The Finnskog Trail
The Finnskog Trail began as a collaborative project in 1988 and, following hundreds of agreements with landowners and concerted efforts regarding clearing and marking, was formally opened in 1992.
The Finnskog Trail takes you back and forth through the border country on a 240 km route from Morokulien in the south to Søre Osen in the north. It crosses the Norwegian/Swedish border as many as seven times, entering 10 different municipalities on the way (7 in Norway and 3 in Sweden). 200 years of peace between Norway and Sweden make it possible to walk freely on both sides of the border.
In part, the trail follows time-honoured routes between the old Finnish smallholdings, combining important cultural history with unique outdoor experiences. The landscape is varied and accessible to all. All you need is normal hiking equipment, a rucksack and suitable footwear. Nights can be spent in woodland shacks, open tents or Trekking Association cabins. Other overnight options include Gravberget Gård in Våler, where the trail passes by immediately outside, or at Finnskogtoppen in Grue, where the trail is just a couple of kilometres away. Otherwise, your own tent is a good option. Then you can choose how far you want to walk at your own speed.
The Finnskog Trail is clearly marked and there are excellent maps of the area. The trail is marked in blue on the Norwegian side of the border and orange on the Swedish side.
Wilderness trails through the deep woods provide historical perspective and peace of mind, but keep your wits about you: this is an area steeped in myth and superstition. Maybe you’ll see Huldra? Or Nokken, perhaps? Here, the supernatural is natural! This is closely linked with the forest Finns’ view of nature. In this shamanist tradition, everything in the natural world has a soul and one can communicate with various forces by means of different kinds of magic. This is quite unlike our way of thinking but has contributed to Finnskogen being linked with mystery, witchcraft, superstition and magic, even today.
The Finnskog Trail www.finnskogleden.com
Gravberget Gård www.gravbergetgaard.no
Finnskogtoppen www.finnskogtoppen.no
Finnskogen Guideservice
Historic Trails
From time immemorial, people have been travelling by land and on water throughout our elongated country. Routes traverse plateaus and glaciers, wind through woods and cross lakes, make their way between villages, hamlets, towns and farms. Many of the old routes have long since disappeared, but many visible tracks and tokens of the past may still be found.
The Historical Trails constitute a cooperative project between DNT and the National Heritage Board aimed at increasing awareness of the old routes and encouraging their use. The selected routes provide fabulous outdoor experiences combined with unique cultural heritage.
A trip along a Historical Trail lasts from one to five days. Each trail, which is clearly marked and signposted, is linked with a particular historical subject. The trails all feature various cultural heritage, and walkers are able to learn more about each trail’s origins and history before, during and after their trip.
There are currently 11 such national routes, comprising just over 500 kilometres of fascinating natural and cultural experiences.
The Finnskog Round - a historical trail
Theme: Cultural heritage of the Forest Finns
This round trip offers a slice of Finnskogen’s unique history and culture - with historical remains, sights and great variations in the landscape. It follows pathways and old routes between Finnish smallholdings, crofts, old school buildings and tiny hamlets.
The trip encircles Møkeren, a lake in the southern tracts of Finnskogen, and is about 60 kilometres long. Generally speaking, it follows natural pathways and gravel roads, and it is easy to join at various starting points. That way, you can divide the walk into shorter stages, organising your trip to suit your own wishes and pace.
If you want to organise a two- or three-day trip, there are a number of self-service cabins and other stopover options along the way. Camping out is also a great option for this trip, and the surroundings are unbelievably beautiful.
This trail was inaugurated in 2015 - as one of the Historic Trails.