Golden Northern Lapland

Old Menesjärvi road in Inari

Route: Inari - Solojärvi - Vaatimenseisomapää - Inari.

Length and duration: 55 km, about 6-8 hours.

Difficulty: Medium. Varying climbs and descents. Partly road and partly gravel. In some places streams must be waded across. Note: The route only opens in late June when the ground is sufficiently dry.

Sights: The route follows an abandoned highway and passes through a pine forest. Lakes and ponds.

Services: Fireplace at Karipää lake.

Start: Village of Inari, Inari information. Information board and route sign.

Markings: Short grey wooden posts with blue biker mark at bout 1 km intervals. No marks on Inari - Kittilä road.

To begin with the route goes about 5 km on the Inari - Kittilä road. On the left side of the road is a fish symbol together with a number of signs (including Solojärvi) and a marker. The proceeds along a gravel road (abandoned highway), passing through a pine forest and skirting several lakes and ponds. After Solojärvi the route follows the highway for about 2 km and then turns left on a gravel road (marker) and continues through changing forest scenery towards Vaatimenseisomapää fell. In some places shallow streams must be crossed. The route again comes back to the Inari - Kittilä highway and then turns right towards Inari. On the way back you can admire the River Juutuanjoki as it flows towards Lake Inari.

Note: Along the route there are a few wooden bridges which are in poor condition and may require you to carry your bike across. A shorter route option is Inari - Solojärvi - Inari, about 27 km.

Gear: Day-trip gear. Food and drink. Map.

Map: Outdoor recreation map 1:100,000 Hammastunturi - Saariselkä. Juutua recreation area map 1:100,000 / Finnish Forest and Park Service.