Days of Fun Riding: Imatra Awaits Mountain Bikers with Trails Along Lake Saimaa
Article by Jarno Hämäläinen
In Commercial Collaboration with the ‘Elinvoimaa Kaakkois-Suomeen matkailuyhteistyöllä‘ Initiative*
Located by the large and beautiful Lake Saimaa, the Ukonniemi cape area in the city of Imatra and its surroundings offer mountain bikers days of exhilarating rides. The varied lakeside trails feature both easy and slightly technical routes, offering stunning views of Finnish lake landscapes. For those looking for a playful experience, a Pumptrack is also available to test your skills on a trick course.
The city of Imatra is situated in Southeast Finland, about a 2.5-hour direct and leisurely train ride from Helsinki. You can also reach Imatra by bus from Helsinki in about 3.5 hours. Imatra is famous for its magnificent Saimaa landscapes, and it’s also home to one of Finland’s oldest tourist attractions, Imatrankoski rapids. For nature-loving mountain bikers, Imatra is an excellent destination, and we’ll tell you more about it in this article.
Suitable bases for your cycling trip include accommodation options like Imatran Kylpylä Spa Resort or Holiday Club Saimaa Spa Resort, both of which offer convenient access to the MTB trails. Several bike rental shops are also nearby if you don’t have your own bike. The official starting point for the Ukonniemi mountain bike trail (4.9 km/3 mi loop) is near the passenger harbor, close to the bridge leading to Lammassaari recreation island and Imatran Kylpylä Spa Resort. Local bus line 5 from Pistetalo to Kylpylä (Spa) also takes you there if you’re staying elsewhere.
First ride: Rauha–Tiuruniemi–Valkamanranta
Address: Holiday Club Saimaa Spa Resort, Rauhanrinne 1, Lappeenranta
Helmet on, let’s go! From the yard of Holiday Club Saimaa Spa Resort (located in the Rauha district, which means “peace”), we initially pedal a short distance on asphalt before arriving at the yard of Tiuruniemi Hospital, which has also served as a war hospital. The large, functionalist-style building has been unused in recent years and looks somewhat surreal as it gradually blends into the vegetation.
From the south side of the hospital, the route curves onto a lakeside road towards Valkamanranta beach, gradually turning into a wide cart track. After a short forest section, I continue from the intersection back to the shore, where the evening sun reveals a stunning view over the vast expanses of Lake Saimaa.
The trail continues along the pine heath by the shore, becoming a bit rockier and rootier but still easy to ride. The views of the lake to the west are magnificent, especially in the evening.
After a small uphill and a few hundred meters through the forest, we head back down to the shore, where one of Imatra’s many sandy beaches, Valkamanranta, awaits. With good luck, you might even catch a public sauna session here, an opportunity not to be missed! But you can also swim on the silky soft beach without a sauna. From Valkamanranta, you can continue cycling towards the city of Joutseno, but I head back towards Rauha before it gets dark.
The return routes to the spa run through hillier terrain, and there are several different trails to choose from. All are still easy to ride, but you’ll break a sweat more easily here due to the hilly terrain. You’ll also find a campfire site along the routes if you happen to bring snacks.
Day 2: Rauha–Imatran Kylpylä Spa Resort
Starting Point: Rauhanrinne 1, Lappeenranta
As soon as we leave Rauha, we go downhill as the route dives down from the ridge and soon climbs back up to the same height. The trail seems to be based on a ski track, and you can enjoy a nice speed downhill past the golf course. Please note that in Finland, walking or cycling on ski tracks is generally not allowed during the snowy season. If it is permitted, signs will indicate so. Pay attention to and follow the guidelines.
The same ridge comes up again shortly, and once more we go up, then down, and up again. In steep hills, it’s a good idea to brake a bit, as rainwater has carved deep grooves in the ground that you might not see at high speed.
After the hilly section, we’re back by the lake. From here, the trail becomes narrower and more fun to ride, winding uphill through a deciduous forest, leading to a speedy descent towards the shore. Before a wooden bridge, it’s nice to take a short break and enjoy the views in the direction of Lammassaari recreation island, which is also part of the bike route.
Upon reaching the Ukonniemi cape area, there are several trails to choose from, as the area also has many walking and skiing routes. Near the ski stadium, there are steep ridges, and from the direction of Karhumäki, you’ll find many narrow trails, as well as the Pumptrack.
Lammassaari recreation island
Trail network 4.5 km
Several campfire sites
The most fun trails are definitely found on Lammassaari. The island’s unique nature is partly protected, and the marked bike route offers a tour of its finest spots. The route provides a decent challenge even for experienced cyclists, but the most difficult sections can easily be bypassed along the ski track.
The route meanders through chanterelle forests – you’re allowed to pick mushrooms in Finnish nature under everyone’s rights! – and climbs to the island’s “high plateau” amidst tall ferns and blueberry bushes. The narrow trail passes by sturdy spruces and continues through a lush deciduous forest to the edge of a cliff, which it follows for a while before descending to a wider path.
Trails crisscross, but it’s advisable to follow the signs for the bike route, as they lead to various diverse spots. Sometimes you’ll end up on technical trails and climbing the steep slopes of hollows.
The island’s nature is extremely varied and interesting. The slopes rising from the shore are sometimes covered with large aspens and birch groves, while the western side has drier pine heath. In between, there are different kinds of bogs, and the shores range from rugged rocks to soft sandy beaches.
In addition to numerous campfire sites, the western shore has a kota hut (photo above) and a lean-to.
Lammassaari Mountain Bike Trail Map in Outdoor Active
North and Northeast Side of Imatran Kylpylä Spa Resort
Imatran Kylpylä on the Map (Address: Purjekuja, Imatra)
The trails continue from Lammassaari and the vicinity of Imatran Kylpylä Spa Resort, following the shore. As you proceed along the sometimes very rooty and rocky trail, you’ll come across the beaches of Lempukka and Hossukka, from where numerous routes lead to Mustalammi (meaning ‘black pond’). There’s plenty of enjoyable riding here for a long time.
If you want a bit more challenge, you can choose the rocky shore trails and head towards Malonsaari recreation island, where even more experienced riders will occasionally have to “carry” their bikes.
Karhumäki Pumptrack
Location on the Map (Address: Lammassaarentie 5, Imatra)
If you go up the slopes from the north side of Imatran Kylpylä Spa Resort, you’ll end up at Karhumäki (‘Bear hill’) Pumptrack. The track with various obstacles is especially suitable for younger riders, but older ones should also try out the jumps and balancing acts.
The track is an excellent bonus in addition to the mountain bike trails!
Overall, the Ukonniemi area offers excellent cycling and other sports opportunities close to services. The shores of Lake Saimaa and the area’s exceptional nature provide an experiential bike trip, and there’s enough riding on different routes for several days. A very rewarding and diverse destination for anyone traveling to Finland!
Route maps can be found, for example, in Outdoor Active (in Finnish) or Alltrails (in English).
See also
*The initiative is funded as part of the actions implemented by the European Union due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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