Three-Country Cairn
Also known as Kolmen valtakunnan rajapyykki · Treriksröset · Treriksrøysa · Golmma riikka urna
The world's northernmost three-country border point, where Finland, Sweden and Norway meet at a single cairn you can walk around — stepping between three nations in seconds. It sits in the far northwestern corner of Finland, on Lake Goldajärvi near Kilpisjärvi. The Finnish approach crosses the Malla Strict Nature Reserve, Finland's oldest protected area, past the Kitsiputous falls — and in summer a lake boat turns the whole thing into an easy half-day outing.
The Finnish side of the route runs through Malla STRICT nature reserve — you must stay on the marked trail (black posts with orange tops). Camping inside the reserve is not allowed except right beside the Kuohkimajärvi huts. This is a day hike for most visitors, not a wilderness trek, but the weather can turn fast even in midsummer (fresh snow in late June is possible).
Getting to the trailhead
Base yourself in Kilpisjärvi, a small village on the E8 road in Finland's far northwest 'arm', reachable by car or long-distance bus (e.g. from Rovaniemi or via Tromsø in Norway). Summer weather can be wintry, so come prepared.
Easiest option (summer): take the M/S Malla passenger boat from Kilpisjärvi across the lake to Koltalahti / Koltaluokta (an old Sámi landing), about 30–45 min, then walk ~3 km to the cairn on a well-marked path. The boat typically runs late June to end of September, departing around 10:00 and 15:00 (Finnish time), waits ~2 hours, and tickets are bought on board (no advance booking except groups).
On foot: the full route is ~11 km one way through Malla Strict Nature Reserve from the Malla/Saana car park (~8 km north of the village). A popular combination is boat across, then walk back through the reserve. If you walk to the cairn and want the boat back, you MUST reserve by phone, or it may not run.
Plan by season
Temperature
Cool; can be wintry even at midsummer
Daylight
Midnight sun
Trail condition
Boat runs roughly late June (after the lake ice melts) to end of September. Trail can be muddy or partly underwater depending on water level. Best months July–September.
What to pack
A day hike, but in exposed arctic-fell terrain where weather changes fast. Pack as if it could turn cold and wet even in July.
Waterproof boots with grip — the Malla trail is rocky and can be muddy or flooded in places
Warm layers and a waterproof shell; weather changes quickly
Mosquito net and repellent (can be fierce in warm July weather)
Cash/card for the boat ticket (bought on board)
Food and water for the day; no services on the trail
If returning by boat after walking out: phone to reserve the return in advance
Trail stops — tap one
Standard loop: the M/S Malla boat across the lake, a 3 km walk to the cairn, then ~11 km back through Malla Strict Nature Reserve to the Malla/Saana car park. Distances are approximate and count the lake crossing as a nominal leg.
Kilpisjärvi (boat)
M/S Malla departs the Kilpisjärvi shore across the lake to Koltalahti (~30–45 min). Alternative on-foot start is the Malla/Saana car park ~8 km north of the village.
Good to know
Water
Carry your own water for the day. Any natural water should be boiled or filtered before drinking.
Camping
Inside Malla Strict Nature Reserve camping is not allowed except in the immediate vicinity of the Kuohkimajärvi huts. There are reservable and open Metsähallitus wilderness huts there; a Norwegian DNT reservable cabin sits across the border on Lake Goldajärvi (requires DNT membership and a compatible key, available at Kilpisjärvi Retkeilykeskus on a deposit).
Campfires & toilets
Stay on the marked trail and only use designated spots; always check the wildfire warning. This is a strict reserve, so foraging and off-trail travel are not permitted.
Waste
Carry out everything you bring in.
Mobile signal
Mobile coverage is patchy in the fells.
Trail markings
The trail through Malla is marked with black posts with orange tops and is easy to follow. Stay on it — it's legally required in the strict reserve.
Huts & shelters
Open and reservable wilderness huts at Lake Kuohkimajärvi near the cairn. The DNT cabin on the Norwegian side needs a DNT membership and key. For a simple day trip you won't need them — most visitors return the same day.
Emergency & winter
112 works across the EU even with low signal. Weather can turn wintry fast even in summer; bring warm layers and tell someone your plan. If relying on the boat back, reserve it — otherwise you may end up walking both ways.
Segment by segment
Kilpisjärvi → Koltalahti (by boat)
~30–45 minThe M/S Malla crosses the lake from the Kilpisjärvi shore to the old Sámi landing at Koltalahti, with views of the surrounding fells, scattered summer cabins, and the two-tier Kitsiputous falls in the Malla reserve. The boat waits about two hours before returning.
Koltalahti → Three-Country Cairn
~3 kmA well-trodden, clearly marked path follows the Sweden–Finland border fence, dipping into birch and running along the shore of Lake Kuohkimajärvi near the end. Signposts to Swedish and Norwegian huts along the way show how tightly the three countries interlock here.
Three-Country Cairn → Malla / Saana car park
~11 kmThe standard return walks out through Malla Strict Nature Reserve to the Malla/Saana car park, about 8 km north of Kilpisjärvi village — a rockier, more demanding stretch past the Kitsiputous falls (Finland's highest single series of waterfalls) and reindeer grazing grounds, with the option to climb Pikku-Malla for wider views. You can instead take the boat back if you reserve it in advance.