Finnskogleden Voyage Tips and guide

Finnskogleden is a 240 km hiking trail crossing the borderlands of Norway and Sweden through the historical Finnskogen region. The route runs from Morokulien on the border near Kongsvinger in Norway to Søre Osen in Trysil, and can be walked in either direction. It passes through rolling forest landscapes, lakes, and remnants of the Finnish immigrant culture that settled here in the 17th century.

Finnskogleden traverses a "Finnskog" (literally "Forest of the Finns") an area where Finnish settlers established homesteads in the 1600s. Many old farm sites, smoke saunas, and cultural monuments remain. The trail meanders through pine and spruce forest, past lakes and bogs, with occasional viewpoints. Wildlife includes moose, lynx, beaver, and a rich birdlife.

Be aware that parts of the trail pass through active forestry areas, and waymarking may be limited to small signs. Along the border between Norway and Sweden there is a broad forest clearing, which the trail follows for some distance. Overall, the route is marked and generally easy to follow, but sections can be boggy and remote. While the terrain is not alpine, it still requires basic hiking fitness and self-sufficiency.

The trail is divided into 13 stages, usually walked in 12-14 days. Most stages are 15-25 km long.

See also: Hiking in the Nordic countries, Right to access

No permits are required. Hikers should carry a map, compass or GPS, tent or hammock, and enough food between resupply points. There are some simple huts and shelters, but spacing between them may be long. Mobile phone coverage is intermittent. Trail conditions vary: in wet weather, expect muddy ground and swollen streams.

There are few shops along the trail, so most food must be carried. Some small villages and guesthouses offer meals, but resupply opportunities are limited. Bring a camping stove and cooking gear. Many huts have basic wood stoves but no cooking utensils.

Water is generally plentiful from streams and lakes, but purification (filter, tablets, or boiling) is recommended. Carry at least 1-2 liters between refill points. In some villages, potable tap water is available.

Accommodation is a mix of:

• Wilderness huts (simple, unmanned, sometimes free or low cost).
• Campsites near lakes or clearings.
• Occasional hostels or guesthouses in villages.

Bring a sleeping bag and sleeping mat. Nights can be cold even in summer, especially in May and September.

The hiking season runs from late May to September. Snow may linger in spring, and nights are chilly. Mosquitoes and midges are numerous in early summer, particularly around lakes and bogs. Autumn offers beautiful colors but shorter days. Winter hiking requires skis and specialized gear.

To protect the fragile forest environment, use existing campsites where possible and carry out all waste. Clean gear before arrival to avoid spreading invasive species. Respect local forestry and hunting activities. Open fires may be restricted in dry periods - check local regulations.

The trailheads are:

• Morokulien (south) - reachable by train or bus via Kongsvinger (Norway) or Charlottenberg (Sweden).
• Søre Osen (north) - accessible by bus from Trysil or Elverum.

From Oslo, trains and buses connect to both ends in 2-4 hours.

Map of Finnskogleden

Distance

16.6 km

Duration

4 hr

Ascent

60 m

The trail begins in 59.93138912.2413891 Morokulien , a border park with monuments marking the line between Norway and Sweden. There are two car campings and a roadside motel nearby, but they are fairly basic and not very cozy, so most hikers continue straight on rather than spend the night. From border cairn 67 the path leads south through forest before reaching the quiet shores of Breitjennet.

From the lake, the route continues through rolling woodland with occasional clearings. The stage ends at 59.99332112.3852191 Håvilsrud, a small settlement near lake Vällen. The campsite "Håvilsrud Vildmarks Camp" is available here.

Distance

18.2 km

Duration

5 hr

Ascent

226 m

The trail starts out on 2 km gravel road, then switches to a footpath through largely flat pine woods. Afterwards, it passes Vangen, a former summer farm (sæter) on the Swedish side that served as a secret crossing for resistance couriers, Norway's famed war hero Gunnar Sønsteby traveled this way.

