A Swim on the Border Zone

Kiiskijärvi, Virolahti

You won't necessarily find the Kiiskijärvi swimming spot in a tourist guide. That's because the swimming spot is literally located on the border zone, relatively off the beaten path. The eastern side of Kurkelantie leading to the spot is a border zone where entry is prohibited.

The swimming spot is neatly maintained and features a small swimming pier, a changing booth, and a picnic table.

Near the beach, a few meters north along Kurkelantie, lies the Kurkela birdwatching tower. The birdwatching tower offers fine views toward Kiiskijärvi and Virolahti, but to the east — toward Russia — you can't really see anything, as the trees have grown tall and act as a natural visual barrier.

From Kiiskijärvi, it is a short distance along Kurkelantie to the Vaalimaa border station and the adjacent Rajamarket services. From the road, you can see the new border fence with Russia, and every five meters in the terrain there is a reminder that entry to the eastern side of the road is strictly off-limits.