Kilpisjärvi | Exploring Finland

Kilpisjärvi is a village in the far north of Finland, with Norway and Sweden as close neighbors. It is a gateway to the Arctic with one of the main roads passing through connecting Sweden and Finland with the northern Norwegian regions of Troms and Finnmark. It is also the gateway to the three-country cairn, the northernmost border tripoint in the World.

Kilpisjärvi is also known by its northern Sami name Gilbbesjávri and is home to just over 100 inhabitants. It lies in the municipality of Enontekiö, right between the lake that shares its name and the mountain of Saana. It is also just next to Kilpisjärvi the Finnish road network finds its highest altitude at 565 meters. But the view of the Saana Mountain is probably the most famous sight in Kilpisjärvi.

A Short History of Kilpisjärvi

Kilpisjärvi was originally a Sámi settlement and has been inhabited since at least the 8th century. It was, however, not until 1915 that the first people settled here permanently. It would take until the Second World War and 1941 before the settlement gained its road connection with the outside world. The Continuation War of 1941 between Finland and the Soviet Union was eventually lost and it was succeeded by the Lapland War when the Finns were fighting the Germans. It was in the area of Kilpisjärvi that some of the last battles of the Second World War took place for Finland as the Germans were retreating to Norway.

Tourism increased after the war. The establishment of camping grounds and a hotel began and the village was eventually connected to the electricity grid in 1981. The number of tourists has since only increased and is estimated to be tens of thousands every year.

Things to Do and See

You don’t go to Kilpisjärvi for any urban activity. Instead, it is nature that attracts visitors with plenty of hiking trails and other possibilities to enjoy the surrounding nature. This is a border region where you can cross the border without noticing it. This makes the northernmost border tripoint in the world quite special, as you are allowed to walk around it freely.

Saana Fell

Saana Fell might with its 1029 meters of altitude not be the highest mountain in Finland, but it is one of the most iconic. It reaches 556 meters above the level of the lake and is a popular hiking destination. The climb is considered moderate and the initial part is well-maintained. Just getting a little bit up the mountainside offers a great view across the lake, seeing far into Sweden.

The Three-Country Cairn

The Three-Country Cairn, or Kolmen Valtakunnan Rajapyykki in Finnish, is the northernmost border tripoint in the world. This is the meeting point of Finland, Norway, and Sweden and is marked by a yellow concrete block. It is possible to walk around the tripoint, visiting all three countries in a matter of seconds. The walk around the cairn will also take you across a time zone.

During the summer there are two ways to reach the tripoint. The first is to hike through the Malla Nature Reserve. It is a hike of around 11 kilometers one way. The other option is to take the ferry across the lake to Koltaluokta in Sweden. From the harbor at Koltaluokta, there is just over three kilometers to the tripoint.

Reaching the Three-Country Cairn during the winter is considered even easier. It is then possible to reach it by skiing or going on a snow scooter.

Read more here:

• Kolmen Valtakunnan Rajapyykki – Exploring Finland
• Treriksrøysa, Nord-Troms – Exploring Norway
• Treriksröset, Lappland – Exploring Sweden

How to Get to Kilpisjärvi

• Flights: The closest airport is Enontekiö Airport (ENF) with a few seasonal charter flights. Other airport options are Kittilä and Rovaniemi, Kiruna in Sweden, and Tromsø and Alta in Norway.
• Car: Kilpisjärvi lies along the road E8, just south of the border with Norway. Further south it connects with more major roads in Tornio.

The driving distance from 5 major Finnish cities, according to Google Maps:

• Helsinki – 1194 kilometers (13 h 20 min)
• Turku – 1234 kilometers (14 h)
• Vaasa – 906 kilometers (10 h 50 min)
• Oulu – 588 kilometers (7 h 10 min)
• Joensuu – 973 kilometers (11 h 20 min)

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