The terrain stays mostly level over pine heaths and bogs until Skålsjön, where the path crosses a creek via an old timber dam. A lean-to shelter by Skålsjön's shore makes a good rest (and swim) spot. Just beyond, the trail climbs Källeråshöjden hill, rewarded by views north toward Lake Varaldsjøen. This border area was home to many Forest Finn homesteads. The day's walk ends at 60.08722212.5151 Mitandersfors, which grew up around an ironworks established in 1841. The ironworks produced nails and rods before closing in 1874, and its manor house now serves as a course and conference center.

Distance

15 km

Duration

4 hr

Ascent

182 m

From Mitandersfors the trail crosses the Bogsälven stream and climbs through forest to Bengtstorp, then continues through pleasant woods to 60.13863412.5561021 Lomstorp raststugaat the north end of Lake Lomsen. A 1.5 km spur leads to Ritamäki, an open-air museum farm where a traditional smoke cabin (røykstue) is preserved. It's worth a coffee break here in summer to stroll the flower-filled meadows of this former Forest Finn homestead (inhabited until 1964). Back on the main trail, a further 2-3 km brings you to Lebiko. Here you re-enter Norway, passing the site of Kissalamp just before reaching the 60.15262612.5126672 Lebiko DNT cabin (DNT key required).

During World War II, Lebiko was a key safehouse for Norwegian refugees escaping to Sweden. Many were fed and rested here before guides led them on the final night trek to freedom. Today Lebiko hosts an overnight cabin in a historic farmstead. After a few kilometers of easy woods, you reach 60.16160212.4710522 Kvåho, a farmstead which has a water source available as well.

A bit further north lies Abborhøgda, another historic Finnskog farm ranked among Norway's top ten cultural heritage landscapes for its biodiversity. The meadows here are still mown annually in the traditional way, allowing many uncommon wildflowers to flourish.

Distance

12 km

Duration

3 hr

Ascent

12 m

Continuing on gentle paths, the route reaches the hamlet Viker at the south end of Lake Øyersjøen, then follows the lake's western shore. Near Bolneset you walk through a small larch forest planted in 1803, and soon cross the Fløyta river at Fløytdammen, site of an old timber floating dam, sawmill and mill. A final stretch on Rugbråtavegen road climbs to 60.2576812.4574973 Nedre Øieren Gård in 60.25193212.458673 Øyermoen, a 17th-century Finn farm. Here you can overnight in a farmhouse museum (self-catering, provisions by arrangement), and learn about the forest Finn culture. Just before reaching this town, there is additional private lodging at 60.24729512.4630784 Strand skysstasjon, an old travel station.

Distance

13.8 km

Duration

4 hr

Ascent

244 m

Heading north from Nedre Øieren farm, the trail gently rises over a forested ridge then descends toward the Rotna River, passing by 60.27874412.4785 Vålet, a DNT cabin. You ford Rotna at Pøndunen, an old crossing point, and enter a landscape of glacial moraine. Climbing up toward the homesteads of Linna and Mellombråten, the soil becomes richer and lush spruce stands replace pine. Such fertile spruce forests attracted the Forest Finns, who practiced slash-and-burn agriculture to grow rye. From Linna the trail hugs the Norway-Sweden border for a couple kilometers to border cairn 83, then turns back into Norway toward the day's destination. It ends at 60.34198112.5063654 Askosberget. You can sleep at either 60.34169812.5085646 Askosberget, Oppigarden or 60.34208912.5055457 Bråten. Contact the local owners in advance to arrange access. If you prefer to press on, it's about 5 km further to Nyckelvattnet at the 60.34495712.5763818 Gåstjärnskojan cabin.

Distance

16 km

Duration

4 hr

Ascent

59 m

Though not long, this stage is quite varied, with several ups and downs and lovely viewpoints. From Askosberget the trail turns east and crosses into Sweden by Nyckelvattnet, which the path skirts along its southern shore. It continues to Hallsjön, another lake circled on its south side. Two lean-tos by Hallsjön provide nice spots for a swim or rest. Beyond the lake, the trail heads north and soon reaches Fjolperstorp, a pretty meadow landscape kept open by annual haymaking. As you descend toward Røgden Lake, you pass several old crofts, with sweeping vistas over the forested hills. Lake Røgden is the largest lake in Finnskogen, straddling the border. In fact, this area around Røgden boasts the world's densest concentration of traditional smoke saunas, a legacy of the Finnish settlers. There are several places to stay along Røgden's shores, including campgrounds on both the Swedish and Norwegian sides, and even lodging at the old border toll station. The stage ends at the southern end of lake Røgden, right at the Norway-Sweden crossing.

