The Arctic Circle

One of our most exciting moments when motorhoming was getting to the Arctic Circle. While we were up there we made sure we criss-crossed it across all three Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden and Finland) and that we went to see one of its most famous residents. But more of that later.

Wendy at the Arctic Circle in Norway

When we did the biggest part of our grand trip over 2010/11, we always intended that our northern-most point would be the Arctic Circle. We did actually consider going all the way up to Nordkapp, Europe's most northerly point, but decided to save that for another trip (and probably another van!)

The Arctic Circle is one of the five circles of latitude around the Earth. This means that as well as being able to get to it in Scandinavia, it also runs through Russia, Canada, Greenland, America and Iceland. As the name suggests - it's cold!

We went there towards the end of August driving up the 2000-mile long E6 route. If you want to get up north in Norway, this is the road you will have to use. As you get further north, it gets more and more remote leaving you, a few locals, a few trucks and a few fellow motorhomers. Fill up with diesel when you can!

Man-made cairns on the lunar landscape of the Arctic Circle

The advantage of the remoteness is that there are loads of free places to park up overnight for free. We were on a bit of a mission and didn't arrive until 10pm. It got very dark and very cold and there was very little on the road by this time. We pulled into the free aire that is in the car park of the Arctic Circle visitor centre, put some extra layers on the bed and settled in until the morning.

The visitor centre was fantastic although the cafe was closed (rather disappointingly) as we fancied brekky. The photos give you an idea of just how cold and wintery it is up there. It's very much like a lunar landscape. We didn't fell confident enough going for anything more than a short walk as it was quite foggy and the weather was very changeable.

Wendy at Santa Land in Finland

Later in our trip we drove along the quietest road we have ever been on. We literally saw no-one for about 8 hours as we passed from Norway into Sweden. We passed in and out of the Arctic Circle again just for the hell of it, and to get another photo.

Later on still we went to Rovaniemi in Finland. There is a fantastic site in the town, right on the river, and just a few miles north you can get into the Arctic Circle again, this time with the added advantage of Santa. A massive sign announces that "Santa is Here" even though it was early September. So yes, we did go and see him and yes we did pay 25 euros to the world's tallest elf for a photograph of us with Santa that now takes pride of place on our bedroom wall.

Me, Wendy and Santa. Santa's the big guy in the middle.

Getting up to the Arctic Circle was one of our happiest memories from our trips and it's a great talking point. We are not big fans of souvenirs, but we did make a concession on this occasion and we still have our 'Polarsirkel' t-shirts and van stickers.