Welcome to The Urban Explorer blog! We have stories about urban exploration from around the world, from interesting public places to hidden, exploded bunkers with rebar pointing all the wrong ways. The Urban Explorer has explored 263 places in 29 countries. You can also click on the map below to see where in the world they took place.
The Urban Explorer articles appeared originally in the Blogspot Planetskier series, at TGR posts, or at the Relaa website. See also the articles about skiing, climbing, cycling, caving, flying, swimming, and saunas.
All urban exploration-related articles:
| Venice again, no skiing, just heat Many years ago, I tried to find some skiing inVenice. No luck, could not score any snow from local skating rinks, so was unable to plaster the Calatrava Bridge with snow... sad... or maybe good. This year we went back there. Full story July 2023, Venice, Italy Skiing (None); Urban-Exploration (Historic-Sites) | |
| Predjama Castle I had only heard about the Postojna Cave before coming to Slovenia. But it turns out that there are many caves (of course) as well as many very interesting or famous cave sites. Right next to the Postojna cave, a 10 minute car ride away for instance is the Predjama Castle, which is world's largest castle built in a cave. Full story July 2023, Predjama Castle, Postojna, Slovenia Caving (Basic, Rock, Rock-Limestone, Morphology-Karst); Urban-Exploration (Military, Castles, Historic-Sites) | |
| Walls of Piran Piran is a medieval town on the coast of Slovenia. A wonderful town, clearly retaining its historic parts. The protective walls of the city date back to the 7th century, and can be toured for a nominal fee. Much recommended. Full story July 2023, Walls of Piran, Piran, Slovenia Urban-Exploration (Historic-Sites, Castles); Flying | |
| Northern Croatia swim On our tour of Slovenia's Piran, we also peeked on the Croatian side, and had a swim in the Polynesia Beach in the town of Umag. Little did we know that the ruins we started our swim from were actually the ruins of the Sipar Castle from A.D. 1000 or thereabouts. Some have even called this place the Atlantis of Sipar. Interesting! Full story July 2023, Polynesia Beach, Umag, Croatia Swimming (Outdoor, Waterbody-Sea, Water, Beach); Urban-Exploration (Historic-Sites, Castles) | |
| One kilometer walkway tunnel This tunnel appeared on my walk while visiting Rotterdam. I was walking from my hotel to the conference venues, as a like to do to keep my step counts up :-) And as one expects, there are some waterways to cross in the Netherlands cities :-) I thought there'd be a bridge though. But no, it was a tunnel. It was only in the tunnel and later in Wikipedia that Maastunnel is actually 1070 meters long that crosses the Niewwe Maas. Full story May 2023, Maastunnel, Rotterdam, Netherlands Urban-Exploration (Tunnels) | |
| The Golden Gate of Sääksmäki We visited an old, not so big, but quite famous bridge in Finland. This used to be on the main road, but since the opening of the highway from Helsinki to Tampere, it is no longer getting as much traffic as before. The bridge is still beautiful, though. Full story May 2023, Sääksmäen silta, Valkeakoski, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bridges) | |
| Trust me, it is NOT a watertower It does look very weird. For some reason I thought it was a water tower. It is in the town of Oberreid in the Black Forest area in Southern Germany, near Freiburg. But ... it is in fact a defense against against nuclear weapons and natural disasters... Full story May 2023, Barbarastollen, Oberried, Germany Urban-Exploration (Towers) | |
| Kalemegdan bunker In the Kalemegdan park / Belgrade Fortress there's also a bunker. This is a bunker Tito ordered to be built, and it was constructed in early 1950s. It has two gun ports (now closed), and it is today an open museum that you can visit. Full story May 2023, Belgrade Fortress Bunker, Belgrade, Serbia Urban-Exploration (Ruins, Military, Bunkers) | |
| Burg Hohenzollern It is an imposing, massive castle on top of a high hill. Worth a visit! Full story May 2023, Burg Hohenzollern, Hechingen, Germany Urban-Exploration (Castles) | |
| Dockyard Garden Dockyard Garden is an old dry dock in the Yokohama harbor, cornered between some of the highest skyscrapers in Japan. Doors have been cut to the sides of the massive rock walls protecting the dock, to build access to nice restaurants at the bottom. Full story March 2023, Dockyard Garden, Yokohama, Japan Travel; Urban-Exploration (Harbours) | |
| Enoshima Caves Only in Japan: They have a "candle lending service" at cave. And it is not like it is a dark, lightless place even without the candles - the Enoshima cave has lighting, but obviously the candles are a remarkable addition to the experience. On the other hand, since the candles are actual candles with actual fire, there is now a need to have a fire alarm system, if somebody accidentally sets the cave on fire... Full story March 2023, Enoshima Island, Fujisawa, Japan; Enoshima Iwaya Cave, Fujisawa, Japan; Enoshima Iwaya Cave 2, Fujisawa, Japan; Enoshima Iwaya mini cavelet 1, Fujisawa, Japan; Enoshima Iwaya mini cavelet 2, Fujisawa, Japan; Shinto Shrine, Fujisawa, Japan Caving (Basic, Rock, Rock-Limestone, Morphology-Erosion, Showtour); Caving (None, Rock, Rock-Limestone, Morphology-Erosion); Hiking; Travel; Urban-Exploration (Historic-Sites) | |
| New ZIF-25 bunker in Siuntio! We had heard a rumor of a potentially previously unknown bunker in Siuntio. Let's call it the Hoivakodin Bunkkeri (Retirement Home Bunker). It turned out to be accessible -- if you don't mind passing through pieces of concrete hanging by rusting, twisted rebar. And it was a massive one! Another ZIF-25 model bunker, i.e., a two-floor bunker with several entrance tunnels and a side mountain gun port. Full story March 2023, Hoivakodin bunkkeri, Siuntio, Finland; Ansabunkkeri, Siuntio, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers) | |
| Slava Ukraini! I saw something today that I didn't realize actually existed in our neighborhood. It takes maybe half an hour for me to get from where I live to Siuntio, and there's a nice castle, the Sjundby Castle (or Manor). It was built starting from 1417, by the rapids on the Sjundbyån river. It is not open to the public so maybe that explains why I haven't heard about it. Full story March 2023, Sjundbyn linna, Siuntio, Finland Urban-Exploration (Historic, Castles) | |
| Tower and Cave in Alíartos A random discovery while driving through Greece's small mountain towns. A massive hole by the road, with a tower on of the rock hill. This was so sudden that I didn't even think of registering the location or stopping. And I was in a rush to get to the ski area anyway. Full story (TGR version) February 2023, Πύργος Αλιάρτου, Alíartos, Greece; Σπηλιά Αλιάρτου, Alíartos, Greece Urban-Exploration (Ruins); Caving (Basic, Rock-Limestone, Surveying) | |
| Wiesliczka Salt Mines Wiesliczka is a suburb of Krakow. Under it is a massive salt mine, extending to a depth of approximately over 300 meters, with the total length of labyrinth passages spanning over 287 kilometers. The use of the site dates back to the 13th century, where the locals would harvest salt from brine (salt concentrate) wells dug on the wetlands. Later in the same century the wells started to be extended as deeper mine shafts and tunnels. Wiesliczka is not just a mine, it is a massive underground world and site of art and history. It is also a well-deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site. Full story January 2023, Wieliczka Kopalnia Soli, Wieliczka, Poland Urban-Exploration (Mines); Caving (Man-Made, Basic, Rock-Other, Showtour) | |
| Communism is closed, so is the museum We went to the Krakow Museum of Communistic Poland... it wasn't open, and neither is communism. Would have been very interesting to tour this, but oh well. Full story January 2023, Museum of Communistic Poland, Krakow, Poland Urban-Exploration (Historic-Sites) | |
| Kalemegdan Park Castle There's a castle at the Kalemegdan Park in Belgrade, the Belgrade Fortress. Full story December 2022, Belgrade Fortress, Belgrade, Serbia Urban-Exploration (Ruins, Military, Castles) | |
| Refresher course in communism and nuclear bunkers I've been here before, but a refresher course is always good, plus I have the next generation with me, useful course for him as well. The Prague's communism and nuclear bunker tour is a good reminder of what oppressive things went on during the eastern block years in Czechosloakia and elsewhere. Fortunately, those times are past us. But in 2022, you can still feel the nuclear-bomb threats being made ... you guessed it, from the east. Full story July 2022, Parukarka Park bunker, Prague, Czech Republic; The Cold War Museum, Prague, Czech Republic; KGB Museum, Prague, Czech Republic Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Travel | |
