Info

We warmly welcome you to the 19th International Folksport Festival in Tampere, Finland’s largest lakeland city 14.-17.8.2025!

The Olympiad village is located right in the heart of the city, at the Central square where there are good public transport connections from everywhere. The city center is on a narrow isthmus between two large lakes but the city spreads over a wide area. Tampere has a good 249,000 residents.

Picture: Visit Tampere, Laura Vanzo

Schedule and Program

Get to know the program and schedule of the IVV Olympiads. To get all participants in the routes they want, we ask you to select the routes you plan to participate in when registering.

Walking: Start between 9.00 and 11.00 in Keskustori, return before 18 o’clock. Routes: 5/6 km, 10km and 20 km.

Cycling: Start between 9.00 and 11.00 in Kauppi, return before 18 o’clock. Route: 20 km.

Orienteering: between 9.00 and 18.00. You will get the map from Olympia Village and start at Keskustori. The actual check marks are in the Kauppi Sport Park.

Flag parade from the southern end of Hämeenpuisto to Pyynikki Sports Field at 14 – 15 o’clock

Opening ceremony at Pyynikki Sports Field at 15 – 17 o’clock

Walking: Start between 8.00 and 11.00 in Keskustori, return before 18 o’clock. Routes: 10 km, 20 km and 42 km.

Cycling: Start between 9.00 and 13.00 in Kauppi, return before 18 o’clock. Routes: 20 km and 40 km.

Canoeing: between 12.00 and 18.00 at Kaupinoja beach

Orienteering: between 9.00 and 18.00. You will get the map from Olympia Village and start at Keskustori. The actual check marks are in the Kauppi Sport Park.

Walking: Start between 8.00 and 11.00 in Keskustori, return before 18 o’clock. Routes: 10 km, 20 km and 42 km.

Cycling: Start between 9.00 and 13.00 in Kauppi, return before 18 o’clock. Routes: 20 km and 40 km.

Swimming: Lake Kaukajärvi between 12.00 and 17.00.

Canoeing: between 12.00 and 18.00 at Kaupinoja beach

Orienteering: between 9.00 and 18.00. You will get the map from Olympia Village and start at Keskustori. The actual check marks are in the Kauppi Sport Park.

Walking: Start between 8.00 and 11.00 in Keskustori, return before 18 o’clock. Routes: 5/6 km, 10km and 20 km.

Cycling: Start between 9.00 and 13.00 in Kauppi, return before 18 o’clock. Route: 20 km.

Orienteering: between 9.00 and 18.00. You will get the map from Olympia Village and start at Keskustori. The actual check marks are in the Kauppi Sport Park.

Closing ceremony at Pyynikki Sports Field at 15 – 17 o’clock

Sports

Sports in IVV Olympiads in Tampere are walking, cycling, swimming, canoeing and orienteering. Get to know the sports and you may participate in every one of them!

The IVV Olympiad walking routes lead you along the shores of the lakes and green parks. The longest, 42 km route goes around Lake Pyhäjärvi, crossing it in the beautiful scenery along the Rajasalmi bridge.

All walking routes start from the Olympia village.
The start is flexible, meaning you can begin at your own pace within the given time window.
This allows you to also participate in other Olympiad disciplines on the same day.

Walking routes are 5/6 km, 10 km, 20 km and 42 km.

Walking routes run safely on footpaths or light traffic routes. However, the participant is required to be attentive when crossing the streets.

See detailed options and register here.

The IVV Olympiad cycling routes lead you along the shores of the lakes and green parks.

Cycling routes start in front of Kauppi Sport Center (address: Kuntokatu 17, Tampere). You can start your ride at any time within the designated time window.

Cycling routes are 20 and 40 km.

The bike routes are guided safely along bike paths. However, the participant is required to be attentive when crossing the streets.

See detailed options and register here.

Swimming takes place in Lake Kaukajärvi, in open water. Participants have the opportunity to warm up in the sauna after swimming.

Swimming distance is 300m.

See detailed options and register here.

