Unhola

Unhola

pronounced Oon-ho-la

The name stems from the Finnish word unohdus: oblivion. In old Finnish folklore Unhola is the realm of the forgotten: a place beyond the known world where things fade from memory and time stands still.

The adventure

Unhola is a journey into the forgotten landscapes of North-Eastern Finland, far from everyday life and close to nature. Starting from Syöte, Unhola takes you across fells, forests, bogs and wilderness. Along the way, you go beyond your own limits. You experience the north in your own way, trusting your own decisions, on nature’s terms. It is a journey to the unknown, to the border between forgetting and discovering. Upon return, you might have found something you didn’t know you were looking for.

For everyone

Everyone is welcome. We want to make Unhola accessible to all, including those new to bikepacking. We encourage you to make full use of the time allotted and enjoy the magnificent spots hidden in this forgotten wilderness. Make sure to prepare with suitable gear. A mountain bike might be the better choice for certain sections, while a gravel bike will shine on others.

Two distances

Unhola offers two distances: approximately 1,200 km and 600 km. The shorter option is designed especially with first-time adventurers in mind. We want to make joining in easy, so don’t let the distance intimidate you—take it as an opportunity to discover something new about yourself.

Getting to Syöte

The start and finish location, Syöte, is located in Pudasjärvi. We arrange shared transfers to and from the event from Oulu railway station and airport. Oulu is easily accessible by train from across the country and from Sweden. The nearest airports to Syöte are Oulu, Rovaniemi, and Kuusamo.

Organizers

The event is organized by Krossikommuuni ry, known for events like Syöte MTB, Syötekylä Gravel Fest, and cyclocross competitions in Oulu. You may also recognize the team’s work behind Likaanen Lakeus.

We are happy to answer any questions and will share more details about the event when registration opens on December 1st.