| Castles, castles... Czech edition I had an opportunity to visit castles in Czech Republic this summer. The first one we went to was Hrad Trosky, the ruins of an amazing two-tower steep clifftop castle. What a magnificent, for defense business -only castle! The second castle, Hrad Kost was a more full-service one, and was used as an administrative base. With a torture chamber, of course. (Is there any other kind of administration???) Full story July 2022, Hrad Trosky, Rovensko pod Troskami, Czech Republic; Hrad Kost, Libošovice, Czech Republic Urban-Exploration (Ruins, Castles) | |
| South Czechia castles Rabí and Kašperk Our trip to Czechia concluded with a road trip to the Kašperk and Rabí castles. Both are medieval castles, partially in ruins and partially restored. Kašperk's two-towers-on-a-steep-hill design reminded us very much of the Trosky castle that we had seen a few days earlier. Full story July 2022, Hrad Rabí, Sušice, Czech Republic; Hrad Kašperk, Kašperské Hory, Czech Republic Urban-Exploration (Ruins, Castles); Travel | |
| Vrnik Quarries Otok Vrnik is a small island close to Korcula (town) and the Korcula island. Otok Vrnik's history revolves around quarries ... the whole island is a quarry. Since the activity has stopped hundreds of years ago, there's little that you can see today, but there are some places where big walls of rock are still visible. Full story July 2022, Vrnik Quarry, Vrnik, Korcula, Croatia Urban-Exploration (Quarries) | |
| Anna Mine 60 kilometers southwest of Prague is a historic mining area of Příbram. There's mining museum at Mine Ševčinský. There's also two mines that you can actually visit, the Hornické muzeum Příbram – Vojtěšský důl (Vojtěšský mine) and the Hornické muzeum Příbram – Anenský důl (Anna Mine). The latter involves a small train journey in mine carts... Full story July 2022, Hornické muzeum Příbram, Anenský důl, Příbram, Czech Republic Urban-Exploration (Mines, Historic); Travel | |
| Mali Kozjak hike Mali Kozjak is a mountain ridge in Split, Croatia. Near the airport, in fact. I had seen this on a previous trip, and it looked interesting... was there a hike? After perusing through the Wikilocs and Starves of the world, and some (maybe not enough) local advice, it seemed like there's a nice walk up via the Planinarski Dom Putalj mountain hut. I chose to hike up a bit further north so that I could descend to the hut. But boy did that generate some headache! Full story (TGR version) June 2022, Planinarski Dom Putalj, Kaštel Sućurac, Croatia; Svrka Sv. Luka, Blaca, Croatia; Veli Vrj radar station, Vučevica, Croatia; Orlovo gnijezdo - Planinarsko sklonište, Kaštel Kambelovac, Croatia; Gojača Beach, Kaštel Sućurac, Croatia Climbing (Mountain); Hiking; Urban-Exploration (Military, Buildings); Swimming (Water, Waterbody-Sea, Beach) | |
| Sutro Baths Tunnels The Sutro Baths were luxurious swimming pools on the San Francisco seafront, in an almost all glass building, built in the 1890s. Complete with salt and freshwater pools, slides, and 30 swinging rings, and a springboard. It was served by two rail lines, one of these being the Sutro Railroad, another creation of Adolph Sutro, a famous engineer and industrialist and mayor of San Francisco! In the 1900s the facility fell into disrepair and it burned down in 1966. Today only ruins remain, including the pool basins, a settling pool, and tunnels. Full story (TGR version) May 2022, Sutro Baths, San Francisco, USA Urban-Exploration (Ruins, Tunnels); Caving (Basic, Man-Made) | |
| Zagrebenje bunker maze Croatian islands have had a military past. During World War II when Tito held his headquarters on the island of Vis. After the war, Vis was turned into a defense bastion, and only opened for foreigners as late as in 1989. Today we toured a maze of tunnels on the Zagrebenje mountains on the southeast corner of the island, connecting a number gun positions. Full story April 2022, Zagrebenje gun positions, Milna, Vis, Croatia Urban-Exploration (Bunkers, Military); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Apartment Carved out of Stone Coming back from the skiing on the Mount Olympus and Troodos Mountains in Cyprus, I was driving by an area that had reported some kind of underground passage. I stopped to find out what it was about. From the map it looked like it was near a road, but it turned out to be only near some kind of agricultural path, and a kilometer or two from the drivable public roads. Well, why not walk to the darkness on the first night in a country you've never been to... Full story February 2022, Σπηλιά του Μούλου, Troodos Mountains, Cyprus Urban-Exploration (Other, Bunkers); Caving (Basic, Rock, Man-Made) | |
| Großer Bunkerberg Großer Bunkerberg is the name of the Berlin ruble mountain in Volkspark Friedrichshain. It housed previously one of Berlin's air defense 'flak towers', the Flakturm II G. Only a small corner of the blown up tower is still visible on the site, at the top of a large hill. Full story December 2021, Großer Bunkerberg, Berlin, Germany Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (None, Man-Made) | |
| Looking for caves in Lohja's Linnanmäki in Karstu The evening's excursion was to Lohja's Karstu area, in search of caves. The Linnanmäki is a high hill and cliff in Karstu, and the book Suomen Luolat notes that there are two caves on the hill. One was supposed to be inaccessible without climbing equipment. But as usual, the coordinates were inaccurate, so I ended up going around the entire hill, and I think found the other cave plus four other small roof/shelter caves. Full story March 2021, Karstun Linnanmäen luola 1, Lohja, Finland; Karstun Linnanmäen luola 2, Lohja, Finland; Karstun Linnanmäen luola 3, Lohja, Finland; Karstun Linnanmäen luola 4, Lohja, Finland; Karstun Linnanmäen luola 5, Lohja, Finland; Karstun Linnanmäen luola 6, Lohja, Finland; Karstun Linnanmäen louhos, Lohja, Finland Caving (Basic, Rock, None); Caving (Basic, Surveying, Rock, Rock-Granite, Morphology-Erosion); Caving (Basic, Surveying, Rock, Rock-Granite, Morphology-Crack); Urban-Exploration (Quarries) | |
| Korpikylä boulder cave Korpikylä ("Remote Village") is a region in Hyrylä. I was stopping in Hyrylä for other reasons, and looked on the map for an interesting place to go snowshoeing in. Korpikylä fit the bill, and after some searching for a parking place I headed out for a two-hour nice hike in snowy forest. Full story March 2021, Korpikylän lohkaresuoja, Hyrylä, Tuusula, Finland; Korpikylän leikkaus, Hyrylä, Tuusula, Finland; Korpikylän rakennelma, Hyrylä, Tuusula, Finland Snowshoeing (Basic); Snowshoeing (Basic); Snowshoeing (Basic); Caving (Basic, Rock, Rock-Gneiss, Surveying); Urban-Exploration (Railway, Military); Urban-Exploration (Buildings) | |
| LiDAR 3D modelling caves and bunkers I continued my earlier underground tests with iPhone 12 Pro's LiDAR sensor and software. This time I started testing the 3D modelling software. Can we produce an accurate 3D model of a cave using these sensors and software? Full story (TGR version) February 2021, Högberget, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Ansabunkkeri, Siuntio, Finland Caving (Rock, Basic, Equipment); Urban-Exploration (Bunkers, Equipment) | |
| Looking for bunkers and all we found was SHIT We drove in two cars to south end of the Porkkala peninsula -- 50 minutes away -- to explore three bunkers there. The best map that we have of the abandoned Soviet-era bunkers comes from Lynx, the local orienteering club. Unfortunately, this time their map oversold what was to be found at the location. Full story February 2021, Maakellari 1, Lähteelä, Porkkala, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Maakellari 2, Lähteelä, Porkkala, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Rauniot, Lillkanskog, Porkkala, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Vesi- tai lietesäiliö, Friggesby, Porkkala, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Ruins, Containers) | |
