Driving the scenic Kihnu Ice Road in Estonia

Kihnu Ice Road is a challenging drive across the Baltic Sea, located in Estonia.

Lao-Kihnu ice road

How long is Kihnu Ice Road?

Tucked away in the southwestern part of the country, the ice road is 13 km (8 miles) long. It runs from Lao (a village on the top of the Tõstamaa peninsula on the mainland) to Kihnu (an island in the Baltic Sea). It is best suited for advanced ice road drivers.

When did ice roads start?

The freezing of the seas between the Estonian mainland and the islands has historical importance. In the Middle Ages, armies took advantage of this phenomenon to invade the islands by walking across the frozen sea.

Limitations for ice roads:

-Weight limit depending on conditions, mostly 2 t (2.0 long tons; 2.2 short tons) to 2.5 t (2.5 long tons; 2.8 short tons)
-Vehicles travelling in the same direction must be at least 250 m (820 ft) apart.
-Recommended travelling speeds are under 25 km/h (16 mph) or between 40–70 km/h (25–43 mph). It is advised to avoid the range of 25 and 40 km/h (16 and 25 mph) due to danger of creating resonance in the ice layer (i.e. vehicle speed and water wave speed being the same or nearly, resulting in a large wave under the ice that breaks the ice).
-Seat belts must not be fastened due to danger of drowning if the ice breaks.
-The vehicle must not be stopped.
-Vehicles are allowed to enter the ice road in three minute intervals.
-Ice roads may only be used in daylight.
Pic: http://australiaforeveryone.com.au/trips/dest-parnu.html

 

 

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