On Sunday, an official “ice road” was opened between Estonia’s two largest islands, Hiiumaa and Saaremaa. It is the first such route to open this season—an unusual solution, but a very practical one for island communities when ice conditions disrupt regular ferry services.
Route: from Tärkma to Triigi — and only for lighter vehicles
The temporary crossing is about 17 km long and follows a marked corridor over the frozen sea between the islands. Only vehicles weighing up to 2.5 tonnes are allowed on the ice road. Traffic is permitted only in daylight hours: from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the last vehicle allowed onto the route at 4:30 p.m.
Services warn that the surface is uneven in places. Along the route, an ice “bridge” has also been built over a crack in the ice (reports mention such a crossing early on the route).
Why open a road like this at all?
The reason is straightforward: thick ice cover can seriously disrupt ferry traffic. For island residents, the ice road can become an alternative “lifeline,” enabling travel to larger hubs and onward to the mainland. Transport authorities stress that the route is continuously monitored and may be closed at short notice if conditions deteriorate.
Key rules of passage: no room for improvisation
Driving rules are strict—and may sound counterintuitive until you consider the physics of ice:
- Visibility is crucial: the route is closed if visibility drops below 300 meters.
- A “slow or faster” speed rule: the recommended speed is up to 25 km/h or 40–70 km/h. The 25–40 km/h range is discouraged because it may generate resonance waves that can damage the ice.
- Entry only at marked access points, with at least a two-minute interval between vehicles.
- Distance: maintain at least 250 meters from the vehicle ahead.
- No overtaking and no “two-way” traffic in the same lane; drivers must not deviate from the marked ice road.
There are also typical “ice-road” safety recommendations: seat belts should remain unfastened, and doors should be easy to open (for example, avoid anything that could jam locks). On uneven sections, drivers should slow to the minimum possible speed, and stopping on the route is generally prohibited.
How it’s prepared — and why it’s so demanding
An ice road is not a shortcut improvised by drivers, but a carefully engineered corridor. Reports on how such routes are created highlight frequent measurements of ice thickness (sometimes at very short intervals), checks for safe conditions, leveling of rough sections, securing cracks, and near-continuous monitoring—because conditions can change from one day to the next.
A rare phenomenon — but rooted in local tradition
An official road across the frozen sea is striking enough to attract international media attention. Commentators note that recent winters have often been too mild for such routes to last long. Still, for locals it’s part of a living tradition: in winter, “the sea can become a road.”
The most important warning
Estonian services strongly caution against driving on unofficial ice routes—without measurements and oversight, it can be genuinely life-threatening. The current status of official ice roads and any closure notices can be tracked via the TarkTee portal.
