Falling Leaves
Date
Saturday 12.09.2026Distances
100 - 175 kmCity
Lahti
Country
FinlandFalling Leaves is the iconic event in the Nordic Gravel Series and awarded to run the 2027 UEC European Gravel Championships on the 31st of July 2027.
Course
Welcome to the Salpausselkä UNESCO Geopark gravel paradise in the Finnish Lakeland.
Heading south from the Pajulahti event area the first 50km of the course offers wider scenic roads alternated with forests and limited ascending meters. When turning north after 55km a seemingly endless hardpack gravel rollercoaster kicks off. The course has no minute long ascends but offers no flat sections either for the next 70km. The 35km northern loop, to and from Uimila, is a nature area highlight mixing good quality dual track roads with hardpack gravel deep in the forests. At Vuolenkoski, an excellent spectator point, the course turns south for the final 45km. The final 6km serves good quality dual track roads all the way to the finish line. The course has only 13% of asphalt of which 3kms at the start of the race and 4kms after the challenging northern loop of the course.
PROFILE
With 1586m of elevation for the long course and 1044m for the short course, this race is challenging with rolling hills and almost no flat terrain. Hills are never very long nor steep, but the distance in combination with the total elevation makes this a hard race!
LAHTI
- Location: Lahti is in southern Finland, about 100 km north-east of Helsinki, making it easily accessible by car or train in under an hour.
- Population: Around 120,000 residents, with the wider region hosting about 200,000 people.
- Region: It is the capital of Päijät-Häme and a gateway to the Finnish Lakeland, Europe’s largest lake district.
- Reputation: Known as Finland’s Green Capital (European Green Capital 2021) and a hub for sports and sustainability. It’s also home to Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark, recognised for its unique glacial formations.
- Lake Vesijärvi & Harbour: The heart of Lahti life, with waterfront cafés, restaurants, and summer cruises.
- Architecture & Culture:
- Sibelius Hall – a stunning wooden concert and congress centre by the lake.
- Church of the Cross – designed by Alvar Aalto.
- Lahti City Hall – an Art Nouveau landmark by Eliel Saarinen.
- Museums:
- Lahti Museum of Visual Arts Malva – contemporary art in a converted brewery.
- Ski Museum – celebrating Lahti’s winter sports heritage.
- Radio & TV Museum Mastola – Finnish broadcasting history.
- Salpausselkä Ridges: Part of the UNESCO Geopark, offering hiking, cycling, and skiing trails.
- Päijänne National Park: A short drive away, famous for its ridges and lake scenery.
- Lapakisto Nature Reserve & Linnaistensuo Mire: Ideal for hiking and birdwatching.
- Seasonal Activities:
- Winter: Skiing and ski jumping at Lahti Sports Centre and Messilä Ski Resort.
- Summer: Kayaking, cycling, and lakeside saunas.
- Asikkala & Vääksy Canal: Picturesque waterways and Pulkkilanharju scenic ridge.
- Heinola: Historic wooden church and spa culture.
- Vierumäki: A top sports and wellness resort.
- Päijänne Lake Cruises: Explore Finland’s lake labyrinth from Lahti’s harbour.
