Cape North Cape and the three great northern capes of Norway - traveler's page. Road trip to the North Cape (Norway)

Do you want to be on the edge of the Earth and admire the Northern Lights? Or get into the country of trolls? All this is possible if you make a trip to Northern Norway, namely to the North Cape, which is considered the most northern point Europe. The name itself, translated from the Norwegian Nordkapp (or North Cape - English) means - the Northern Cape.

Do you want to be on the edge of the Earth and admire the Northern Lights? Or get into the country of trolls? All this is possible if you make a trip to Northern Norway, namely to the North Cape, which is considered the northernmost point in Europe. The name itself, translated from the Norwegian Nordkapp (or North Cape - English) means - the Northern Cape.

What attracts tourists to the North Cape?

The cape is located on the sheer cliff of Magereya, at an altitude of 304 meters. It is surrounded on all sides by the Arctic Ocean. Then only the boundless Arctic. The whole granite rock is divided into three parts-protrusions. The middle, largest part, is the North Cape. Its upper section is almost perfectly flat. It is covered with rocky tundra with small lakes. It is the view of the endless ocean and huge ice floes that makes many tourists experience incredible emotional sensations that cannot be compared with anything.

Thanks to warm waters currents Gulf Stream The Norwegian Sea does not freeze even at the most severe frosts. Nevertheless, it is best for tourists to dress in warm clothes at any time of the year, as the wind walking on a sheer cliff is quite strong and cold. Even in summer the temperature here does not rise above 5-6 degrees Celsius.

The coast of the sea is inhabited by thousands of gulls, eiders and guillemots. Locals very often walk along the rocks in search of eggs and fluff from the nests. However, sometimes this is a rather risky adventure, since some rocks are sheer.

Norway's most famous landmark is open to tourists throughout the year. For many it is very important to come here in the summer. After all, from May 31 to July 31, the Polar day comes here, and the sun does not set either day or night. This period is very popular with romantic couples. Those who dream of seeing the unforgettable Northern Lights should come here in winter. Such a spectacle is worth it and will remain in the memory forever.

The Vikings sailed along the seas surrounding Cape Norcap from ancient times, but it was officially discovered in 1553 by the English traveler Richard Chancellor. It was thanks to him that the beginning of trade relations between Russia and the British Empire was laid.

The North Cape has been a tourist attraction since the mid-17th century. In 1664, Francesco Negri reached these places. The Italian scientist and priest was fascinated by the beauty of the cape and called it "the most amazing place in the world." Since then, the North Cape has become desirable for many travelers and famous people. It was visited by Louis Philippe of Orleans, Thai monk Chulalongkori, King of Sweden and Norway Oscar II. Moreover, the latter influenced the inclusion of Cape Norcap in the program of cruise ships.

In 1999, a 7 km long tunnel was opened on the cape at a depth of 212 meters. It links the island of Magereia with the mainland. For a long time it was considered the longest sea tunnel in the world. It is worth noting that you will have to pay Norwegian kroner to enter the territory of the North Cape. The ticket is valid for 2 days.

Tourist trail along the cape

The road on the way to the cape is quite risky and most often narrow. With all this, there is another danger - deer. They can walk right down the road, in front of the car.

In the Nordkapp Museum you can get acquainted with the history of the development and importance of fishing, with facts about the Nordkapp commune. The information center Nordkaphallen, in order not to spoil the amazing view, is located on several underground floors. In this way, the Norwegians show concern for landscapes. By the way, here, if you wish, you can become a member of the Cape Club, which was founded back in 1894.

Cape North Cape has its own business card- layout the globe made of metal. This monument is located in the center observation deck. Another notable place for many tourists are boulders with prints of children's drawings. On this composition, which unites all the children of the planet, you can read the wishes of goodness and friendship in Russian.

Near the main entrance to the complex is the King Oscar Monument, which was erected in 1873 by the kings of Norway and Sweden. In the souvenir department, you can buy the famous postcard with the stamp and stamp of the North Cape and send greetings to yourself or your loved ones from the northernmost point of Europe. Here you can also get a certificate testifying to the visit and conquest of the cape.

Tourists who want to taste delicious National dishes, will appreciate the excellent restaurant located right in the rock - Grotten-bar. By tradition, it is necessary to drink a bottle of champagne and eat it with salmon caviar. Here you also need to drink coffee with Norwegian waffles and by all means taste a purely Norwegian delicacy - goat cheese.

In the cinema of the tourist center, a half-hour film about the beauties of the country is shown. This tape will not leave anyone indifferent, but incredibly beautiful landscapes Norway will forever be remembered.

You can visit the northernmost chapel in the world and a rock in the form of a huge arch, called the "Church Gate", which offers a breathtaking view of the North Cape. This arch is considered the site of ancient Sami cults and will undoubtedly interest many.

In the eastern part of Norway, lovers of skiing spend their time, and in the reserves national parks you can admire large glaciers and waterfalls.

Very often, many tourists prefer to get to the North Cape by boat. During this trip, you can see Ålesund, quite famous for its Art Nouveau buildings, and thousand-year-old Trondheim, as well as many others. scenic spots. Those wishing to visit the land of the Arctic Circle tend to reach Nordland, the narrow strip between the coast of the Norwegian Sea and the border of Sweden. Many are interested in the monument standing in the "Center of the Arctic Circle" on Saltfjell.

Cape surroundings

Not far from Cape Norcup is a town that has two streets, two shops, and a policeman comes here once a week. Local people are engaged in fish. That is, they catch it, sell it, eat it themselves. A museum dedicated to the history of the city and the fishing industry has recently been opened. Local residents collected old boats, anchors, floats and suits. The old interior of the fish oil factory has also been restored. The city has shops with goods, without which it is impossible to live in the Far North.

