DRIVING FINLAND’S EPIC ROUTE 62 | IMATRA to PUUMALA 🇫🇮

Рет қаралды 6,426

Күн бұрын

Driving the first part of Finland’s incredible Route 62 (Kantatie 62) from Imatra, where I stopped to check out the mighty Imatra Rapids, to the quiet lakeside town of Puumala 70 kilometres away.
🇫🇮 See more of my travel vlogs from Finland here → bit.ly/mwt_finland
Imatra serves as the gateway to Finland’s Route 62 although the actual starting (or finishing) point is a few miles north. The town is dominated by the Imatrankoski Rapids and lies about 5 kilometres (3 miles) from the Finnish/Russian border. I took a walk alongside the Vuoksi River and gazed upon the long deep gorge that transforms into a crashing river rapid when the Imatra Dam is opened.
On my visit I saw the Maiden of Imatra (Imatran Impi) - a small sculpture recognising the horrors of suicide. Close by is the dam and a viewing area called Näköalapaikka.
As the rain got harder and colder I decided to head back to the car and join Route 62 which began by tracing the coastline of Lake Saimaa. It wasn’t long before I made my first stop in the small village of Ruokolahti where my attention was grabbed by the wooden Ruokolahti Church and Belfry (Ruokolahden Kirkko & Ruokolahden Kellotapuli).
Further along Route 62 I found more remains of the Salpa Line just off a little trail road I had trunked onto, and an even narrower road that led to the isolated Kummakivi Balancing Stone. I later found out the fortifications were known as the Salpa Line Stone Defences at Syyspohja.
The route continued through the seemingly endless forest, past lake Saimaa once again and over the iconic Puumalan Salmi Bridge (Puumalansalmen Silta).
I checked into my accommodation in Puumala, the Hostelli Villa Saimaan Sydän which I had found at a very reasonable rate, later than expected. Nobody else seemed to be staying there so I had the whole house to myself. Whilst there I gave you a quick room and house tour as well as showed you around the deserted Puumala Bridge, church and town centre. It felt at times like I was the only person staying in town.
A memorable day on my Finnish Lakeland road trip and looking forward to driving the rest of Route 62 in the next vlog.
📖 CHAPTERS:
📖 00:00 Intro
📖 01:11 Imatrankoski Rapids
📖 03:04 Maiden of Imatra (Imatran Impi)
📖 04:06 Imatra Rapids Dam
📖 05:51 Driving Finland’s Route 62
📖 06:00 Ruokolahti, Finland
📖 06:55 Salpa Line Stone Defences at Syyspohja
📖 11:22 Kummakivi Balancing Stone & Bears
📖 13:52 Puumalan Salmi Bridge (Puumalansalmen Silta)
📖 15:04 Exploring Puumala, Finland
📖 16:04 Hostelli Villa Saimaan Sydän (Puumala, Finland)
More Info
⭐ Please consider SUBSCRIBING, it's free & really helps my channel grow → bit.ly/2RyPwto
❤️ Don’t Forget to LIKE & SHARE if you enjoyed the video, they really help!
🎙️ Feel free to ask any questions! All FEEDBACK and COMMENTS welcome!!
📷 Connect with me on INSTAGRAM → bit.ly/mwt_instagram
🇫🇮 See all my FINLAND videos → bit.ly/mwt_finland
🇫🇮 See more from my Finnish Lakeland road trip → bit.ly/mwt_finnishlakeland
📍 See ALL of my videos on a TRAVEL MAP → bit.ly/mwt_map
🌍 See ALL of my videos by COUNTRY → bit.ly/mwt-europe
Soundtrack
🎵 Calming Rain by Candelion
🎵 Lost In The Woods (Forevermore) by Zorro feat. Molife
🎵 Bad Friends by Mimmi Bangoura
🎵
🎵 Music by Epidemic Sound. Get a FREE month here → bit.ly/2LB53FZ

Пікірлер: 86

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

THANKS FOR WATCHING!! 👍 If you enjoyed the video please consider LIKING & SUBSCRIBING - they really help me out! 👍 🇫🇮 My FINLAND Travel Vlogs → bit.ly/mwt_finland | 📷 Connect on INSTAGRAM → bit.ly/mwt_instagram | 📍 My videos on a TRAVEL MAP → bit.ly/mwt_map

@Tpojat Ай бұрын

Those "gate houses" were for milk. The milk truck would drive around every morning and collect milk from the farms. This was way back when most farms had cows and before mass industrial farming and hasn't been a thing for decades but the red gate houses are left as more tradition often used for mail or house trashcans etc.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

That's amazing, thanks for letting me know. Love seeing little pieces of history like that, I can only imagine how they operated back in the day. I'm really glad they're still in place even though they don;t serve the same purpose.