As real Finnish sports, we want to introduce orienteering and canoeing in addition to the traditional sports: walking, cycling and swimming.

In the land of a thousand lakes, exploring the water by canoe is a must. At the Olympiad, you can do so safely on Friday and Saturday between 12:00 and 18:00. Swimming ability is required. Participants can choose either a C2 canoe or a kayak and join the paddle solo or with a partner.

Canoeing distance is approximately 5 km.

Orienteering and canoeing alone do not qualify for an Olympic medal, but both earn you an official IVV stamp.

See detailed options and register here.

As real Finnish sports, we want to introduce orienteering and canoeing in addition to the traditional sports: walking, cycling and swimming.

Orienteering: between 9.00 and 18.00. You will get the map from Olympia Village and start at Keskustori. The checkmarks are situated in Kauppi Sport Park. The actual check marks are in the Kauppi Sport Park.

Orienteering and canoeing alone do not qualify for an Olympic medal, but both earn you an official IVV stamp.

See detailed options and register here.

About Us – Pirkanmaan matkailu ry

Pirkanmaan Matkailu ry is an active player in the development of the tourism industry in the Pirkanmaa region. The association has over 90 members and was established as early as 1959. It is intended for everyone interested in tourism in Pirkanmaa.

Goals of the Association:

Increasing the attractiveness and recognition of the Pirkanmaa region
Boosting the sales of member companies
Creating and leveraging networks in tourism marketing

IVV in Finland

Pirkanmaan Matkailu ry is a member of the IVV (International Federation of Popular Sports) in cooperation with Vaasan Kävelyklubi ry.

Suomen Latu joined the IVV organization in 1987 and organized the 5th International Popular Sports Olympiads in Vierumäki in 1997. During Suomen Latu’s era, Finlandia Walks were held in Tampere (the largest in 1990 with around 5,000 participants), and IVV routes open all year round were established elsewhere in Pirkanmaa. The City of Tampere’s mapping office marked a 10 km route around the Pyynikki Ridge and another from Kaupinoja to Rustholli on the map. In addition, there were routes from Serlachius Museums to Vuorenmaja in Mänttä and in Ellivuori.

IVV in Pirkanmaa (Tampere region)

Suomen Latu withdrew from IVV membership in 2015, at which point the Green Heart Tourism Association, together with the Vaasa Walking Club, continued the membership. In 2020, the Green Heart Association was dissolved and merged into Pirkanmaan Matkailu ry, making Pirkanmaan Matkailu an IVV member.

Pirkanmaan Matkailu ry applied for and received the right to organize the IVV Olympics in Tampere in 2025. Preparations for the event have begun, and Pirkanmaan Matkailu has secured the following partners to help with the implementation: HLU, Tampereen Pyrintö, Tampereen Taivaltajat, Tampereen Vihuri, Hiking Travel Hit ky, Vaasan Kävelyklubi ry, Uinti Tampere, Tampereen Tapahtumatoimisto, and Visit Tampere.

The Olympics will take place from August 14th to 17th, a week after the Vaasan Marssi, with the idea that international visitors will stay in Finland throughout the events and explore various IVV routes.

The goal for the Tampere Olympics is 3,000 participants (in 2023, San Antonio, Texas, had 1,047 participants from 42 different countries). For more information about the IVV Olympics, please contact the organizing committee’s chair, Liisa Tyllilä, at luontonoita@gmail.com or the Olympic office at info@ivvfinland.fi.

IVV in Vaasa

The most popular and oldest IVV event in Finland is the Vaasan Marssi, held in Vaasa on the second weekend of August. It is a three-day hiking festival, with a unique IVV stamp for each day. In honor of Vaasa’s 400th anniversary in 2006, a permanent IVV route (IVV Year Around) was also established. The route is named after the association’s first chairperson, Maija-Liisa Penttinen, and is called Maija’s 10 (Maija’s 10 Km). Since 2000, a 10 km group hike has also been organized every Sunday in Vaasa, starting from the market square at 10 AM. Other hikes organized by the Vaasa Walking Club, which are announced in member newsletters and in the Vaasa newspaper’s event column, also receive their own IVV stamps. For more information: Vaasa Walking Club ry: vaasanmarssi.fi or helena.kyrolainen@netikka.fi.

