My remarkable journey from Ilomantsi in Finland to the Finnish/Russian border zone & Finland’s most easterly point. Join me on an unforgettable Finnish road trip through the forests of North Karelia.
🇫🇮 See more of my travel vlogs from Finland here → http://bit.ly/mwt_finland

The most ambitious and adventurous day of my road trip in Finnish Lakeland started at my accommodation in the village of Illonantsi located in Finland’s North Karelia region. I’ll give you a tour of my first floor studio apartment (Majoitus Ilomantsissa) and tell you how much it costs to stay there.

Before setting off for Finland’s most easterly point, I wanted to see some of Illomantsi so I packed up, jumped in my car and drove towards Ilomantsin Jarvi Lake. Close to the water I stumbled upon a delightfully yellow Eastern Orthodox Church - Pyhän Profeetta Elian Kirkko, otherwise known as the Church of Saint Elijah.

As I was admiring the exterior the priest and cantor arrived and invited me inside for a look around. Both were really friendly & told me about the history of the church & parish, the cantor even sang me some verses which were gratefully received.

Before I left I walked around an unusual lakeside cemetery which was set amongst tall trees & unkempt shrubbery. The grounds were so peaceful & quiet - ideal for a moment's reflection before returning to my car & heading east.

As I left the village, I passed many bear carvings and statues, which was seemingly the unofficial theme of the area. As I drove towards the Russian border, it reminded me that the chances of seeing a real one were increasing with every mile.

As I entered the tiny village of Hattuvaara I passed the roadside Ilomantsi Battle Memorial (Ilomantsin Mottitaisteluiden Päämuistomerkki) and a museum called the Fighters House (Taistelijan Talo) - both really interesting and a great source of information on the Winter War and Continuation War between Finland and the Soviet union. Deadly battles between the two took place right here in this location, including the Battle of Hattuvaara (Hattuvaaran Taistelu) in July 1944.

I left the main road and civilization behind and followed a smaller trail towards the Russian border. The forest was never ending and en route I passed lakes, halfway huts, military hardware, information signs and historical walks. In the last century fierce battles and gunfights had exploded along the route I was taking.

After a compelling day I finally arrived at a place noted for being the most easterly point in Finland, as well as continental EU. A boardwalk led me between the ropes of the border zone to a viewing platform and marker, which provided a view straight into the wilderness of Russia.

📖 CHAPTERS:
📖 00:00 Intro
📖 00:51 Room Tour in Ilomantsi, Finland
📖 02:30 Pyhän Profeetta Elian Kirkko (Church of Saint Elijah)
📖 06:38 Goodbye Ilomantsi (Heading East!)
📖 07:01 Ilomantsi Battle Memorial
📖 10:16 Fighter’s House
📖 11:56 The Right Turn (Driving to the Russian Border)
📖 12:29 Road Conditions & Places to Stop
📖 13:26 Battle of Hattuvaara
📖 15:20 The Road to Finland’s Most Easterly Point
📖 16:06 Navigating the Border Zone & Staying Legal
📖 17:13 Finland’s Most Easterly Point
📖 17:52 The Finnish/Russian Border Island
📖 18:19 Looking into Russia!

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