Few Finnish trail running events offer such a diverse range of unique natural sites as the Tiirismaa Trail. The event, which runs along the border of Lahti and Hollola, utilizes the most impressive ridge, forest and bog landscapes of the Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark, as well as the area's ready-made outdoor trails, which provide an excellent setting for year-round nature exercise.
The Tiirismaa Trail routes run from Messilä through the shores of Lake Vesijärvi to Tapanila, then through Kintterönsuo back to Messilä and to the top of Tiirismaa, the old ski slope, the shores of Lake Tiilijärvi and the Soisalmi bog. Along the way, runners will experience ridges shaped by the ice age, glacial lakes, rugged cliffs, old forests and vast bogs – all during the same event.
One of the special features of the event is that the routes run near the highest points of both Lahti and Hollola. The Tiirismaa area offers exceptional elevation differences for Southern Finland, which makes the routes both experiential and physically diverse.
One of the most famous attractions in the area is Pirunpesä, an impressive rock crevice whose history dates back to the melting stages of the Ice Age. Although the race route does not pass through Pirunpesä itself, it does pass right next to it, next to one of the most famous natural sites in Salpausselkä Geopark.
There is also a strong sports history along the route. Parts of the routes run on the same terrain that was used for the 1989 World Ski Championships in Lahti. Harri Kirvesniemi fought for the world championship in the same landscape, and decades later the area still offers a top-class training and competition environment for endurance sports.
The Laason Lift Shaft has gained an almost legendary reputation among trail runners, as it is one of the most spectacular climbs in the competition.
– The Laason lift shaft is widely known in trail running and endurance sports circles. People also come from further afield in Southern Finland to train there. The fact that the Strava segment is known as the ”Laason People’s Gatherer” also speaks to the difficulty of the climb, says Juha Sorvisto, the competition’s course master.
Some of the competition routes run on the Salpausselkä Trails cross-country trails maintained by the City of Lahti. The city has built and marked an extensive trail network for walking, trail running and mountain biking, and these high-quality routes form an important part of the Tiirismaa Trail route complex. The hiking trails maintained by the Municipality of Hollola also complement the complex and together form a diverse, year-round outdoor recreation network, making the area one of the finest nature sports destinations in Southern Finland.
The competition routes touch and pass near several valuable natural sites, such as the Tiirismaa nature reserve, the Kintterönsuo nature reserve and the Soisalmensuo Natura 2000 area. In the Soisalmensuo bog, competitors will also be able to walk on new boardwalks that allow them to enjoy the bog nature without consuming it.
Respecting nature is a key value for the event organizers.
– Nature is our playground. Preserving nature reserves is one of the most important values of the event. We inform all participants about the location and significance of nature reserves, and the event will be carried out in strict compliance with the areas' rules, permit conditions and official instructions, Sorvisto emphasizes.
Tiirismaa Trail utilizes existing marked outdoor routes and paths, supporting sustainable outdoor activities. At the same time, the event highlights the unique natural, geological and cultural values of the Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark and encourages people to explore the area outside of the competition day.
Tiirismaa Trail shows that right near Lahti and Hollola lies one of Finland's finest natural sports environments. Salpausselkä's ridges, elevation differences, clear-water lakes, bogs, sports history and a high-quality trail network form an entity that offers an exceptional setting for hiking, trail running and organizing a high-quality trail running event.
