Last Updated: August 28, 2022
Visiting Grense Jakobselv (Jakobs River Border)
Grense Jakobselv is a deserted village in the far North-East of Norway on the Barents Sea in the Troms og Finnmark region. It is also the easternmost settlement on the border between Norway and Russia, and the furthest you can get from Oslo by road.
It is a popular place to visit for a variety of reasons. The border of course, but also the deserted settlement and the birding that can be done in the region. Because the town is at the mouth of a river it
Image courtesy of Wikipedia
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What Is Grense Jakobselv Population?
Currently, there are no permanent residents living in Grense Jakobselv. You may certainly see people staying at houses here in the summertime, and also some visitors camping or staying in mobile homes.
King Oscar II’s Chapel – Grense Jakobselv Kirke
Image courtesy of Wikipedia
One of the most popular things to visit at Jacob’s Border is King Oscar II’s Chapel. It is a simple, but elegant grey stone church sitting quietly near the border to protect against the Russians. It was erected in 1869 and still looks new to this day. Something that is not surprising if you spend any time in Norway. Everything is well maintained, including the toilets.
Birding & Fishing At Grense Jakobselv
It has a long history behind it, but it is no longer populated today. Instead, apart from its location on the border, its claim to fame is the bird species that can be spotted here. And, you can almost fish yourself to death trying to catch Salmon! Something Norway is certainly famous for.
The range of bird species here is astounding, and it is easily accessible from Kirkenes. You can see such species as:
- Whitetailed Eagle
- Arctic Skua
- Arctic Tern
- Black Guillemot
- Shag
- Ducks
- Cormorants
- Gulls
- Auks
As well as there, there are dozens more you can see in the scrub along the border of the river and paths in the area.
Take Care At The Grense Jakobselv Border
Because of the tensions between Europe and Russia, the border here is currently being taken very seriously. Do not take photos, fly drones, make fun of people on either side, guards or make threatening motions around official crossings. Fines can be very hefty.
Getting To Grense Jakobselv
Basically, you have to drive south from Kirkenes on the E6 until the crossroad, approximately 5km from town, then turn east on the E105. After another 4km, you have to take the turnoff left onto the small FV8860 road until the very end – Grense Jakobselv. Just throw it into Google Maps as a destination once you are in the region, and you should have little to no trouble getting there.
Storskog border station
You also pass the Storskog border station at the FV8860 turn off. This is the place you would cross over into Russia if it was allowed anymore. The actual distance from Kirkenes to the Russian border is 57km.
Small Roads In Norway
Just bear in mind that roads outside of the main E6 can get quite small, and sometimes rough in these regions of Norway. And you have to drive slowly and carefully when you encounter oncoming traffic. Especially if you are in a van or mobile home like we were.