Pirkanmaan Matkailu Association is actively working together with Vaasa Walking Club for the IVV Olympiads.

Picture: Visit Tampere, Laura Vanzo

FAQ – frequently asked questions

Do you have any questions? We are happy to answer! See the frequently asked questions below. If you can’t find the answer, contact us using this form.

The event is intended for everyone who cares about their own wellbeing and health.

You can pay for participation using the most common online payment methods. Payments are handled by Stripe.

Participation can be canceled by April 30, 2025, with a medical certificate. A processing fee of 50 euros will be retained for handling cancellations. You can send a request for cancellation to info@ivvfinland.fi, including your account number and the medical certificate.

The 5/6 km walking route is barrier-free.

The organizer and partners take photos and videos. The footage of the event can be used for marketing purposes.

If you need help on the routes, contact the organizers’ representatives or, if necessary, call 112. Drink enough liquid (non-alcoholic) during the walk. Use the left side of the road on roads intended for motor vehicle traffic. On footpaths, cycle paths and crosswalks, you must use the edge of the road (preferably the right edge) or follow the instructions of traffic signs. Each participant participates in the event at their own risk.

In Finland, tap water is of excellent quality and suitable for direct drinking. Finland has the cleanest tap water in the world.

By participating in Vaasan Marssi on August 8-10, 2025, and walking for at least 20 km per day for
three consecutive days (or 10 km per day for those over 70), and by walking for four consecutive
days in the Tampere IVV Olympics, you will take part in the IML/IVV Cup and receive two stamps
and diplomas within the same week. : https://ucarecdn.com/c716ad1e-711b-40db-b7b0-84b13c8c1b80/iml-ivv-cup-rules.pdf

Reserve the appropriate equipment for the sport, i.e. good walking shoes and casual outdoor clothing or swimwear. The most important thing is to remember to bring a happy mood!

If you participate in cycling, you can bring your own bike or rent a bike from our partners.

August is the second warmest month in Finland. Generally, the temperature during the day in August is around 15 °C to 25 °C. It is good to prepare for rain showers. For example, you can see more detailed weather information here closer to the event.

Children are also very welcome to participate. There are no separate routes for children in the event.

However, you can only get an Olympic medal for your own performance.

IVV – Internationaler Volkssportverband is an International Volkssport Association founded in 1968 in Lindau, Germany. The founding countries were Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Today, the association is represented in more than 40 countries, and worldwide more than 3,000 member clubs organize more than 6,500 sport events every year.

The main forms of exercise are walking, cycling, swimming and cross-country skiing. More than 7 million people of all age groups participate in IVV events worldwide.
IVV’s goal is to promote friendship, peace and health with the help of sport.

All participations and kilometers traveled are marked in the IVV record book, the so-called IVV passport, which is valid worldwide. IVV moves large crowds of people and thus also creates opportunities for tourism.

Information about the participant will not be given to a third party without the consent of the person concerned.

Participants are not insured on behalf of the organizer. We recommend taking out personal travel and accident insurance.

Yes, you can use sticks. In Nordic Walking the muscles of hands get good exercise.

Early registration closes on 20 June 2025.

Form a team of at least 10 people and register by email: info@ivvfinland.fi

In addition to each participant’s name, please include their day(s) of participation and the discipline they are joining.

Groups receive a discounted participation fee: €60/person for 1 day and €120/person for 4 days.

Also include your billing address, collect the payments from your group, and pay once you receive our invoice.

Vaasan Marssi

Our partner Vaasan Kävelyklubi organizes a three-day Vaasan March walking event on the weekend before the IVV Olympiads on 8.-10.8.2025.

By participating in the 20 km walks of the Vaasa March and Tampere IVV Olympiads on two consecutive days in both events, you participate in the IML-CUP event and receive your own certificate.

