The Tour de Kainuu event center is located right in the hotel lobby, keeping you at the heart of the action throughout the event. The start and finish areas are just outside the hotel, and all necessary services are conveniently close by.

Read more here and book now.

This year’s event features renewed routes and, as a new addition, the 34 km Tour de Sotkamo stage. You can choose from three route options: the 151 km Vaarojen kierto, the 81 km Tour de Nuas, and the 34 km Tour de Sotkamo route. Both the Tour de Nuas and Tour de Sotkamo routes can also be ridden with an e-bike.

The routes are known for long gentle climbs with rewarding scenery, as well as extended downhill sections perfect for recovery – a true day full of cycling enjoyment.

Tour de Kainuu is ridden in groups based on pre-selected average speed. There is no timing, and the focus is on community spirit, encouragement, and the joy of riding together. The event is suitable even for riders with less experience.

Check out the route maps now and choose your ride through the beautiful hills of Kainuu!

Adventure racing is team play at its best: it’s about doing things together, enjoying nature, and finding a suitable challenge without needing to be an ultra-athlete.

Choose Your Challenge

Three different styles of adventure start in the Kajaani area on Saturday 5th September 2026:

Almost Lost 6–8 h (approx. 75 km)

The “energetic big brother” of the day categories. It includes all the essential elements of adventure racing: mountain biking, trekking, navigation, canoeing, and of course, the much-anticipated rope and water quests.

“Almost Lost was the perfect dose of adventure for a first-timer. The terrain was stunning, and even though the rope tasks were a bit nerve-wracking, the support from my team and the cheers from other racers helped me push my limits. The feeling at the finish line was a winning sensation that words can’t describe!”

Casually Lost 3–4 h (approx. 40 km)

A low-threshold adventure where the most important thing is having fun together. The distance is shorter and the route is more accessible, but the experience is just as epic!

“We joined the Casually category with a group of friends just to have a good time, and we certainly did! The surprise quests made us laugh, and getting wet during the water task was the highlight of the day. This is the best possible way to spend time with a group.”

Casually Charged 3–4 h (approx. 40 km) – E-bike Category

Want to enjoy the route with electric assistance? This category is identical to Casually Lost, but e-bikes are allowed (teams can also include non-electric bikes).

“The e-bike category was a brilliant invention! We were able to move together despite having different fitness levels, and everyone enjoyed it equally. The adventure tasks welded us together as a team in a way that just doesn’t happen at the office.”

What’s Included in a Day Adventure?

Even though the distance is shorter than in the 24-hour categories, you still get to soak in the authentic Lost Spirit:

• MTB & Running/Trekking/Orienteering: Moving through the magnificent trails of Kainuu while enjoying the hill views. “Kainuu’s trails are second to none. The navigation provided just the right amount of brainwork, but the routes were clear.”
• Adventure Quests: Challenge yourself with rope tasks (e.g., zip-lining or rappelling) and get guaranteed wet in our fun water quests.
  • Surprises in the Air: Day categories often feature the Course Master’s clever surprise quests, where you’ll need wit and teamwork more than raw power.

Act Fast and Save!

Now is the perfect time to gather your crew and sign up for the most fun race day of the autumn.

Important Dates:

TODAY, March 31st at 23:59: The 1st registration tier ends – grab the lowest price now!

Following tiers: May 31, July 31, and August 31.

Tip: You can pay for your individual share using Finnish employee wellness benefits (ePassi, Edenred, Smartum). This makes participating easier than ever!

Read more and sign up for an adventure of your life!

Adventure racing is a sport where various disciplines, navigation, physical and mental endurance, and team spirit merge into one great experience.

“Lost In Kainuu is not just an adventure race; it is a journey into yourself, your team spirit, and the mercy of nature.”

What awaits on the route? – Disciplines and Tasks

In the two-day categories, you get to experience the full palette of adventure racing. The route is not just about moving forward; it’s constant tactical planning, problem-solving, and facing new, surprising elements:

