The Old Church Gravel Loop is a circular route of 440 km along dirt and gravel roads west of Jyväskylä. You should allow 5 to 8 days to complete it. This route connects the population centres of Uurainen, Multia, Keuruu, Petäjävesi, Koskenpää, Jämsä, Korpilahti and Muurame, mainly along low-traffic and partly forgotten side roads. Along the way, you can enjoy magnificent hilly dirt roads deep in the forest. In addition to camping facilities, there are plenty of good accommodation options along the route. The route also passes by Petäjävesi Old Church. Built in 1763–1765, it is one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in Finland.
The route starts from the train station in Jyväskylä and heads north towards Uurainen first along the recreational trails of Laajavuori and then to Tikkakoski via the lean-tos on the island of Nyrölä reserve. Most of the sand roads around Uurainen are great gently-rolling flow ones that lead to Multia e.g. via the Konttivuori nature reserve and the Karhunahdas ravine. From Multia, the route continues to Keuruu through magnificently verdant country landscapes. Further on, the route continues to Petäjävesi and to The Petäjävesi Old Church and to the old Lemettilä farm that provides accommodation nowadays.
Route type: Long Distance Circular