Timber rafting tunnel - Pispalan uittotunneli

This timber rafting tunnel lies in Tampere, Pispala. Tunnel is 280 meters long and it's diameter is 5,5 meters. Tunnel was ready in 1968 and it was meant for floating timber rafts from Näsijärvi lake to Pyhäjärvi lake. However, the tunnel was never used, only some test deliveries were made. At the same time when tunnel got ready trucks started to delivery timber instead of floating rafts along lakes.

The tunnel was closed over 40 years until it was opened in June 2013. Tunnel is now meant for tractors to drive boats and yachts from one lake to another. The tunnel is also free for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The first timber rafting tunnel in Pispala was opened in 1930 and closed just before the new tunnel was ready. The old tunnel was much smaller (diameter 2 meters) and it's capacity was to deliver 2000 logs per hour and 3,5 millions logs per summer. The old tunnel still exists but both ends have been shut.

Me, Emma, Leevi, Ilu and Sami made a trip to the tunnel today, it was our first visit. The tunnel was lighter and shorter than I expected, and the air was pleasantly cool inside. We searched two geocaches and bought ice cream from the tunnel cafe.

Some more

+25 C, sunny