Pasvik Nature Reserve
Pasvik Nature Reserve
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
33 reviews
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wayne_e
Holmfirth, UK315 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
From Kirkenes to Nyrud its about a 2 hour drive each way but well worth it - its got a pretty mild micro-climate so its a bit greener and less harsh then much of the rest the area. On the way down we saw a couple of moose/elk cross the road as well as dozens of Reindeer. The only problem being that pretty much everything was closed - including the national park centre at Svanvik which was supposed to be open and most disappointing of all was the forest road to Trerisroyka (3 cairns) which was also unexpectedly closed. More information on these would have been good!!
Written May 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JJ Whippet
Nantwich250 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
We visited this nature reserve and its lodge/conference centre during a coach trip from Kirkenes as part of a tour group.
Even though it was late June, the weather was atrocious (3C and sleeting) so sadly we did not get to see the botanical garden as it was too wet and slippery underfoot. Instead, the staff kindly put on some short films about the work being undertaken in the Nature Reserve, and we had a guided tour of the exhibits in their 'museum'.
Quite interesting, but would it not merit spending more than about an hour or so, unless the gardens were accessible.
Even though it was late June, the weather was atrocious (3C and sleeting) so sadly we did not get to see the botanical garden as it was too wet and slippery underfoot. Instead, the staff kindly put on some short films about the work being undertaken in the Nature Reserve, and we had a guided tour of the exhibits in their 'museum'.
Quite interesting, but would it not merit spending more than about an hour or so, unless the gardens were accessible.
Written September 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tormodel
Trondheim160 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
"Flat" rivers, arctic woods, gravel and dirt roads. If you are into that kind of thing. This is for you. If you can stand the mosquitos. And the horse flies.
I travelled to Nyrud to see three things - "Sydvaranger Gruve" (mines), Svanvik and Nyrud.
Sydvaranger Gruve is something most Norwegians have heard of, but I think very few know how gigantic this thing is. How much value it has generated. And the full story of this place. I knew a guy who used to rund the worker´s union around here. That in itself is a story strong enough to have generated several books.
A bit further south is Svanvik. A perfect example of Norwegian de-centralization and a surprisingly progressive place. The Norwegian centre for Bio-Economical research is placed here. You will be surprised of how "cool" this place is, when you see it after having driven thorugh very very quiet areas first.
Lastly, and the furthest south you can realistically drive with a normal car, you reach Nyrud. Norway´s justice outpost. Basically a police station with looking after the nature reserve as it´s foremost task. But, it is also clearly a way to mark Norway´s presence in this wedge of a land in between Russia and Finland.
I am deeply fascinated by the Pasvik Valley and the "politics" that are in the air here. But since I love coastal areas, this isn´t a place for me to stay for more than a couple of days at the most.
I travelled to Nyrud to see three things - "Sydvaranger Gruve" (mines), Svanvik and Nyrud.
Sydvaranger Gruve is something most Norwegians have heard of, but I think very few know how gigantic this thing is. How much value it has generated. And the full story of this place. I knew a guy who used to rund the worker´s union around here. That in itself is a story strong enough to have generated several books.
A bit further south is Svanvik. A perfect example of Norwegian de-centralization and a surprisingly progressive place. The Norwegian centre for Bio-Economical research is placed here. You will be surprised of how "cool" this place is, when you see it after having driven thorugh very very quiet areas first.
Lastly, and the furthest south you can realistically drive with a normal car, you reach Nyrud. Norway´s justice outpost. Basically a police station with looking after the nature reserve as it´s foremost task. But, it is also clearly a way to mark Norway´s presence in this wedge of a land in between Russia and Finland.
I am deeply fascinated by the Pasvik Valley and the "politics" that are in the air here. But since I love coastal areas, this isn´t a place for me to stay for more than a couple of days at the most.
Written July 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Val C
New Mills, UK98 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
We didn't see much wild life but a big range of birds. The visitors centre is an excellent visit with lots of examples of the local wildlife. Great for children with places for them to crawl into and explore and lots of things to touch. The drive up the valley was interesting. We had an excellent local guide called Frank who talked about all the seasons in the valley.
