Vuokatti Trail Challenge

Vuokatti Trail Challenge is a trail running event in the beautiful hills of Kainuu and Vuokatti. The routes run mainly on the UKK-hiking route from Valtimo to Vuokatti. The distances are 100, 42 and 23 km. Early on the 100 km route you get to enjoy the stunning views of Hiidenportti canyon are

Route description:

100 km
The race starts at Palolampi, in the Hiidenportti National Park. In the beginning of the route the runners get to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Hiidenportti canyon area. After this, the route continues to Portinsalo and the wilderness of the national park, running in old spruce forests and crossing string bogs on duckboards all the way to Syrjä's lean-to. After this, the route leaves the national park area and follows the Talonpojan Taival –hiking trail. The first part of the route is quite flat and even descending at certain points, so there are no big ascents along the first 10 km. The quiet forests and the wilderness offer you a chance to enjoy the pure green nature and the calmness of the forest.

The next 10 km from Syrjä to Murtovaara are challenging and hard. They include crossing bog areas and also challenging hills when getting closer to Murtovaara.

Like last year, the route continues from Murtovaara along the Talonpojan Taival-hiking trail towards the refreshment stations at Peurajärvi ja Halmejärvi. The trail is quite small along this part of the route, but it is a little clearer after last year's run. The biggest ascents are located after Peurajärvi, climbing the Kiuruvaara hill.

From Halmejärvi the route continues along the UKK-hiking route to the refreshment station in Rumo and then to the refreshment station in Maanselän Etappi. Along this part of the route the runners get to enjoy, for example, the powerful Tavikoski river and yo run on top of a magnificent esker (Kokkosärkät), which is several kilometres long.

In the beginng of the route from Hiidenportti to Maanselän Etappi the runners should pay close attention to the duckboards, as they may be in very poor condition at points. If it rains, the duckboards can be very slippery so we urge the runners to be cautious.

42 km
The start of the 42 km race is located near Maanselän Etappi (west of Highway 6). The route then crosses the hills of Lappavaara and Iso-Kulju, where runners get to enjoy the wilderness. The trail can be in poor condition and overgrown with vegetation at certain points in the beginning of route, but the trail gets better and the scenery more beautiful as the route continues. After the 2007 renovations, the duckboards and bridges are in good condition (apart from a few exceptions). Sometimes the trail runs in old spruce forest, offering some variation to the surroundings. Wildlife can be seen along this part of the route, for example grouse birds. The route follows the UKK-hiking track to refreshment stations in Hanhilampi and then at the old Teerivaara school, where the runners continue on the 23 km route.

23 km
The start is located at the old Teerivaara school and the finish is at Hotel Vuokatinhovi. The track follows UKK- hiking route and goes over a total of 13 large hills, offering stunning views over forests, hills and lakes for the runners. Some of the climbs and descents are very steep and rocky, which makes the route quite challenging. Runners should be careful on the hill sides especially in wet conditions. The route is sure to offer unforgettable experiences when overcoming the challenges it poses! The trail is mainly wide and versatile. There are also duckboards and stairs, rocks and rocky areas as well as short parts on sand roads. Despite being quite technical at some points, the track is generally easy to run. This route is by far the most stunning and awe-inspiring part of the Vuokatti Trail Challenge!

Refreshment stations:

100 km, 10 refreshment points + 1 in the finish. Every refreshment station offers at least water and sports drinks. Some of the stations also offer raisins, pickles, salty crackers/crips. The 100 km runners can purchase meat soup at the Maanselän Etappi refreshment station for 6 €.

42 km, 4 refreshment points + 1 in the finish. Every refreshment station offers at least water and sports drinks. Some of the stations also offer raisins, pickles, salty crackers/crips.

23 km, 2 refreshment points + 1 in the finish. Every refreshment station offers at least water and sports drinks. Some of the stations also offer raisins, pickles, salty crackers/crips.

Venue facilities:

The event centre is located at Hotel Vuokatinhovi, where you can find all the services you need: race office, changing rooms, showers (also sauna after the run), restaurant, bar etc. A couple of hundred metres from the hotel, you can find the Vuokatti Sport Institute area offering a wide range of services, such as a hotel, ski tunnel, swimming hall etc.

Number of participants last year:

200

Additional info:

ITRA points are awarded for each distance.
100 km: 4 points
42 km: 2 points
23 km: 1 point

Website:

Open in a new window

Total entries: 6

There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to rate this event!