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The North Cape in Finnmark, Norway Photo: Finnmark Tourist Board

Scenic attractions in Finnmark

Visit the county of Finnmark to experience the North Cape, the huge national parks or Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau.

The eastern part of Finnmark is known for its high sky and wide horizon, and provides the perfect backdrop for colourful winter lights, the northern lights, and the midnight sun. In the western parts of Finnmark you find the North Cape, beautiful glaciers and the biggest canyon in Northern Europe, Sautso.

The North Cape

The North Cape sea cliff, 307 metres above sea level, has long been a popular and important navigation mark for shipping traffic in the north. In 1553, an English expedition set sail under the helm of commander Richard Chancellor to find the northeastern passage to China. They did not succeed but the old sea charts after this expedition are the first to mention the name North Cape.

The sea cliff dates back 500-600 million years and consists of schist, sandstone, quartzite and mica schist.

National parks

There are five national parks in Finnmark:

  • Stabbursdalen National Park - home to the world's northernmost pine forest.
  • Øvre Anarjohka National Park - a remote and untouched part of the Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau.
  • Øvre Pasvik National Park - situated in Northern Scandinavia's largest area of virgin forest.
  • Seiland National Park - two of the northernmost glaciers in Scandinavia.
  • Varangerhalvøya National Park - the peninsula is the largest area within the Arctic climate zone on mainland Norway.

Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau

The tundra of Finnmarksvidda offers a glimpse of eternity, but the plateau is also used and is home to both people and animals. The total silence is broken by animals running through the snow and reindeer herders looking for their flocks. The landscape is coloured by the cold and by the sun’s struggle towards the horizon.

Last updated:  31 August 2011
A Sami herding reindeer on the Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau, Norway - Photo: CH/Innovation Norway
A Sami herding reindeer on the Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau, Norway
The North Cape, Norway - Photo: Trym Ivar Bergsmo/Finnmark Reiseliv
The North Cape, Norway

Interest:  Nature attractions, Arctic Norway, Coast and coastal culture

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The North Cape in Finnmark, Norway - Photo: Finnmark Tourist Board

Scenic attractions in Finnmark

Visit the county of Finnmark to experience the North Cape, the huge national parks or Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau.

Scenic attractions in Finnmark

Source: Visit Norway

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What to do in Finnmark

Join a fisherman on the fjord or experience a king crab safari, get to know Sami culture, try dog sledging or go on a snowmobile safari.
Interest: Nature attractions, Wildlife safari, Fishing, Riding & Sledging, Winter without skis, Snowscooter, Arctic Norway, Coast and coastal culture

Round trip in Eastern Finnmark

Visit Sami villages, travel to the border area between Finnmark and Russia or join the locals catching king crabs in Eastern Finnmark.
Interest: Tour suggestions, Arctic Norway, Coast and coastal culture

King crab safaris in Norway

Come face to face with the red king crab in the Barents Sea outside the coast of Finnmark. Afterwards you are offered a taste of the succulent meat.
Interest: Wildlife safari, Arctic Norway, Coast and coastal culture

Hiking in Finnmark

With its fjords and the unique Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau, the vast county of Finnmark is well-suited for hiking holidays for the whole family.
Interest: Hiking, Tour suggestions, Arctic Norway

About Finnmark

Finnmark

The vast county of Finnmark is the home of the Sami - Norway’s aborigines. Here you can experience midnight sun, northern lights and the North Cape.

Key facts about Finnmark

The county of Finnmark covers an area of 48,637 square kilometres and has approximately 72,000 inhabitants.

Tourist information in Finnmark

The tourist information offices in Finnmark will help you book accommodation and plan your trip.
Interest: Tourist information

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