Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9
TRERIKSRÖSET
Heading north for
Treriksröset
- the
three-nation marker post
where Sweden, Norway
and Finland meet - walk over the bridge to Kaaresuvanto in Finland, from where a daily bus
leaves at 2.35pm (Finland is an hour ahead of Sweden) for
Kilpisjärvi
(journey time 1hr
40min). From June to mid-September a second daily bus leaves at 4.25pm for Tromsø in
Norway, travelling via Kilpisjärvi. From Kilpisjärvi, there are two ways to get to Treriksröset. One
of these is a hike of 11km down a track which passes through an area of dwarf woodland
before running around a small lake to reach Sweden's northernmost point; don't forget your
camera and mosquito repellent. The path then continues (14km) towards the
northernmost
peak
in Sweden,
Pältsan
(1445m); the going here is rocky in parts.
The STF
cabins
(no advance booking; mid-March to April & mid-July to mid-Sept; dorm beds
370kr) at the foot of the mountain, boast thirty beds and a sauna. There's an easy hike (40km) from
the cabins back to
Keinovuopio
,
then cross the river to the village of Peera, on the main E8 road
in Finland, where you can catch the bus back to Karesuando (daily; approximately 1.45pm, also
June to mid-Sept daily at 11.25am; check Finnish bus times at
W
matkahuolto.fi).
Alternatively, you can reach Treriksröset from Kilpisjärvi by getting a
boat ride
across the
lake on
M/S Malla
, which shortens the hike to just 3km. The boat requires at least four
passengers to sail (late June to early Aug 10am, 2pm & 6pm Finnish time; 45min; €25 return).
Vita Huset
Village Museum • Laestadiusvägen 113 • Mon-Fri 8am-11am & noon-3pm • 20kr
Along the road to the campsite and worth a quick look is the village
museum
, known
as
Vita Huset
,
containing a few atmospheric black-and-white photographs from 1944,
when Karesuando was inundated by Finns fleeing the approaching German forces
- with their cattle. Look for the picture of Olga Raattamaa, known locally as Empress
Olga, who once lived in nearby Kummavuopio, and single-handedly saved the lives of
dozens of Finns by rowing them across the Könkämä River to safety in neutral Sweden.
INFORMATION
KARESUANDO
Tourist o
ce
In the customs house on the bridge across
to Finland (June-Sept daily 9am-6pm; Oct-May Mon-Fri
9am-3pm;
T
0981 202 05,
W
karesuando.se). This tourist
office seems to pick and choose when it opens.
ACCOMMODATION
Karesuando
Laestadiusvägen 153
T
0981 203 30,
W
karesuando.se.
It seems that this hotel is continually
under new ownership. If it's operating when you're in town,
you'll find modern rooms in
Sámi
c
olours.
All rooms have a
toilet and most have a shower, too.
950kr
Karesuando Camping
Laestadiusvägen 185
T
0981
201 39 or
T
070 605 1124,
W
karesuandocamping.
blogspot.com.
A 2km walk past the church on the Pajala
road, this riverside campsite has regular cabins and a few
Sámi
-style
kåtor
. There'
s a sepa
rate toilet and sh
ower b
lock.
Open June to Aug. Tents
140kr
, cabins and
kåtor
500kr
Youth hostel
Laestadiusvägen opposite the Karesuando
T
0981 203 30,
W
arcticstarhotel.com.
Run by the hotel
opposite, this hostel enjoys a fantastic waterside location and
is the best place to stay. In theory,
it's op
en April t
o mid-
Sept
but check ahead of arrival. Dorms
190kr
, doubles
480kr
EATING AND DRINKING
Arctic Livs
T
0980 203 70.
Located between the filling
stations, a fast-food place serving burgers and reindeer
fry-ups as well as Asian dishes such as lemon chicken rice. A
main dish costs around 120kr.
Daily 11am-6pm.
GETTING TO THE NORTH CAPE
From Karesuando it's a drive of 510km to the North Cape in Norway, routing via Enontekiö in
Finland and then Kautokeino and Alta in Norway; it will take at least six hours with your own
car. By public transport, the easiest option is to walk across to Karesuvanto in Finland and pick
up the bus for Tromsø which operates from June to mid-September. Change buses in Skibotn
on Norway's E6 highway and then head east towards Alta for connections to the North Cape.
Finnish bus timetables are at
W
eskelisen-lapinlinjat.com, Norwegian ones at
W
boreal.no.
