HelsinkiNorth by Cycle is a diverse bikepacking route network in Northern Uusimaa, where nature, culture, and history are closely intertwined. The route passes through the forest landscapes of national parks, manor environments, and river valleys, leading to key sites of Finnish art and literature, as well as areas shaped by old railways and Viking-age stories.
Just a short distance from Helsinki, a world of its own opens up, where quiet gravel roads, forest tracks, and rural villages invite you into a slow-paced adventure. Along the way, cyclists are welcomed by idyllic accommodation options and comprehensive services that make the journey both easy and rewarding.
In a nutshell:
- Over 700 km of rideable routes
- 5 bikepacking routes, three of which pass through central Helsinki
- Routes range roughly from 80 to 330 km
- The routes form a connected network that can be combined into longer trips
- Many sections are easily accessible by train and public transport
- Suitable for both weekend rides and multi-day bikepacking trips
- A wide range of accommodation, from camping to comfortable hotels and farm stays
Bikepacking is one of the best ways to experience the varied nature, culture and history of Northern Uusimaa. HelsinkiNorth by Cycle takes you away from the pace of the capital into quiet forests, peaceful rural villages and landscapes where stories have been passed down for generations.
Along the routes, you’ll encounter ancient forests in national parks, clear lakes, sandy ridges, river valleys, manor surroundings, and open farmland. In a single day, you might ride along an old railway line, follow what is believed to have been a Viking route, visit places connected to Finnish art and literature, or simply stop for coffee in the countryside.
Cultural history is present everywhere. The routes take you through historic ironworks areas, manor estates, old villages, and artists’ homes. Along the way, you can learn about the lives of Aleksis Kivi and A. E. Nordenskiöld, hear the story of the Pikkupässi train, or experience the unique cultural landscape of Lake Tuusula.
The HelsinkiNorth by Cycle routes are designed to be easy to access from the Helsinki region and beyond. A dense public transport network, several railway stations, and short distances make the area exceptionally accessible. You can ride the routes as full multi-day adventures or split them into shorter day trips and weekend getaways.
The routes are suitable for almost any bike equipped with tyres at least 40 mm wide. If you’re carrying touring gear, wider tyres provide extra comfort and stability.
You’ll find bike services in the larger towns along the way, but it’s smart to bring the basics with you: tools, a spare tube and a repair kit. Pack your gear in waterproof bags and keep light rainwear within reach, just in case.
A rear rack makes life easier, but a handlebar bag works just as well when secured properly. Keep it simple and practical.
You don’t need to own everything either. Local providers offer bike rentals and ready-to-go bikepacking bag setups. Planning to camp? Lightweight tents are available to rent too.
Bring a charger for your phone, and for overnight trips, a power bank is a good call.
The routes are also a great fit for e-bikes. Just know your range. Charging is often possible along the way, for example during a lunch stop, as long as you have your own charger with you.
In modern bikepacking, routes are typically not marked in the terrain. However, navigation is easy and there are several ways to follow the route. You can download the GPX track to your own device and use it for navigation. A smartphone also works perfectly as a navigation tool. Below are the most common ways to navigate the routes.
The Luontoon.fi app is a free service where you can find all HelsinkiNorth by Cycle routes. The app shows both the route and your current location along it. The routes can also be found on Komoot by name. Komoot offers, as a paid option, turn-by-turn navigation similar to that of a car navigator.
The route network is easy to access by train. Three of the main routes pass through Helsinki Central Railway Station, and both Pasila and Tikkurila stations are just a short ride from the routes.
Local trains along the main line and the Kerava–Lahti line make it easy to reach different sections and to split the routes into shorter trips.
Convenient start or finish points include Hyvinkää, Kerava, Mäntsälä and Järvenpää. From Oitti, there are hourly train connections back to the capital region.
If you’re arriving by car and want to park for free during your trip, Haltiala Farm is a practical option with plenty of parking and direct access to the routes.
Routes mainly follow quiet roads and avoid the busiest traffic, which makes them well suited for families as well.
Responsible riding
HelsinkiNorth by Cycle encourages low-impact travel and discovering nearby destinations by bike. The routes are easy to reach by train and public transport, making it possible to set off on an adventure without a car. They mainly follow existing roads, trails and local services, guiding riders through small villages, local businesses, and countryside accommodation and restaurants while supporting the vitality of the region.
Landowners of private roads and areas along the routes have been informed about the route alignments.
As a rider, your choices matter. By supporting local cafés, shops and accommodation, you help sustain local businesses and rural communities. Stay on marked routes and respect the guidelines of nature reserves and national parks. Camp only where it is allowed, keep rest areas tidy, and take all your waste with you.
Give space to nature, other travellers and local residents. The silence, clean environment and open landscapes of Northern Uusimaa are among its greatest assets, and preserving them is a shared responsibility.
Accommondation
Majatalo Elsa
Other services
