Roundtrip to Snowhotel Kirkenes

One of the main attractions in Kirkenes is the Snowhotel, located about 12 km outside the center.

It’s an easy cycling route, mostly along well-maintained pedestrian and cycle paths. Heading towards the center from the harbor, you pass Andersgrotten, which served as a bomb shelter during World War II, with room for 2,500 people. Today, it’s a museum where you can join guided tours to learn more about wartime history. Nearby, on a hill, stands the Liberation Monument, marking Kirkenes as one of the first places in Norway to be liberated after the war. In the center, you’ll find cafes, shops, hotels, and the tourist office.

3 km outside the center lies the Varanger Grenselandmuseum, covering themes like industrial development, wartime history, and the daily life of people near the border over time. The last stretch towards the Snowhotel is on gravel, where a large group of huskies will welcome you! The hotel has a beautiful restaurant with an impressive view, and a visit to the ice hotel itself is a must. The hotel is open for overnight stays year-round.

On the way back to the harbor, you can either take the same easy route or follow the ski trail, which is more rugged and on gravel. Although there are a few short, steep hills, it’s a fantastic route that brings you close to nature. You’ll also see traces of the old railway that once transported ore from the Sørvaranger mine all the way to the coast, which remained operational until 2015.