For mountain biking enthusiasts, the Ylläs area offers a wide range of opportunities for adventurous rides and good times. You’ll find smooth and easy-flowing trails, but also more technical sections for those who crave a challenge. In this article, we’ll introduce favorite loops suited for experienced riders, share tips for planning your routes, and offer guidance for responsible biking.
We interviewed Tytti Laakso, the entrepreneur behind Hidden Trails Lapland, who knows Ylläs’s biking scene like the back of her hand. She shared her top summer tips for enthusiasts – including three favorite loops that strike the perfect balance between challenge, speed, and scenic views.
Grab your bike and head out to explore why Ylläs is the number one destination for so many mountain bikers.
Riding with passion
Hidden Trails Lapland is a small, two-person family business built around a love for mountain biking. Their rental shop is located at the Yllästunturi Nature Center Kellokas, and in winter they also offer guided fatbike tours. During summer, the other owner, Marko Kiviranta, builds trails for Ylläs Bike Park – so if anyone knows the ins and outs of biking in Ylläs, it’s definitely this crew.
So, what’s Tytti Laakso’s personal connection to Ylläs’s nature and biking trails? “It’s the nature that keeps people coming back to Ylläs, and it was also the main reason I moved here in the first place. Nature is still the most important part of feeling at home here. All my hobbies revolve around being outdoors, especially mountain biking,” Tytti says.
“A mountain bike ride in Ylläs is always a nature experience. Even after years of living here, nature still plays a big role – even on a casual evening ride to Kukastunturi before sauna. ‘You can count yourself lucky when your everyday trail views look like this”, she adds.
Best moments on the Ylläs trails
When we asked how Tytti would describe Ylläs’s nature from a biker’s perspective, her answer was refreshingly thorough: “Ylläs’s nature and landscapes are wonderfully varied for mountain biking. You’ll find summit views and wide-open fell scenery, but also lush groves, old forests, wetlands, and lakeside trails. The terrain here is famously rocky, so the gravel-covered sections offer a nice change of pace and a chance to catch your breath,” she sums up.
So yes, Ylläs has smooth gravel paths, but also rocks and roots for those who seek them. The climbs and descents are long, but if you’re not in the mood to push uphill, you can plan your route with less elevation. The summer trails in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park are officially hiking trails, not built specifically for mountain biking, but many of them work beautifully for it.
The official Ylläs outdoor map clearly shows which trails are suitable for biking. “If you want to avoid hike-a-bike sections and focus on actual riding, stick to the trails marked as bike routes on the map. And remember, if a trail isn’t marked as a summer trail, you’re not allowed to ride it within the national park,” Tytti advises.
When we asked her favorite spot for biking in the Ylläs area, the answer came quickly: Ylläs Bike Park. “It might surprise first-time visitors, but the Bike Park trails are actually at their best in slightly damp conditions,” Tytti explains. “There’s no clay that turns into mud when it rains – the gravel surfaces are actually perfect when a bit wet. The grip is amazing. Some of my best moments on the Ylläs trails have been on the Murica trail in the Bike Park after a rainy night, when the traction was unreal and I could hit the berms as hard as my nerves allowed,” she says with a smile.
Most inspiring rides for enthusiasts – make sure to try these
Ylläs offers a wide variety of trails for mountain bikers of all levels. Next, we’ll dive into what our interviewee considers the top three routes for enthusiasts – and what makes each of them special.
Tytti’s TOP 3 trails:
- ”Kukastunturin polkaisu” approx. 20 km – a classic for a reason. The ascent to Kukastunturi is long, but the views more than make up for it.
- Kesänkijärvi-Kesängin keidas café–Latvamaja-Ojanlatva-Kahvikeidas–Ylläs Ski Resort Ylläsjärvi-Tuomikuru-Kesänkijärvi approx. 21 km – Scenically just as stunning as the Kukastunturi climb. The terrain is mellow and easy to ride, even though there’s a fair bit of elevation gain.
- Kaulavaara – Tunturijärvi – approx. 20 km – Less-traveled trails and more technical riding await here. The terrain outside the national park is varied and offers a quieter experience with fewer hikers around. Tytti herself rides along the scenic road past Ylläs Ski Resort in Äkäslompolo, then turns onto the summer trail that follows the ski track base a couple of hundred meters after the resort. From there, the route continues past Haaskajänkkä mire and descends toward Kaulavaara area. Following the snowmobile track base, the trail heads toward Velhonkota café and Tunturijärvi lake, eventually reaching the lake. Along the way, you’ll encounter a mix of terrain: rocky technical sections, boardwalks, and smoother paths – all rideable for those with solid mountain biking skills. From Tunturijärvi lake, the return climb to ”Lämpökolmonen” is on an easy going trail base. The area also features the 15 km ”Kaulavaaran kiritys”.