| Inside the blown up central nazi navy command bunker. Alone. Need some excitement? Maybe crawling inside a blown-up bunker in the middle of dark forest would help. Hope the Nazi command is no longer on site... and that the ammunition laying in the ground isn't dangerous. Full story August 2020, Lager Koralle, Wandlitz, Germany Urban-Exploration (Bunkers, Military); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Hiidenkellari. Rare Karst in Finland. Such beautiful pure calcite in the ceiling and floor. And cut so exact, as if by man... but it is the works of chemistry and water. Full story August 2020, Hiidenkellari, Vihti, Finland; Kololuolanen 1, Isonniitunmäki, Vihti, Finland; Kololuolanen 2, Isonniitunmäki, Vihti, Finland; Hylätty kellari, Isonniitunmäki, Vihti, Finland Caving (Rock, Basic, Rock-Limestone, Morphology-Karst); Caving (Rock, Basic, Rock-Granite, Morphology-Boulders); Urban-Exploration (Buildings, Ruins) | |
| Tampaja swim and the tilted house Today's swim was at the lake Tampaja, which I had never heard about before. It is a medium-sized lake near Lapinkylä in northern parts of Kirkkonummi. There's a nice public beach, but unfortunately not much space around for a more socially distanced swims. Full story July 2020, Tampajan uintipaikka, Tampaja-järvi, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Tampajan rauniosauna, Tampaja-järvi, Kirkkonummi, Finland Swimming (Outdoor, Water, Waterbody-Lake, Beach, Nature); Urban-Exploration (Buildings) | |
| Sundet beach and Sundsberg harbour I was looking for a place to swim in Sundberg, Kirkkonummi. My first attempt was to get to the apparent harbour on the west side, near Morbacka. Could it be a Soviet-occupation era harbour? And maybe a swimming would also be possible? This needed investigation. Full story July 2020, Sundetin uimaranta, Sundberg, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Sundbergetin satama, Sundberg, Kirkkonummi, Finland Swimming (Outdoor); Urban-Exploration (Harbours) | |
| Stairway to Hea...Bunker Bunker... in Jorvas. With a ladder leading down a tight concrete shaft. How could I resist? Full story (TGR version) April 2020, Sähköaseman bunkkeri, Masala, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Train car in the forest As I visiting Vihti anyway, I also wanted to see something abandoned, something not likely to have other people. I found an abandoned railway car in the middle of the forest. Full story April 2020, Hylätty junanvaunu, Vihti, Finland Urban-Exploration (Vehicles) | |
| Stockmann in trouble 100 years ago and now 100 years ago, Frans Stockmann (Nov 1920) and his wife (Apr 1919) died in Spanish Flu. Their house project in Kauniainen was left unfinished, and remains as ruins in the forest. Today, in April 2020, lack of sales due to the Coronavirus, the famous Stockmann department store has applied for protection from its creditors ("yrityssaneeraus" in Finnish, roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 in US). Full story April 2020, Stockmannin rauniot, Kauniainen, Finland Urban-Exploration (Buildings, Ruins) | |
| Abandoned watchtower on Golan Heights One particularly interesting thing about Mount Hermon were the military installations. Many of them. in active use, but also many that had been abandoned or that lay in ruins. Full story February 2020, Abandoned watchtower, Mount Hermon, Israel Urban-Exploration (Towers, Military); Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts) | |
| Abandoned bunker on Golan Heights What a shitty bunker! Literally. Full story February 2020, Abandoned bunker, Mount Hermon, Israel Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Re-visiting the Vienna flak towers I was in Vienna already in 2018, but for 2020 Janne and I toured the Vienna museums befor e heading to the ski resorts in Austrian alps. This allowed a new visit to Haus des Meeres, the refurbished bunker-turned-into-and-aquarium, and visits to three other bunkers. Full story (TGR version) January 2020, Haus des Meeres, Esterhazypark, Vienna, Austria; Flakturm Stiftskaserne, Vienna, Austria; Feuerleit Flakturm Arenbergpark, Vienna, Austria; Flakturm Arenbergpark, Vienna, Austria Urban-Exploration (Bunkers, Military); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Kugelbunker At the Vienna museum of military history (Heeresgeschichtliches Museum ), we saw a funny "kugelbunker", a concrete boulder for one person shelter from the world war times. Full story January 2020, Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna, Austria Urban-Exploration (Bunkers) | |
| Nobel's blasting tunnels This seemed like a good time of the year to go explore the start of Nobel industries in Vinterviken. Bunkers, tunnels, testing grounds, and simple factory buildings. Full story December 2019, Nobel blasting tunnels, Vinterviken, Stockholm, Sweden Urban-Exploration (Tunnels, Historic); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Seah Im Bunker Once my meeting ended, I wanted to use the couple of hours I had for exploration, and got Tero to join me. I've already covered the Singapore caves and skiing... what remained was bunkers! Full story (TGR version) November 2019, Seah Im Bunker, Keppel Hill, Singapore, Singapore Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Moon over the missile base I felt the urge to visit odd places, and an old Nike missile base seemed to fit the bill. But, I was quickly losing light on the only day that I could do this. Then the shortcut turned out to be non-passable, and the short hike turned into a 8-kilometre trek on steep hills. In darkness. And, somebody had removed the ruins. Trip ruined? Not quite, the moon and the sea were wonderful in the darkness. Full story (TGR version) October 2019, Nike missile site SF-51, San Francisco, California, USA Urban-Exploration (Ruins, Military) | |
| Dungeons of Castle Eger Janne and I visited Castle Eger in Hungary (Egri Vár in Hungarian). I loved the sign, "no ballet dancing on the top of the walls"? Full story August 2019, Castle Eger, Eger, Hungary History; Urban-Exploration (Tunnels) | |
| Afternoon swim at the abandoned underground submarine base It is always nice to dip in to sea for a swim. Even if you're visiting an abandoned underground submarine base. Full story (TGR version) August 2019, Ex. Yugoslavian military shelter for submarines, Rogačić, Vis, Croatia Urban-Exploration (Tunnels, Bunkers, Harbours); Swimming (Indoor, Outdoor, Underground, Water, Waterbody-Sea, Waterbody-Other) | |
| Military tunnels deep inside Mali Hum The taxi drivers are a great information source. This time I asked about a hole in a cliff face, and got all the information I needed to visit it later. And it should be a safe place to go to... Full story (TGR version) August 2019, Mali Hum Tunnels, Vis, Croatia Caving (Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Tunnels, Bunkers) | |
| Siuntio bunker tips from Dutch tourists Having researched the locations of the Russian bunkers in Porkkala for years, I was surprised to learn the location of another bunker from Dutch tourists on their first day of visiting Finland. They pointed us to a small bunker few hundred meters from the large one we had visited earlier, based on their geocaching explorations. Full story August 2019, Siuntion täytetty pikkubunkkeri, Siuntio, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Hiking to the abandoned missile base The base is not easy to find; there's a lot of tours on sale to visit the military wonders of Vis, but little actual information. I discovered the location of the base by looking at Google Maps satellite photos, but the Secret Croatia blog also helped... Full story August 2019, Vis missile base, Vis, Croatia Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Labirintus Lost in Count Dracula's Prison A maze of caves and underground prison cells, cages, darkness, fog, and Dracula? Sign me up please! Full story (TGR version) July 2019, Labirintus, Budapest, Hungary Caving (Man-Made, Rock); Urban-Exploration (Tunnels, Prisons) | |
| Hunting for the Sarfvik Secrets I went on a long bike trip today with Jarmo, to explore the Sarfvik area in Kirkkonummi. This large area of farms, forests and seafront is blocked for public road access by the local residents. Why? You can still explore the area on foot, but the walks are long. But in the summer biking is an option. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) July 2019, Abramsbyn bunkkeri, Sarfvik, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Golfkentän pieni siirtolohkareluola, Sarfvik, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made, Rock) | |
| Hospital in the Rock A vacation isn't a vacation unless one can visit another nuclear bunker! Full story (TGR version) July 2019, Hospital in the Rock, Budapest, Hungary Caving (Man-Made, Rock); Urban-Exploration (Bunkers) | |
