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driving across the Baltic, is it still possible? driving across the Baltic, is it still possible?
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 2 Dec 2007
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driving across the Baltic, is it still possible?
Planning a trip for JANUARY 2009. First thoughts was Algeria, but complete change of direction now, Leaving from France, travelling through Germany. Poland. Lavatia. Estonia. Finland. but looking to drive across the Baltic sea??? can any please advise. will be driving a 1990 Landcruiser, plus if anyone is interested in joining us?
Many thanks
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  #2  
Old 2 Dec 2007
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Baltic Sea is pretty big, where exactly do you want to cross? There are different lines, from Estonia-Finland, Estonia - Sweden, Estonia - Germany, Finland - Germany etc.

Compared to summer time, it is not that interesting around here in winter, except perhaps in Finland (when the weather is good). Just IMO.
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  #3  
Old 2 Dec 2007
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I didnt know Toyota made an amphibious version of the LC.

From Tallinn there are ferries to Helsinki and Sweden. Take your pick. I loved Tallinn. See my web site. Winter wouldn't be my choice of time of year, too cold and very short days.
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  #4  
Old 2 Dec 2007
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We want to drive across the Baltic, ie when frozen or is this not possible anymore???? I read about this years ago and want to do it, As for where abouts to cross. i guess the shortest bit. someone please prove we are not mad and this is possible,
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  #5  
Old 2 Dec 2007
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Last I heard global warming was taking it's toll.
you could try one of these
AmphiRanger
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there I go again
not too hard really
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  #6  
Old 3 Dec 2007
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Not heard of going over the ice in the Baltic Sea. My Rus girlfriend says there was the "Road of Life" across the frozen sea into and out of St Peterburg and Finland during the seige in WWII, in a particularly cold winter. But normally people do not take vehicles onto the ice in those parts.

I have heard of crossing the ice of the Bering Straits between Russia and Alaska (in particular see BBC - h2g2 - Overland Challenge - Overview ) but in recent winters, including the one in question, the ice was not considered thick enough to be safe. See also Goliath Expedition in which a Brit (who else!) gives his account of walking across the ice between the two continents on his RTW walk.

The only "safe" ice activities I am aware of is ice racing/rallys on frozen lakes (fresh water - freezes at a higher temperature) in Sweden where a bulldozer had carved a route in the deep snow that had piled up on top of the ice base.
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  #7  
Old 4 Dec 2007
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Well thanks to good old GOOGLE we have found out route across the Baltic, Island hopping really of distances of 16 and 25 klms, Thanks for everyones help and again if anyone would like to join us in Jan 2009 you are very welcome, This year we are cheating; Flying to India Jan 9th Cheers and be safe!!!
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  #8  
Old 5 Dec 2007
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Yes there may be small ice roads but nothing big between countries. In Estonia there are sometimes ice roads to islands as illustrated here, but only occassionally as there is no strong ice every year.
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  #9  
Old 5 Dec 2007
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There is no way of crossing the Baltic sea between Finland and Estonia over the ice. First of all, ice has not formed yet (I can see the sea from my computer seat right now...) and secondly, there are a number of ship lines which are kept open all through-out the winter. These are either a) open or b) have a very thin ice.

Additionally, you will get into trouble with border guards. If you came across on a sail boat, you must register yourself on certain check points. With a car that is not possible...

Take a ferry, ok?

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  #10  
Old 5 Dec 2007
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what website?????????
lidel

what web site did you find, I am intrigued
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  #11  
Old 5 Dec 2007
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We hit google with Baltic sea ice roads!!
Came up with Offroad ice driving experience on frozen sea,
Estonia travel information,
Plus one of the responces came up with different routes ie, Sviby - Rohukula, Rohukula - Heltermaa, Tarkma -Joiste; then Kuivastu - Virtsu,
So now looking into these,
Thanks for the link!!
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  #12  
Old 5 Dec 2007
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If we get there and we have to take a ferry then fine which at some point we will have to!!!! But if the winter allows we will head to the above route!! Also a max weight of 2 ton may stop us OK????
Many Thanks
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  #13  
Old 7 Jan 2008
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Change of vehicle, We have bought a 1994 DiscoveryCalled Margo!!! Sorry the wife made me put that Starting preping beggining of Feb, With all the smoking bans here in France global warming may slow down so hope for the ice roads yet????
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  #14  
Old 29 Jan 2008
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Exclamation Ice Roads on the Baltic
Not last year or this year, maybe back in the '40's, but ice more then a few inches is impossible to find, even on the Bay of Bothina!

Even if there was ice, the ice breakers keep the shipping channels open, so good luck!

Kneeslider
Helsinki
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  #15  
Old 29 Jan 2008
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Not possible!
If you mean like crossing from Tallinn to Helsinki. There´s lot of oil tankers coming and going to/from koivisto. Harbour near St.Petersburgh. So your car would have to be like K.I.T.T, able to jump across the open sea which the tanker leaves behind. I think someone here planned the same thing during last year and as i recall someone said that there is some ice roads but they don´t acctually cross anything. You would be able to drive on ice near the shore something a like 10miles or so until you have to return to real road.
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