The route starts from Kiilopää at the gate of UKK Park, then heads slightly right towards an ungraveled track. After about two hundred meters, the route turns left at a junction called Sivakka, and the next section towards Niilanpää’s reindeer hut is a fairly wide gravel track. This is the easiest part of the route. Blue cross markers guide the path to Niilanpää’s old reindeer separation area, where a little off the route downslope is an old reindeer hut serving as a daytime shelter.
After the reindeer hut, the route continues as a fairly wide gravel path. About 200 meters later, the route branches left upwards towards the fell, where the trail narrows and becomes very challenging, rocky, and at times very steep. This is the most demanding but also the finest segment of the route up to Rautulampi. Along this section, you climb three fells: Niilanpää, Rautupää, and Raututunturi. There are also a couple of creek crossings. After the first ascent, there are several trail grooves. Remember to stay on the path to avoid unnecessary erosion or widening of the trails.
At the top, a magnificent open fell landscape opens up. The upland is rocky in places, as is the descent to the first creek/river crossing. Immediately after crossing the riverbed, to the left in Kuutamokuru between Niilanpää and Rautupää, there are two very beautiful small ponds worth visiting. After crossing the riverbed, the mountain bike route branches right and becomes slightly less technical. This right-branching track also has significantly more moderate elevation gain. The route curves along the contour lines and starts a gentle ascent again, bending further right. After this, a long and enjoyable but occasionally quite bumpy gentle descent towards the Raututunturi fells awaits.
The final climb to the Raututunturi peaks is the gentlest in terms of elevation differences. From the top, the most breathtaking views of the route and the whole area open up! From the summit, you can see all the way to the highest fell in UKK Park, Sokosti. To the south, the Nattaset fells with their sharp peaks stretch out impressively. The descent to Rautulampi is a long and rocky double track. Initially, the descent is gentle, but it steepens and becomes more difficult towards the end. There are plenty of large rocks on the trail. Speeds can increase considerably on this slope. Pay attention to your skill level and adjust your speed accordingly.
The route continues towards Luulampi from the hut, following the right edge of the pond after crossing a creek. Along the shore, several trail grooves wind around. Choose the strongest trail; it is usually the easiest and best. This long singletrack section is one of the finest trails in the Saariselkä area! It partly runs on a sandy base and initially climbs gently, but after a nearly three-kilometer stretch from the Rautulampi hut, the trail turns into a gentle descent. Oh, what a wonderful flow paradise the trail is!
However, in the rush of speed, remember the branches and roots that curve onto the trail in the fell birch forest! The branches and leaves of the fell birch can also soak the traveler wet in the morning dew or even long after the last rain. With alertness, you can avoid technical troubles and stay somewhat drier. It is also worth noting that there is no phone reception here between the fells, except for a short section around the midpoint between Rautulampi and Luulampi.
As the route descends slightly, the trail becomes rockier and a bit more technical. This section includes some wetter spots. Do not go around these to protect the terrain. Near the end of the singletrack section, there is a larger creek or what some might call a river, named Rautuvanganoja. Under normal water levels, it is possible to cross this with dry feet by walking the bike over large stones. An experienced rider may even be able to ride over it dry.
After crossing the creek/river, the trail becomes easier to ride, and upon reaching the reindeer fence, turn left downhill following the fence. Lower down there is a gate allowing passage to the other side of the fence towards Luulampi and Luulampi’s daytime shelter.
Passing through the reindeer fence towards Luulampi, you can travel back to Kiilopää via Luulampi along a technically easier but occasionally very steep gravelled route. Luulampi’s daytime shelter is located a couple of hundred meters from the reindeer fence.
A more technical and challenging return route to Kiilopää (about 6 km) follows the line of the winter route. In this case, you do not cross to the other side of the reindeer fence but continue left away from it. The trail splits almost immediately, and you take the right branch. The trail initially is easier sandy track, which gradually climbs the fell. The ascent is rocky and at times has tight contour ascents. Along the way, there are some wetter spots and small creek crossings. This section is marked with black poles.
From above, views open up to the right towards Saariselkä, as far as Kaunispää, and behind to UKK Park. The descent is, especially in its latter part during normal conditions, occasionally wet and rocky. Always try to ride the marked line to prevent trail widening and terrain wear. The terrain levels out at the end of the descent and joins the gravel summer route that leads to the Kiilopää yard at the start gate of UKK Park.
A technically easier return route to Kiilopää (about 4.5 km) goes through the yard of Luulampi’s daytime shelter. During the season, there is a Wilderness Café operating at the hut. This is a fine and diverse resting spot, near which there is an ancient dwelling site, a spring, an outdoor fireplace, and a brand-new fire hut. The summer route from Luulampi to Kiilopää is gravelled. The route is mostly technically easy, but the ascent is almost cliff-like at the very beginning. After this, the climb eases a bit, and rideability improves. From above, magnificent views open to the right towards Saariselkä in the direction of Kaunispää, to the left near the village of Kiilopää, and behind to UKK Park.
The final descent to Kiilopää fell center is speedy and technically easy. At the beginning of the descent, you pass through the reindeer fence again. Remember to always close all reindeer fence gates after you! There are many other users on this route, especially during peak seasons. Take this into account and keep all encounters safe!
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
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Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
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