| House of Terror The museum of Communism's Achievements? Also known as the Museum of Terror... terrible stories about the killings, beatings, and imprisonments of the communist era. People who didn't follow the party line, or just happened to have a house that a party official wanted. Full story July 2019, House of Terror, Budapest, Hungary History; Urban-Exploration (Prisons) | |
| Gorgas Creek Cave Cave in a park in Philadelphia? Unreal... Full story (TGR version) July 2019, Gorgas Creek Cave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Caving (Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Tunnels, Quarries) | |
| Corporate sauna in a Russian harbour I attended a workshop at a private corporate facility in Kirkkonummi, and it turns out that there was both a very nice sauna, swimming place, as well as ruins from the Russian occupation times: a railroad leading to a rock, almost disappeared harbour pier. Nice surprise! Full story June 2019, Corporate Sauna, Kirkkonummi, Finland Sauna (Normal); Swimming (Indoor, Outdoor, Water, Waterbody-Pool, Waterbody-Sea); Urban-Exploration (Ruins) | |
| Leppävaara mining Today's abandoned mine exploration was in Leppävaara. Full story June 2019, Kaivoskallion louhos, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Kaivoskallion siirtolohkareen alusluola, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland Urban-Exploration (Quarries); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Banksy tunnel While in London, we happened to walk through the Banksy Tunnel, a pedestrian walkway tunnel where graffiti is ... tolerated if not legal. Pretty nice! Full story May 2019, Leake Street, London, United Kingdom Urban-Exploration (Tunnels); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Boozetunnel Booze tunnel in Helsinki... not from prohibition times but built between Alko's factory and warehouse. Decommissioned, now as a reserve shelter. The tunnel is underneath the Ruoholahti mall, in floor -6... deep under everything else. So deep that it is even underneath the kid amusement park Hoplop in floor -5 :-) Full story May 2019, Ruoholahden kauppakeskus, Helsinki, Finland Urban-Exploration (Tunnels); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Underground Tallinn I had an opportunity to visit Tallinn for a couple of hours yesterday, and the obvious question was whether there'd be anything underground to visit. And there is, Kiek in de Kök bastion tunnels. But, they were closed on Monday. Luckily, however, we run into an old bunker under the Tallinn Meremuuseum. Full story April 2019, Tallinna linnamüür, Tallinn, Estonia; Bunker under Eesti Meremuuseum, Tallinn, Estonia Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Leppävaara fortifications Jarmo and I visited the Leppävaara area fortifications, inspired by Tony Hagerlund's excellent blogs about them. There's plenty of trenches and also bunkers! These are World War I era fortifications built in a circle around Helsinki. We also found a small natural cave under a boulder! Full story April 2019, Bunkkeritunneli 1, Vallikallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Bunkkeritunneli 2, Vallikallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Romahtanut bunkkeri, Vallikallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Bunkkeri 1, Laturinkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Bunkkeri 2, Laturinkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Siirtolohkareen luola, Laturinkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Bunkkeri 3, Laturinkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Romahtanut bunkkeri 4, Laturinkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Iso bunkkeri, Laturinkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Tykkiasema 1, Nupukivenkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Tykkiasema 2, Nupukivenkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Tykkiasema 3, Nupukivenkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Abandoned fish factory On our search for thermal baths in Iceland lead us to Hjalteyri on the northern shores of Iceland, north of Akureyri. We found an abandoned fish factory with storage tanks for fish oil and herring. It was fun to explore, luckily there was no rotten fish smell left :-) Full story March 2019, Hjalteyri, Iceland Urban-Exploration (Industrial, Silos, Smokestacks) | |
| R2-D2 bunker A bunker. A ventilation shaft. R2-D2 mod. What's not to like? Full story (TGR version) March 2019, R2-D2, Folimanka Park, Prague, Czech Republic Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Communism and bunker tour Lets say that the tour guide was not a big fan of communism. Full story (TGR version) March 2019, Parukarka Park bunker, Prague, Czech Republic Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Train to HEL I took the train route to the Helsinki-Vantaa airport this morning, wanting to both see the deep underground station and to test the route should my 27-year old car some day not work :-) Full story February 2019, Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland Urban-Exploration (Tunnels, Railways) | |
| The Milan Cathedral Janne and I visited the cathedral of Milan, Duomo di Milano. This magnificent piece of art, construction, and religion was a wonder to visit, particularly from the upper floors and roof. The cathedral took a whopping 600 years to complete, and is the fourth largest church building in the world. Full story January 2019, Duomo di Milano, Milan, Italy History; Urban-Exploration (Ruins) | |
| Länsimetro, finally Given that I like underground places, it was surprising that it took me a year to visit Länsimetro, the new subway towards west from Helsinki. The new stations are spectacular and modern. Full story December 2018, Tapiola, Espoo, Finland; Iso-Omena, Matinkylä, Espoo, Finland Urban-Exploration (Railways) | |
| Fortifications in Laajalahti I recently blogged about a possible new cave in Laajalahti. But I didn't go there to look for a cave, I wanted to see the fortifications from before World War I, built by the Russians. I found many, including many small bunkers that one can easily visit. Full story December 2018, Laajalahden bunkkeri 1, Espoo, Finland; Laajalahden bunkkeri 2, Espoo, Finland; Laajalahden bunkkeri 3, Espoo, Finland; Laajalahden bunkkeri 4, Espoo, Finland; Laajalahden bunkkeri 5, Espoo, Finland; Laajalahden bunkkeri 6, Espoo, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Kungsträdgården Walked through the Kunsträdgården underground station again today. While the "greek findings" in the station are fake, they are nice! Full story November 2018, Kungsträdgården subway station, Stockholm, Sweden Urban-Exploration (Tunnels) | |
| The Leaking Tunnel of Pisa... Pispala I've heard stories about the logging tunnel through Pispala, but today I finally got an opportunity to go see it myself. Full story (TGR version) November 2018, Pispalan uittotunneli, Tampere, Finland; Pispalan ensimmäinen uittotunneli, Tampere, Finland Urban-Exploration (Tunnels); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Brunkebergstunneln This week I'm working in Stockholm, and did not manage to get my usual cheap hotel near the office. Staying at the city center, I noticed a tunnel that I had not seen before: Brunkebergstunneln. A nice walkway from 1880s, 231 meters long. Full story November 2018, Brunkebergstunneln, Stockholm, Sweden Urban-Exploration (Tunnels); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Underground Art Exhibition I'm in Paris for a meeting, and on the way to the airport we visited the abandoned underground railroad line. What did we find? An art show and sculptures deep inside the tunnels! And also wonderful graffiti! Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) November 2018, Old Charonne Station, Paris, France Urban-Exploration (Tunnels); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Rådhuset metro station What a wonderful metro station in Stockholm. Even if these are fake, they are nice... Full story October 2018, Rådhuset metro station, Stockholm, Sweden Urban-Exploration (Tunnels) | |
| Mustavuori photo tour Today I went to Mustavuori to get a small hike and too see the tunnels and canyons. Full story October 2018, Linnoitustunneli 1, Mustavuori, Helsinki, Finland; Linnoitustunneli 2, Mustavuori, Helsinki, Finland Caving (Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Bunkers, Tunnels) | |
