The Easternmost Point of the Mainland EU
From the tiny North Karelian village of Hattuvaara, 40 km northeast of Ilomantsi along the quiet Via Karelia, we again cycled to the easternmost point of the mainland European Union. It lies on Finland’s border with Russia, 20 km east of Hattuvaaara along a rolling gravel road through the forest to the frontier, where Russia lies beyond a lake. Only accessible since 1996 (the year after Finland joined the EU), we first rode out in 1999 with a Border Permit from the army base, a requirement until 2010. Now we make our fourth visit by bicycle, riding over the ridges or Eskers to the Ite Piste (East Point), once again leaving the motorhome safely parked in Hattuvaara at the Fighters’ House War Museum, next to the barracks.
Click to enlarge the photographs
Click to enlarge the photographs
