Iron curtain trail travel log

Experiencing Iron Curtain Trail route in summer 2017

German exchange student Luis-Fernando was the first guest testing a cycling tour and the services provided by Best Guest Finland. He documented his experiences and the daily highlights included in his tour. Within 6 days, Luis-Fernando covered a total distance of about 210 km and daily distances from 15 to 50 km on his bike.

An amazing experience! Even I was all by myself at this tour I never felt alone. Cycling through the nature of South Karelia and absorbing all the beautiful impressions was a lifetime experience I will never forget. Thank you so much!

DETAILED CRITIQUE

First meeting with Hanna was nice, we went through the itinerary together and talked about every day’s activities and ate something.
Saimaa Canal museum was interesting. All signs are in Finnish but an English guide is given at the cashier.
Boat trip to Muukonsaari: Very nice afternoon and evening with the people of TaigaSaimaa. Boat trip was fun, we went fishing and also catched a fish and afterwards we grilled it on the island. Very delicious!
Rowing back to the harbor next day was plenty of fun and the route to Imatra was not too special, but anyway nice.
Lakeshore sauna was amazing! I also slept there in the cabin and this was definitively my highlight – the cabin at the lake with the sauna!
Museum road is a very nice road and not too busy by cars, so I had a nice ride along these 20 km.
Miettilä historical military basement and museum: Very interesting story about the famous sniper; Hanna was there with me and translated some parts, also a nice guide was there and gave me a lot of information.
Hiitolanjoki is an amazing nature park with tranquility and nature.
At Koitsan B&B: comfy bed, possibilities to sit outside, the hosts made great food. Very nice conversation and sauna in the evening!!!
Very impressing sculptures in the Statue park, I hadn’t expected that they were so interesting!
Siikalahti bird lake: Amazing area! Good would be more information and when it is the best time to go there.
Cycling in Parikkala countryside: Amazing nature and I found also another route through the nature!
Jaana’s Yard is very nice with fresh vegetables! Also nice to get in touch with the animals. Chilly evening with grill and delicious food, also a short sauna and anyway I was very exhausted about the last days so I went early to bed in aitta.

OVERALL SUMMARY FROM LUIS-FERNANDO:

I’m very satisfied with all the accommodations and also the hosts were all very nice! Absolutely nice and recommendable tour!!! And South Karelia is definitively worth to cycle through!

Iron Curtain Trail package