Distance

13.4 km

Duration

3½ hr

Ascent

220 m

From the lake, the trail ascends steeply: after 1 km you arrive at Purala, a restored Forest Finn farm with an intact smoke sauna as well as a small summer café. The path then climbs Moldusberget, a nutrient-rich hyperite ridge. At the top, hikers are rewarded with a splendid panoramic view over Lake Røgden and the surrounding forests. The trail passes by 60.41166512.6099499 Fjälltorp, and an additional cabin is available here, off-trail, called 60.43667512.65086710 Oledobba. The route continues more gently to Abborrtjärnsberg, a nature reserve with rich flora and an 60.44654212.63192211 open Finnish homestead cabin available for use. From there the trail veers west into Norway and reaches 60.46035412.5648565 Løvhaugen.On the Norwegian side at Løvhaugen, a large Finnskog settlement, the Finnish language was reportedly spoken well into the 20th century.

Distance

18.3 km

Duration

5 hr

Ascent

119 m

This lengthy stage crosses the path of the secret WWII refugee route nicknamed “Spiker'n”. From Løvhaugen, follow a country road a couple kilometers north, then branch off on a forest trail toward Baksjøen Lake. The trail hugs Baksjøen's southern shore and heads east to the cleared border strip, which it then follows north to cairn 90 atop Baksjøberget. On the south slope of Baksjøberget lie the ruins of old settlements. It was here that the clandestine Spiker'n route from Nazi-occupied Norway crossed into Sweden. Refugees would travel by train from Oslo to Namnå, meet a guide (los), then hike 40 km through the dark forests to this point. The route was never discovered by the enemy and remained in use until the end of the war. At Baksjøberget the Finnskogleden turns east into Sweden again. Near Böhönen it bends north to climb Nollaberget, which offers fine views, before descending to the hamlet of Röjden. Just before 60.56412.6476 Röjden, the trail passes the legendary “Korset i Röjden”, a large cross-shaped patch of ground where nothing grows in the arms of the cross. Discovered around 1850, this mysterious bare-earth cross has no definitive explanation.

Distance

26.4 km

Duration

7 hr

Ascent

246 m

This is the longest stage, traversing multiple hilltops but yielding sweeping vistas. From Röjden, the trail follows a mostly flat track about 6 km west into Norway, passing by 60.56028212.56321612 Fall. Shortly before Breisjøen lake, Finnskogleden leaves the road and heads north on a woodland path. A gentle ascent leads to a pond called Kottertjern, then the climb becomes steeper up Gråberget (631 m). Afterwards the route repeatedly rises and falls over several forested ridges, with terrain alternating between dry pine barrens and boggy wetlands. The trail eventually joins the border clearing again, leading up to Elgklinten (634 m), one of the highest points on the southern Finnskogen with a fantastic 360° view. Off-trail, 60.64127612.49062113 Klintkoia is another lodging option on the Norwegian side. Continuing northward, the trail gradually descends back into Sweden through deep forest. This arduous day finally ends at 60.69535312.4780527 Medskogen, a remote hamlet of a few farms by the state line. There is a lean-to shelter by the Medskogsåa stream crossing, and simple guesthouse lodging is sometimes available in Medskogen.

Distance

30.6 km

Duration

8 hr

Ascent

362 m

This longer alternative section passes by 60.64803712.54335114 Herreskojan Raststuga as well as 60.66718512.57324115 Skråckerberget Raststuga on the Swedish side of the border.

