This 118-kilometre trail takes the visitor through authentic Winter War (1939 to 1940) and Continuation War (1941 to 1944) battlefields in Ilomantsi, in the modern day North Karelia region of eastern Finland. Dozens of memorials, museums, and restored battle stations tell the story of Finland's struggle for independence against the Soviet Union. The route leads you to the easternmost point of the continental EU.
The Second World War was a struggle for dominance among major powers, leaving smaller nations with little control over their own fates. Finland fought two separate wars against the Soviet Union between 1939 and 1944.
In autumn 1939, the Soviet Union demanded territorial concessions from Finland. When Finland refused, the Soviet Union invaded on 30 November 1939, marking the beginning of the Winter War.
The Red Army crossed the Soviet-Finnish border at three points in Ilomantsi, heading toward the parish village. As Finnish forces were heavily engaged elsewhere, the Red Army planned to strike them from behind. Though severely outnumbered, the Finnish forces managed to halt the enemy offensive before it reached the Ilomantsi parish village. The region's lakes and waterways proved decisive in the defense. The Winter War ended on 13 March 1940, after lasting three and a half months. Peace came at a heavy price.
Finland was forced to cede Karelia and other territories to the Soviet Union. While Ilomantsi lost a third of its area, the country successfully defended its independence.
In June 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union, and Finland entered the war alongside Germany to reclaim its lost territories. This marked the beginning of the Continuation War, which lasted three and a half years. Finnish troops recaptured the territories lost in the Winter War and crossed the old border into Eastern Karelia. The advance stalled and the conflict settled into a prolonged trench warfare phase.
Following the Allied landings in Normandy in June 1944, the Soviet Union launched a massive offensive against Finland. The retreating Finnish army faced intense fighting on the Karelian Isthmus. The Red Army struck Ilomantsi once more from 26 July to 13 August 1944.
The Battle of Ilomantsi, as it became known, proved to be the Soviet Union's final major offensive against Finland. The Finns encircled and divided two Soviet divisions, while also repelling the Soviet brigades sent to reinforce them. The remnants of the defeated divisions fled east, resulting in a decisive Finnish victory.
Soon after, Finland’s cooperation with Germany came to an end, and an armistice took effect on 4 September 1944. The borders drawn after the Winter War remained unchanged.
