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KILPISJÄRVI VISITOR CENTRE
Everything you want to know about the surrounding nature and possibilities is found at Kilpisjärvi Visitor Centre. There is a presentation of local sights worth your attention and some information on the natural phenomena, flora and fauna. You can buy a hiker's map, get fishing permits and almost anything else you need to begin your hike from the Visitor Centre.
Visitor Centre offers:

• maps from regions close by (Finland, Norway, Sweden)
• Finnish Forest Agency fishing and snowmobile permits
• Cabin rental reservations and keys along the Nordkalottleden trail
• Local handiwork, products, books and souvenirs

THE VILLAGE ITSELF
Kilpisjärvi has turned in just a few years into nice and cosy alpine village with plenty of log homes up the hillsides. More is on the way in Salmivaara direction - close to the shoreline. Kilpisjärvi the village itself has become an attraction.

MUOTKATAKKA
Muotkatakka is the highest elevation of Finnish public roads - 565,6 meters above sea level. From there, the road starts descending towards the lakeshore. After about a kilometre of descend you will see the first glimpse of Saana Fell. Muotkatakka has a monument of the Lapland War. The last cannon shots were shot from Muotkatakka, when Finnish Army drove the remaining German troops to Norway.

LAMMASOAIVI WINDMILLS
Lammasoaivi, the first arctic wind farm in the world and the most northern, began operation in October 1996. It is owned and operated by Tunturi-Lapin Tuulivoima Oy. The wind farm consists of two 450 kW wind turbines, and one 600 kW turbine. All of these turbines have been modified for the arctic environment with blade heaters. The Lammasoiva hills where the turbines are situated lies 36 kilometres south from Kilpisjärvi. These windmills produce all electricity needed in the whole of the 'arm' of Finland.

SIGHTS

KILPISJÄRVI HALL

Kilpisjärvi hall is the centre of the village - the living room of locals. It functions as a school, health centre and exercise room. At the entrance there is an information board maybe worth a peek, if you're looking for current events.

LAPLANDERS' ARTEFACT EXHIBITION
If you are interested in the Saami peoples' history, a brief introduction to the issue could be an exhibition of some Saami artefacts in the Kilpisjärvi Excursion Centre.

FOTO: Raittijärvi Laplander settlement. © Hannu Rauhala, Kilpissafarit

RAITTIJÄRVI-SAAMI SETTLEMENT
Raittijärvi is the last remaining all-year-round lived Saami village in the woods. There are no roads leading to Raittijärvi. Safaris are organized to this little settlement.

AHDASKURU MUSEUM BRIDGE
This is the only bridge in the Lapland War that survived the war dating from 1943. It is located a kilometre from the Customs building towards Norway. During the winter the bridge vault is not visible, since it is covered in snow by many meters.

FOTO © Alessandro Dazio

THE THREE BORDER POINT
These kinds of border stones are not too common. This is the point where three nations meet, namely Sweden, Finland and Norway. The border stone is on an artificial island in Koltajärve Lake. Originally the stone was on dry land, but in 1896 it was found in the document concerning the borderline, that the place needs to be changed to the middle of the lake. Therefore an artificial island was built and the present border stone of concrete constructed in 1926.

SOURCES: Finnish Forest Agency

LINK SUGGESTIONS:
- Sights and local destinations
- Kilpisjärvi link bank

BOTTOM FOTO: The Three Border Point is a popular sight to visit. In the summer it can be reached on M/S Malla or by trekking. During the winter best ways to visit the site is snowmobile or if you are into skiing, then skis. © H.Vanhapiha