| The Inkoo Superbunker There's a big contrast between warm summer evening in the countryside, and what you find a few meters under your feet: a massive, blown up Soviet-era bunker. Damp darkness, rebar that is difficult to crawl through. And we're here to practice photography! Full story (TGR version) September 2018, Inkoon jättibunkkeri, Inkoo, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Something in the darkness... Saw something in the darkness on the walk back... is it a bouncy castle or a space station? Nah, turned to be just another data center. #Kista Full story September 2018, Kista Space Station, Kista, Stockholm, Sweden Urban-Exploration (Industrial) | |
| Vienna Flak Tower Is it an aquarium or a construct of the evil nazi regime? Well, both... Full story (TGR version) August 2018, Haus des Meeres, Esterhazypark, Vienna, Austria Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Recycled Hamburg flak towers During World War II, the Nazis built so called Flak Towers -- fortified air defence bunkers -- in three cities, Berlin, Vienna, and Hamburg. I had previously been in the Thumboldthain tower in Berlin. Now I was able to visit two similar bunkers in Hamburg. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) August 2018, Heiligengeistfeld Flaktürme, Heiligengeistfeld, Hamburg, Germany; Energy Bunker, Wilhelmsburg, Hamburg, Germany Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| The Secret Keyhole What a find! A secret garden, but with a keyhole that reveals the most beautiful view onto it, with St. Peter's Basilica exactly in the centre of the view. Full story August 2018, Priory of the Knights of Malta, Rome, Italy History; Urban-Exploration (Historic-Sites) | |
| Cestius Pyramid I did not realise there was a pyramid in Rome. Not huge, but still impressive Cestius Pyramid! Modelled after Egyptian or other pyramids, perhaps Full story August 2018, Cestius Pyramid, Rome, Italy History; Urban-Exploration (Historic-Sites) | |
| Napoli Catacombs Catacombe di San Gennaro is one of the underground burial sites in Naples. Janne and visited this on a tour, and were surprised. Full story July 2018, Catacombe di San Gennaro, Naples, Italy History; Caving (Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Catacombs) | |
| Pihlajasaari Bunker Helsinki's recreation islands are interesting, also from the point of view abandoned military structures and ruins. Today's excursion was to Sirpalesaari. Full story June 2018, Pihlajasaaren öljysäiliön rauniot, Helsinki, Finland; Pihlajasaaren bunkkeri, Helsinki, Finland Urban-Exploration (Ruins, Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Stasi Bunker While on my way to a conference, I wanted to do a small detour to visit a bunker that I had read about. A Stasi bunker. Full story June 2018, Stasi bunker, Machern, Germany Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| What's This? Mystery metal hut. I was looking for an entrance to a tunnel I saw in Rotebro, but was in the end unable to find a way in. I did, however, find an odd, round metal hut at the top of the cliffs. Full story May 2018, Metal hut, Rotebro, Sweden Urban-Exploration (Buildings); Sauna (Normal) | |
| Karby Batteri More after-work bunker scouting. I thought I had already explored all the underground structures in the northern Korvlinjen, but apparently not. This "batteri" as they called it is a set of defence structures for guns, with small tunnels going from one structure to the next. Full story May 2018, Karby batteri 1, Täby, Sweden; Karby batteri 2, Täby, Sweden; Karby batteri 3, Täby, Sweden Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Deadly bunker trap Well, that was dangerous. We're very careful when we visit blown-up bunkers. But, we did not expect intentional traps, at least not recent ones. Next to a bunker in Siuntio, Jarmo almost fell into a 5-meter deep well that was covered with fresh tree branches. Would he have hurt himself if he fell in, or even if not, would he have been able to get out if he was alone? Who does this sort of thing?! Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) April 2018, Ansabunkkeri, Siuntio, Finland; Kallionreunan bunkkeri, Siuntio, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made); Hiking | |
| More Sepänkylä Bunkers Olli and I went to Sepänkylä to visit more bunkers, and to fly our drones. We found a standard Soviet Porkkala bunker model, relatively intact except for the room under the gun hole. But what wonderful flowstone! Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) April 2018, Sepänkylän metsäbunkkeri, Sepänkylä, Kirkkonummi, Finland Caving (Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Bunkers) | |
| Coulée verte René-Dumont Jeff and I were taking a walk after our meeting in Paris, and happened to run into an "elevated linear park", the Coulée verte René-Dumont. Such a beautiful creation! Also with some old railway tunnels. Full story April 2018, Coulée verte René-Dumont, Paris, France Urban-Exploration (Tunnels); Hiking | |
| Tivoliberget Forts I had a long day at my Kista office today, but on the way back to the airport I managed to scout ruins of fortifications and bunkers at Tivoliberget in Bergshamra, Solna, near Stockholm. Full story April 2018, Bunker, Bergshamra, Solna, Sweden; Ruins, Bergshamra, Solna, Sweden; Fortifications, Bergshamra, Solna, Sweden Caving (Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Bunkers, Ruins) | |
| Petite Ceinture I'm feeling a bit alone here. The tunnel ends are too far to see even that pinhole of light. I'm in a long railway tunnel on the Petite Ceinture, the "little belt", an abandoned (I think) rail system under Paris. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) April 2018, Old Charonne Station, Paris, France Urban-Exploration (Tunnels); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Juusjärvi Rock Paintings Last year I bought a book on ancient rock paintings in Finland. There's a painting nearby that is very hard to reach, but with the recent low temperatures, Jarmo and I figure we could cross the lake to go see it. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) March 2018, Juusjärven kalliomaalaukset, Kirkkonummi, Finland History; Hiking; Urban-Exploration (Historic-Sites) | |
| Skiing in Romania The winter is running out, and even the HR department though that I had too little vacation. So I decided to take some last-minute cheap flights to Romania to ski in my #57th country. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) March 2018, Sinaia, Romania Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Urban-Exploration (Ruins) | |
| Unmarked bunker in Stubböle found! Another guest blog article from Jarmo: He found a previously unmarked and unmapped bunker from Stubböle area. Full story March 2018, Stubbölen peltobunkkeri, Inkoo, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers) | |
| Search for an Island Bunker Another guest blog entry from Jarmo: Perfect winter finally arrived and sea and lakes are frozen. Time to go skiing at the sea and at the same time check for some potential bunker locations at the islands. Full story March 2018, Södra Svartö bunkkeri 1, Inkoo, Finland; Södra Svartö bunkkeri 2, Inkoo, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers) | |
| When you have to make a call When you have to make a call... you will find the way. Full story March 2018, Sinaia, Romania Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Urban-Exploration (Ruins) | |
| Stubböle Big Bunker Another guest blog entry from Jarmo: When I visited Stubböle a few months ago with Jari and Olli we met some local people. They pointed us to a bunker that is not shown in any maps. At that time we did not have time to check it. When Eino wanted to join me on a Sunday adventure in a perfect sunny weather we decided to go and check this bunker. Full story March 2018, Stubbölen iso bunkkeri, Inkoo, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers) | |
| LA Caving Cave of Munits is a wonderful cave and a sacred site on Simi Hills in San Fernando Valley, half an hour from Los Angeles downtown. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) March 2018, Cave of Munits, Los Angeles, California, USA; Bronson Caves, Los Angeles, California, USA Caving (Rock, Rock-Sandstone, Morphology-Other, Basic); Caving (Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Tunnels, Quarries) | |
