Distance
249 kmDuration
3-4 daysTotal ascent
2464mHighest point
130m% Unpaved
65 %% Singletrack
20 %Difficulty (1-10)
2% Rideable
100 %On the Lands of the Manors is a journey into the rural landscapes of Northern Uusimaa, among historic villages, manor estates and river valleys. The route combines peaceful gravel roads, local services and an easily accessible bikepacking adventure just a short distance from Helsinki. Along the way, you can enjoy charming village cafés, spend the night by a lakeshore or at a farm stay, and discover the region's rich history and cultural heritage.
On the Lands of the Manors takes cyclists through the cultural landscapes of Uusimaa. The route begins in the green surroundings of Helsinki Central Park, but after only a few hours of riding the scenery changes into forest recreation areas, rural villages and wide open fields. Old church roads, manor estates and river valleys tell the story of a region that has been shaped by centuries of history.
Along the route, riders experience the crystal-clear waters of Lake Sääksjärvi, the peaceful forests of the Kytäjä and Usmi recreation areas, and the services of Hyvinkää and Mäntsälä. In the middle of the countryside, the art café In The Middle of Nowhere in the village of Kaukas offers a reminder that memorable experiences are often found in unexpected places.
Between Mäntsälä and Pornainen, the traditional landscapes of the Mustijoki River Valley unfold. Here you can visit the childhood home of explorer A. E. Nordenskiöld at the Alikartano Museum, relax beside the rapids and enjoy the tranquillity of the Northern Uusimaa countryside.
The final stage leads through the forests of Sipoonkorpi National Park and follows the Vantaanjoki River back to the centre of Helsinki. The contrast between the city and the countryside makes this route unique: in just a few days, cyclists can experience both the best of the Helsinki region and the peaceful landscapes of rural Uusimaa.
The route can be comfortably ridden in 3–4 days, leaving plenty of time for attractions, cafés and overnight stays. With its excellent services and diverse accommodation options, the route is an ideal choice for both first-time bikepackers and experienced cycle travellers.
- The diverse and nature-filled cycling routes of Helsinki Central Park and Route 2000
- Lake Sääksjärvi, Finland's largest spring-fed lake
- The campfire sites and shelters of the Kytäjä–Usmi recreation areas
- In The Middle of Nowhere Art Park and Café in the middle of the countryside
- The Alikartano Museum, childhood home of explorer A. E. Nordenskiöld
- The rural roads and landscapes of Pornainen
- The route through Sipoonkorpi National Park to Kuusijärvi
- The riverside cycling routes along the Vantaanjoki River and the Vanhankaupunginkoski area
- • The route can be ridden with any type of bicycle, provided that the tyre width is at least 40 mm.
- • Surface conditions vary from smooth gravel to occasional rough sections, so wider tyres will improve comfort.
- • The best time to ride the route is generally from May until the end of October, although pleasant cycling conditions can occur throughout the year.
- • Bicycle maintenance services are available in Hyvinkää and Mäntsälä.
- • Always stay on the marked route and use only the recommended campsites and rest areas described in the route guide. Please also follow the Finnish Outdoor Etiquette and the Code of Conduct for Mountain Bikers in Finland.
- • Mobile phone coverage is available throughout the route. Emergency assistance can always be reached by calling 112 or by using the 112 Suomi mobile application.
- Suggested Accommodation
- • Röykkä Resort, Rajamäki
- • Kiljava Resort, Rajamäki
- • Kytäjä Resort, Hyvinkää
- • Hotel Sveitsi, Hyvinkää
- • Majatalo Elisa and Hirvihaara Manor, Mäntsälä
- • Hotelli Kartanon Meijeri, Mäntsälä
- • Ruustinnan Kammari, Mäntsälä
- • Kuohuvirran Kartano, Numminen Village, Mäntsälä
- • Kotojärvi Estate, Pornainen
- Recommended Camping Locations
- • Sääksi Camping, Rajamäki
- • Piilolampi Recreation Area, Hyvinkää
- • Keravanjärvi Recreation Area, Mäntsälä
- • Nummistenkoski Lean-to Shelter, Mäntsälä
- • Ängesböle Camping Area, Sipoonkorpi
- Food and Drink
- • Restaurant Spoon, Kytäjä, Hyvinkää
- • Hotel Sveitsi Restaurant, Hyvinkää
- • Restaurant Obelix, Hyvinkää
- • Bursalad Burger Restaurant, Hyvinkää
- • In The Middle of Nowhere Summer Café, Hyvinkää
- • Keragrilli, Keravanjärvi, Mäntsälä
- • Seon Juoru Café Restaurant, Mäntsälä
- • Nummisten Ruokala, Mäntsälä
- • Kesämopo Café, Pornainen
- • Café Sininen Talo, Sipoo
- • Café Kuusijärvi, Sipoonkorpi
- • The route mainly follows easy gravel roads and cycle paths through rural landscapes.