@mikkorenvall428 Ай бұрын

And they are not all old. They make new ones too. Some are used as busstop shelter, garbage shelters and so on... As buildings are look-a-like, scenery is kept stylish and nite.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Good to hear that history is still shaping what things look like in the future. Very creative!

@fireknightofficial1340 Ай бұрын

that cemetery you visited at Ruokolahti has grave of Simo Häyhä

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Thank you, I read that he's a famous and very skilled Finnish sniper. Shame I didn't realise at the time!

@tanjanikola9489 Ай бұрын

How strange you got such a bad weather - in the south, it has been incredibly dry and hot since mid-May!

@-tsvk- Ай бұрын

The vegetation looks like it's late in summer, this might have been filmed already like in August of last year.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

These videos were filmed last August, sounds like the weather is currently good. Maybe I picked the wrong time of year?

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

@-tsvk- Spot on!! August it was 😎

@-tsvk- Ай бұрын

@MattWhitingsEurope you could try to always add the filming dates of the footage of the video to the video description, so that people watching can better estimate what kind of weather and climate they can expect at different times of the year in the place you are visiting, if viewers are planning to visit too.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Thanks for the suggestion, in the past I've tried to get away from filming dates and whatnot but you make a good point regarding helping viewers to see what the conditions are like at certain times of the year. I will consider it for future videos, thanks!

@arcticcraic Ай бұрын

Fair play to you sir. Compared to other countries, Finland’s scenery fairly “constant” in appearance. But unlike so many others, you are finding all the hidden gems usually overlooked. You have done your homework. How far north do you intend to travel? Watch out for the big wildlife on the roads.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Thank you, glad you're enjoying the videos. I do try to research the places I visit in an attempt to capture the bits that many others miss. It's a shame I didn't have more time, the rain and weather conditions earlier in the day had put me behind schedule a little bit and I never caught up. I think a day would have been more appropriate for this stretch of road. Hoping to make it up to the Koli area on this trip! Thanks for watching.

@larrywave Ай бұрын

Those Gate house things are Milk churn stands

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Incredible, thanks for letting me know.

@Lefafel Ай бұрын

Unfortunate that you did not have the time to go see Kummakivi in person, it's quite spectacular indeed. You've caught route 62 at a pretty nice time, there's been some recent renovations to the road and it's got a varied nature surrounding it due to some lumber harvesting and replanting in the past decade. The Imatra rapids are currently flowing 24/7 actually, due to the abnormally high water level of lake Saimaa that they are trying to reign in by letting as much water through river Vuoksi as possible.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Those rapids must be quite a sight to see! Shame I didn't get to see them in action. Glad I picked a good time, sounds like there's quite a bit going on with route 62 at the moment. Thanks for watching!

@oh2mp Ай бұрын

Nice video. Imatra is a very familiar town to me because I have strong family ties to there even I haven't ever lived there myself. The sign at 10:00 said "Falling danger. Movement with own risk" You found a nice hostel. Saimaan Sydän means the Heart of Saimaa.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Thank you for the translation, always interesting to know. I really wanted to drive back there to see the show but it was just too far. Thanks for watching.

@mariamm9460 18 күн бұрын

Beautiful video as all your videos are Matt, look how good breakfast, Love that table with chairs , nice room could live there anytime 👍I think you had enough of place in that hotel..thank you for sharing your journey in Finland, great information and videos ..❤🇫🇮

@MattWhitingsEurope 18 күн бұрын

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the video. It's always good to get out into the great outdoors and do some exploring - you never know what you might find.