Skarsvog village is located 14 km from the cape. It is considered the northernmost, and its population is 60 people. Here you can visit a fish factory with the best salted fish in the world and learn about the survival of fishermen in stormy seas. For tourists, they can organize an excursion to the king crab, where they often take pictures, holding it with both hands. Those who wish to try a dish from this arthropod can apply for dinner.

Local residents of the villages are not very dependent on the authorities. After all, having its own windmills, a fish factory, a port with cruise ships and tourists, they can well provide for themselves.

Tourists are undoubtedly interested in the landscapes of the North Cape. But there is a place that attracts not only with beauty, but with its history and culture - these are the rocks near the city of Alta. In their beauty and "architecture" they are not inferior to many sights of the world and will certainly enchant even the most sophisticated traveler. The rocks are covered with petroglyphs - drawings created approximately 2.5-6.5 thousand years ago. They were discovered relatively recently, in 1972, under a layer of mosses and lichens. Presumably, the drawings were created by the ancestors of the Saami, who belonged to the Finno-Ugric language group and inhabited the entire north. Over time, they were pushed back to the very north of the peninsula by reindeer herders and hunters.

Although there are still places in the county of Finnmark, the population of which consists mainly of the Sami. The reindeer still occupies a central place among them, and they pass on their traditions from generation to generation. For example, the song art of yoik has been preserved, as well as incredibly beautiful national costumes.

Wherever you are in the vicinity of the North Cape, the first visit to the cape is best done in the late evening. Because it will look most charming in the midnight sun.

People from all over the world strive to get to this place in order to be on the edge of the earth, in front of expanses of ice and snow. Cape North Cape is a kind of satisfaction of the vanity and curiosity of people who want to feel like travelers to places where no man has gone before.

Anton Petrus writes:
The North Cape is a place that every tourist in Norway should visit. It's like Red Square in Moscow, or the Eiffel Tower in Paris. True, for this you will have to go not just to the north of Norway, but to the whole of Europe. After all, the North Cape is considered the northernmost point in Europe. At the same time, the neighboring cape with the furious name Knivskellodden is actually even further north, but you have to go there on foot, unlike the convenient roads of the North Cape)))

Cape North Cape was the first point of our trip to Norway. Later came the realization that it was necessary to stay there longer. Cosmic northern landscapes deserve the best lighting. In just one night, we managed to see simply unreal light, gorgeous fog, beautiful clouds, and a bunch of goodies there. It was something. I’m ready to return to this place more than once, despite the tourist overrun. Buses of tourists create the main traffic on the road, although they go only to the North Cape itself. although there is still a lot of interesting things along the way ...

Norway. Cape North Cape

Here you really feel the breath of the North. The landscapes are really harsh - no trees, faded grays of the sky, and bright spots of houses. This is a harsh life - half a year darkness, half a year the sun does not set ..

Norway. Cape North Cape

Along the way, deer were often seen, grazing in small groups on the sides of the road. Surprisingly, they were absolutely not afraid of cars, but as soon as they got out, they immediately fled further ... In the south of Norway, they were very lacking, they notably enlivened the picture)

Norway. Cape North Cape

Gorgeous lenticular clouds hung over the rocks. Haven't seen these for a long time. And the rays of the sun, breaking through the cloud, made the picture just alien

Norway. Cape North Cape

It's a bit like another planet, isn't it? About 20 km from the cape, the road went up, and the landscapes began to change rapidly - from coastal rocky to snowy tundra.

Norway. Cape North Cape

And here is the North Cape itself. More precisely, the view from it. I wrote about the cost and other details in this post, right there I will run through the cape in a quick way. The view is absolutely fantastic. North Cape is a cape 307 meters high. This is actually the view from the observation deck.

Norway. Cape North Cape

If you go to opposite side- offers a different view of the granite ledge

Norway. Cape North Cape

On the way back, we stopped several times to capture incredible snowy expanses. See how clouds and snow patches overlap! Just delicious landscape)

Norway. Cape North Cape

Snowy hills surrounded the road on all sides. And hundreds of streams flowed from under these snowdrifts. In general, the weather was definitely similar to March - the first heat, the sun and drops ...

Norway. Cape North Cape

That evening we nevertheless decided to spend the night at the North Cape. Later it turned out that it was right choice. Ruslan and I got into the car and drove off to shoot sunset and sunrise. We went towards the cape, but on the way we saw an unrealistic picture opening onto the ocean - a foggy wave shrouded the mountains, and there was a dense milky veil on the North Cape.

Norway. Cape North Cape

We rushed along the road like crazy, I still could not get enough and find the perfect shooting point. The sun did not think to set, so something had to be done with it. At the end of the evening, I was waiting for it to fall below the horizon, so that I could go to bed with a clear conscience)
But there were a lot of beautiful things along the way. This bay gave wonderful shots. On the way to the town of Honingsvag we stopped for a couple of shots.

Norway. Cape North Cape

Ahead could be seen the same wave of fog, unexpectedly coming from the ocean. A magical painting bathed in soft light...

Norway. Cape North Cape

And on the way back from this town, the light became just crazy. The fog rolled over the mountains in waves, and at some point the sun appeared from it. I was already cursing obscenities from admiration, because there were simply not enough other words. Quiet, deserted road, almost 2 am - and magic light....

Norway. Cape North Cape

When we drove past such a native snowy tundra, we noticed how the fog settled in the hollows between the hills. Gorgeous abstraction under the rays of the midnight sun.