Nos iungat ambulare! Kävely meitä yhdistäköön!

Picture: Visit Tampere, Laura Vanzo

More info about the Vaasan Marssi

Ancillary services

The IVV Olympiad offers a rich and diverse selection of side events – there’s something enjoyable for everyone!
Those with an Olympic Pass get access to discounted accommodation!

* You will receive an official IVV stamp for these excursions.

Accommodation capacity has been reserved at the following hotels for participants of the IVV Olympiad. You will receive the booking codes after purchasing the Olympiad Pass.

Scandic Tampere City
It is a popular hotel located right in the city center, opposite the railway station, and well-connected to public transportation.

Scandic Tampere Station
It is a modern hotel located right next to the railway, just about 100 meters from the city center. The hotel has excellent public transportation connections.

Holiday Club Tampereen Kehräämö
The Tampere Spa Hotel is located in a historic building right on the shore of Lake Näsijärvi, close to everything.

Lapland Hotels Tampere and Lapland Hotels Arena
Lapland Hotels Tampere offer the opportunity to experience the wonders of Lapland in the heart of the city.

Omena Hotel Tampere
Completely renovated in spring 2021, the Omena Hotel in Tampere is located in the heart of the city, in an excellent location along the main street Hämeenkatu.

The Hopealinjat boat Tammerkoski arriving at the Viikinsaari pier on a beautiful summer day. In the foreground, the wooden pier and the "Viikinsaari" sign are visible. Happy passengers are enjoying the cruise. The photo is related to the Finnish Evening on Viikinsaari event, organized as part of the IVV Olympiad.

Join other IVV Olympic participants for a delightful evening in the charming Viikinsaari! Hopealinja ferries operate from Laukontori every hour on the hour, making it easy for you to head to the island whenever you’ve completed your day’s activities.

Viikinsaari offers plenty to see and experience. The island has its own restaurant, where brunch is served until 4 PM, and delicious meals are available even after that. A scenic 2 km nature trail circles the island, offering views that shift from Tampere’s urban skyline to lush forest landscapes and the industrial chimneys of the neighboring city, Nokia.
For those looking to relax, Viikinsaari also offers sauna facilities and the opportunity to take a refreshing swim in Lake Pyhäjärvi.

In the lush surroundings of Viikinsaari, you might come across a well-known Finnish figure – Santa Claus himself!
Now you have the chance to meet him, perhaps share your Christmas wishes, and take a photo together.
You’ll find him in the Viikinsaari café.

In the evening, from 5 PM to 10 PM, there will be a special dance event designed especially for IVV Olympic participants.

Hopealinja offers a 15% discount on all ticket types to Viikinsaari for IVV participants.

When booking, use the code 19tampere.

The discount applies to all ticket types, including seniors’ and children’s tickets. To receive the discount, present your Olympic pass when boarding the ferry.

The discount also applies to the following packages:
– Viikinsaari Brunch Package (Adult, Sat-Sun 11:30 AM – 4 PM, including ferry trips): €49
– Viikinsaari Brunch Package (Child 3-12 years, Sat-Sun 11:30 AM – 4 PM, including ferry trips): €24
These packages already include the ferry transport.

Saturday Dance Event – August 16 (5 PM – 10 PM)

Live music by Pasi Kivimäki & N.Y.T.
The dance event is free of charge—no separate dance ticket is required.
Book your Finnish evening in advance here.

Evening paddling on Lake Näsijärvi. In the photo, the bow of the big canoe glides toward the sunset. On the horizon, forest-lined shores frame the scene, with another boat reflected gently on the water. A serene summer moment in nature, heading toward Tapatora Island for a cozy pancake feast.

Join us for an evening paddle in stable C6 big canoes from Kaupinoja beach at 8:00 PM.

An experienced guide will accompany you, sharing fascinating stories about Finnish nature and the landscapes of Lake Näsijärvi.

Our trip leads to a nearby island, where we’ll enjoy pancakes by the evening campfire, accompanied by hot chocolate or herbal tea. Return by 11:00 PM.