| Will a bunker eventually turn into a cave? I wonder what happens to human-made underground structures, when enough time passes by? Will they turn into caves. or cave-like environments, eventually? Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) February 2018, Solbackan bunkkeri, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Cosy Bunker For sale: cosy apartment with flower decorations, strongly built, safe and in the middle of nature. In good condition. Also largely underground and abandoned 100 years ago. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) January 2018, Lugnetfortet trenches, Arninge, Stockholm, Sweden; Lugnetfortet, Arninge, Stockholm, Sweden Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Siuntio Östersolberg Another guest blog entry from Jarmo: I have done some Bunker hunting with kids during the last few weeks. In December I did a walk in the forest with Eino. First we visited a natural cairn that was in a list of prehistoric sites maintained by National Board of Antiquities (Museovirasto). Full story January 2018, Dalkullan kivikasa, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Lödängen bunkkeri, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Knapantien mahdollinen bunkkeri, Östersolberg, Siuntio, Finland; Knapantien suljettu bunkkeri, Östersolberg, Siuntio, Finland; Knapantien ilmeisesti tuhottu bunkkeri, Östersolberg, Siuntio, Finland; Knapantien suuri bunkkeri, Östersolberg, Siuntio, Finland; Sarfvikin liittymän bunkkeri, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers, Memorial) | |
| Östersolberg II While I was travelling for work and fun for the last couple of weeks, Jarmo had scouted several bunker sites. His visit to an incredibly large bunker in Siuntio's Östersolberg provoked our interest as well, and last Saturday Janne, Olli, and me went there as well. Full story (TGR version) January 2018, Knapantien suuri bunkkeri, Östersolberg, Siuntio, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Stubböle's Kasabergen Bunkers Jarmo, Olli and me explored the Stubböle area on Sunday, and played around with drones. This area is in Siuntio, on the Soviet occupation area of Porkkala, and they seem to have had bunkers on every little hill around the fields. Full story (TGR version) January 2018, Säiliön raunio, Stubböle, Inkoo, Finland; Pohjoinen bunkkeri, Kasabergen, Stubböle, Inkoo, Finland; Eteläinen bunkkeri, Kasabergen, Stubböle, Inkoo, Finland; Kellari, Sunnankärrsbergen, Stubböle, Inkoo, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Gotthard Base Tunnel Museum The Swiss Museum of Transport in Luzern had also nice displays about the building of the Gotthard Base Tunnel. And the tunnel boring machine's sharp end! Full story January 2018, Swiss Museum of Transport, Luzern, Switzerland History; Urban-Exploration (Tunnels) | |
| Näsbacken Bunker This is a difficult bunker to get to. Not because being covered by dirt or blown up. But the whole area is guarded by, well, people who do not like other people to visit their part of the country. I have seen plenty of blocked roads, but the Sarvvik people have managed to block more than ten square kilometres of land. Full story December 2017, Näsbacken bunker, Sarvvik, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Ingels Bunker Jarmo and I visited the Ingels bunker. Unfortunately, it turned out that we could only find a concrete slab, and found no way to enter or peek inside, or even figure out if there was anything underneath. Full story December 2017, Bunkkeri, Ingels, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Exploration in Ingels Jarmo and I were scouting for bunkers or other interesting underground findings on Sunday. Besides finding the inaccessible Ingels bunker, we found no other bunker despite the promise from the Lynx information that there'd be a "ruins / bunker". There was only ruins! Full story December 2017, Juoksuhauta 1, Ingels, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Juoksuhauta 2, Ingels, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Juoksuhauta 3, Ingels, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Huvilan rauniot, Ingels, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Kivipöytä, Ingels, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Juoksuhauta 4, Ingels, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Rantamökin rauniot, Ingels, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Kukkulan rauniot 1, Ingels, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Kukkulan rauniot 2, Ingels, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Kukkulan rauniot 3, Ingels, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Kukkulan juoksuhauta 1, Ingels, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Kukkulan juoksuhauta 2, Ingels, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Mahdollinen louhos, Ingels, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Sisällissodan muistomerkki, Ingels, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Ruins, Quarries, Trenches) | |
| Abandoned Soviet Bunker in Fagerkulla I had a tough week, basically trying to survive on 4-5 hours of sleep for every night, due to travel and meetings. I had talked about possibly exploring something with my friend Jarmo on Saturday. But by the time I woke up, it was already afternoon... Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) December 2017, Fagerkullan bunkkeri, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Sepänkylä Parking Lot Bunker Another guest blog entry from Jarmo: Before visiting a very nice bunker in Fagerkulla with Jari, I went to a walk in a forest. The plan was to visit some interesting spots I had found from a map. I did not expect to see any bunkers but when I stepped out of the car I saw a bunker just a few meters from me. Full story December 2017, Sepänkyläntien parkkipaikan bunkkeri, Sepänkylä, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Vårnäs "bunker" The Lynx map about the remnants of Soviet occupation in Porkkala pointed to a bunker in Vårnäs, next to Kabanovintie. But, I think what's on the site is more likely remains of farm houses and wells/sewers. Full story December 2017, Vårnäsin rauniot, Porkkala, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Ruins) | |
| The Oak Road Bunker Eve of the eve... not much time, heavy rain, slush on the road... but I wanted to get out and about. And visit another bunker. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) December 2017, Tammitien bunkkeri, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Collapsable Cowshed An abandoned cowshed? Or abandoned building to store abandoned cars? Not sure. But it is for sure about to collapse. The concrete looks very shaky. We were on top of the building before realising how sketchy this was. Full story November 2017, Hylätty navetta, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Buildings) | |
| Sacred Cave Sacred cave. Sacred place. Secret place. This place has suffered, but is still sacred for those who believe in it. Full story November 2017, Sacred cave, Nevada, USA Caving (Rock, Morphology-Erosion, Basic); Climbing (Mountain); Urban-Exploration (Historic-Sites) | |
| Kalasberget II Olli and I went again to the Kalasberget bunker, to take some video and drone footage. It continues to be an amazing-looking bunker in the middle of the forest. Olli took some great pictures, and we got decent drone footage, too. The drone took some hits though. Full story November 2017, Bunkkeri 1, Kalasberget, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers, Buildings); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Bunkers in Kirkkonummi City Today's exercise was to visit the Jolkby and Lindal bunkers near Kirkkonummi center. The designation "Command Bunker" promised much, but unfortunately, we could not get in. Digging might help, but while the tunnel started promisingly, it ended in dirt and a big stone. But we were able to enter the one in Lindal! Full story (TGR version) November 2017, Lindalin bunkkeri, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Komentobunkkeri, Joklby, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Leikkijuoksuhauta, Jolkby, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Jolkbyn potero 1, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Jolkbyn potero 2, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers, Trenches, Vehicles); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Sundsberg Bunker I've been resting my feet last couple of days, after some treatment by doctors. But today I felt the urge for at least a small visit, somewhere. Maybe an abandoned bunker from the Russian occupation times? Full story October 2017, Sundsberg bunkkeri, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Mera Korv! Mera korv, more sausage? Once again I'm in Kista, but wanted a quick outing in the evening after a long day. The answer was once again Uber to another bunker on the Korvlinjen. Full story October 2017, Prästgårdsfortet, Täby, Sweden Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Russian Bunkers in Masala Is that a green mushroom, or is somebody trying to exit a forgotten and blown-up bunker? Jarmo and Eino joined today for a walk through Masala, in an effort to again find bunkers left from the Russian occupation of Kirkkonummi. We found three bunkers, one of which was very interesting. Even if dangerous. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) October 2017, Masalan bunkkeri 1, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Masalan varastorakennus, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Masalan bunkkeri 2, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made); Hiking | |