Norway. Cape North Cape

I tried to walk a little closer to the snowfield, but almost instantly got wet - the ground was simply saturated with water.

Norway. Cape North Cape

I haven't seen such a light for a long time.. The fog turned into something tangible, it flowed like water...

Norway. Cape North Cape

A bus with tourists returning after meeting the sunset at the Nordkapp lookout. It cuts through the fog like a liner... And on the North Cape, a dense veil of fog still hung. So the tourists are not very lucky with the sun)

From the North Cape - the northernmost point of Norway and one of the Magerø Islands - a wonderful panorama of the vast expanses and the meeting point of the waters of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans opens up.

Location

Cape North Cape on the map is located in the west of the province of Finnmark, on the island of Magerø, in the North. The cape is separated from the North Pole only by the ocean and the Svalbard archipelago.

What is North Cape?

This cape is part of a large rock. It is divided by two cracks into 3 protrusions, the middle of which is the largest in size. This is the North Cape. Its upper part is rather flat and covered with small lakes and rocky tundras.

Climate

A distinctive feature of these places is the presence of a period of the midnight sun, which can be observed from mid-May to the end of July, when the sun does not set below the horizon. Summer on the cape is rather cool, the air temperature is +7…+10°C, the nights are cold. But during the midnight sun, crowds of tourists attack the North Cape in order to have time to enjoy the sun's rays even at night. The spectacle of contemplation, unfortunately, is often spoiled by fogs.

In winter, it is not too cold on the North Cape, the temperature thermometer shows an average of -3...-11°C. Exactly this best time to monitor northern lights.

Historical facts

The North Cape in Norway was discovered by the Englishman Richard Chancellor. This happened in 1553. Then the cape got its name. Among tourists, the beginning of visiting the North Cape in Norway was laid by the Italian Francesco Negri in 1664. Nowadays, about 200 thousand people visit the cape during the summer months.

What to see?

On the North Cape and in its immediate vicinity you can visit:

In addition, there is a restaurant and souvenir shops on the North Cape.

Rest near the North Cape

While traveling to the North Cape, you will have the opportunity to take part in several types of activities at once, for example:

• watch the northern lights (the most favorable period is from 21:00 to 00:00 from mid-November to mid-March, mainly on clear and frosty nights);
• ride a snowmobile through the snowy expanses of the North Cape;
• go on a quad bike safari or try something more exotic like king crab hunting or bird safari;
• drive to dog sled;
• go on a snowshoe hike
• take part in sea fishing, in winter on the North Cape - ice fishing.

Cost of visiting

Two-day visit to the Cape and information center is 260 kroons ($30.1), a ticket for 12 hours (does not include a cinema and an exhibition) - 170 kroons ($19.7). Tourists arriving by bus do not pay an entrance fee (the visit is included in the fare). Travelers arriving by bike, scooter or on foot can visit the cape for free.

How to get to North Cape?

Despite the remote location, you can get to the North Cape in Norway by going by plane, car, motorcycle, ferry or bus. Closest to the cape locality and a major transport hub of the country - the city of Honningsvåg.

Let's take a closer look at how to get to various types transport:

Cape North Cape is not a lone ledge of land rushing into the ocean, but part of a large rock. This granite hulk is split by cracks into three ledges. The one in the middle is the largest and is called the North Cape. The name of the cape in Norwegian is very simple and precise, reflecting the position of this part of the coast: "northern cape".
Despite the fact that most people are sure that the North Cape is the northernmost point of Europe, the neighboring cape Knivskjellodden juts out into the sea 1500 m to the north, which does not detract from the popularity of the North Cape.
Cape North Cape, as well as its competitor in the "northern" Knivskjöllodden, is located on the island of Magerø in northern Norway. Answering the question about why the North Cape is “appointed” as the northernmost one, the Norwegians refer to traditions stretching almost from the Viking Age.
The North Cape is a steep bank; indented with bays and bays, rising steeply from the foam of the surf to a height of 307 m. The cape is part of an ancient crystalline plate, composed of grayish-black shales, which has withstood the impact of waves for hundreds of thousands of years. On the eastern slope of the cape, Hornep cliff stands out noticeably, whose name is translated as “horn”: the cliff really resembles the horn of a rhinoceros.
The top of the cape is flat, covered with blue lichen and sparse grass cover. Streams flow from the lakes in the depths of the cape to the edge of the cliff, falling from it, forming picturesque cascades.
People settled in the vicinity of the cape as early as 10,300 years ago, and in all ages their only occupation was fishing and sea animal hunting. Life on the cape is facilitated by the fact that the weather is relatively mild in winter: the ocean in this place does not freeze due to the warm current, and average temperatures are higher than in other places at the same latitude. But this part of the coast of Norway is characterized by the most stormy, windy weather in all of Europe.
From May 14 to July 31, the polar day reigns here and the sun hangs over the cape all day and night.
The cape got its name during the expedition of the English explorer Richard Chancellor (? -1556), who set off on a journey on the instructions of the English King Edward VI (1537-1553) on the Edward Bonaventure sailing ship, in search of a northern route to India and China through .
Standing on the edge of the North Cape, one can hardly believe that between it and the North Pole there is only the Svalbard archipelago.
Cape North Cape has long been turned into a large tourist attraction with houses in the traditional Norwegian style, with turf roofs. People come here not only to stand on the edge of Europe, but also to enjoy the northern lights: the North Cape is one of the many places in Northern Norway where you can see it in all its glory.
The cultural center here was built in the building of a former church, which is not surprising for a country where only 2% of the population go to church.
The main man-made attraction on the cape itself is a globe made of iron bands on a tripod. Nearby is attraction number 2 - a pyramid, on which a plate is fixed indicating the latitude of the place where the North Cape is located. The base is made of slabs with the names of northern Norwegian municipalities engraved on the ends.
The role of the Norwegians in the development of the north is shown in an original way in the Cultural Center, where there are mini-panoramas with toy figures of sailors and fishermen.
The largest city in this area is Honningsvåg, although it has a little over 2,000 inhabitants. Despite its small size, Honningsvåg is the third largest Norwegian port of call for cruise ships. Here, even according to Norwegian standards, it is relatively warm, and green trees grow in the gardens of Honningsvåg even in winter, although they rarely grow above 1 m. .