• Mountain Biking (MTB): The backbone of the adventure. Kainuu’s pine needle paths, sandy heaths, rugged fells, and technical trails test both your physical fitness and riding technique. In the Extremely Lost and Lost categories, we move by muscle power alone—so leave the e-bikes at home!
• Running, Trekking, and Orienteering (Navigation): When the bikes are left at the transition area, it’s time to go on foot. The running and trekking sections usually take place on varied terrain along clear paths, either running or walking. Orienteering, on the other hand, is the soul of the adventure: do you take the direct route over a fell or through a sinking bog, or the safer detour along a trail? The orienteering sections in Lost In Kainuu can be very diverse, often featuring a “twinkle in the eye” from the course master.
• Canoeing / Other Water Disciplines: The water element brings its own rhythm to the race. Canoeing sections offer a moment to rest your legs but require endurance from the upper body and core, as well as seamless cooperation between teammates.
• Rope Tasks – The Gems of Adventure: A favorite (or a source of excitement!) for many participants. Whether it’s rappelling down a cliff, a climbing task, or a fast-paced zip line, these checkpoints require a cool head and the courage to challenge your limits.
• Water Quests: Prepare to get wet! A “refreshing” dip or a water crossing, Lost-style, is a traditional part of the “Lost Spirit,” bound to invigorate a tired adventurer. For safety reasons, every participant must have a swimming ability of at least 200 meters, although life jackets are primarily used in water quests.

Surprises You Won’t See Coming…

Lost In Kainuu is known for its Surprise Quests. They can be anything from brain teasers to skill tasks requiring precision. In previous years, we’ve seen everything from precision shooting to chopping wood and testing traditional wilderness skills. In the 2026 race, we guarantee surprises never before seen in adventure races—so be ready for anything!

New for 2026: Secret Start for the 24 h Category and Atmospheric Wilderness Camp for the Lost Category

This year, the journey is even more thrilling:

The Epic – Extremely Lost 24 h (225–235 km)

This year, we won’t reveal the starting point. Teams will board a bus at the Kajaani race center, which will transport them deep into the Kainuu backwoods. The secret start ensures that no one can practice the route beforehand—everyone starts from the same line. Additionally, participants will get to explore entirely new adventure landscapes.

The Classic – Lost 16–18 h (approx. 175 km)

The mandatory overnight break (22:00–06:00) is moving away from the comforts of the race center. The camp will be set up in the heart of the silent Kainuu wilderness—in the middle of nowhere. Here, adventurers reach the core of the “Lost Spirit”: an autumn camp atmosphere in the darkness of the night, waking up to a misty (perhaps even frosty) morning, wet socks and gear drying in the tent, and short but just-enough sleep before the restart on the second morning.

Don’t Get Lost Elsewhere – Get Lost in Kainuu and Save!

Registration is now open! The first and most affordable registration tier ends on Tuesday, March 31, at 23:59. The following tiers end on May 31, July 31, and August 31.

Tip: You can now pay for your individual share using sport benefits (ePassi, Edenred, Smartum). See detailed instructions here.

Choose your challenge and come experience the Kainuu wilderness in September 2026!

Register here!

We thank all participants for their understanding as we face this difficult decision. The disappointment is great, but we must believe that the sun will shine on Vuokatti Hiihto again. We will announce the date for the 2027 event soon.

Registered participants
1. All registered participants will be automatically transferred to next year’s event.
2. If you do not wish to transfer your registration to next year, please notify us by email at tapahtumat@kainuunliikunta.fi. We will refund 50% of the participation fee (excluding payments made with sports benefit vouchers, which cannot be refunded).

Unused additional services will be refunded in full (including the Pasta Party and ski waxing service).

Wishing you a sunny spring,
The Kainuun Liikunta team

9:00 – 50 km Classic & 100 km

9:05 – 14 km Classic & Free

10:00 – 30 km Classic

10:30 – 30 km Free

11:00 – 50 km Free

Registration is temporarily closed while the situation is being monitored.

We are continuously following the conditions on the course and will provide the next update on Thursday, March 12, in the afternoon.

New course maps will be published on Thursday, March 12 in the morning. The updated start times will be released at the same time.

Thank you to all participants for your understanding, and best of luck despite the challenging weather conditions.

We kindly ask for participants’ understanding as we deal with the weather-related challenges during these final days.

Good luck with your final preparations for the event! 

The map also shows the 100 km intermediate aid station, located at the stadium. The finish line and finish area services are at the corner of Vuokatti Hall, allowing skiers to move smoothly from the stadium lap to the finish.

The map is intended for event participants to help make race day easier and more organized.

As the day progresses, participants of the 78 km and 40 km distances will also head onto the tracks, as hundreds of skiers get to experience Ruthless Raja’s renowned combination of endurance, nature, and adventure.

The progress of the 78 km and 100 km skiers can be followed in real time via the GPS live tracking service HERE.