From Nordkaap to Helsinki by way of Russia
 

I'm planning on riding north through Norway this summer, probably to Nordkaap, and then back to Helsinki (I'll continue on through the Baltics). From what I've read about the trip south through Finland it doesn't sound too exciting (correct me if I'm wrong).

I'm thinking as an alternative of heading through Russia... to Murmansk and then south from there, crossing back into Finland closer to Helsinki.

Does anyone have any experience with this route? Any information appreciated.

I have been riding through Finland south-north and north-south two times. Both times I have been riding the main road nearest to the russian border. In the southern half of Finland its called "Via Karelia" (from Karelen - a area of land Finland lost to Russia in the beginning of the 19 century)
Its basically these roads: R6 - E63 and further north E75 and deviate to R971 to Neiden in Norway close to Kirkenes the bordertown to Russia.

The northern part runs through quite wild scenery along the huge Enare lake but the more south you get the more deep woods and an occacional lake it is. Not the most exiting landscape but not totally without charm.

I havent been riding that stretch on the russian side so I wouldnt know how that is. The Baltics are nice though. Not the most fantastic rides and roads but nice scenery and interesting cities. Especially Riga and Tallin. But also the smaller towns are charming - although you will still find a bit of east european left such as buildings and cars.

I've ridden from Moscow to Murmansk via Vologda. I can't say that the road was particularly interesting, but it was pretty easy, and I was able to cover almost 2000 km in two (long) days.

once you're a few hundred kilometers out of murmansk, there are not many towns for quite a while, just a bunch of scrubby pine and birch forest. For reasons I'll never understand, there is a nice little hotel in the town of Vytegra, just south of Lake Onega. I rode to Murmansk from there in one day, about 1000 km, but in the summer it is light pretty much all the time, so not a big problem.

I guess you might not go that way if you are going straight to Helsinki, although I think it would be a bad call to go that way and not spend a little time in St Petersburg.

I have ridden both routes last month. Landscapewise they are very simular - boring or soothing.
I prefered the Russian route, since it was more mediativ = less traffic.
Biggest rational argument: In RUS fuel costs only 40% of the price of FIN + other things are cheaper there, too.
Furthermore I found Russia more interesting and it felt a bit more like a different culture and like an adventure.

Road conditions are excellent on the Kola-Highway (N-RUS border along Murmansk to St. Petersburg).

Regards

Panny

northern norway, go to Lofoten, you won't regret it. Check the photos on our sites. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G

(take all your money, norway is $$)


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