general information

Ethnic composition: Norwegians.
Languages: Norwegian, Sami.
Religions: Church of Norway, Catholicism.
Currency unit: Norwegian krone.

Numbers

Climate and weather

January average temperature: -3°C.

July average temperature: +5°С.
Average annual rainfall: 760 mm.

Relative humidity: 70%.

Economy

Service sector: tourism, transport, trade.

Attractions

Curious facts

When I was about to write article about the trip North Cape to Norway Reminds me of an old ad: "Ivan Tsarevich sat on the Gray Wolf and galloped". Probably, because being in the country of fjords and trolls for me was at least a little, but it looks like a fairy tale. But about everything in order in today's report

North Cape Norway: Travel to the Cape by Car

As you know, any journey begins with an idea. In my case, the idea to visit a place that is several thousand kilometers from my home came about after reading one of the blogs dedicated to independent travel in Europe. I accepted North Cape not just as a point on the map, but as a place, a visit to which will become a fact of biography.

So, the idea is firmly rooted in my head. The search for information followed.

North Cape(North Cape) - cape on Mageryo island(although some call it Magereya). The height of the cape is 307 meters. It is considered the northernmost point in Europe, although the neighboring point Knivschellodden protrudes into the sea 1500 m to the north. But for some reason, Nordkapp got the honor of becoming the most promoted place in the north of Norway. Between it and the North Pole is only the water of the Arctic Ocean and the Svalbard archipelago.

This cape was discovered and described by an Englishman Richard Chancellor in 1553, when he tried to discover northern path to India and China. It is clear that the attempt was unsuccessful. The ships of the brave traveler struggled with ice, which constantly fettered them. And the team fought the cold. Some people died. Part survived and was able to get either to Murmansk, or to Arkhangelsk, where they stayed for the winter.

After reading many reports and blogs, it became clear that the weather in this place can change a hundred times a day, and it’s better to go there in the summer (in winter, you won’t drive much on Maghereya by private transport, this is not allowed). It also became clear that the best way getting to the North Cape is a trip by car. But this is several thousand kilometers. I thought about like-minded people.

A year has passed in the unhurried collection of information and planning. So, the spring of 2013 is coming. I am voicing my plan to one of my comrades, who has been living in St. Petersburg for almost a year, Alexander. Sasha was immediately imbued, because he is still an adventurer.

In the spring of 2012 we ended up with him in Spain. I returned home to Russia a week later - it was an ordinary tourist trip. And Sasha thought, and went to conquer Europe by hitchhiking. Independent travel so fascinated him that he appeared in only a month and a half later. In general, the seeds fell into fertile soil! The trip was scheduled for August 2013.

So, visas in passports. Vacation at work. It's time to move out!

Beginning of August. I take the train from to St. Petersburg, where a friend with a car is waiting for me. I specifically take tickets for the night to sleep before traveling by car. In the compartment, my neighbors were dad, mom and a sociable child. This wonderful family traveled with Black Sea coast where they rested for two weeks. You have probably noticed that it is quite easy to establish contact on the train. The neighbors said that they rested for two weeks, but on the 10th day the weather deteriorated terribly, and they did not know where to put themselves. Once again I thought about the weather on the North Cape.

Early in the morning I stay in St. Petersburg. I meet with Sasha, go to the shower, load things into the car and set off towards the border. In addition to things in the trunk, packages with long-term stored food, because the trip promises to be quite autonomous.

The weather deteriorates, a nasty fine rain begins, which gradually develops into a downpour. With jokes we get to the border, refuel with cheap Russian gasoline and go to border control(crossing Cowberry).

We pass the Russians quickly and without any questions. And here it is - the long-awaited dutik! The whole point of the dyutiks on the border with Finland is that you can buy goods only when you enter Finca. On the way back, you can’t use the dutik, there are fences and “No Stopping” signs all around. Apparently, this was done for the reason that. So, if you want something tasty or "delicious", it's better to take care of it in advance))

Duty Free behind, we drive up to the Finns.

This is where the fun began) I have a Spanish multivisa, a friend has a Finnish one, but a single entry (it is given quickly and with a minimum of documents). This strains the border guards (we don’t have hotel reservations), and they begin to be very persistently interested in who we are and where we are going. Lagged behind only when we told about Cape North Cape, about the fact that we have little time for a trip, and that along the entire route we have addresses of campsites where we will stop. And how much we will master in a day - we do not know.

The Finns completely inspected our car and let go in peace. It’s good that during the passage of the Finnish border the rain stopped, and we didn’t have to get wet during the inspection. Therefore, I advise you to stock up on a maximum of papers when traveling, which confirm the purpose of your stay, and say that you have a place to live. The booking can be canceled later.

We take to the north, today our ultimate goal is Rovaniemi, where the Finnish residence of the local Santa Claus - Yollupukki. It's not the first time I've been driving in Fink. But the contrast that you see when crossing the border is always striking. Everything immediately becomes clean and tidy. It seems that even the trees in the forest grow somehow correctly.