- • The section from Petikko through the Herukkapuro Nature Reserve and Kurkijärvi Forest towards Serena includes several steep climbs, although the beautiful forest scenery makes the effort worthwhile.
- • The route mainly follows easy gravel roads and cycle paths through rural landscapes.
- • The section from Petikko through the Herukkapuro Nature Reserve and Kurkijärvi Forest towards Serena includes several steep climbs, although the beautiful forest scenery makes the effort worthwhile.
- • One of the starting points of the route is Kansalaistori Square in central Helsinki, which is easily accessible by public transport. The route can also be started from Pasila Railway Station.
- • If arriving by car, Haltiala Farm in Vantaa offers convenient parking and an easy place to start and finish the route.
- • The route can also be divided into shorter sections by using the railway stations in Hyvinkää and Mäntsälä.
The route description starts from Kansalaistori Square in central Helsinki, next to the Central Railway Station. Since the route can be started from several different locations and ridden at various daily distances, it has been divided into clear stages. You can use these suggested stages and accommodation tips to plan your own itinerary.
Helsinki – Lake Sääksjärvi, Nurmijärvi (65 km)
From Helsinki, the route follows Central Park and the Route 2000 cycling trail towards Serena and Korpilampi. The section between Petikko and Serena is rather hilly but rewards riders with beautiful forest scenery. From Korpilampi, the route continues through the Luukki Nature Reserve to the centre of Klaukkala, where a wide range of services is available.
After Klaukkala, the historic Old Church Road leads towards Nurmijärvi Church Village. It is a good idea to stock up on supplies here before continuing to the overnight destination. Good accommodation options near Lake Sääksjärvi include Röykkä Resort and Kiljava Resort.
The crystal-clear Lake Sääksjärvi is Finland's largest spring-fed lake. Its water is naturally filtered through the surrounding soil, and its sandy beaches are among the finest in Uusimaa.
Lake Sääksjärvi – Sveitsi Park, Hyvinkää (37 km)
From Sääksjärvi, the route continues through the Kytäjä and Usmi recreation areas to Hyvinkää and Sveitsi Park.
For those planning to camp, Piilolampi Recreation Area offers an overnight option approximately eight kilometres before reaching Sveitsi Park. The area around Hotel Sveitsi also features an outdoor swimming pool and an adventure park, making it an excellent place to spend an extra day.
Sveitsi Park, Hyvinkää – Keravanjärvi Recreation Area, Mäntsälä (26 km)
Before leaving Hyvinkää, it is worth making use of the town's shops and services, especially if you are heading for a night of camping at Keravanjärvi Recreation Area.
Nature enthusiasts may wish to visit Hyvinkää's Health Forest, located close to the town centre, before stopping at the well-known Bursalad burger restaurant.
In the village of Kaukas, just beyond the old thread spool factory, the unique art café In The Middle of Nowhere is a memorable stop. Before reaching the recreation area, cyclists can also visit Keragrilli on the shore of Lake Keravanjärvi.
The recreation area offers a swimming beach, dry toilet and campfire site.
Keravanjärvi Recreation Area – Numminen Village, Mäntsälä (28 km)
From Keravanjärvi, the route follows a scenic corridor along the natural gas pipeline towards the village of Hirvihaara. Located beside beautiful rapids, Hirvihaara offers a pleasant rest stop and accommodation at Majatalo Elisa.
From the rapids begins a long cycle path leading to the services of Mäntsälä town centre. Mäntsälä offers several accommodation options and the popular café restaurant Seon Juoru.
From Mäntsälä, the route towards Numminen follows cycle paths for a considerable distance before changing into peaceful gravel roads alongside the Mustijoki River.
Numminen Village offers Restaurant Nummisten Ruokala, accommodation at Kuohuvirran Kartano and an excellent campsite beside the Nummistenkoski rapids. Nearby is the Alikartano Museum, the childhood home of explorer Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld. The museum is open during the summer season and also features the charming Hedda Noora Café.
Numminen Village – Sipoo Town Centre (43 km)
Between Numminen and Pornainen, the route follows approximately five kilometres of paved road. Traffic is light and the surrounding scenery consists of protected cultural landscapes.
At Halkiankoski, it is worth making a short detour to see the 12-metre waterfall, once the largest free-flowing waterfall in Southern Finland before it was harnessed for hydropower. Next to the power station stands the active Koskenniska Summer Theatre.
The route then continues along cycle paths through the services of Pornainen and the Kotojärvi Golf area, where accommodation and dining services are available. From Kotojärvi to Sipoo town centre, the distance is 16 kilometres. After Kotojärvi, the cycle path once again changes into a peaceful gravel road near Kesämopo Café.
In Sipoo, a stop at the charming summer café Café Sininen Talo is highly recommended.
Sipoo Town Centre – Helsinki (50 km)
After leaving Sipoo town centre, the route heads into Sipoonkorpi National Park. Before reaching the park, cyclists pass the traditional Sipoonjoki Smoke Sauna, a unique partly underground smoke sauna.
