Iso-Syöte is the southernmost fell in Finland and lies around 150 kilometres north-east of the Baltic Sea city of Oulu. Heading north for another 150 kilometres, you pass the Arctic Circle and the border with Lapland. The mountains with the small ski resort are a maximum of 432 metres high and belong to the municipality of Pudasjärvi. The population density per square kilometre here is close to zero. To put this into perspective: Pudasjärvi's official population of just under 8,000 is spread over an area equivalent to the state of Luxembourg. If you leave the fell to the south, there are hardly any landmarks to orientate yourself. In addition, the forest usually prevents a distant view. The lakes, of which there are almost 190,000 in Finland, provide variety everywhere.
Gravel biking in Finland: never without GPS!
The topography appears flat. However, the sheer number of waves, which add up to a few metres in altitude at the end of each tour, is gruelling. Not forgetting the serious climb up the fell to our accommodation. Only the main roads and a few country roads are tarmac. The surface is all over the place: gravel of all kinds, sand and forest floor, as well as annoying washboard tracks. A bigger challenge, however, is the orientation. There are hardly any signs, especially not with distances, and it is not uncommon for the same place to have different names. Therefore: Never go on tour without a GPS device! And always take enough food and drink with you, as there are virtually no places to stop for refreshments.
Best time to travel
The window of opportunity for a summer holiday in this northern region is narrow. In the area around the Arctic Circle, there is snow until well into May. Realistically, only the months of June, July and August can be considered. During the midsummer solstice, the sun disappears behind the horizon for just over an hour. The average daily maximum temperature is a pleasant 20 degrees. And with statistically eight to ten days of rainfall per month, the risk of bad weather is very limited.
Accommodation
Hotel Iso-Syöte
www.hotelli-isosyote.fi
Sport and the outdoors are the themes at Iso-Syöte. Thanks to owner Juha Kuukasjärvi, who spends every spare minute outdoors, cyclists will find all the amenities they need. Challenge At the end of each tour, around 200 metres of ascent to the hotel await. Double room with breakfast from 130 euros.
Tip for groups Bikefex.at offers midsummer tour weeks in Iso-Syöte, also customised for gravel bikers (from four people). Including customised guiding and airport transfers!
Download:
GPS data for gravel bike tours in Northern Finland / free of charge
PDF: Travel story Northern Finland / 8 pages / 1,99 Euro (free for TOUR subscribers)