| Uber Exploration ... or was it urban exploration? Today's evening exercise was to find an abandoned bunker in Sweden. And when I got inside, there was shooting outside. Fortunately, it turned out to be a shooting range. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) October 2017, Skogbergafortet, Täby, Sweden Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Sonnimäki and Kalasberget Bunkers Another weekend, another set of bunkers. Today me, Jarmo, and Velma went to explore further bunkers in the Sonnimäki and Kalasberget area. We found two interesting bunkers. Full story October 2017, Bunkkeri 2, Sonnimäki, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Bunkkeri 1, Kalasberget, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Bunkkeri 1, Sonnimäki, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Bunker on the Tulikukka Alley I used the "Parenteesi Suunnistuskartalle" database from Lynx and coming home from work, stopped at bunker location in Sarvvik. Full story October 2017, Tulikukkakujan bunkkeri, Sarvvik, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Degerby ZIF-25 Googling for more information about the Kirkkonummi bunkers, I found out more bunkers, obviously. But also a tidbit that there maybe 250-300 bunkers in the Kirkkonummi area. Full story October 2017, Degerbyn bunkkeri, Inkoo, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Gribbylundsfortet The darkness falls early, before 4pm. Exit from the office then at 15:10, while having a conference call as you ride an Uber again; fortunately, the call ends by the time I am at the bunker. Full story October 2017, Gribbylundsfortet, Täby, Sweden Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| 2nd Majvik Bunker And now, with batteries in my flashlight... I stopped at another bunker in Majvik on the way home from the office. Full story October 2017, Majvikin bunkkeri 2, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Arningefortet On the way back to the airport and home, I stopped at the yet another place on the Korvlinjen, this time in Arninge, a village in Täby. There was supposed to be two fortresses or bunkers here. I found one fortress, but could not get in, and did not find the other one. Full story October 2017, Västra Arningefortet, Täby, Sweden; Östra Arningefortet, Täby, Sweden Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| The Sonnimäki Soviet Bunkers Bunkers... where we were supposed to find a bunker was what seemed the remains of two regular houses, one with a basement. But a hundred meters away we found an almost intact Soviet bunker. Full story October 2017, Rauniotalo, Sonnimäki, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Rauniotalo ja kellari, Sonnimäki, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Bunkkeri 1, Sonnimäki, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers, Ruins, Vehicles); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Killinmäki Bunker There's just a little bit of warning tape, but most of it is gone. And one danger sign in a tree, visible from one direction only. The bunker is gone though, or hiding underground, with no easy way to enter. Just some holes in the ground that one needs to be careful of not stepping into. Full story October 2017, Killinmäen bunkkeri, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Majvik Bunker It is getting dark very early in Finland, so today I stopped to see a possible bunker in Majvik on the way to the office. I found a bunker with clear entrances go inside, as well as a small roof cave on a cliff near the bunker. Full story October 2017, Majvikin bunkkeri, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Majvikin pieni lippaluola, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made); Caving (Rock, Rock-Granite, Basic, Surveying) | |
| Blasted Big Bunker Guest writer article from Jarmo: There was snow and rain, kids did not want to join and I had a schedule mismatch with Jari so I decided to stay at home. But after a while I figured that it would be nice to do some Sunday walk in the forest anyway. From local orienteering club Lynx map I had checked a bunker with an interesting description, "blasted big bunker". Full story October 2017, Kärinberget quarry, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Quarries) | |
| Silo 468 One of the large, round oil silos in Helsinki's Laajasalo has been decommissioned, and turned into a light show. Nice! Full story October 2017, Öljysäiliö 468, Helsinki, Finland Urban-Exploration (Silos, Industrial); Art | |
| Jorvas Bunkers How can one work somewhere for 25 years, and NEVER visit a lake just a few hundred meters away? I really don't know, but in my defence I went there today. And found trenches and flooded bunkers. Full story (TGR version) October 2017, Jorvas bunkkeri 1, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Jorvas bunkkeritie, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Jorvas juoksuhauta, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Jorvas potero 1, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Jorvas potero 2, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Jorvas potero 3, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Jorvas potero 4, Kirkkonummi, Finland Urban-Exploration (Bunkers, Trenches); Caving (Man-Made); Hiking | |
| Elfvik Quarries I've been sick, and with painful feet problems for a long time. I wanted to get out today, to test if I can move around. Or breathe outside air. I chose to visit the Elfvik Quarries in Espoo, near Villa Elfvik. Full story September 2017, Elfvikin louhos 1, Espoo, Finland; Elfvikin louhos 2 ja 3, Espoo, Finland; Elfvikin louhos 4, Espoo, Finland; Elfvikin louhos 5, Espoo, Finland; Elfvikin louhos 6, Espoo, Finland; Elfvikin louhos 7, Espoo, Finland Urban-Exploration (Quarries) | |
| The Stockmann Ruins Today's newspaper had a story about the difficulties of the Stockmann department stories. Will they make it? However, in 1920 an even greater tragedy hit the Stockmann family and left the family house in ruins. The ruins are nearby in Kauniainen, so the day felt like a good day to visit them again. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) September 2017, Stockmannin rauniot, Kauniainen, Finland Urban-Exploration (Buildings, Ruins) | |
| Dalsvik Limestone Quarry Since my foot didn't like the walk I did few days ago, an obvious thing to do was to go try more quarries, and this time climb a fence. Without noticing that the fence would have ended if we had walked 10 meters further. Full story September 2017, Laaksolahden kalkkikivilouhos, Espoo, Finland Urban-Exploration (Quarries) | |
| Ruins of the Dalsvik Mansion Gazebo Today we visited the ruins of a gazebo in Laaksolahti (Dalsvik). The gazebo, or pavilion belonged to the Dalsvik Mansion. If all this sounds funny, in Finnish place was called "Laaksolahden kartanon huvimaja". Full story September 2017, Laaksolahden kartanon huvimajan rauniot, Espoo, Finland Urban-Exploration (Ruins) | |
| Can't find the Österbacken Quarry There's supposed to be an old quarry in Juvanmalmi. But I kept going up and down near the coordinates, but found nothing. Wrong coordinates? As the darkness came, I did manage however to put my painful foot to a hole in the ground, have it get twisted, and stuck. Full story September 2017, Österbackenin päälouhos, Vantaa, Finland; Österbackenin mahdollinen historiallinen louhos, Vantaa, Finland Urban-Exploration (Quarries) | |
| Österbacken II In better daylight and with Jarmo's help we now found the quarry. I must have walked 20 meters from the quarry wall (a 10+ meter drop, btw) yesterday. Full story September 2017, Österbackenin päälouhos, Vantaa, Finland; Juvanmalmin louhos, Espoo, Finland; Juvanmalmin tuhottu louhos, Espoo, Finland; Österbackenin mahdollinen historiallinen louhos, Vantaa, Finland Urban-Exploration (Quarries); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| The Mannerheim Bunker A small announcement in the newspaper -- Mannerheim's bunker to open for visitors. Of course I had to go... Full story August 2017, Tamminiemi, Helsinki, Finland Caving (Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Bunkers) | |