Written June 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah K
Caledon, Canada173 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
We enjoyed the nature reserve and learned a lot about the local flora and fauna at the visitor center. The film they provided had a good amount of info, and the display of animals was quite well done. The staff there were very helpful...and the young lady laughed when I asked about the Norwegian Forest Cat. (Here, they're just called Forest Cats.) These large, fluffy pussycats are still pretty wild and enjoy being free to roam, but they are domesticated even if somewhat aloof. It was sad to read about the beaver and how it almost became extinct, and interesting to learn about the muskrat that has been introduced to the area. Really worth a visit if you love animals, birch forests, and botanical gardens. (Theirs is quite small, but still fun to see.)
Written June 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jcsyr
Sande148 contributions
Jul 2012 • Friends
In the most eastern part of Norway, between Russia and Finland, you can visit Pasvik Nasjonal Park. This is the most western part of the big forest, stretching all the way from Siberia. That means a big diversity of birds, you can´t find elsewhere in Europe. You can drive to the edge of the park, where you can camp, fish, bird watching and hiking. If you go to Sortbrysttjern you can find three places for campfire, and one latrine. Be careful, don´t make a fire if it is windy and dry, and keep in mind that it is only legal to use firewood that has fall down on the ground. Walk 100 meters, and you can collect all you need. If you are fishing, you can always have fish enough to eat. In the summer, when it´s no wind, mosquitos can be a problem, but you have to live with it. In this area you always can be sure that you have a brown bear nearby, but you are lucky if you get to see it. They are more afraid of you than you ate of them. You can hear them, ore see some signs, but it´s only a dog that can tell you where they are. Take care of the nature, this is my paradise.
Written November 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
731ingeh
Moss Municipality, Norway140 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
When traveling from the coast at Kirkenes and into the country towards Nyrud, one gets amazed at nature. This area is very similar to the inner eastern part of the country. Traveling along the border with Russia is, of course, a little special. The police station at Nyrud is a proper outpost in Norway. Beautifully located by the river. Here it was fine.
Written July 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grevillia
Adelaide, Australia260 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
We visited areas while on a local tour and found the areas very interesting. firstly the river area which we viewed from above and then down close to the area patrolled by Norwegian border patrols. Across the river you could see the Russian patrol tour and signs forbid telephoto photos of over 200mm zoom.
The National Park headquarters was well worth a visit. The building is modern, houses a cafe and there is an excellent interpretation display upstairs of local flora and fauna.
This was in July, so the small botanic garden was in full bloom with all sorts of interesting alpine and Arctic plants and flowers, including plantings of the amazing Tibetan Blue Poppy( Meconopsis )
We would loved to have had more time to explore more of the wilderness areas of the park.
The National Park headquarters was well worth a visit. The building is modern, houses a cafe and there is an excellent interpretation display upstairs of local flora and fauna.
This was in July, so the small botanic garden was in full bloom with all sorts of interesting alpine and Arctic plants and flowers, including plantings of the amazing Tibetan Blue Poppy( Meconopsis )
We would loved to have had more time to explore more of the wilderness areas of the park.
Written February 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PeterM98
Norwich, UK20 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
Visited in mid-May when despite information on web that one could cruise the forest tracks listening to the owls all the tracks were closed with locked barriers. Bird towers/hides at Fugletarn and Fuglebar (spelling might be wrong) and the Pasvik river was flowing and had ducks, swans, geese and a few waders. Road to Nyrud is diabolical so drive carefully. Elk easy to see. Forest tracks open 15th June so best to visit after that date. Small co-op supermarket at Svanvik which also sells petrol.
Written May 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darrencru
Oxfordshire, UK258 contributions
Oct 2020
This is simple one of the nicest places we have ever been. The scenery, the silence, the wildlife, the adventure were all fantastic and we will definitely be back one day. Just amazing.
Written October 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Добрый день! В каком отеле недалеко остановится? Как попасть в заповедник, нужно заказать экскурсию или можно посетить самостоятельно, цена за вход, работает ли в зимний период?
Written February 7, 2019
If you like to go to Ellentjern from Kirkenes the best way is to rent a car / Taxi. It is a long journey - and i do not not remember the price. We bought a package - both cottage and transport.
Written September 22, 2017
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