Saariselkä

The most epic MTB event in Finland
3

days

175

km

2,500

up

2/5
It is a three-day mountain bike stage race in the wilderness of northernmost Finland. During the race you get to enjoy the pristine trails of Urho Kekkonen national park and Hammastunturi Wilderness area. Along the 180 race kilometres you will pass the legendary Kulmakuru gorge, treeless Raututunturi fell area, and other geologically and historically unique destinations of Saariselkä.
Saariselkä Placeholder
Saariselkä
Saariselkä (overlay) Placeholder
Saariselkä (overlay)

stage

km

ascent

trail

1
50 km
750 m
Saariselkä (estimation ascent)
2
80 km
1,000 m
Saariselkä (estimation ascent)
3
50 km
750 m
Saariselkä (estimation ascent)
The terrain of Saariselkä is known for its few key charasteristics. Although we don’t have huge mountains we still have some of Finland’s longest climbs and descents. Our fells also have some stones, which many people have noticed after having several punctures. But not to worry, proper tires will last all of our stones. The fact that our trails go through some of the last real wilderness areas in Europe means that there aren’t many stuctures on the trails. Along the trails you will walk and ride through several small rivers and streams.
Each year a group of cyclist consisting of top elite athletes and enthusiast start for Saariselkä MTB Stages. However, Saariselkä MTB Stages is not a piece of cake – and it is not even supposed to be one. It is supposed to be the greates challenge of 2020 after which each finisher can feel like a champion!
Endurance
2/5
Overall
2/5
Technic
3/5
Days
2/5
Distance
2/5
Up/down
2/5

Explanation

Overall ​Upwards rounded rating baesd on the avarage score of ​endurance, technic, ​days, distance and up/down. Unfortunately the judgment undoubtedly contains subjective elements, please make your own assessments and prepare well!

Endurance Requirements for endurance (unfortunately the judgment undoubtedly contains subjective elements, please make your own assessments and prepare well!).
1 star basic endurance required. 2 stars above average endurance required. 3 stars above average endurance required, partly due to extreme or changing weather conditions (hot, cold, rain, mud, etc.). 4 stars more than above average endurance required, including due to extreme or changing weather conditions. 5 stars way above average endurance / professional endurance, including due to extreme or changing weather conditions. 

Technic Indication of the technical difficulty of the average stages (unfortunately the judgment undoubtedly contains subjective elements, please make your own assessments and prepare well!).
1 star flat or slightly sloping roads with a level surface and/or asfaltos, no or hardly no singletracks. 2 stars mainly off road, but flat or slightly sloping roads with a level surface and some singletracks. 3 stars mainly off-road with single tracks, roots and / or rocks and / or sandy parts in hilly surroundings. 4 stars mainly off road with singletracks, roots and/or rocks and/or sandy pieces including steep climbs and/or downhills in mountainous surroundings. 5 stars mainly off-road, technical passages, steep climbs, fast descents including natural jumps and drops, changing surfaces both up and down.

Days Number of days of the event.
1 star 2 days or less. 2 stars 3 days. 3 stars 4 days. 4 stars 5 days. 5 stars 6 days or more

Distance Average kilometers per stage.
1 star 40 km or less. 2 stars 40- 59 km. 3 stars 60- 79 km. 4 stars 80 - 99 km. 5 stars 100 km or more. 

Up/down Average uphill meters per stage.
1 star 500 meters or less. 2 stars 501 - 1,000 meters. 3 stars 1,001 - 1,500 meters. 4 stars 1,501 - 2,000 meters. 5 stars 2,001 meters or more.

Saariselkä

The most epic MTB event in Finland
3

days

175

km

2,500

up

2/5
It is a three-day mountain bike stage race in the wilderness of northernmost Finland. During the race you get to enjoy the pristine trails of Urho Kekkonen national park and Hammastunturi Wilderness area. Along the 180 race kilometres you will pass the legendary Kulmakuru gorge, treeless Raututunturi fell area, and other geologically and historically unique destinations of Saariselkä.
Saariselkä Placeholder
Saariselkä
Saariselkä (overlay) Placeholder
Saariselkä (overlay)

stage

km

ascent

1
50 km
750 m
2
80 km
1,000 m
3
50 km
750 m
The terrain of Saariselkä is known for its few key charasteristics. Although we don’t have huge mountains we still have some of Finland’s longest climbs and descents. Our fells also have some stones, which many people have noticed after having several punctures. But not to worry, proper tires will last all of our stones. The fact that our trails go through some of the last real wilderness areas in Europe means that there aren’t many stuctures on the trails. Along the trails you will walk and ride through several small rivers and streams.
Each year a group of cyclist consisting of top elite athletes and enthusiast start for Saariselkä MTB Stages. However, Saariselkä MTB Stages is not a piece of cake – and it is not even supposed to be one. It is supposed to be the greates challenge of 2020 after which each finisher can feel like a champion!

Saariselkä

The most epic MTB event in Finland
3

days

175

km

2,500

up

2/5
It is a three-day mountain bike stage race in the wilderness of northernmost Finland. During the race you get to enjoy the pristine trails of Urho Kekkonen national park and Hammastunturi Wilderness area. Along the 180 race kilometres you will pass the legendary Kulmakuru gorge, treeless Raututunturi fell area, and other geologically and historically unique destinations of Saariselkä.
Saariselkä Placeholder
Saariselkä
Saariselkä (overlay) Placeholder
Saariselkä (overlay)
The terrain of Saariselkä is known for its few key charasteristics. Although we don’t have huge mountains we still have some of Finland’s longest climbs and descents. Our fells also have some stones, which many people have noticed after having several punctures. But not to worry, proper tires will last all of our stones. The fact that our trails go through some of the last real wilderness areas in Europe means that there aren’t many stuctures on the trails. Along the trails you will walk and ride through several small rivers and streams.
Each year a group of cyclist consisting of top elite athletes and enthusiast start for Saariselkä MTB Stages. However, Saariselkä MTB Stages is not a piece of cake – and it is not even supposed to be one. It is supposed to be the greates challenge of 2020 after which each finisher can feel like a champion!