Three-sided stone mound: a unique meeting point of the borders of Sweden, Norway and Finland
The three-sided stone mound is a unique place where borders converge. Finland. Sweden and Norway.
These points are called trippoints, and there are 175 of them in the world. But this mound is special - it is the northernmost trippoint on the planet! During our trip to Northern Europe, we could not miss this landmark and decided to go to it. It turned out that you can get to the mound in different ways, and I will tell you how to do it, and also share our experience of traveling from Finland.
Our northern adventure began in Helsinki. We drove through Kohli National Park, enjoyed watching the bears and crossed the Arctic Circle, which was an unforgettable moment. Then we went to the northernmost city of Sweden – Kiruna, where we visited an amazing excursion to the LKAB mine. And now we're back in Finland and we're on our way to the point where the borders of the three countries converge, the northernmost trippoint in the world.
What is a three-sided stone mound?
This is the place where the borders of Finland, Sweden and Norway meet at 69° north latitude, at an altitude of 490 meters above sea level. Nearby there is another trippoint - on the border of Norway, Russia and Finland, but it is 900 meters south and is strictly guarded. If you want to move freely between borders, go to this mound.
The first mound here was built in 1897 by Russians and Norwegians. Sweden was not involved in the construction because of the border dispute with Norway. In 1901, the conflict was settled and a new mound was created, but due to poor construction and harsh winters, it collapsed. The modern mound dates from 1926 and marks the borders between the three countries.
The mound is a yellow concrete structure with a height of 4 meters, located in Lake Goldajärvi. Wooden flooring leads to it, but be prepared for the fact that depending on the water level, you can soak your feet.
Lake Goldajärvi (also known as Koltäjärvi in Finnish and Golldajävri in Sami) is a unique bifurcation lake, the water from which flows in two different directions: to Lake Kilpisjärvi and to the Norwegian Sea via Ljungenfjord.
How to get to the Tripartite mound?
The easiest and most popular way is to go from the village of Kilpisjärvi in Finland. In the summer you can take the boat M/S Malla, which will take you to the beginning of the hiking trail. The boat goes about 45 minutes, and then you will have a 3-kilometer walk to the mound.
If you prefer walking, you can go from Norway. To do this, you need to get to the parking lot on the E8 highway, from where the trail begins through the Malla Reserve. The route is 11 kilometers and passes through a picturesque area.
Practical tips for visiting:
The boat M/S Malla runs from mid-summer to late September. Tickets are purchased on board and reservations are not available.
If you plan a hiking route, be sure to bring waterproof shoes and trekking sticks - the trail can be wet.
The village of Kilpisjärvi has a limited amount of accommodation, so book it in advance.
Why is it worth visiting this place?
The three-sided stone mound is not just a geographical point, but a unique place where you can feel like a real traveler. Here you can literally step from one country to another, enjoy the beauty of northern nature and take unforgettable photos.
Tip: If you want to learn more about the history of this place and local legends, take a tour with a local guide. This will make your journey even more exciting!
Text and photo:https://www.personalguide.ru/
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