Gravel Adventure
Routes 44 km, 66 km, 76 km ja 102 km.
Service points 44 km route has one service point at 29 km. Longer routes have another service point at 49 km.
Start time The Gravel Adventure route can be started independently between 8.00 and 10.00 after registration.
Gravel Adventure is intended for adventure-seeking cyclists who prefer to ride at their own pace, either solo or with a friend, navigating independently. It offers a perfect selection of the finest gravel roads in the Miehikkälä and Virolahti area, handpicked by the route master, along with some of the most fascinating sites in the universe to explore. There is no timing for completing the route.
You can take part in this adventure with any type of bicycle. A pedal-assist mountain bike, a gravel bike, or even a single-speed military bicycle that suits the surroundings will do just fine.
Gravel Adventure covers a distance of 66 km, but you can tailor the route to your preference—making it 46 km, 76 km, or even 102 km long. You can decide on the route length during the ride based on how you feel. There are two service points along the route. The trail includes several fascinating sites selected by the route master, which are highly recommended to explore without rushing. It's a good idea to bring a flashlight for exploring underground caves. Geocachers should plan the caches they want to find in advance.
Each route variation has its own downloadable GPX track. In addition, the intersections between the different route options are marked with signs. We recommend uploading the GPX track to your watch or bike computer, or using a pre-printed paper map. The recommended points of interest have been compiled into a downloadable and printable PDF file.
NOTE! Moving around the Salpa Line structures is at your own risk and requires extreme caution. A helmet must be worn at all times.
44 km route
The start and finish of Gravel Adventure are located at the Salpa Line Museum in Miehikkälä. The route heads toward the Virolahti Bunker Museum, running alongside the Salpa Line. From the museum, the route turns back toward Miehikkälä, featuring the 'Path of the Unknown Soldier' and other wartime historical sites along the Salpa Line. The first service point is located 29 km in, inside a large cave in keeping with the Salpa Line theme. After that, the trail continues through the picturesque Pitkäkoski mill, power plant, and sawmill before reaching the first route intersection, where it's possible to head to the finish with 46 km on the clock.
66 km route
If the journey has felt easy so far, you should definitely continue on to the 66 km route and see even more. You’ll have a chance to recharge at the next service point. At the Muhikko rest stop, a campfire welcomes riders to grill sausages and enjoy a well-earned coffee break. After the break, it's onward to the legendary Lipputangonmäki. Soon after, you'll reach a four-way intersection, from where the route continues toward the finish. Before reaching the end, the route detours to the Sihkarinkallio observation tower, offering an incredible vantage point over Myllylampi. As you approach the finish line, you can enjoy a playful final sprint with your buddy on a gravel road surrounded by tank traps.
76 km route
Those who continue past the four-way intersection will soon reach the junction with Hirsinotkontie, where the 76 km detour—known as the 'fox loop'—begins. After the loop, the route follows a picturesque stretch of the tank barrier line on the way to the finish.
102 km route
The most determined adventurers, eager to experience the full route, continue from the Hirsinotkontie junction onto the 102 km trail. At the turning point of the route lies one of the region's finest Salpa Line caves—a visit there is truly unforgettable. The return to the finish follows portions of the 76 km and 66 km routes.
