Driving the longest ice road in Europe from Rohuküla to Heltermaa on the Baltic Sea
Located in Estonia, the ice road running from Rohuküla (on the mainland) to Heltermaa (on the island of Hiiumaa) is said to be the longest ice road in Europe.
How long is the ice road from Rohuküla to Heltermaa in Estonia?
Tucked away in the western part of the country, the road is 26.5 kilometers (16 miles) running east-west from Rohuküla (a village in Ridala Parish, in Lääne County) to Heltermaa (a village on Hiiumaa island, in Hiiu County), stretching across a frozen expanse of the Baltic Sea. During the winter, the sea between the islands and the mainland often freezes. The freezing of the seas between the Estonian mainland and the islands has had historical significance, as during the Middle Ages, these occurrences have been used by armies to invade the islands as they could simply walk across the sea. Driving over the ice road to Hiiumaa is a unique experience because one actually drives across the sea.
Is the ice road from Rohuküla to Heltermaa in the Baltic Sea open?
This road is open only during daylight hours in winters, depending on the thickness of the ice. In recent years, it has not been used so often. It is usually open from late January to late March when the ice is thick enough to carry the weight of vehicles. The road opens when the ice is at least 22 centimeters thick. Although the sea isn't very deep in this zone, less than 10 meters, it is still an odd thought that just 22 centimeters of ice separate you and your car from up to 10 meters of ice-cold seawater. One also realizes the awesome strength of ice, for such a thin layer to be able to carry the weight of a car (though the weight of the car and the ice sheet is of course carried by the water underneath). In summers, the connection between both towns is via ferry.
How long does it take to drive the ice road from Rohuküla to Heltermaa in Estonia?
The crossing takes approximately 30 minutes to cover the distance with favorable conditions.
What rules are on the ice road from Rohuküla to Heltermaa in Estonia?
There are obviously rules - for example, no seat belts (easier to escape), not to drive below 40km/h (vibrations not good), no lorries/trucks (a bit too heavy). Despite the worrying rules, the ice road is a safe and effective winter crossing to Hiiumaa. At 26.5 km, it is the longest such road for public use in Europe today. And depending on the weather conditions, the road could grow even longer – up to 29 km. An ice road differs by letting people drive at quite a high speed with safety belts open. The speed is reduced only while approaching the occasional board-covered cracks. Seatbelts are forbidden as drivers may need to quickly exit their car.
Pic: Visit Estonia