There are a lot of cameras along the roads, even in the forest. Especially no one drives, because it's expensive. Yes, and we have nowhere to drive. When driving slowly, fuel consumption is lower (and it is expensive here), and fatigue is less.

We are passing Imatra, parikallu, Joensu

There are many along the road windmills. Let's take a look at this wonder! The weather deteriorates, the downpour charges again. Surprisingly, there are a lot of cyclists on the roads. They are all in raincoats and pedal stubbornly despite the rain. I was amazed at the resilience of these people. Roughly speaking, you are washed off the road, cars are doused with water from head to toe, and you still pedal. I must say that traveling by bike is quite popular there. Often people come across who show that they have not been on the road for the first day.

Along the road periodically come across areas with tables and toilets. Everything is done very civilly. We stop periodically to stretch, change driving or have a bite to eat. Kilometers of the road gradually disappear under the wheels.

When you go strictly to the north, you see how nature begins to change. Dense forest with tall trees is increasingly replaced by light forest with numerous swamps and stunted vegetation. There are many lakes around the road, some of them are so huge that they swim large ships. Constantly along the road open beautiful views that you want to photograph.

The road is very busy

To be honest, I did not expect the route to be so popular. On Cape North Cape there are crowds of tourists. It can be campers, or motorcyclists, or a car with a motor home on a trailer. People gather from all over Europe.

Lots of Italians and Germans. There are cars from Switzerland and other EU countries. While we were turning our heads in different directions, we were overtaken by bikers from Slovakia.

Gradually we enter Lapland

Nature is changing fundamentally. It seems that she can be very harsh. Deer begin to appear along the roads. They are game animals here, and roam freely everywhere, like, for example, we have some dogs. Then we got used to their appearance. But the first appearance of deer along the road caused a stormy and childish delight! Indeed, we are going to a fairy tale!

Arrived late in the evening Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland. On the outskirts of the city in the direction of the North Cape, there is a local attraction - Santa Claus Village. This is a whole tourist complex with a variety of movements, however, it is more focused on winter.

The first people we met in the Village were uncles and aunts from Khabarovsk. Oh damn. How did you get there?) By the way, they enlightened us that Yollupukki translates as "Christmas goat". At first they did not believe, but on the Internet they found confirmation of this story.

It was already quite late, I did not want to go anywhere else. We rented a house right in the Village. Very handy, a good place. For 100 euros we got a spacious half of the house, where 5 people can live freely.

With a TV, refrigerator, normal kitchen, microwave, of course, there was a shower and a sauna. The chandelier made of deer antlers, which hung from the ceiling, delivered the most. Sitting in the sauna, we decided that we need to introduce the word into our vocabulary "bull" regarding travel - that is, to go for a very long time somewhere without stopping. We covered over 900 km in one day. Well, let's go to bed. Tomorrow we bull on Cape North Cape.

Morning woke us up with the sounds of construction next door

The village is being actively built for the winter holidays, there is a lot of equipment around. We rested and are even grateful for such an alarm clock, so we quickly have breakfast and go to look around. Santa's village. The place, I must say, is very good.

Although there are more different shops with souvenirs than anything else. Of the funniest - Santa's Post Office. You can send a postcard from there and order it to be delivered to the recipient right on Christmas or New Year. And a lot of fun for children, there is where to climb and play.

And you can also visit Santa Himself, and this meeting will be broadcast on the Internet so that friends and relatives can see it. Once again I repeat that the place is imprisoned before winter. There are snowmobiles, reindeer rides and dog sledding.

And also here is the arctic circle. Also an interesting attraction!

If you cross the road and go into the forest, you can meet the same dogs that everyone usually rides in winter. In summer, they live a kilometer from the village, sitting on a chain in booths. We figured them out by the sound, the hour of feeding came, and they demanded food very loudly)

Getting to them is scary. The path goes through the swamp. At the entrance, there is a sign on the wooden flooring that everyone goes there on their own. fear and risk. And indeed, there is a real quagmire around, moss and wild rosemary.

Another discovery - no one picks mushrooms and berries in the forest

This wealth around just heaps. As far as I understand, berries are harvested only in special places in an industrial way, special combines are sold in stores. Finns consider all mushrooms to be poisonous.

I note that the locals are especially fond of cloudberries. Huge dummies of this berry periodically fall along the road. Every year there are festivals dedicated to her. By the way, in our north (Murmansk, Arkhangelsk) they also love cloudberries, but not so fanatically.

So, it's time to move on. We throw our things into the car, buy souvenirs and drive north. Again, crowds of tourists on the road, sometimes you can meet compatriots. We reach the city Ivalo, where we refuel with still inexpensive Finnish gasoline. Inexpensive, because they did not reach Norway.

By the way, from Ivalo to Murmansk only 250 km,

which is clearly stated by the sign at the exit from the city. Before Ivalo we came across the most beautiful lakes. rocky shores, the purest water, hills away. There is something mesmerizing about this.

We stopped a couple of times to take a look at the nature around us. During one such stop, we met guys from Moscow. They have been traveling for a long time. And we could go faster. But everyone has a SLR with a telephoto around their neck. And they film everything around like crazy.

They say that this has already begun to interfere, they will not reach the North Cape in any way. For a while we rode together, but they immediately fell behind as soon as a new observation deck appeared.