@mariamm9460 17 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEuropeYou are more than Welcome Matt🥰😊how amazing video again. Imatra waterfall so beautiful you show it..thank you 🌊❤🌊I hope I can travel around Finland too,,but first Ilomantsi then all the cities as you been to ..You do excellent videos and your speaking pleasant to listen too ❤did you take Christmas tree🎄😂you are funny too Love it..yes be careful that you dont be lost in the forest..good you found your car 😊Kummakivi, you pronounced well enough ..wonder if you seen wild animals on your trips ..that area Imatra maybe have 🦌🐻🤔. .you said beautifully "Saimaan sydän" ..Take care , you are so brave Matt🇬🇧❤🇫🇮

@MattWhitingsEurope 16 күн бұрын

Unfortunately I couldn't get the Christmas tree past the border officers at the airport. Next time! 😉

@mariamm9460 16 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope hi hope my comment works now,, wish you get Christmas tree anyhow🎄☕🍰😘❤

@yoretabio4537 Ай бұрын

This is one of the two most beautiful routes to drive in Finland. The other one is Ivalo-Inari-Kaamanen in Lapland.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Thanks for the suggestion, I'd not heard of the Ivalo-Inari-Kaamanen route so have made a note of it just in case I'm up that way in the future!

@misanthrope8803 Ай бұрын

Have been waiting for this, so glad I have found this channel, wishing you all the best! 💪

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Thank you very much, welcome aboard! Hope you're enjoying the videos! 😄

@Sir_Baddington Ай бұрын

Welcome to Mikkeli, it is my home town.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Thank you very much, cool place. We'll see a bit more of it in the next video.

@saturahman7510 Ай бұрын

Yes, I recommend.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Thanks 😃

@e-mat6077 Ай бұрын

You forgot to tell the price of your accomodation at the end.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

I'm not sure if I forgot to say or accidentally edited it out but either way it's not there. The price was €47 which I thought was a great price. I guess there are other rooms so more people can stay but I was the only one there on this occasion. For reference the accommodation was called Puumalan Rantapappila.

@Kuuj12 Ай бұрын

Love this finland series

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Glad to heat it!! Thanks for watching 😀

@ellu... Ай бұрын

i love these videos! saimaa is one of my favorite places in finland :) would love to have a cottage there

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Thanks very much, glad you're enjoying them. I really like the area too! Such an interesting place!! A cottage would be nice.

@WITYTRAVELS Ай бұрын

Glad the rain didn't stop you from exploring. That has got to be the best Christmas tree shop on the planet. The balancing rock is neat; definitely next time. Great little place. Hopefully you had a chance to tickle the ivories!

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

I'm not sure I would have got it in my suitcase!! Lovely areas though and I always like to see Christmas trees growing in the wild. Shame about the balancing rock but I'll definitely get it next time!

@icebear280173 Ай бұрын

gatehouse..yeah right XD..its for milk...milk collecting truck gets milk form there..its called milk pier.or used to get..novadays there are stainless stell tubs that are chilled and tanker empties those

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Thanks for the info, yes a few others have mentioned the same thing so I have learnt something new!

@Pikaxsu Ай бұрын

The "christmas tree" was not a baby spuce, but a pine which does not make a very beautiful christmas tree. :) The signage at the Salpaline site just reminds you of the falling danger and that you are there at your own risk. :) Second batch of christmas trees was nice young spruces. :D

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

I'll take one from the second batch then 😂 - thanks for the info on the signs, next time I'll get my Google Translate app working!

@Pikaxsu Ай бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope I was thinking it might be a bit useless, but if it shows clearly enough, I can easily translate things like that, if you want. No bother at all. :) You had some others in earlier episodes too, but I felt that maybe it would be silly to translate them. Even as Finnish is probably so different from most of your followers languages, that only Finnish text is difficult to guess, with other languages to help. :)

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Really helpful, feel free to translate in future videos if you have time - I always find it useful to know what the signs say.

@spertti Ай бұрын

Nice vid.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Thanks ☺️

@anttieskelinen1 Ай бұрын

6:10 you just miss the grave of Simo Häyhä. Grave behind you.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

I didn't know who that was but just looked it up and see he's a very successful Finnish sniper. Thanks for the info, shame I didn't realise whilst I was there.

