Tiirismaa Trail 2026
Tiirismaa Trail
Hollola (Messilä)
Race guide
Updated 29 June 2026
Tiirismaa Trail is a 63 km trail race held in and around Hollola, in southern Finland, using the Messilä resort as its race hub. Starting and finishing at the Messilä race centre, the course threads through the forested ridge terrain that surrounds Tiirismaa — the highest point in the region at 217 m above sea level — accumulating 1,725 m of total elevation gain across what is, by Finnish standards, a genuinely hilly landscape. The race is structured as two loops, with runners returning to Messilä at the 21.2 km midpoint before heading out on the second, longer arc back to the finish at 63 km. A day cut-off of 19:00 applies at the finish line, giving competitors a firm target to plan around.
Course & Terrain
The entire route runs through the boreal forests and ridge systems of the Hollola area, centred on the Tiirismaa hill. The trails are characteristic of southern Finnish terrain: rooted singletrack through mixed pine and birch forest, with short punchy climbs and descents on glacially shaped ridges. The course is split into two loops departing from and returning to Messilä. The first loop covers 21.2 km before the loop-change checkpoint back at the resort; the second and longer loop then carries runners the remaining ~42 km back to the finish. With a high point of just 217 m, this is not an alpine race, but the cumulative 1,725 m of climbing across 63 km means the terrain never truly relents — expect frequent short ascents and descents rather than prolonged flat recovery sections.
Decisive Climbs & Where the Race Is Won or Lost
Given the low absolute elevation, no single climb defines the day in the way a mountain col might — instead, the race is decided by consistency across the many repeated rises and falls through the forest. The Rautakankare checkpoint at 5.7 km (161 m) sits early on the first loop and signals the type of ridge climbing that recurs throughout; going out too hard on this first section is a common mistake. The stretch from the Sairaala checkpoint at 13.8 km back through to the Messilä midpoint at 21.2 km is the critical reset moment: runners who arrive at the loop change in good shape with legs still responsive will handle the back half far better. The bulk of the elevation gain falls across the longer second loop, so any deficit in energy or pacing built up in the first 21 km will compound significantly through the final 40+ km.
Pacing & Fuelling Strategy
Plan your race in two distinct blocks, using the loop-change at Messilä (21.2 km) as your reset point. Crew access is available at the start/finish and the loop-change, so coordinate drop bags or crew support to take on fresh food, dry layers or footwear at that midpoint. Checkpoints at Rautakankare (5.7 km) and Sairaala (13.8 km) on the first loop are support points where you can top up fluids and calories early. For a 63 km race with 1,725 m of climbing on technical forest trails, most runners should target an overall moving pace that accounts for the root-heavy singletrack — carry enough food for at least 90 minutes between checkpoints and do not rely on the aid stations alone. With a finish cut-off at 19:00 on race day, back-calculate your required pace from your start time and build a conservative buffer for the second loop, where fatigue will slow you more than expected.
Conditions to Expect
Tiirismaa Trail takes place in Finland, where late spring and early summer conditions can vary considerably. Expect forest trails that may be soft or muddy underfoot, particularly in shaded sections on north-facing slopes where moisture lingers. The forest canopy provides some shelter from wind but temperatures can fluctuate between a cool morning start and a warmer midday on exposed ridge sections. Trail shoes with reliable grip on rooted, potentially wet terrain are strongly recommended — a simple road-orientated shoe will struggle on the technical singletrack. Carry a lightweight waterproof layer regardless of the forecast; Finnish weather can shift quickly, and the distance means you will be out on course for many hours. Midges and mosquitoes can be active in the forest in summer conditions, so consider insect repellent as a practical kit item.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
⚠ Auto-researched from public sources — aid stations and cut-offs may be incomplete. Confirm against the official roadbook before race day.
0 km · 126 m · —
5.7 km · 161 m · —
13.8 km · 157 m · —
63 km · 119 m · Sat 19:00
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Course data researched from public sources — verify against the official roadbook.