alaireitti

Alaireitti is a Finnish compound noun formed from ala- meaning "lower" or "downstream" and reitti meaning "route" or "path." In Finnish usage, it is not a fixed technical term with a single universal meaning, but a descriptive label that may be applied in different contexts to denote a secondary or lower-elevation path within a network.

In geography and transport planning, alaireitti can denote a secondary, downgraded, or less prominent route relative to a primary or upper route (which would be ylireitti). It may be used in maps, city planning, or hiking maps to indicate a route that follows a valley or lower terrain, often parallel to a main ascent route.

In outdoor recreation, hiking, and skiing literature, the term may describe alternative trails that avoid steeper slopes, offering a gentler grade or a longer distance at lower elevation. The exact interpretation depends on local conventions; there is no universally mandated definition.

In Finnish toponymy or fiction, alaireitti can also appear as a place name or fictional concept, detached from technical usage.

See also: reitti, polku, tie. References to alaireitti are largely found in Finnish-language sources and are typically informal or regional in usage.