ICT Tag 18 Vaalimaa

108 km, 710 hm, sunny weather with temperatures up to 28 degrees

Our preliminary last day on the Iron Curtain Trail begins with a ride along the Saimaa Canal to Nuijamaa. The canal is a total of 43 km long and connects the large Lake Saimaa in Finland with the Baltic Sea near Vyborg in Russia. Mostly wood is transported. An interesting change is crossing with a small wooden ferry. In Vainikkala, we take a break at the border railway station. For the Finns, it is a rather sad place, as this was the route through which goods went to the Soviet Union for reparation payments after World War II. After forest roads with many climbs, we ride on a more heavily trafficked road to the border crossing at Vaalimaa. Here we also leave Via Karelia, on which we cycled through Karelia most of the time. With over two million border crossings, Vaalimaa is the most important border crossing of an EU country with Russia.

A few kilometers further on, there is a beautiful campground on a lake and... we set up the tent. I have carried the tent with accessories for 1850 km (which shows somewhat masochistic traits in me) and today we could have stayed in a small cabin. Setting up the tent is accompanied by intensive mosquito companionship, almost eating us alive. So far, we have been spared from these creatures. Another new experience due to the summer temperatures. But there is delicious fish grilled in the grill hut.