Øvre Pasvik National Park (Norwegian: Øvre Pasvik nasjonalpark, Northern Sami: Báhčaveaji álbmotmeahcci, Skolt Sami: Paččjooǥǥ meermeäʹcc)[1] is located in the southeastern part of the Pasvikdalen valley in southern Sør-Varanger Municipality in Finnmark county, Norway.

Covering an area of 119 square kilometers (46 sq mi), the national park is dominated by Siberian-like taiga consisting of old-growth forests of Scots pine, shallow lakes and bog.

The park is a habitat for the brown bear and also has a large population of moose; reindeer husbandry takes place during winter.

[6] Because of the flat terrain, which is only broken by a few hills, it is easy to get lost in the park; lakes and creeks are the easiest means of orientation.

Most lakes are created by variations in the bedrock; Ødevannet is a notable exception as is lies in a deep fault, giving it a long and narrow profile.

[10] The valley has a marine border at 110 meters (360 ft) AMSL, with the post-glacial rebound having dried up the land about 5000 BC.

Pasvikdalen has been populated since the Stone Age; archeological findings from the Komsa culture have been dated back to 4000 BC.

The road was extended to Grensefossen in 1939 and after 1945 the population on the Russian side was forcefully moved by the Soviet authorities and the area depopulated.

[12] The Soviet Union started planning to regulate Pasvikelva for hydroelectricity in the 1940s, with the first power station opening in 1951.

The ministry halted the process as at the time they were principally opposed to all forms of conservation; they wanted all natural resources to be exploited.

The plans for a national park were revitalized in the late 1960s with the proposal to build a highway up Pasvikdalen to Ivalo, Finland.

[14] The national park was established on 6 February 1970[15] and originally covered an area of 66 square kilometers (25 sq mi).

[22] In neighboring areas of Russia there are significant numbers of Norway spruce, but they only exist sporadically within Øvre Pasvik, with no more than 40 trees in one place.

[24] About 190 species of flowering plants in the park have been registered, most of which are part of the natural composition of the Siberian taiga.

[10] The steep cliffs at Revsaksskaret allow mountainous plants to thrive, such as Alpine chickweed, white bluegrass and brittle bladder-fern.

Other common mammals include red fox, stoat, least weasel, American mink and European pine marten.

Reindeer husbandry is permitted within the park, although the area is mostly used during the winter as the herds are moved out to Varangerfjorden for the summers.

The other species arrived after the last glacial period from Lake Inari and ultimately from the then freshwater Baltic Sea.

Species inhabiting the park include Siberian jay, pine grosbeak, Bohemian waxwing, common crane and whooper swan.

The great grey owl and northern hawk-owl are common in years with good access to rodents.

There is a national park center co-located with NIBIO Svanhovd, located at Svanvik, 40 kilometers (25 mi) south of Kirkenes.

In addition to information for hikers, the center has a display and shows films from the national park and its nature, culture and history.

[31][32] All motorized vehicles are prohibited, but it is permitted to bring canoes and other non-motorized boats, as well as skiing during winter.

Hikers must show special consideration regarding vegetation, animal life and cultural heritage.