Russian Border Hike

The border between Norway and Russia near Kirkenes is not an ordinary boundary. During the Cold War, it was one of only two land borders between NATO and the Soviet Union. Today, NATO’s northernmost land border is one of the most closely watched frontiers in the Arctic.

We pick you up in Kirkenes and drive about 15 minutes to the start of the trail. The route leads through birch forest and open tundra. Along the way, we share stories about the history of the region, the Cold War, and life in this borderland. Depending on the season, you might spot ptarmigan or reindeer, and in late summer and autumn the trail edges are full of wild mushrooms and berries. The hike heads first towards the Pasvik River, the natural border between Norway and Russia. From the riverbank, you have a clear view of the Boris Gleb Church on the Russian side, an Orthodox site so historically significant that its location influenced the exact drawing of the border. Continuing along paths patrolled by the military, you can watch across to Skafferhullet and its old guard tower – a former crossing point from the Cold War era. Shortly after, you arrive at the border markers. You’re standing at the edge of the Norwegian–Russian border. The border corridor stretches directly in front of you: a cleared strip of land that marks the line between two worlds. From there, the trail leads up to a viewpoint where we stop for a hot drink and a snack, with the border markers visible next to you.

If the group is up for it, we continue to the top of Russehøgda (222 m) – a high point with a 360-degree view over the entire border area, including Storskog. This is the only open land border crossing between Schengen and Russia, and the only point along these 197.7 kilometres where people can legally pass between the two countries. Otherwise, we head back down to the car. After the hike, we drive you to Storskog to see the official border crossing up close before heading back to Kirkenes.