The last section before the Norwegian border is a straight road that can be driven at breakneck speed. The cameras have been missing for a long time. It feels like we are somewhere far away from civilization. With nothing to do, I begin to turn my head in different directions, now I am a navigator and a passenger. Even at speed I notice a lot of boletus and boletus. I thought that in Russia the locals would quickly strip off all this beauty and sell it along the road.

Here the inscription TULLI flashed on the building closest to the track, then a bridge appeared across the turbulent river.

crossed the bridge and ended up in Norway

There is no border as such. All fly it at a decent speed for the area and go on. We, for joy, stopped to warm up and explore the nearby Norwegian bushes.

After 10 km, the first city with a funny name was waiting for us Karasjok. And the first bad impression. Gasoline cost about 15 crowns per liter 95! To get the price in rubles, you can multiply the crowns by 6. We decide that it is much more profitable to go quietly. Save on gas and fines.

Already in Karasjoke it is evident that you are in another country. It seems, but people live a little differently than in Finland. The terrain is changing noticeably. There are a lot of hills, rocks come across from time to time. So many rural houses in the valleys between the hills. Moving north, nature has changed even more tangibly.

There are only swamps around with dwarf and gnarled birches. The road winds through the hills with a large elevation difference. At first, it seems that you are somewhere deep below, and after 10 minutes you are already driving almost in the clouds that hang low above the ground. But the weather on this day is not very harmful, and there is almost no rain. True, it is quite cool, and we have to use the stove in the car.

At some point, the mountains parted, and the road went down. A little later appeared in the distance fishing town Lakselv which is located on the coast Arctic Ocean. Well, that means soon.

We passed through the town very quickly because of its small size. harsh beauty around, I must tell you. To the left are rocks, the tops of which go into the clouds. To the right is the ocean, which in calm weather seems even a little friendly. The road winds along the coast, the turns are just dizzying. You have to drive very carefully.

And this is not because of fears that someone will fly into the oncoming lane, because here everyone drives according to the rules. And because of the deer. They are everywhere here. And leaving the turn, you can hit some horned. Also in Rovaniemi We came across an article about these animals. The author warned us very much, admonished and asked us to be careful.

But most of all, the phrase touched that if you already knocked down a deer, it must be killed, but you can’t take it for yourself, but you must hand it over to the authorities.

So carefully, without much speeding, we move further north. Periodically open great views, and sometimes we even stop to stare at them and take pictures of ourselves against their background.

Of the vegetation around, only low bushes and moss. There are no trees to be seen at all. It's cold outside, which is especially noticeable when you get out of a warm car. Stone pyramids begin to appear along the road. As far as I understand, so locals trying to protect the trolls from the sun.

The pyramid is needed so that the troll can hide in its shadow, otherwise it will turn to stone. The tradition was picked up by visitors, and only the lazy do not build these pyramids. I must say, we were very lazy.

troll pyramid

Along the road, huge structures from the boards begin to appear.

Upon closer inspection, it turns out that cod is being dried here. I must say that the smell can be very specific. Then dried cod is mostly exported. I note that these dryers can also be found on slopes. You sit and think why they drag fish so far to dry, when you can do it along the coast, like the rest.

Along the way we came across several tunnels. The longest (almost 7 km) and scary one is under water and leads to Magereia island. To cheer up the passing people, the local radio even plays in the tunnel.

First 3.5 km the road goes sharply down, then also sharply rises up. When I was looking information about Nordkapp, many wrote that the passage through this tunnel was paid, but no one stopped us and did not ask for money. Apparently, communism is coming in a single place.

After a few kilometers we find ourselves in a small town of Honningsvåg. This is the starting point for all who come to Cape North Cape . It is in this town that there are gas stations, hostels and hotels, shops and cafes. A good 35-40 km remains to the cape, but then only tundra and emptiness around.

It's getting late, and we're tired, and we're starting to ride around looking for accommodation. As a result of marketing research, it was found out that almost everything in the district is occupied by visiting tourists. There are very few vacant rooms or houses.

Either remained terribly expensive options. By the way, many locals also rent rooms to visitors, but the price tag does not become more humane from this. They opted for a hostel, it turned out that this institution is from an extensive European network, and Sasha even had a membership card.

True, on closer examination it turned out that the card was expired, and we broke off with a discount. For about the same 100 euros we get a double room with a sink, a toilet and a shower on the floor. Well, Norway is an expensive country.

Remembering our cottage Rovaniemi. And even a waterfall outside the hostel window cannot remedy the situation. We go to drink tea in a local canteen, where we talked with a Pole who understands Russian quite well. He told us that he has been working here for a long time.

Around the polar day, we are trying to sleep. This is possible only after we tightly curtained the window, right under which the deer that have already become familiar were grazing.

The time difference between Russia and Norway is 2 hours

Therefore, we jump up early, have breakfast and move forward to Cape North Cape. The road, meandering, gradually rises up. And at one fine moment we drive into the clouds. I never thought that they could hang so low above the ground. We're moving on, sneaking around. All fog lights are on. It seems that time itself has slowed down and flows viscous and lazy. Sometimes they come across counter, but very few.

Soon a house appears on the road. It turns out that we are already there, and this is the entrance to the territory of the tourist center Cape North Cape in Norway. In viscous milk, we move around the parking lot, park and get out of the car. Mom dear! What a cold!

But we were getting ready. Warm jackets come out of the bags, which had to be fastened with all the zippers and buttons. It's windy and you can't see anything yet. Two feelings struggle in the soul - victory and disappointment. Victories - that they finally mastered, were able to, arrived. Disappointment - from the fact that nothing is visible at all because of this fog.

