As soon as the last of the snow has melted, a network of gravel roads, forest tracks, double tracks and short singletrack links opens up in Ruka-Kuusamo. The region is situated in one of the most sparsely populated areas in Europe. There are more reindeer than people here, amidst endless forests, open fell plateaus and a wilderness where the nearest village is often a long way off. The local tourism board therefore aims to expand its offering for gravel cyclists.
The routes are flat and fast, yet retain their wild character. Long gravel sections alternate with forest tracks, wooden footbridges, singletrack and rougher stretches. There’s hardly any traffic, the landscape is vast and open, and the network of routes gives you the feeling of being out on your own. The landscape is vast, unspoilt and almost always green.
Service in Finland
Entitled “House of Gravel” The Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Board offers GPX data, suggested routes, accommodation, bike services and local tips. During the peak season, there is a free social ride every Thursday. Every Thursday from 18 June to 20 August 2026, gravel cyclists meet in the village of Ruka near the Tykky observation tower. Rides range from 20 to 60 kilometres, depending on the participants’ experience levels, their preferences, and weather and trail conditions.
The midnight sun on a gravel tour in Finland
Around the summer solstice, it stays light almost all night in Ruka-Kuusamo. What was meant to be a quick ride after work quickly turns into four hours in the saddle. Not because you’ve got lost, but because there’s another gravel road waiting just round the next bend. Anyone cycling here gets on their bike in the morning and doesn’t turn back until the light fades.
Routes for beginners and long-distance cyclists in Finland
A good place to start is the 35-kilometre ‘after-work’ loop south of Ruka Village towards Juhannuskallio and Talvijärvi. Just a few minutes after setting off, the hustle and bustle of everyday life fades away. The route takes you along quiet gravel roads through sparse pine and birch forests and past small lakes.
If you’ve only just warmed up after 35 kilometres, add the ‘A Peek at Kuntivaara’ route to your itinerary. Over 57 kilometres, a different side of Ruka-Kuusamo reveals itself: longer climbs, more remote sections, open fell landscapes and the feeling of being out and about for hours without encountering a soul. Even more wilderness and endless expanses. Exactly the sort of loop that riders pack their bags for and set off on a journey to the north.
Ultra Loop Challenge
A Strava challenge covering 200 kilometres is also available. The 200-km Ruka-Kuusamo FKT Ultra Loop Challenge runs until 30 September 2026. Anyone who records the fastest ride on a non-motorised bike on Strava will be rewarded at the end of the season. In October 2026, the fastest woman and the fastest man will each receive 300 euros.
The Ultra Loop is a challenging cycle route in the Ruka-Kuusamo region of Finland, with over 2,000 metres of elevation gain. The route runs south from Ruka Village to Kuusamo, through the remote Iivaara mountain region and back to Ruka – on a mix of gravel tracks, forest roads and tarmac sections.
The central section through the wilderness is considered the most challenging of all: steep climbs, technical descents and very few places to get supplies. Riders must therefore be completely self-sufficient. A gravel bike or hardtail MTB with at least 40–45 mm tubeless tyres is recommended, as well as a low gear ratio for the climbs, some of which are steeper than 10 per cent.
