Title - Name
Santa's Backyard Bike Trails
Scope / Sector / Industry
Cycling tourism
Country / Region
Finland, Rovaniemi
Why is it good practice?
Santa’s Backyard Bike Trails in Rovaniemi is a prime example of sustainable tourism development with a leading role for local government, as it belongs to the Municipality of Rovaniemi and was designed to benefit both residents and visitors. Through a combination of upgraded existing trails and new, environmentally friendly infrastructure, the project enhances cycling and outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the year, while at the same time improving local mobility by connecting two important points of interest, the Ounasvaara outdoor area and Santa Claus Village. The development of the initiative was based on the participation of the local community and emphasized user safety, protection of the natural environment and long-term economic sustainability. At the same time, the application of international sustainability standards and the adoption of a procurement model based exclusively on quality criteria highlight the careful and innovative nature of the project, which constitutes a very good practice for other regions seeking to promote active, low environmental impact rural tourism and reduce seasonality.
How is it applied?
Santa’s Backyard Bike Trails is a network of mountain bike trails created in the area around Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, with the aim of meeting the growing demand for outdoor activities, sustainable and cycling tourism. The project was initiated by the Municipality of Rovaniemi as part of its broader strategy for the development of cycling tourism in the area, and in line with the goals of the national programme “Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021-2027”. It is also worth mentioning that this project is being implemented in parallel with another trail development project in the city of Rovaniemi, creating synergy between the two projects.
Thus, the Municipality, in collaboration with external contractors, undertook the design and construction of the new routes in accordance with international sustainability standards and with the participation of the local community in the design phase. The project utilized older trails in the area that were worn out and inadequate, with the aim of developing new and environmentally friendly routes, while the cost amounted to €263,900 (EU funding €184,730).
The network consists of 4 short and signposted routes (0.5–1.5 km each) in a forest landscape with gentle relief and gentle curves, ideal for cycling with an emphasis on fun and comfort, not on competition or technical difficulty. Three of them are one-way trails, while the fourth is a two-way route that connects all the trails with each other. This makes the trails suitable for all users, including families, beginners and tourists who want to enjoy a leisurely walk in nature. The infrastructure includes:
- Well-designed signage and low-impact, environmentally friendly trails.
- Connection to a network of cycling and hiking trails to the center of Rovaniemi and Ounasvaara Ski Stadium, with easy access.
- Starting point near the official Santa Claus Village bus stop, just 800 meters from the trails.
- Possibility to rent bicycles from the local company Santa Claus Holiday Village. It is important to mention that great importance was given to the quality of the project’s infrastructure. For this reason, the procurement was based exclusively on quality criteria, which were defined from the beginning, while after the project was completed, the results were evaluated. Specifically, the supplier with high quality results receives a bonus, while in the opposite case, a penalty is received for poor performance.
Regarding the environmental and social approach of the project, it was designed and constructed with a particular emphasis on sustainability and nature protection, aiming to reduce environmental impact and promote safe routes that respect the landscape and flora/fauna. This includes the selection of materials and construction techniques that reduce erosion and soil damage.
In conclusion, the project is considered a good practice because it shows how a municipality can combine quality infrastructure, participatory design, sustainable techniques and compatibility with wider tourism plans, creating a model that can be applied to other areas pursuing active and environmentally responsible tourism.
Where is it applied?
Santa’s Backyard Bike Trails is aimed at families, beginner and amateur cyclists, as well as residents and tourists of all ages looking for a gentle outdoor activity in nature.
When did it apply?
Santa’s Backyard Bike Trails began operating in 2025.
Results
Although the Santa’s Backyard Bike Trails project only started operating in 2025, it was considered a good example of sustainable tourism, which was recorded by the European DEPART’s project, which focuses on the development of sustainable sports tourism. According to the project, there are indications of positive results and impacts of the project, such as:
- Enhancement of accessibility and use of the trails: The trail offers an easy, family-friendly and environmentally friendly way of transportation and recreation between important points (Ounasvaara and Santa Claus Village), which is expected to increase use by locals and visitors.
- Support for tourism throughout the year: Connecting points of interest supports the extension of the tourist season beyond the traditional winter season, which is important for regional sustainability and the distribution of visits over time.
- Benefits for local businesses: The increase in traffic and mobility is expected to benefit local businesses, especially in the Santa Claus Village area, contributing to the economic viability of the area.
- Improved wellbeing and exercise opportunities: Based on the perceptions of local cyclists and businesses, the development of the trails improves opportunities for exercise, mobility and social wellbeing in the community.
Other information
See more about Santa’s Backyard Bike Trails here.