| Kasaberget cave and abandoned concrete houses I was searching for a place to visit this Sunday... with pretty much the only requirement being that a teenager would be interested in going. We ended up going to Kasaberget in Kirkkonummi. Full story June 2017, Abandoned warehouses, Strömsby, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Kasabergetin luola, Strömsby, Kirkkonummi, Finland Caving (Rock, Rock-Granite, Morphology-Crack, Basic, Surveying); Urban-Exploration (Buildings, Ruins); History | |
| Ruins of the Bemböle Watermill Can you drive by something for 20 years, and not be aware of the wonders just few meters from the road? You can. I had not heard about the Bemböle watermill ruins. Full story June 2017, Bembölen vanha mylly, Espoo, Finland Urban-Exploration (Ruins); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Dead Cat Margarine Dead cats were blended into margarine and fed to humans. We're going to a secret, abandoned tunnel to meet the ghosts of the cats. But it won't be easy to get there. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) April 2017, Undisclosed Finnish location, Finland Urban-Exploration (Tunnels); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Abandoned railroad tunnel Today's evening excursion was to an abandoned railroad tunnel. The tunnel is 600 meters long, and in the middle of everything, at a place I've been many times, but I had never heard about the tunnel before. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) April 2017, Undisclosed location, Helsinki, Finland Urban-Exploration (Tunnels); Caving (Man-Made) | |
| Hvitträsk Rock Paintings Lazy Saturday, and all nearby caves have already been visited! Janne and I decided to visit a rock painting in the lake shores of the Hvitträsk lake in Kirkkonummi. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) November 2016, Hvitträsk cliff, Kirkkonummi, Finland History; Hiking; Urban-Exploration (Historic-Sites) | |
| Monttukrouvi This lazy Saturday's program for me and Janne was to visit some of the bunkers and moats around Helsinki's WWI defence structures. There are plenty of these structures, sadly all slowly rotting away. Historic sites, officially almost forgotten and certainly not cared for. Full story September 2016, Pirkkola, Helsinki, Finland Caving (Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Bunkers) | |
| OpenStreetMap When skiing or hiking at a new place, suitable maps are essential. These maps can be hard to come by, however, and most GPS maps do not contain information about walking paths, ski slopes or lifts. OpenStreetMap, however, has a lot of good information, and I have been using it in off-piste skiing, finding ski areas, and hiking around the world. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) August 2015, Los Arenales, Araucania, Chile Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Climbing (Mountain); Urban-Exploration (Ski-Lifts) | |
| Bunker Bouldering A blown-up bunker. Debris. Darkness. Bats. Concrete rising to the heights. Walls hanging where they should not be. An ideal climbing place, if it wasn't for the grim past of this place and the morbid pictures of soldiers. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) June 2015, Humboldthain Flaktürme, Berlin, Germany Climbing (Wall); Caving (Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Bunkers) | |
| London Ice Climbing Have ice axe. Will travel to London to go ice climbing. My cab driver thinks that is the weirdest thing he has heard his customers do. I think that if it is true, then his rides have been pretty boring. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) May 2015, Vertical Chill, London, United Kingdom Climbing (Ice); Urban-Exploration (Buildings) | |
| Skiing Africa... by Mule Avalanche pack, check. Skis, check. Mule, check. I am sitting on a mule, on my way to the ski slopes in Oukaïmeden in the Atlas mountains of Morocco. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) February 2015, Oukaïmeden, Morocco Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Climbing (Mountain); Urban-Exploration (Ski-Lifts, Buildings) | |
| Middle Earth Desperation, n. Travel to the end of the world in search of snow, and then find none. Lose your favourite tools, the skis. So desperate that you consider taking up heli-biking, but end up gliding on your butt in an imaginary world instead. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) August 2014, Hobbiton, Middle Earth, New Zealand Sliding (Grass); Urban-Exploration (Amusement-Parks) | |
| Ich bin ein Berlin(ski)er The Berg - a creation by architect Jakob Tigges - is the latest source of pride for Berliners. This artificial mountain covers almost the entire Tempelhof, an old airport. A park like no other. And I am in Berlin to make the first descent! Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) June 2014, Tempelhof airport, Berlin, Germany; Arkko summer cottage, Teisko, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Substance-Other); Urban-Exploration (Airports) | |
| Volcan Copahue So close, yet so far. I wanted so much to ski down from Volcán Copahue (2953 meters), but despite trying very hard it was not going to happen. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) August 2012, Caviahue, Argentina Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Climbing (Mountain); Urban-Exploration (Ruins, Buildings); Swimming (Outdoor, Thermal-Bath, Water, Waterbody-Lake) | |
| Midnight Sun at Riksgransen Many of my friends are regulars at Riksgränsen. But I had never been to this place that calls itself "Sweden's most legendary ski area". The legends are true. It is an amazing place. For starters, we were there in midsummer, skiing at midnight. In bright sunshine! The ski area is far above the arctic circle, and for about two months in the summer the sun does not set. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) June 2012, Riksgränsen, Sweden Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Afterski; Sauna (Normal); Urban-Exploration (Buildings) | |
| Ice Climbing in Espoo. In June. It is Sunday, +10 degrees, raining heavily, and it is the middle of summer in southern Finland. What should I do? Go ice climbing in Espoo, obviously. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) June 2012, Mankkaan lumenkaatopaikka, Mankkaa, Espoo, Finland Climbing (Ice); Urban-Exploration (Landfills) | |
| Venice. Fail. It is the first time this has happened to me, honestly. I am embarrassed. I failed to find skiing on a trip. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) June 2012, Venice, Italy Travel; Urban-Exploration (Bridges, Skating-Rinks) | |
| Two Feet High We went to Matinkylä, southern Espoo today. One of the largest shopping malls in Finland, Iso Omena ("Big Apple") is located in Matinkylä. But they are also known as the site of M2, a mountain with icy slopes even in the middle of the summer. The steep slopes of M2 rise a whopping two feet above the surrounding landscape, scaring skiers and mountaineers alike. Indeed, very few climbers have climbed it. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) June 2012, Matinkyla, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Imported-Snow); Urban-Exploration (Skating-Rinks) | |
| Moominworld Cliffs If I have to spend eight days per year in Moominland, it is clear that I need to come up with something interesting to do there. How about skiing down the President's Cliff? Fifteen meters of near vertical rock. Too bad I forgot my ice axes, because the return was even tricker. Full story February 2012, Moominworld, Naantali, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Urban-Exploration (Amusement-Parks) | |
| Fortress Islands Saturday evening's exercise. Full story January 2012, Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Urban-Exploration (Castles) | |
| Africa. Snow. AK-47s. I'm glad to be back home in Finland. It was so damn cold in Africa! Full story August 2011, Afriski, Lesotho Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Urban-Exploration (Ruins) | |
| Underground biking in Maastricht Biking underground, in a cave/mine? Why not when that's available! And in Maastricht it was! Full story July 2010, Sibbergroeve, Valkenburg, Netherlands Biking (Bike-Mountain, Underground); Urban-Exploration (Mines); Caving (Man-Made, Biking, Rock, Rock-Marble) | |