Gravel 320 is €249. Register early and save!

The price includes the following:

• Boat ride across Lake Pielinen.

• Food, drink and technical maintenance along the route.

• Food and drink service at the start and finish.

• The food service includes a selection of cold and hot, sweet and savory foods, as well as offerings from local operators.

• Drinks include water, sports drinks, soft drinks and recovery drinks.

• Possibility to bring your own equipment box with you on the route.

• If necessary, rides along the route back to Koli.

• Derived driving group, gpx files from the route.

• Participants' commemorative award.

• The right to personal, non-commercial use of the produced footage.

ROUTE MAP TO BE PUBLISHED DURING THE SUMMER

SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE

The fact is that Finland's most daring hill and finest serpentines can be found in Koli. It deserves its own special event. So let's welcome Mäkihiisi!

The cross-country skiing will take place on Saturday 23.8. The provisional start time is 15.00. Registration is at the registration desk of Sokos Hotel Kylä.

The Mäkihiisi is a short but relentless uphill race. It starts in the village of Koli and finishes where the road ends, at the Ukko-Koli upper station.

The distance is 3.4 km, of which about half is the actual wall. You can come to the hill skiing just to test yourself or to race in the spirit of carnival.

The initial participation price is a meager 19€. The price will be increased as spring progresses and depending on the mood, so grab the offer!

Click here and register!

About the route

The route has a total of 170 meters of elevation gain, of which 144 come in the last 1600 meters. In the last serpentines of Ylä-Koli, a road sign warns of a 20% gradient. The hill climb is ridden entirely on asphalt and can be ridden on road, gravel, mountain or even BMX bikes.

The hill will be climbed as a joint start. You can take part in the sprint on any bicycle, from road bikes to city bikes. You are allowed to sit on the saddle in any outfit, even as Wonder Woman if you will.

What is an uphill sprint?

The sport of short uphill sections is an interesting specialty of cycling. Hill sprinting is surprisingly popular in Great Britain and Belgium, among others. The British championship has been held since the 1940s and the competitions are big national celebrations. The specialty of the hill sprint lies in the appropriate equipment. When the road is about ten percent uphill, the gears are crucial – that is why very different bikes can compete side by side. In Britain, medals have even been won on BMX bikes.

Register here!