Three-Country Cairn

The point where the borders of Finland, Sweden and Norway meet is marked by a squat concrete cylinder standing in shallow water at the edge of a lake in the fells north-west of Kilpisjarvi, reached by a wooden walkway from the shore. It was set in place in 1926. The walk out is around eleven kilometres each way through open fell country of dwarf birch, rock and bog, or the distance can be cut by taking a boat across Kilpisjarvi lake in summer and walking the last three kilometres. People walk round the marker to stand in three countries in a few seconds, which is the whole point of going. There is a wilderness hut nearby.

Highlights

• The border marker in the water - the 1926 cylinder on its walkway.
• Three countries in a few steps - the reason people make the walk.
• Open fell country - dwarf birch, rock and bog on the route.
• The wilderness hut - the shelter near the marker.

When to go

July to September, when the boat runs and the trail is snow free. A day. The boat shortens the walk considerably and runs in summer only, weather permitting.

Practical notes

The full walk is twenty-two kilometres over rough ground and takes most of a day. The boat runs a short season and is weather dependent. There are no facilities beyond the hut. Weather in the fells changes fast and there is no shelter on the route.

Nearby

Kilpisjarvi is south-east; Saana fell rises above the village.

Key facts