Raid Mosquito Day by Day

sunrise at 03:26 - sunset 23:01

Not so much driving this day and we have even planned to use boats for a part of the route. In the 2nd Raid Mosquito we did rapids shootong by wooden boats in Ruunaa (East of Lieksa) and it was such a great fun that we want to arrange it again.

Driving directions to rapid shooting start. About 2 km before the centre of Lieksa, turn right from a crossroads “PANKAKOSKI–RUUNAA-HATUNKYLÄ” (road nr. 522). Drive for about 6 km and turn left “RUUNAA 21” (road nr. 5224). Continue for about 13 km along this road and you will come to the NAARAJOKI BRIDGE. Drive about 200 m straight on after the bridge. Turn left just after the red house and then immediately to the left. You are at RUUNAA VISITOR CENTRE parking place.

From the parking place we will be transported to the river. The organizer will give us life vests, reaincoats etc., but reserve some dry exchange clothes anyhow. The trip includes a buffet meal and takes 3-4 hours all in all. Reserve some drinking water especially if weather is hot. The cost is 37 eur/ adult and kids under 12 half price; cash please (no credit cards).

If interested in trying riding, we can recommed the Icelandic Horse Stables of Kuivala (Vuonislahti village, Lieksa). Icelandic horses are quite suitable for beginners and you can try some riding in the woods, not just boring circles in a field. You do not need to be a horse freak to enjoy this.

On the Western side of lake Pielinen you can find Koli which is a "mountain" just 350 m high, but gives an unique view over the lake area and to the surrounding Nature Reserve. From Koli is is also possible to cross with a ferryboat to Lieksa. In wintertime, they clear a 8 km ice-road over the big lake there. A minimum thickness of 40 cm of ice is needed for cars up to 3 tonnes.

OVERNIGHT at Hyvärilä Camping in Nurmes, the very same place where the 10th international Meeting of 2CV friends was held. In the evening we have the large sauna building with 2 saunas at our disposal. Near the camping you can visit the house of Bomba which is a great example of the Karelian wooden architecture

LOCATION: When arriving (on road 73 from Lieksa) in Nurmes, take the third exit at the roundabout (follow sign Kohtavaara-Bomba-Hyvärilä), drive across the little bridge and pass the crossroad Bomba. Drive about 1 km and after the long straight stretch turn to right, along a birch alley to "Hyvärilä Holiday and Youth Center". There are blue signposts Bomba-Hyvärilä along the main roads when approaching Nurmes.

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