Five kilometres from the centre of Sipoo, a short detour can be made to the Ängesböle camping area.
Crossing Sipoonkorpi National Park eventually brings riders to the Kuusijärvi Outdoor Recreation Area, offering a wide range of services from restaurants to traditional saunas.
From Kuusijärvi, the route follows recreational trails along the Keravanjoki and Vantaanjoki rivers towards central Helsinki. Vanhankaupunginkoski, with its scenic surroundings, provides one final nature stop before returning to Kansalaistori Square.
Helsinki – Lake Sääksjärvi, Nurmijärvi (65 km)
From Helsinki, the route follows Central Park and the Route 2000 cycling trail towards Serena and Korpilampi. The section between Petikko and Serena is rather hilly but rewards riders with beautiful forest scenery. From Korpilampi, the route continues through the Luukki Nature Reserve to the centre of Klaukkala, where a wide range of services is available.
After Klaukkala, the historic Old Church Road leads towards Nurmijärvi Church Village. It is a good idea to stock up on supplies here before continuing to the overnight destination. Good accommodation options near Lake Sääksjärvi include Röykkä Resort and Kiljava Resort.
The crystal-clear Lake Sääksjärvi is Finland's largest spring-fed lake. Its water is naturally filtered through the surrounding soil, and its sandy beaches are among the finest in Uusimaa.
Lake Sääksjärvi – Sveitsi Park, Hyvinkää (37 km)
From Sääksjärvi, the route continues through the Kytäjä and Usmi recreation areas to Hyvinkää and Sveitsi Park.
For those planning to camp, Piilolampi Recreation Area offers an overnight option approximately eight kilometres before reaching Sveitsi Park. The area around Hotel Sveitsi also features an outdoor swimming pool and an adventure park, making it an excellent place to spend an extra day.
Sveitsi Park, Hyvinkää – Keravanjärvi Recreation Area, Mäntsälä (26 km)
Before leaving Hyvinkää, it is worth making use of the town's shops and services, especially if you are heading for a night of camping at Keravanjärvi Recreation Area.
Nature enthusiasts may wish to visit Hyvinkää's Health Forest, located close to the town centre, before stopping at the well-known Bursalad burger restaurant.
In the village of Kaukas, just beyond the old thread spool factory, the unique art café In The Middle of Nowhere is a memorable stop. Before reaching the recreation area, cyclists can also visit Keragrilli on the shore of Lake Keravanjärvi.
The recreation area offers a swimming beach, dry toilet and campfire site.
Keravanjärvi Recreation Area – Numminen Village, Mäntsälä (28 km)
From Keravanjärvi, the route follows a scenic corridor along the natural gas pipeline towards the village of Hirvihaara. Located beside beautiful rapids, Hirvihaara offers a pleasant rest stop and accommodation at Majatalo Elisa.
From the rapids begins a long cycle path leading to the services of Mäntsälä town centre. Mäntsälä offers several accommodation options and the popular café restaurant Seon Juoru.
From Mäntsälä, the route towards Numminen follows cycle paths for a considerable distance before changing into peaceful gravel roads alongside the Mustijoki River.
Numminen Village offers Restaurant Nummisten Ruokala, accommodation at Kuohuvirran Kartano and an excellent campsite beside the Nummistenkoski rapids. Nearby is the Alikartano Museum, the childhood home of explorer Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld. The museum is open during the summer season and also features the charming Hedda Noora Café.
Numminen Village – Sipoo Town Centre (43 km)
Between Numminen and Pornainen, the route follows approximately five kilometres of paved road. Traffic is light and the surrounding scenery consists of protected cultural landscapes.
At Halkiankoski, it is worth making a short detour to see the 12-metre waterfall, once the largest free-flowing waterfall in Southern Finland before it was harnessed for hydropower. Next to the power station stands the active Koskenniska Summer Theatre.
The route then continues along cycle paths through the services of Pornainen and the Kotojärvi Golf area, where accommodation and dining services are available. From Kotojärvi to Sipoo town centre, the distance is 16 kilometres. After Kotojärvi, the cycle path once again changes into a peaceful gravel road near Kesämopo Café.
In Sipoo, a stop at the charming summer café Café Sininen Talo is highly recommended.
Sipoo Town Centre – Helsinki (50 km)
After leaving Sipoo town centre, the route heads into Sipoonkorpi National Park. Before reaching the park, cyclists pass the traditional Sipoonjoki Smoke Sauna, a unique partly underground smoke sauna.
Five kilometres from the centre of Sipoo, a short detour can be made to the Ängesböle camping area.
Crossing Sipoonkorpi National Park eventually brings riders to the Kuusijärvi Outdoor Recreation Area, offering a wide range of services from restaurants to traditional saunas.
From Kuusijärvi, the route follows recreational trails along the Keravanjoki and Vantaanjoki rivers towards central Helsinki. Vanhankaupunginkoski, with its scenic surroundings, provides one final nature stop before returning to Kansalaistori Square.