Driving the stunning Kallavesi Ice Road in Eastern Finland

Located in the Northern Savonia region of Finland, Lake Kallavesi is 90 km (56 mi) long, making it the tenth largest lake in the country.

Kallavesi ice road

In winters, when the lake's water freezes, an ice road is constructed across the frozen expanse. The road spans 7.7 km (4.78 miles) and runs from Niittylahti to Kuopio, one of the major urban, economic, and cultural hubs of Eastern Finland.

The following limits apply to the ice roads:

  • Weight limit: 3 t (3.0 long tons; 3.3 short tons) (may be raised if the ice is thick enough)
  • Speed limit: 50 km/h (31 mph)
  • Minimum space of 50 m (164 ft) between cars traveling in the same direction
  • Overtaking is prohibited.
  • Stopping is forbidden.

Pic: Erkki Perämäki