Trail running in Punkaharju, Finnish Lakeland

Run Forest Run 29.8.2026

A running event in the Finnish Lakeland, Punkaharju research forest and nature reserve.

Welcome to Run Forest Run on Finnish Nature Day, 29 August 2026

Run Forest Run is a trail running event with a route that features unique highlights, including Finland’s tallest tree, in the Punkaharju research forest and nature reserve.

Punkaharju is one of the world’s oldest nature reserve areas and one of Finland’s most iconic national landscapes. One of its distinctive features is the Punkaharju Harjutie road, selected as the Road of the Century in Finland.

Distances:

Hakki: 10.2 km
Double Hakki: 17.7 km

The routes run mainly through the Punkaharju research forest and nature reserve. The core section is the 7.7 km Hakinkierros loop, where narrow trails alternate with wider gravel roads.

Highlights include exceptionally large larch trees, some planted over 140 years ago. The route also passes Finland’s tallest tree, a 47-metre European larch. In addition to larch stands, the route features several other tree species less common in Finland.

See the route details on the course map. Note: parts of the route pass through private land. For this reason, the full course is accessible only on the event day.

What is Finnish Nature Day? Read more here!

Price includes

traditional Finnish fish soup / vegetarian soup at the event centre
access to showers, changing facilities and sauna at the event centre
refreshments along the route at designated aid stations (water, sports drink, banana, crisps)
VAT
permit fee paid to Metsähallitus and participant-based usage fees for routes and structures

Schedule

9:00–10:30 Race number pick-up at the start/finish area
10:50 Participant briefing
11:00 Start
From 11:45: Finish, showers and meal

The event centre sauna (at the end of the row house building) is heated from 12:00. The lakeside sauna at Hotel Punkaharju (approx. 1 km from the start/finish area) is available for participants from 13:00 to 17:00. Bringing a swimsuit suitable for sauna use may allow mixed sauna use and smoother access (depending on other users at the time).

Photos

Participants may be photographed and filmed during the event. The material may be used in the organiser’s channels. If you do not wish to appear in photos or videos, please inform the organiser in advance, and we will take your request into account.

Course map

Partners are pure gold

There is still room to join. If a partnership in outdoor sports interests you, check the contact details and get in touch.

Seuraa somessa

Contact

Kesälahdentie 1614
58520 Hiukkajoki
Finland

+358 50 544 0103
info@naaranlahti.com

Pages

Front page
Punkaharju Swimrun
Run Forest Run
Puruvesi Swim
Punkaharju Swim
Contact/Event centers