55. Pirkan Hölkkä 5.10.2025

A jewel of the running season, the icing on the cake: this long-distance running event, held mainly on trails, takes place every year on the first Sunday in October.

The 33-kilometre route from Valkeakoski to Tampere runs along a varied mix of fitness trails, forest roads and trails. Around five kilometres of the route are on asphalt. In addition to the running categories, you can take part in a walking category, which is not timed. The event is organised jointly by Tampereen Taivaltajat ry and Valkeakosken Retkeilijät ry.

Pirkan Hölkkä dates back to 1970. The route has largely remained as it is today. In recent years, the average number of participants has been around 1,000–1,500.

You can choose from the age categories Women’s Open, N40, N50, Men’s Open, M40, M50 and M60. The start is at the Sahara sports field in Valkeakoski (Tallikatu 11), where the starting gun will sound at 9:30 on Sunday morning. Late registration at the start is available from 8:00 to 9:00.

The event uses gun time, measured from the starting gun until you cross the finish line. At the start, you can choose a position near the start line according to your target time.

The first 3 km of the race are on streets. For the next 3 km, the route follows the fitness trail in the recreational area as far as Leppäjärventie. After that, the route to Rutajärvi (11 km from the start) consists of varied forest trails and a short section of gravel road. The 3.5 km stretch between Rutajärvi and Vähä-Kausjärvi is on forest roads. Of the 5 km between Vähä-Kausjärvi and Taivalpirtti, the first part is on forest roads, followed by forest trails; after crossing Savontie, the route returns to gravel roads. From Taivalpirtti onward, the route alternates between gravel roads and forest trails until it reaches the recreational trail around Suolijärvi. The final 3 km follow a gravel-surfaced recreational trail between Hervanta and Koivistonkylä. This section still has a few climbs that will test Finnish grit.

The Pirkan Hölkkä route is marked with blue flagging tape, directional arrows and kilometre signs. The organisers have aimed to include as many forest trails as possible. There are six refreshment stations along the route.

The finish is in Nirva, Tampere, in the grounds of Tampere Adult Education Centre (Kurssikeskuksenkatu 11). Paid bus transport to the start is available from the finish area and Tampere city centre, both in the morning before the start and in the afternoon after you finish. You can include transport and the soup lunch sold at the finish area in your entry fee by selecting these add-ons in our online store.