Departures every evening during Olympic week from August 13th to August 17th. – 17.8. Minimum group size: 4 participants.

Price: €50 per person, including paddling equipment, guidance, campfire meal, and VAT.

Bookings and inquiries directly at: hikingtravel@hikingtravelhit.fi

Discover Tampere through its authentic flavors: excellent beers and delicious local food.

Departures every day during Olympic Week from August 13th to 17th at 4:00 PM. .

This walking tour through the city center is full of pleasant surprises, a relaxed atmosphere, sparkling joy, and unforgettable experiences.

The guided theme focuses on Tampere’s fascinating industrial history, covering the city’s development from the birth of Tammerkoski to the present day.

The tour starts next to the Olympia Village in front of the Old Church and ends with a meal at Pyynikin Brewhouse on the banks of Tammerkoski.

Group size: 10–35 people.

The price includes a tasting of 5 beers and, at the end, dinner with 1 drink of choice. The price includes a tasting of 5 beers and, at the end, dinner with 1 drink of choice. Alcoholic beverages can be replaced with non-alcoholic options if needed. Additional drinks can be purchased separately during the meal.

Duration: Approximately 3 hours + dining.

Price: €65 per person + the cost of your selected meal (incl. VAT).

Bookings and inquiries directly at: hikingtravel@hikingtravelhit.fi

Kekkonen, the former President of Finland, enjoyed the tranquility of Pinsiö. On this trip, you will have the opportunity to explore the same landscapes, and enjoy art. The village offers rural serenity and is easily accessible by hopping on the tour bus from Tampere’s Keskustori.

The bus will take you to the Art and Nature Hotel Urkin Piilopirtti, named after President Kekkonen. The hotel is home to the Art Zoo Tampere museum and is beautifully situated by a lake, surrounded by nature and art. The exhibition showcases works by university- and polytechnic-trained professional artists, both outdoors and indoors, with a focus on sculpture and glass art. You will find unique combinations of science and art, with pieces inspired by themes such as climate, happiness, and technological innovations.

These commissioned works are designed specifically for this location and remain permanently on-site. Over the course of 18 years, 360 works have been collected. The curators include a professor of sculpture from the University of the Arts, the director of the Finnish Glass Museum, and the vice-chair of the Finnish Artists’ Association. Leading Finnish scientific research units have also contributed to the themes.

From the hotel, you can start a walking tour of approximately 10 kilometers. The route follows both roads and forest trails and features two land art installations along the way.

The first stop is *Up and Under*, a land art piece completed in 1998. It was designed by Nancy Holt, whose works can be found worldwide.

The second land art installation along the route is *Tree Mountain*, designed by Agnes Denes. This artwork consists of 10,000 trees planted according to a precise mathematical formula, with each tree dedicated to an individual. *Tree Mountain* was inaugurated in 1996, with President Martti Ahtisaari planting the final tree.

After the walk, you will return to Urkin Piilopirtti for a delicious salmon soup. Following the meal, you can take a refreshing swim, enjoy the surrounding nature, and explore the art exhibition in more detail. If you are interested in renting a sauna, you can inquire about availability in advance from Urkin Piilopirtti.

Explore Urkin Piilopirtti: www.urkinpiilopirtti.fi/en/

Urkin Piilopirtti offers services in multiple languages.

Art Zoo Tampere is part of the Museum Card program

SCHEDULE

9:00 Departure from Tampere, Keskustori

9:30 Arrival at Urkin Piilopirtti and start of the self-paced walking tour (approx. 10 km)

~12:30 Lunch

Relaxation, swimming, art museum (extra fee)

15:00 Return trip

15:30 Arrival in Tampere, Keskustori

Tour Price €52/person (incl. transportation, salmon soup, swimming opportunity)

Towel rental (extra fee) €4/person

Art exhibition (extra fee) €11/person

Group size: Minimum 10 people

Bookings/cancellations directly via Urkin Piilopirtti: info@urkinpiilopirtti.fi

Binding reservation by Sunday, August 3, 2025. Payment instructions will be provided after this date, and payment must be received by Thursday, August 7. A receipt will be available on-site.

