The Parppein Gravel Loop
23 km
Ilomantsi
The Parppein Gravel Loop is a compact and accessible ride offering a cross-section of Ilomantsi’s cultural landscape. Thanks to its shorter distance, it suits almost everyone and is ideal for beginners, leisure riders or as a warm-up for the longer Lake Ilomantsi Gravel Loop.
Distance
23 km
% Unpaved
67 %
Duration
2-3 hours
% Singletrack
0 %
Total ascent
238m
Difficulty (1-10)
2
Highest point
191m
% Rideable
100 %- Parppeinvaara Rune Singer’s Village and Karelian wooden architectural heritage
- Village sights of Ilomantsi
- Church of Holy Prophet Elias
- Views and refreshments at the Winetower
- Piirolan Piha Arts and Crafts Centre with bear statues
- Kuuksankaari Apartments and Koitadesign shop
- Rantakahvila Ilonpisara by Lake Ilomantsijärvi
- Suitable for any bike with tyres around 38 mm or wider. Low gears recommended due to occasionally steepish uphills.
- The route is mainly on relateively traffic-free gravel roads and small paved roads, with a couple of short exceptions
- Best season from late spring to early autumn the the gravel roads are dry
- The route has only digital navigation, download the GPX track to your device before getting on the route.
- Carry all the food and water you need for the route; services and cafés are concentrated in the village centre
- Swimming spot on the route: village beach
- Accommodation options in Ilomantsi includes Kuuksankaari Apartments, PikkuPriha Guesthouse, Puustilan maisematila B&B and Hotel Pogostan Hovi
- Mobile phone coverage is available along the entire route. In case of emergency call 112.
The route is on the short side, 24km, which makes it suitable for most
Despite the short distance, there are more than 300m of climbing, making the route quite hilly. The climbing adds up gradually along the way and light gears help to battle the uphills.
The route is technically easy riding throughout even with the skinny 38mm tires despite some short sections of old unmaintained forest road.
Despite the short distance, there are more than 300m of climbing, making the route quite hilly. The climbing adds up gradually along the way and light gears help to battle the uphills.
The route is technically easy riding throughout even with the skinny 38mm tires despite some short sections of old unmaintained forest road.
- Start at Parppeinvaara Rune Singer’s Village in Ilomantsi (parking available)
- Buses from Joensuu to Ilomantsi take a little over an hour
The ride begins at Parppeinvaara Rune Singer’s Village and heads south into forests and countryside around the village. Along the way, you visit Kuuksankaari Apartments and the Koitadesign shop, adding a modern design and travel flavour to the traditional rural scenery.
Towards the end, the route arrives in the village of Ilomantsi, where cultural sights form the highlight: the Orthodox Church of Holy Prophet Elias, Piirolan Piha Arts and Crafts Centre and Shop with bear statues, and the Winetower with views over the village and the lake. Rantakahvila Ilonpisara by the lakeshore is a perfect place for a break before returning to the starting point.
If you enjoy the short loop and wish to ride further, the longer Lake Ilomantsi Gravel Loop awaits with deeper immersion into the hill village landscapes.
Towards the end, the route arrives in the village of Ilomantsi, where cultural sights form the highlight: the Orthodox Church of Holy Prophet Elias, Piirolan Piha Arts and Crafts Centre and Shop with bear statues, and the Winetower with views over the village and the lake. Rantakahvila Ilonpisara by the lakeshore is a perfect place for a break before returning to the starting point.
If you enjoy the short loop and wish to ride further, the longer Lake Ilomantsi Gravel Loop awaits with deeper immersion into the hill village landscapes.