Description
The Three Borders Wilderness Hike is a 5-day trekking (+2 days accommodation) tour through Scandinavian Nordic countries, crossing the vast Arctic landscapes of Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian Lapland. Experience pure Arctic fell nature at its wildest – sleeping in professional hiking tents, cooking under the open sky with a gas stove, and carrying everything in your pack. Experience Scandinavia on foot, with all you need packed in your backpack.
Price
2450€ / person
Key points:
- Hike across three Nordic countries in one epic week, 7 days / 6 nights
- Wild camping with high-quality gear – no crowds
- Discover rare Arctic flora and reindeers herds
- Autumn is the best time with “ruska” colours at their peak – golden fells and fiery tundra. The perfect timing for autumn foliage.
- Ideal first multiday backpacking trek – full guidance and stunning route
- Location: Kilpisjärvi region & Three-Country Cairn
- Nearest airport: Kittilä (transport from airport available on request)
- Skill level: Moderate – good fitness required, no previous trekking experience needed
- Daily distance: 10–15 km with backpack (15–25 kg)
- Accommodation: 4 nights in tents, 2 nights hotel in Ylläsjärvi (2 people/ room & tent, unless other wishes)
- Women-only hiking tour is for someone wishing the company of like-minded ladies
Three Borders Wilderness Hike – A Multiday Autumn Trekking Adventure in Finnish Lapland
This unforgettable multiday hiking tour in northernmost Lapland takes you through three Nordic countries—Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Trek across remote wilderness landscapes, stunning open tundra highlands, and beautiful fells in one of Lapland’s most scenic trekking routes.
This trekking tour starts in Ylläs, near Kittilä Airport. We’ll spend the first night in a comfortable hotel enjoying a delicious group dinner and going through a safety briefing and gear check together. The next morning, we drive to Kilpisjärvi (3,5hours from Ylläs), where the hike begins. For six days, we mainly follow marked trails crossing national borders, valleys, and Lapland’s landscape on foot. This hiking tour is a hut-free wild camping trek only with tents. Every gear you’ll need for this adventure will be provided by Pihka Outdoors.
After the Three Borders Wilderness Hike, we return to Ylläs accommodation for a final night—perfect for resting, recovering, and reflecting on the journey before trip back home.
What Autumn in Lapland Looks Like
August and September are the best times to hike in Finnish Lapland. The landscape glows with vibrant ruska colours—fiery red, golden yellow, and earthy browns. Reindeer roam freely, ptarmigans hide in the rocky terrain , At night, if the sky is clear, the Northern Lights may dance above your tent.
Wild Camping With Quality Gear
You’ll carry your personal clothing and camping gear in your own backpack. We provide high-quality tents, warm sleeping bags, and insulated sleeping pads, stoves and everything else you’ll be need on this tour. Even when nights get chilly, you will be nice and toasty in your sleeping bag. Campsites are chosen for their natural beauty, usually by rivers, fell slopes or open tundra with panoramic views.
Drinking water is collected from clear Arctic streams, and expedition meals are cooked at camp using gas stoves in the open air. There are wilderness huts along the route, but we use them only in case of emergency. Our aim is to offer you a true wilderness hiking experience in Lapland, away from the crowds and close to nature.
Physical Level & Packing a Backpack
No previous trekking experience is required for this trekking tour, but you should be in good physical condition. Each day includes 10–15 km of hiking with your pack that weights appx 15-25kg. We’ll have a packing list, a video meeting, and a group chat to help you prepare. Expect weather from sunny to rainy, with temperatures between +5 °C and +15 °C.
Itinerary
Day 1. Arriving in Kittilä airport/Kolari train station, transport to the hotel in Ylläsjärvi by bus or private transport by us (extra fee 150 eur). We enjoy dinner together and conduct a safety briefing. Chance to do last minute shopping. Night at hotel accommodation (twin room, extra fee for single room) in Ylläsjärvi.
Day 2. After a good breakfast we pack our van and start driving up north to Kilpisjärvi (3,5 hrs drive). This is where our Three Borders Wilderness Hike truly begins as we set out towards the majestic mountains and hills. We start the trek by hiking marked trails through Malla Strict Nature Reserve. On the way we see some special protected vegetation typical only in this area, as well as signs from World War II in the middle of the fells, small mountains. After hiking 10-15 km we reach the three-country cairn, where Finland, Sweden, and Norway meet. We set up tents nearby (two persons/tent) and enjoy meals.
Day 3. The second hiking day is all about Norway. We kick the day off by hiking across open and wild wilderness as our path gradually ascends to the mountains. Admire the grand Mount Barras overlooking our journey. Breath in the purest air in the world while hiking through the remote Lapland wilderness. We will set up our wild camp in a valley with stunning mountain view on the border of Sweden and Norway. Hiking distance: 12-15 km, overnight in tents.
Day 4. The next two days we hike in Sweden. Early in the morning of day four we cross the Swedish border and hike next to Mount Pältsa. There are plenty of clean arctic rivers and streams along the way where we get our drinking water, as well as beautiful rapids and waterfalls to admire. Hiking distance: 10-15 km, sleeping in tents.
Day 5. We hike over small mountains to reach Lake Kilpisjärvi in Finland again. The day is full of up and downs but the views over the remote wilderness makes it all worthwhile. We hike on top of mountains in totally open arctic landscape. These are the areas where wolverine or even the elusive arctic fox live, besides reindeers. We will set up our camp for the final time and savour the views near the three-country cairn. Hiking distance: 10-15 km, sleeping in tents.
Day 6. Last day on trail of the Three Borders Hike! We hike back to civilisation in Kilpisjärvi. After 12 km we reach our starting point, pack the car and drive back to Ylläs (3,5 hrs drive). Check in at the same hotel as before (twin rooms), good wash and traditional Finnish sauna. We have a good well earned dinner together and plan the next expedition together.
Day 7. After breakfast it’s time to say goodbye and see you next time! Transport to airport/next location at own expense.
Includes
- Pihka Outdoors professional wilderness hiking guide
- Sleeping equipment: tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads
- Accommodation before and after the hike
- Dinner & breakfast at accommodation upon arrival and after the hike
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for each day on trail
- Gear list
- Video meeting with the group, Whatsapp group chat, help with packing
- Safety briefing about the trip
Excludes
- Flights/train/bus
- Transportation to the accommodation NOTE! You can book a private airport transportation 150€ from us. Just let us know!
- Backpacks
- Outdoor clothing (gear list will be provided)
- Own travel and accident insurance (mandatory on this trek)