@Hongaars1969 Ай бұрын

Greetings 1) you looked truly drenched. The weather was not kind 2) oh to see that spillway overflowing…my father (wisely) said that you never (get to) go back 3) What an adventure 4) Brilliant filming and editing. You are def a natural presenter and editor. 5) how does one share personal details with you so as to be able to take communications privately? Cheers Zoltán

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Thank you Zoltán, glad you're enjoying the videos. Yes I was pretty drenched for part of the day but thankfully the rain didn't get beyond my coat. In terms of communication, I think my email is on the 'about' page or you can use instagram. I don't check those other accounts as much so prefer the comments but either way is good.

@jukka7697 Ай бұрын

The most epic scenarios are when you drive from Puumala to Mikkeli

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Indeed. That's coming up!

@TheFuel89 Ай бұрын

With such great 4G and 5G networks available wifi isn't as prevalent in Finland as in some other countries. Might be a good idea to provide one for the tourists though.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Yes I noticed that, although I did have 4G in most places.

@mikkorenvall428 Ай бұрын

I don't think that the dam is for flooding, but to feed water to hydro plant. Imatra rapids is biggest waterfall in Finland.... not by height but by the volume.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

It's an incredible system, shame I didn't get to see it in action!

@saturahman7510 Ай бұрын

I live in Mikkeli. The weather is really hot right now.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

I must have chosen the wrong time of year to visit!

@vs123 Ай бұрын

I like damp

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

I don't mind it but my camera isn't keen!

@Mojova1 Ай бұрын

Christmas trees are spruce. That was a small pine. 😉 Second time you said it, those were spruce. Did you say the price of the hotel or did I miss it?

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Thanks for the info, my knowledge of trees is pretty bad as you can tell. Unfortunately I either forgot to say the price of the room or I accidentally edited it out - either way it was €47 and called Puumalan Rantapappila.

@Mojova1 Ай бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope Good price for that. As a foreigner did you prefer the place empty or would it been better for you if there were others staying also? Just curious.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

I actually preferred it empty - I was enjoying the isolation and quietness on this trip. Yes it was a great price and very helpful that it was self check in, meant I could take my time getting there and enjoy the drive.

@Mojova1 Ай бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope Thanks for replying. Looking forward to your next video. Am I correct if I assume this was filmed late summer last year?

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Thank you, I'm looking forward to sharing it! Yes my trip was in August! As you can hopefully tell I loved every second of it (except for one incident in a couple of videos time).

@krakulandia Ай бұрын

You didn't tell how much the hotel cost?

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Sorry about that, it was 47 Euros a night and called Puumalan Rantapappila.

@jukka7697 Ай бұрын

In Finland, you can roam free in nature and don't need to worry about trespassing. It is your right. But trees, even baby ones, are owned by someone, so you're not allowed to kill any trees. The Finnish golden rule is to leave everything in the same or better shape when you leave. So no Christmas tree as a souvenir, sorry 😉

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

I would of struggled to get it in my suitcase anyway 😂. Interesting to read about the right to roam laws, we have something similar in the UK but it's only applicable to some land.

@justskip4595 Ай бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope Nature is free to roam apart of places like military areas which tend to be fenced off anyway. Built up areas and their vicinity are not for the peace of the owners. You can pick mushrooms, berries and other such things freely from the forest but hunting is with the permission of the land owner.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

That's good to know, thanks for the info. Makes sense.

@KK19825 Ай бұрын

It's such a shame that they harnassed Imatrankoski back in the day.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Yes indeed, bet it was a real spectacle.

@zoolkhan Ай бұрын

why the elevator music all the time, allow the nature sounds to be heared for once

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Thanks for the feedback.

@Mojova1 Ай бұрын

Much better music then most people traveling this country. I actually enjoyed it.

@MattWhitingsEurope Ай бұрын

Thanks for saying. I do put quite a bit of effort into trying to select tracks that match the content. I guess it's subjective but I'm a bit of a perfectionist in that regard. If I'm not feeling the music I'll work on it until I do. It's been known to take me hours to find the right track before.