Take a day trip to the cultural landscape of Mänttä. Mänttä is a small industrial and Art Town around 1 hour drive from Tampere. You can hop on a bus that will take you directly to the Serlachius Museum Manor in Mänttä. This trip can be done on any other day except Monday.

At the Serlachius Manor Museum, you can explore the collections of the Gösta Serlachius Art Foundation. Due to the industrial family Serlachius’ interest in art, a museum was opened at the manor in 1945.

From the manor, you can either continue by foot or rent a bicycle from the museum and head towards the Mäntänvuori-hill conservation area.

After cycling about six kilometers, you’ll reach the Wine Tavern Vuorenmaja, where, in addition to the cozy atmosphere, you can enjoy delicious food and drinks. Vuorenmaja is located in a ski cottage built in 1928 on Mäntänvuori-hill, which was completed for the 60th anniversary of G.A. Serlachius Ltd.

On your way back from the Wine Tavern Vuorenmaja, you can stop by the Serlachius Headquarters. As the name suggests, it was the former headquarters of a forestry company, located next to the Mänttä paper mill.
The paper industry has deep roots in Mänttä, and the Serlachius industrial family has had a significant impact in many ways. G.A. Serlachius founded a sawmill in Mänttä in 1868, and in 1908, the mill began producing toilet paper. Serlachius contributed to the development of Mänttä by influencing the design of pathways and founding a public school and library.

At the Serlachius Headquarters, you will learn more about the history of Mänttä and the paper industry community. You will also get a sense of the modern-day paper industry as the route takes you past the factory, where three million toilet paper rolls are produced each day.

There are two Serlachius museums, and during this trip, you will have plenty of time to explore whichever one interests you. You can board the return bus either from the manor or the headquarters.

Visit the Wine Tavern Vuorenmaja and make a reservation at https://www.vuorenmaja.fi/en

Learn more about the Serlachius Museums at https://serlachius.fi/en/

Serlachius is part of the Museum Card network.

SCHEDULE

11:05 Depart by bus from the Tampere railway station, from the stop near the main entrance

12:20 Serlachius Manor Museum

– Cycle or walk 6 km from the museum to Wine Tavern Vuorenmaja

14:00 onwards, dining at Vuorenmaja

– Return at your own pace to the Headquarters (3 km) or the Manor (6 km) by bike or on foot

17:20 Return trip by bus from the Serlachius Manor

17:30 Return trip by bus from the Serlachius Headquarters

18:45 Arrive back at Tampere railway station

Prices

Bus ticket: 30 € per adult (round trip)

Meal: at your own choice

Museum ticket:

Adults: 16 €
Seniors: 10.50 €
Students: 10.50 €

You can borrow a bicycle for free from the Serlachius Manor and return it either there or at the Serlachius Headquarters. A valid ID is required to borrow a bike.

The Serlachius Art & Sauna Express bus ticket can be purchased via Matkahuolto at www.matkahuolto.fi/en. Please note that Matkahuolto does not sell separate one-way return tickets. Select a one-way trip in both directions, which will automatically cost 30 € total. Tickets will be available for sale later this spring.

YOU CAN ALSO TAKE THE TRAIN TO THE TRIP

If you prefer a longer bike route, you can travel to Mänttä by train via the Vilppula railway station. The train journey takes about an hour, and you can rent a city bike at Vilppula station to cover the approximately 4 km distance to the first stop of the trip, the Serlachius Manor.

Vilppula station to the Serlachius Headquarters is about 7 km, and to Wine Tavern Vuorenmaja, about 10 km.

The most suitable train connection for the trip:

Tampere 12:06 -> 13:06 Vilppula

Vilppula 18:52 -> 19:55 Tampere

Buy your train tickets at https://www.vr.fi/en

Rent a city bike via the Donkey Republic app at https://kaakau.fi/?lang=en