EuroVelo 13 Iron Curtain Trail

Finland

Finnish border in northeastern Lapland to Vaalimaa at Virolahti in southeastern Finland. This 1,687-kilometer route follows the historic border between Finland and Russia, guiding you through some of the country’s most remote and untouched landscapes. The Salpalinja defensive line, extending 1,200 km from the Gulf of Finland to Näätämö, is one of the most impressive World War II fortifications in Europe, visible along the route in both natural landscapes and museum sites.

EuroVelo 13 - Iron Curtain Trail is a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe since 2019.
EuroVelo 13 - Iron Curtain Trail is a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe since 2019.
Countries

Legend

Development status
  • Certified Section of at least 300 km that has successfully undergone the certification process in line with ECF’s European Certification Standard. It is the highest quality level on the EuroVelo network
  • Developed with EuroVelo signs Developed route (see category below) with continuous signing along the route, incorporating EuroVelo route information panels.
  • Developed Route developed for cyclists and signed in line with the respective national standard (i.e. it is part of a local, regional or national cycle network). There must also be a website providing information to users. Developed route can be heterogeneous in terms of infrastructure: type of cycling infrastructure, surface, width, gradients, etc
  • Under development Route containing sections that require further development (e.g. stretches on public highways with high levels of traffic). Cyclists are advised to use public transportation to skip these non-developed stretches.
  • Planning Undeveloped route with no detailed information publicly available on the Internet. The itinerary communicated is a proposal for the best possible option currently available. It may also contain dangerous sections. Cyclists are advised to use public transportation to skip these non-developed stretches.
  • Public transport link

Markers

  • Natural Heritage
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Cultural Heritage
  • Culinary Delights
  • Maritime Heritage / The Rhine / The Meuse
  • Other Point of Interest
  • Bus station
  • Train station
  • Mobility info center

National & Regional Information

Bikeland - Finnish Center for Cycling Tourism

National EuroVelo Coordination Centre

Bikeland.fi is Finland’s official cycling travel website, showcasing the country’s diverse and expansive biking landscape. Whether you’re a casual rider or an experienced adventurer, Finland offers unforgettable experiences—from bike touring through scenic lakesides to exploring thrilling mountain trails under the midnight sun, or bikepacking in the remote beauty of Finnish Lapland. Bikeland.fi helps you discover the best cycling destinations, routes, and bike-friendly services to make your journey smooth and memorable.

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EuroVelo 13 in Finland

The EuroVelo 13 - Iron Curtain Trail stretches across Finland from Näätämö on the Norwegian-Finnish border in northeastern Lapland to Vaalimaa at Virolahti in southeastern Finland. This 1,687-kilometer route follows the historic border between Finland and Russia, guiding you through some of the country's most remote and untouched landscapes. As you cycle, you'll be accompanied by the sounds of nature—birds, wildlife, and, in Lapland, the occasional reindeer. The trail meanders through dense forests, open marshlands, swamps, fells, rivers, and countless lakes, each changing the scenery and enhancing the journey.

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Welcome Cyclist

Finland offers a wide range of bike-friendly accommodations, restaurants, cafes, tour operators, attractions, and bike transport services, all dedicated to providing excellent service for cycling travelers. These establishments adhere to the bike-friendly service standards set by Bikeland and can be easily recognized by the Welcome Cyclist badge displayed at their entrance. You can explore and find them on the Bikeland.fi website.

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Related news

Maps & Guides

EuroVelo 10, EuroVelo 13: Iron Curtain Trail 1 [Bikeline Esterbauer]

This cycling guide describes EuroVelo routes in Finland from Helsinki, across Russia and Estonia (1,778 km). 10 km to Riga are also described in Latvia. Also available in German. The perfect tool to guide you during your journey preparation and on the road: precise and very informative maps at a scale of 1:120,000 and 1:400,000, elevation and distance profiles, GPS tracks, accommodation and service directory, LiveUpdate, handlebar bag format, and spiral-bound.