I am glad that part of the tourist center is open from 7 in the morning. You can go inside and warm up. As it turned out later, the entire center starts working from 11 am. It was then that all the shops, expositions opened, the local cinema began to work, and they began to charge a fee for entering the center. And this is 1500 rubles per person. For a tourist, everything is simple: arrived early - saved. In any case, no one demanded any entrance ticket from us.

Until the fog clears, let's wander around tourist center. The scale is impressive. One floor above ground and several floors below ground. Rather, the floors below the first are made in granite rock. The builders had to work hard.

On the lower floors there are various exhibitions. This is also an exposition dedicated to local birds, which nest in great numbers on the rocks in summer. Even eat special excursion to bird markets. This is a huge stand dedicated to the Second World War.

It was then that convoys went past the North Cape to Murmansk and Arkhangelsk, and in northern seas fierce battles were fought.

There are expositions related to the history of the North Cape and famous personalities who visited him. In 1907 even the king visited here. There is a small chapel for the suffering. I was impressed by the local cinema, where they play filmed by the Norwegian Film Institute film about Nordkapp. Filming is very large-scale and affects all the nuances of life and all seasons in this place.

For those who are interested in surveying the surroundings, at this address you can connect to North Cape webcam located on the roof of the center: http://nordkapp.livecam360.com/

Being in the North Cape you remember Murmansk

While we were exploring the center and warming ourselves, the wind dispersed the fog, which prevented us from seeing everything around.

And here the majestic beauty of this place opened up to our eyes. The understanding came that I was not in vain striving here, that this is my beauty, and I can contemplate it for as long as I like. And even the crowd that is photographed at iron globe - the symbol of the North Cape, can't interfere.

Iron globe - the symbol of the North Cape

Near the center there is a monument with a very interesting history. Back in 1988, seven children from the USSR, the USA, Tanzania, Italy, Thailand and Brazil gathered for North Cape, where a monument to the "Child of the World" was created within a month. Seven huge, human-sized medallions symbolize the friendship and unity of all the people of the planet, and are dedicated to Peace on Earth.

Monument on the North Cape (photo)

That's it, the checkbox is ticked, we move back, going around the deer walking along the road. The weather is warm and clear, which is not typical for these places. I voice the thought in my head: “But why don’t we swim in the Arctic?”

Even in the morning I noticed a normal sunset, because there are stones everywhere, and it’s hard to even go down to the water just like that. No sooner said than done. We brake at the same place. We put on swimming trunks, warm jackets, slippers and make a swim. Faces from passing cars told us that we were considered crazy.

The water, of course, is cool, very invigorating. But I had a similar feeling in May, when I tried to climb into the sea in Spain. Splashed, threw towels to dry in the back seat and moved on.

Again the same long tunnel under the ocean, this time we flew through it in one fell swoop. After lunch, the day cleared up, it became very sunny. And on the way back we tried to absorb the atmosphere of these places. They remembered houses that seemed like toys when they were on the other side of the fjord. We remembered the nature around us - so harsh and inhospitable, but at the same time unimaginably beautiful. They remembered the ocean, which reflected the sun's rays.

Gasoline was practically at zero, I had to refuel a little in Norway at space prices. Toyota pulled into the gas station, the driver went to pay. And we stared at how the Norwegians go fishing. The rods here are very strong and long, they are transported outside the car, secured with special suction cups. Very unusual, to be honest!

We popped into the museum of the local people - the Saami. We wandered around the territory, looked at the buildings collected from all over the country. I am glad that people are so careful about their history.

We spent the rest of the day on the road and even managed to return to Finland through the same bridge

Toward evening we again met a very interesting character. At the beginning of the article, I talked about traveling cyclists. So, on the way to Cape North Cape we overtook grandfather, gray as snow. He stubbornly pedaled his bike, a small cart with things rolled behind him.

The most unusual thing was that a small flag was attached to the cart, either Australia or New Zealand. And on the way back we met this grandfather. Got into it, to be honest. And silently wished him get to North Cape no adventure.

Evening was approaching, and we decided to find a lodging for the night. This time without glamor. We have seen enough that many travelers simply put up tents along the road and do not take a steam bath. We drove to the side Rovaniemi I was looking at the map.

We saw a familiar sign the address of this campsite was in our papers. Every fireman stopped by to find out what was there and how. I liked the place. For setting up a tent (we had it with us) they asked for 22 euros, for a summer house - 30. The weather was changeable that day. I didn’t feel like messing around with a wet tent in the morning in case of rain at night. We decided on a house. And they never regretted it.

Camping organized very reasonably

There are cleared places for a tent, they are all marked with signs. There are scattered houses a little further away. In fact, this is such a shed where there is light, and a tap with water is brought out near the porch. Between the houses there are parking lots for campers - houses on wheels.

Each such parking lot also has a tap and an electrical outlet. Nearby under a canopy there is a place for a fire, it is not allowed to burn a fire anywhere. And a little further away is the utility block, where showers, toilets, a kitchen and a laundry room are located. All of these are free to use. And of course, there are good houses where there is already light inside, a shower room and a sauna. These apartments cost the same 100 euros per day.

Around the forest, a meter from the house grows blueberries and blueberries. A little further we found russula and boletus. I regretted that in such a mushroom time I was just passing through. There is a lake 50 meters from our new home. The water is clear, of course, we took the opportunity to plunge again. A little further on the shore stood a bathhouse, from which blushing men periodically ran out and, snorting rather, dived into the clouds that were reflected on the water surface.

Arriving from the lake, we struggled a bit with the lock on the front door. He didn't want to open up. I am an engineer, Sasha is an auto mechanic, there were tools in the car. After 15 minutes everything worked like clockwork. We covered ourselves with sleeping bags and passed out.

