Finnskogleden, Mitandersfors-Lebiko (stage 3)

Finnskogleden is unique as it is winding back and forth across the border between Norway and Sweden, with its 240 km from Morokulien in Eda up to Söre Osen, Trysil in Norway.

The border closure during the covid pandemic, meant difficulties in handling the maintenance of the trail. It has lead to poor or lacking colour markings in some places. However, there is planning going on to restore an organisation around the maintenance.

If you are an experienced hiker, looking for some challenges, this might be a trigger for you. The nature is truly stunning and there is loads of history around this trail for those who wish to dig deeper, both from times of war and from Finnish culture. Best bring a map and a gps on your adventure! If you are planning to stay overnight, bring a tent as the status of the wind breaks is still not updated. Count on shifting phone coverage.

An overview map is available for download below. For now detailed maps are sold as a pamphlet provided from Finnskogens Natur & Kulturpark. It can be purchased at Visit Arvika.

Stages 2 and 3 of Finnskogledens partly go through Arvika municipality. The text below is from Finnskogleden.com:

Along this stage there is a nature reserve with rich flora, well kept cultural historic buildings and a smoke cabin.

The trail crosses the river Bogsälven at Mitandersfors and climbs up through the forest to Bengtstorp. From there the terrain is easy to Lomstorp on the north side of Lake Lomsen. Another 1,5 km on the trail takes you to Ritamäki which is Sweden's last inhabited Finn croft. The siblings Henning and Beda moved in 1964. Today the farm is owned by the Local Heritage Centre of Lekvattnet. At Ritamäki simple meals are served in summer, check current information at their Facebook page ""Ritamäki finngård." The area is a nature reserve with rich flora and well kept cultural historic buildings and a smoke cabin.

The trail continues 2-3 km to Lebiko. By then you will have passed Kissalamp and crossed the border and find yourself on the Norwegian side. Lebiko was a middle station for many of the Norwegian refugees during WWII. They got food and rest before the last stage to Kissalamp and the freedom of neutral Sweden. Lebiko was inhabited till 1964.

At Lebiko it is possible to stay overnight through the Norwegian Tourism Association (DNT). The cabin is locked with the DNT standard key, which can be bought at the DNT Oslo office. Reservations are booked in advance through the app Hyttebetalingsappen. Unmanned cabins do not serve food, but there are gas stoves for cooking. There is a well outside the barn, but it can dry out sometimes.

Please note! There is a fire ban for the wood stove due to a crack in the oven.

There are pillows and bed covers in the sleeping rooms. It is mandatory to use bed linen.

Text translated by Visit Arvika.