We want to offer participants the best gravel routes in Pelkosenniemi and the surrounding areas, as well as an autumn adventure. To avoid excessive asphalt riding, both the 100-mile and 50-mile routes include water crossings.
On the 100-mile route, the Kemijoki-river will be crossed by sauna raft, and the Javarusjoki-river will be crossed by wading.
On the 50-mile route, the Javarusjoki will be crossed by wading.
The most important thing during the crossings is the safety of each crosser. So please carefully read the instructions and follow the guidelines provided by the organizers at the crossing points.
Secondly, maintaining a spirit of adventure and being considerate of other participants is essential to ensure that the autumn gravel ride in Pelkosenniemi becomes a fun experience for every Fellscape rider.
Javarus wading
The autumnal Javarusjoki-river will be crossed by wading.
The crossing point in Kurkiainen is located around 135 km on the 100-mile route and around 60 km on the 50-mile route.
The Kurkiainen aid station is located on the opposite bank of the crossing.
The water depth at the crossing site on September 4th, 2025 was approximately knee-high.
Please note that the route involves crossing a flowing river, where the safety of each participant is paramount. If you think that your race performance will be affected by a slight slowdown from the crossing, it’s better to arrive first for the crossing 🙂
A support rope will run from bank to bank, which must be held onto during the entire crossing. You can carry your bike on your right-hand shoulder or push it using the lightweight wading raft provided. There will be members of the Fellscape team on both banks as well as in the river to assist and encourage you.
We recommend wearing a flotation vest provided by the organizers.
Only one person may be in the water at a time. Please wait patiently on the bank for your turn and only begin the crossing when you receive permission from the organizers.
The organizers will provide Crocs-shoes and durable bags, allowing you to transport your shoes, socks, phone, and other valuables dry over the river. After crossing the river, towels will be available to dry your legs or yourself.
There are several styles of crossing you can choose from in advance or based on the feeling when you arrive. Here are a few examples:
Water Beast
If you’re feeling speedy and wet socks don’t bother you much, throw your bike over your right-hand shoulder, and wade across the river while holding onto the rope. Then pedal hard ahead!
Even though the racing vibe is strong, please wait patiently for your turn: one person at a time in the river! According to the gentle-person’s rule, wait for the fiercest competitor before speeding away.
Dry Socks
If dry socks are key to your success or race mood, ask the organizers for a durable bag when you arrive at the crossing, where you can take off your shoes, socks, or even go completely naked. However, put on your flotation vest and, if desired, slip on your Crocs. When it’s your turn to cross, lift your bike onto your shoulder or let the organizers transport it over on a small raft. Hold onto the rope the entire time!
Queen Elizabeth
If wading isn’t your style, you can also cross the river on a raft pushed by the organizers. In this case, wearing the flotation vest is also mandatory. Please note that the royal ride is clearly the slowest mode of crossing, and your bike will be brought separately.
If there is a (long) queue at the crossing point, waders have priority.
Sauna rafting
What would a hundred miles be without a sauna raft? Nothing! On the 100-mile route, the Kemijoki River is crossed on a sauna raft at about 115 km.
The crossing of the Kemijoki River takes place in Tapionniemi. The raft ride across the river takes about 8 minutes, and it can carry 15 people at a time. The raft operates nonstop with departures aimed to be every 20 minutes at minutes: 00, 20, and 40.
The first raft ride will depart as the leader(s) arrive.
A skilled captain operates the sauna raft. Flotation vests will be provided for each person crossing, and we recommend using them.
Of course, the bike will be taken onto the raft as well; please follow the organizers’ instructions for loading the bikes!
The sauna is warm, and there will be some snacks available. So, enjoy the ride – even back and forth!
The route continues on a gravel road immediately along the west bank of the Kemijoki. From the ferry landing, it is about 500 meters to the Tapionniemi village house, where the aid station is located within the yard.
Sauna boat, setting sail!