In the morning we organized a breakfast for ourselves from the meager supplies that were still left in the car. Water was boiled in a smoked kettle on the stove. The tea turned out delicious. Immediately after the meal we leave and in the afternoon we are already in Rovaniemi.

We go to the gas station to have lunch

If the locality is not a frank village, there you can find a good gas station with a cafe, a shop, and sometimes even a car wash. In the cafe, as it is right, you can find normal food (first, second, compote), and in the store there are a lot of useful little things, there are often outlets like small supermarkets.

After a normal lunch, we rested our eyes on the map. Somewhere near Rovaniemi there should be an interesting festival on the way back. And suddenly Sasha offers to go to Helsinki. Well, time permits. We change the route and through Oulu we leave for the coast of the Gulf of Finland.

The road goes a little along the sea and goes inland. Landscapes are quite uniform. Forests, fields, villages. Again, many cameras began to appear along the roads. We drive calmly and according to the rules. Plans to get to Jyväskylä

It's getting dark, I'm typing the address into the navigator. In the end, a smart device leads us into some kind of residential area already in the very Jyväskylä. The address turns out to be some kind of sports school, on the football field of which hares graze peacefully. Well, everything is in order with the environment here. But we didn’t get any closer to the overnight stay. Moving to the side Helsinki. Find a campsite by the road. But there is not a soul, the light is not on anywhere. Where to go, so as not to make trouble, it is not clear. We decide to go as we go.

I've been driving all day. I'm taking the passenger seat because I started to fall asleep. Sasha is driving. I immediately pass out, I wake up after a while. I ask where are we? I hear in response that somewhere already almost in Helsinki. Looks like I slept for hours. The time is about 4 am, we are all going. I notice that the fuel reserve lamp is on. Hmm, I wonder how long ago? In response, I hear that it is almost 40 km, and there are no gas stations along the way. And the usual reserve is about 50 kilometers away. The prospect of drying out on the district Helsinki not happy at all. In the navigator I find the nearest gas station, and after circling around the residential areas, we finally leave for it.

We struggle with sleep. We leave the gas station and park on the nearest street. After 10 minutes we were already asleep. In the morning we were awakened by a passing bus. The city took on a life of its own. People rushed to work. And we did not quite believe that we had made such a forced march. We returned to the same gas station, since there was a normal cafe there and you could have a good breakfast.

Wandered around for half a day downtown Helsinki

Looked at Cathedral And monument to Alexander II, wandered around the port, gawking at various yachts and beautiful sailboat. We went to the Orthodox Assumption Cathedral, and from there to market square where they sell a wide variety of souvenirs. Next to the souvenirs, they bought a tray with huge blueberries, which they immediately ate. Wandered around the various shops, of which in the center Helsinki

The road between the capital of Finland and border crossing Torfyanovka is being reconstructed. The scale is impressive. Explosive work is underway, a lot of good construction equipment, all workers in helmets and beautiful uniforms. All as in the picture.

We passed the border itself without incident and drove into Russian Federation. I don’t know what changes after entering our country, but compatriots begin to rush along the road like mad, squeezing the maximum out of their cars. Trucks are in ditches. Along the road, women sell mushrooms and berries in buckets. Somewhere near Vyborg we got to the reconstruction of the bridge. Hard workers in stretched dirty T-shirts, filthy shorts and slippers on their bare feet after the Finnish road workers caused melancholy. Well, everything, it seems, we are at home.

By evening we were in St. Petersburg

Washed off, rested a little. And we went to look at the bridges. This action I saw for the first time in my life. Liked. In St. Petersburg, it looks like some kind of sport - to stare at how the two halves of the bridge go up. Crowds of people gather, tourists are brought along the river on boats. Everyone is taking pictures and animatedly commenting on what is happening.

The next day - a walk along the rivers and canals, and in the evening the train home. Yes, it looks like I will never forget this trip.

And at the end of the article, my advice to those who are going to the North Cape in Norway by car (based on my own experience):

1. Good navigator fresh cards very helpful. Don't hesitate to get yourself one. I use Garmin. But you are free to choose what suits you.

2. The stock of money is never superfluous. Although modern cars are quite reliable, it is better to be financially prepared for various force majeure. Although I spent 16-17 thousand rubles on the whole trip, not counting train tickets, I kept the reserve with me on several cards. Most of money for the trip went for gasoline. Basically, they refueled in Finca at 1.65-1.67 euros per liter of the 95th.

3. serviceable car- be sure to check before the road.

4. Get directions and see where you can stay overnight. Have papers to present at the border. Smart site for campsites http://en.campingcompass.com/, well, about booking remember too.

5. Change driving after a couple of hours. This allows you to stretch and cheer up. Less fatigue.

6. Talk to each other, it does not allow you to fall asleep.

7. Have a dry ration in case of spending the night in an unfamiliar place, it helps to save a lot.

8. Obey speed limits and rules– due to unpaid fines, there may be trouble at the border. Yes, and once again discredit us, the Russians, is not worth it.

9. Have a tent and sleeping bags just in case they take up little space. But if necessary, they will save money.

10. Set a priority for yourself- fast movement and few photos, or vice versa. To be honest, I would not advise to drive, the way we did it. We just had a very strong time limit.

11. cellular - have enough money on your account in roaming, or purchase local SIM cards, if necessary. It is very useful to have a car memory and. It is not known when the phone will need to be charged.

The editors of the adventure project thanks Dmitry Komolov(Ryazan, Russia) for this article.
Photos - the author. Spelling, style and punctuation - fully preserved.