Distance

23.9 km

Duration

6½ hr

Ascent

324 m

Though long, this stage is relatively easy, following gravel roads and broad forest paths across, passing by 60.72047512.43321616 Norro Raststuga early on, as well as private lodging at 60.73387612.3900117 Honkaniemi a little later. Nearing 60.85445712.3063098 Haldammen, you cross into the municipality of Våler. Haldammen itself is the site of a former dam on Halsjøen lake. There are several cabins available here, including 60.85437112.30693618 Spritfritt, 60.85425212.30600719 Berntskoia and 60.85406912.3062620 Fyllerud. Many hikers detour slightly to stay overnight at 60.88455212.22566521 Gravberget Gård in Gravberget, a tiny village deep in the woods known for its modern wooden chapel and farm accommodations.

Distance

22.9 km

Duration

6½ hr

Ascent

338 m

If you overnighted at Gravberget, you can start directly from there. From Øvre Berget farm just north of Gravberget, you get one last glimpse of the settled valley before plunging into the wild forest. The trail here is truly remote and runs through dense woods and across creeks, gradually trending northeast. Approaching Bråten, the forest opens up slightly. Bråten is a tiny clearing with a few houses as well as an open community hall that can shelter walkers in a pinch. The stage officially ends at 60.99789712.2324039 Bråten, on a quiet gravel road not far from the Swedish border.

Distance

14.5 km

Duration

4 hr

Ascent

163 m

Visible signs of habitation fade as you leave Bråten and the last Swedish outpost (the hamlet Bastuknappen). After about 2 km, the border makes a sharp turn east at cairn 108. This is the trail's final contact with the Swedish side of Finnskogen. Roughly 5 km later the route ascends Kjølberget (705 m), Finnskogleden's highest point. Wind turbines now tower on Kjølberget's summit, but the trail skirts around them and the reward is an expansive view, including Trysilfjellet to the north. Descending from Kjølberget, the landscape opens up into extensive peat bogs. In late summer these moors are laden with cloudberries (in good berry years). The trail winds through the wetlands and sparse pines then climbs gently toward 61.05252712.06545310 Håberget. Håberget (“high hill”) is a historic farm site overlooking Osensjøen lake.

Distance

7.2 km

Duration

2 hr

Ascent

55 m

From Håberget farm, the trail climbs over the namesake hill before beginning its descent toward Søre Osen. The terrain gradually drops through birch and pine woods to the south shore of Osensjøen (Lake Søre Osen), where it meets the paved road between Elverum and Trysil. At 61.07086412.04711822 Håbergskoia, the highest point of this short stage, you have a choice: follow a forest road for an easier stroll on the final kilometers, or stick to the blazed footpath. The latter is more challenging. Many will find the mossy trail from Grimsrudsætra to Vesle Osensjøen quite rough-going. Either way, you soon arrive at 61.17310311.91599211 Søre Osen, the endpoint of Finnskogleden. Søre Osen is a small village on the lake's northern tip, with a campground and bus connections back toward civilisation.

Venturing onto the Finnskogleden is to immerse yourself in a landscape where self-reliance is not just a virtue, but a necessity. Be mindful that the trail leads through truly remote sections where you may hike for a full day without encountering any services, so careful planning and a well-stocked pack are essential.

To navigate these deep forests, it is crucial to carry a detailed map and a compass. While the path is waymarked, these markers can be sparse, and relying on them alone is unwise in such a vast wilderness. The weather, too, is a powerful and fickle force here; a sunny morning can give way to a sudden downpour or a chilling wind. Always carry reliable rain gear and extra warm clothing, regardless of the forecast.

If you are hiking in the autumn, be aware that this is an active hunting season. To ensure you are easily seen, wear bright, vibrant colours that stand out against the landscape. Finally, after a day spent walking through the beautiful tall grasses and underbrush, make it a routine to thoroughly check yourself for ticks. Taking these precautions will help ensure your journey through the forest is both a memorable and a safe one.

Hikers interested in extending their journey can explore other long-distance trails nearby, such as the Bergslagen trail in Sweden, known for its scenic landscapes and historical mining sites. These trails provide excellent opportunities for multi-day trekking with varied terrain and cultural experiences.

The surrounding region also offers much to discover. In Norway, the Hedmark area features extensive forests, lakes, and outdoor activities like fishing, canoeing, and cross-country skiing. In Sweden, Värmland is renowned for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, with charming villages, artisan crafts, and festivals. Both regions provide a welcoming environment for nature lovers and those interested in local traditions.