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A strange place to find from Pispala, Tampere is a rafting tunnel, which was dug in early 1960's. It was meant to transport logs between lakes Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi, but time had passed by such transportation method, and the sawmills by the lakes started to shutdown. So the tunnel was never used! It stood useless for over 30 years, then some of it's structures were deconstructed away to make the place safer for local kids.

The tunnels were properly barred to keep curious visitors away, but around 2005 it came to our knowledge that someone had unveiled also this secret. The race between closers and openers has now started.

	The main tunnel in 1999, shortly after the log handling constructions had unfortunately been removed.
	Peek in. At this time there was no access.
	Many years later there was a sawn hole in the bars covering the entrance, providing anybody able to climb one meter an access in.
	Well, it is a straight tunnel.. That's all. Since we're not greatly into tunnels, expections were not too high so it wasn't a disappointment anyway.
	At the Northern end of the tunnel a heavy steel shutter keeps water of lake Näsijärvi, which would otherwise flow through, away from the tunnel. This is shot from top of the steel thing.
	Behind the shutter is a pool of water and a maintenance room for the shutter's controlling apparatus, which was never really used.
	This door leads to the most secret location. It's locked.
	This is not possible, or at least not recommended outside middle winter time. There is just water under feet and if the ice should crack, there are no stairs to climb up.
	Certain groups' will to get inside the maintenance room has been remarkable, since several holes had been cut to the grills. This hole was repaired, but there were others.
	The groups most keen in getting in here must be graffiti writers.
	In addition to the concrete tunnel, there's an older tunnel. It was digged in 1930 and really used for rafting unlike the newer one.
	Winter photo many years later.
	Apparently the same guy who cut the bars of big tunnel had also cleared a way here. In theory something that should not be done, but it's provided a nice visit for many explorers also.
	Access was once covered with a wooden door, probably after the actual use ended.
	This tunnel is more exciting, because it's dark and shape resembles a crypt. In winter time, moist conditions create a layer of iced snow (whatever it should be called?) to the ceiling.
	Covered with bricks instead of plain concrete.
	The ice formations are up to several centimeters in size.
	Sticks of ice are nothing unusual, but you seldom see them on ground.
	And some more hanging from the ceiling.
	Walking the tunnel is not quite as pleasant as it could be, since it's too low for walking straight. Also, the ground is full of rotted planks, mud and something unrecognisable.
	That extremely rusty thing looks like an old He-Te-Ka iron bed. Wonder who carried it here into a dark tunnel? Someone homeless???
	A view from the end of the tunnel, which is a bit surprising.
	The tunnel ends to a small concrete room.
	This is a dead-end, so turning back is the only option.
	Back in late April daylight, here we have a short railroad connecting the old tunnel to lake Pyhäjärvi. The question is, what are the wooden boxes between the rails?
	Seems that they've been able to use two wagons at a time. The passing point is here.
	Surprise, one log wagon is still on the tracks! Apparently horse power has been used to get the wagons up the hill, which is rather steep for a railroad.
	Level crossing, commonly known as TZR.

The main tunnel in 1999, shortly after the log handling constructions had unfortunately been removed.

Peek in. At this time there was no access.

Many years later there was a sawn hole in the bars covering the entrance, providing anybody able to climb one meter an access in.

Well, it is a straight tunnel.. That's all. Since we're not greatly into tunnels, expections were not too high so it wasn't a disappointment anyway.

At the Northern end of the tunnel a heavy steel shutter keeps water of lake Näsijärvi, which would otherwise flow through, away from the tunnel. This is shot from top of the steel thing.

Behind the shutter is a pool of water and a maintenance room for the shutter's controlling apparatus, which was never really used.

This door leads to the most secret location. It's locked.

This is not possible, or at least not recommended outside middle winter time. There is just water under feet and if the ice should crack, there are no stairs to climb up.

Certain groups' will to get inside the maintenance room has been remarkable, since several holes had been cut to the grills. This hole was repaired, but there were others.

The groups most keen in getting in here must be graffiti writers.

In addition to the concrete tunnel, there's an older tunnel. It was digged in 1930 and really used for rafting unlike the newer one.

Winter photo many years later.

Apparently the same guy who cut the bars of big tunnel had also cleared a way here. In theory something that should not be done, but it's provided a nice visit for many explorers also.

Access was once covered with a wooden door, probably after the actual use ended.

This tunnel is more exciting, because it's dark and shape resembles a crypt. In winter time, moist conditions create a layer of iced snow (whatever it should be called?) to the ceiling.

Covered with bricks instead of plain concrete.

The ice formations are up to several centimeters in size.

Sticks of ice are nothing unusual, but you seldom see them on ground.

And some more hanging from the ceiling.

Walking the tunnel is not quite as pleasant as it could be, since it's too low for walking straight. Also, the ground is full of rotted planks, mud and something unrecognisable.

That extremely rusty thing looks like an old He-Te-Ka iron bed. Wonder who carried it here into a dark tunnel? Someone homeless???

A view from the end of the tunnel, which is a bit surprising.

The tunnel ends to a small concrete room.

This is a dead-end, so turning back is the only option.

Back in late April daylight, here we have a short railroad connecting the old tunnel to lake Pyhäjärvi. The question is, what are the wooden boxes between the rails?

Seems that they've been able to use two wagons at a time. The passing point is here.

Surprise, one log wagon is still on the tracks! Apparently horse power has been used to get the wagons up the hill, which is rather steep for a railroad.

Level crossing, commonly known as TZR.

REFERENCES:

Pispalan Moreeni ry., friends of Pispala region society's webpage

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