Other trail tips around Ylläs
Sometimes Ylläs is just a stopover on a longer northern trip, or there’s time for one last ride after other activities before the holiday ends. If you only have one day for biking, a great tip is to combine the Kukastunturi fell and Keskinenlaki fell top areas.
There are also trails in the region that may not be the most popular, but are definitely worth exploring for enthusiasts. “If you’ve got the time, it’s worth continuing north from Kotamaja – either toward Äkäskero or Pyhäjärvi,” Tytti suggests.
Both of these sections are a notch more technical. They’re less traveled, possibly because it’s harder to build a loop route from them. However, you can ride back to Äkäslompolo via the main roads from either direction. And if riding the same trail back or taking the road doesn’t appeal, some local taxi companies also transport bikes.
Combo route: Kukastunturi and Keskinenlaki
Tytti’s trail tip starts with a ride from Äkäslompolo village toward Kukastunturi fell, continuing with the following coordinates: Hangaskuru (those who enjoy technical root sections can ride directly from Hangaskuru to Latvamaja), Tahkokuru, Kesänkijärvi, Latvamaja, Ojanlatva, Kahvikeidas, Tuomikuru, Kesänkijärvi, and back to Äkäslompolo. Depending on your choices, the total distance is around 35–38 km.
“This loop includes a lot of climbing, but the views are absolutely worth it. You can also shorten the route by skipping the Latvamaja–Ojanlatva section, or start from the Nature Center Kellokas and head through Kellostapuli Gorge to Kesänkijärvi lake, then toward Tahkokuru, Hangaskuru, and Kukastunturi,” she explains.
How to plan a successful ride
Planning your ride depends mostly on how much time you have and whether you’re in the mood for a relaxed cruise or a proper workout. Often it’s a shorter ride after a workday for Tytti, so there’s not much time to go far. “If I want to break a sweat, I head up into the fells – Kukas or toward Keskinenlaki,” she says.
In summer, the couple behind Hidden Trails often spend their days off at the Bike Park. Sometimes they opt for a longer forest ride, choosing a route that includes a refreshing drink stop at one of the many local cafés. On hot days, it’s also smart to plan your ride with a potential swimming spot in mind.
According to Tytti, the best tool for planning a successful ride is Ylläs’s official trail map. It shows the difficulty level of each route, making it easy to choose whether you’re in the mood for smooth and easy trails or something more technical.
Sharing the trails – tips for outdoor harmony
At Ylläs, there’s ongoing discussion about how bikers and hikers can share the same trails – or whether they can at all. We believe that by treating each other with equal respect and consideration, regardless of how we move through nature, we can all enjoy the shared-use trails together.
We asked Tytti for her thoughts on the topic. “In so-called blind spots, it’s important to ride at a moderate speed so you don’t startle others. And whenever you meet someone, it’s polite to slow down significantly – or even stop, if needed. Using a bell or giving a friendly sound signal when passing from behind, and keeping the speed low while overtaking, always works. Just basic trail etiquette,” she wisely sums up.
Responsible riding
In Pallas–Yllästunturi National Park, biking is only allowed on official, marked summer trails. Leaving the trail with the bike is prohibited, and on a few routes, biking is entirely forbidden to protect nature and ensure safety. Except for the Bike Park, Ylläs’s trails are shared-use, so it’s important to be mindful of other outdoor enthusiasts.
“The question of what – or who – wears down the trails the most is a common topic, but really, it’s the number of users that causes erosion. Enough traffic in the same spot creates a new trail, whether it’s people, reindeer, or even ants,” Tytti reflects. “Bikers can help reduce trail wear by staying on the path – and that means riding over rocks, roots, and puddles instead of widening the trail by going around them”, she adds. The same goes for hikers, of course.
Your riding style also matters. For example, locking your brakes causes more damage than controlled braking. And let’s be honest – when you’re really into mountain biking, a bit of mud is part of the fun. So go ahead and ride straight through those puddles and roots, and sharpen your skills while you’re at it.
If a section feels too challenging for your skill level, you can always walk your bike. After all, mountain biking means riding in natural terrain – so wet spots and roots are part of the experience.
Wrapping up
Ylläs’s trails offer a wide range of options for mountain biking enthusiasts. When your route is well planned and your gear and snacks are sorted, you can focus on what really matters – enjoying the ride.
And who knows, maybe next time you’ll discover your new favorite trail. Pump up those tires and off you go!