On the way to the frontier and Norway

WAR MEMORY IN KÅTAVIKEN
During the Second World War the homestead at Kåtaviken was an important link in the chain of communication between the Norwegian resistance movement and Sweden and the Western allies. There was radio transmitting and other equipment here. Many refugees crossed the frontier to Kåtaviken and freedom.

THE FRONTIER
The present frontier with Norway was drawn in 1751. Prior to that date most of the Tärnafjällen area was Norwegian. This boundary stone is number 218A reckoned from Svinesund in the south. The customs station for declaring dutiable goods is situated in Tärnaby.

NORWAY
After the frontier, the Blue Road follows the lake for another 5 km to Umbukta, where Umbukta Fjellstue (= Umbukta mountain cottage) is situated. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries this cottage was a vital overnight facility for Tärna peasants on their important provisioning journeys to Mo i Rana. Today the building houses a café and lodging accommodation. After Umbukta the road goes through a tunnel that was built under almost three years and where finished in 2006. Before the tunnel, this road has always been a problematic section of the E12 highway; it has often had to be closed because of snow and bad weather.The road continues to Mo i Rana, a total of 100 km from Hemavan. The E12 Blue Road continues along the north side of the Rana fiord out to Nesna on the coast, 65 km. An even more beautiful road, if that is possible, goes along the north side of the Sjona fiord past the ferry berth at Stokkvågen, the mighty Aldersundet (= Alder sound) and out to Tonnes.