The route begins at the Saariselkä starting gate. Initially, you climb to the summit of Kaunispää via either of the Route 1 – Kaunispää – climbing routes (See route description here). After admiring the views and catching your breath at the summit of Kaunispää, you start descending eastwards towards the Palo-oja kota, along a well-maintained, moderately difficult ski trail base. This three-kilometer-long descent is an amazingly enjoyable sequence that feels endless. The descent is fairly gentle, which makes it enjoyable even for less experienced cyclists. However, the surface has loose stones and gravel, as well as water-eroded ruts, so caution is always advisable! The descent takes you from the open fell winding deep into the beautiful wilderness forests. At the bottom of the descent is a somewhat dilapidated bridge over a brook. Be careful here. After the bridge begins a long, but fortunately relatively gentle, ascent from 255 meters to nearly 400 meters near the summit of Palopää.

If the route feels too challenging at this point, about 600 meters after the bridge there is a shortcut down to the Luttojoki river and back to Saariselkä. This route leaves only 5.5 km left to the starting point, making the total route length about 13 km. The beginning part of the shortened route has several wet spots, so it is advisable to keep the speed down, even though the descent might tempt you to speed up. Beyond the Luttojoki crossing, the remainder is an easy gravel road.

If you still have energy in your legs, it's definitely worth continuing the ascent. About 200 meters past the shortcut intersection is the Palo-oja kota, which is a cozy rest stop. Behind the kota is a beautiful gorge where the Palo-oja stream flows, where you can refill your water at your own risk. There are stairs down to the bottom of the gorge. On the opposite side of the kota, on the western side of the route, it's worth taking a look at an incredibly magnificent old pine tree. The tree is only about 50 meters from the trail and is accessed via a small path.

After the Palo-oja kota, the ascent continues and continues. It is a bit over 2 km from the kota to the summit, revealing magnificent views towards the north. Soon after the highest point, a very rocky path turns sharply to the back left, leading to the summit of Palopää, which is slightly higher, about 500 meters away. This section is not an official route and is very demanding terrain.

The official trail continues straight from this junction towards Moitakuru. The descent is occasionally challenging and rocky, so patience is key!

About 2.3 km into the descent, a newly gravelled path turns left and takes you across the bog to the Moitakuru day hut, 300 meters from the junction. Mobile phone coverage at the bottom of Moitakuru may be weak at times.

The easiest return route from the Moitakuru hut to the trail follows the same gravel path eastward and continues along the easy-to-travel gravel trail base past the husky farm all the way to Kuukkelilammentie. The road is then turned right (south).

From the Moitakuru hut you can also head southeast along an adventurous, demanding narrow path. This trail also leads to the same gravel trail base next to the husky farm and Kuukkelilammentie.

Kuukkelilammentie runs south through Moitakuru, initially rising gently through magnificent wilderness forest with small lakes alongside. Soon the ascent turns into a mild descent, and rolling along this well-surfaced route is a real pleasure. However, it's worth admiring the views and the wilderness nature, particularly the rocky riverbed visible on the right side of the route, where in summer there is often very little water flowing. The riverbed looks at times like a cobblestone-paved road in the middle of the wilderness.

The gentle descent continues and continues, and a little over six kilometers from the Moitakuru day hut you will arrive at Luttotupa, and the actual national park border. Luttotupa is located at the confluence of Luttojoki and Vellinsärpimäoja rivers. Watching their winding channels, small islands, and water flow is a wonderfully calming experience.

From Luttotupa, continue on an easy gravel surface route following the Luttojoki river back west towards Saariselkä. After half a kilometer, you reach the junction for the Vellinsärpimä route, from where you continue straight west towards Saariselkä. Two kilometers further, you reach the junction for the shortened route at Palo-oja kota. From there, continue straight west towards Saariselkä.

About 2.5 km past the Palo-oja junction, you will arrive at the Saariselkä ski resort slope area. The route continues directly under the slopes along the bottom of the gorge, until just before the parking area where you turn slightly left diagonally onto a piste which still crosses the last ski slope. After the slope you reach the easy gravel ski trail base that runs beautifully undulating terrain along a contour line at the foot of Iisakkipää towards the start of the route. There are still a couple of junctions along the way, both continuing straight towards Saariselkä.

Just before returning to the starting point, you can visit the Kummituskämpä, located along the route, to check on the Karvaselkä Ghost.