Discover Troms: Nature, Trails and Culture

Discover Troms through a wide range of interests: river landscapes and hikes sit alongside mountain panoramas, winter sports and museums. For your trip planning, it is worth deciding on your priorities first. Some activities are seasonal and take place in summer, while others have specific details on distance or duration.

River landscapes and access in Reisa National Park

Reisa National Park is shaped by the long Reisadalen valley, formed by the Reisa River. Narrow valleys, gorges, powerful waterfalls and river cirques define this landscape. In summer, the main valley from Saraelv to Nedrefoss is used for river trips, canoeing, salmon fishing and hiking. The season is an important part of planning: these activities relate to the valley’s use in summer.

The usual way to access the national park is by riverboat from Bilto or Saraelv. The Nordkalottleden trail also begins there, running mostly along the river into the valley. If you are planning your trip around this route, check the availability of the boat service in advance. This lets you plan the river trip as a means of access separately from the activities available in the valley.

Hiking, mountain views and a cycling route

For a hike with a clearly stated time requirement, the trail to Steindalsbreen provides a specific guide: the round trip from the car park to the glacier is 12.4 kilometres and takes about five to six hours. Conditions on the trail can vary. Set aside the stated time as a separate part of your trip and bear in mind that trail conditions may be changeable.

The hike to Blåisvatnet offers a different landscape, leading to intensely blue water surrounded by steep mountains. Senja and the surrounding islands have numerous hiking trails, including routes associated with Husfjellet, Hesten and Segla. For cycling trips, the Senja National Scenic Route is a distinct point of reference: it is signposted and forms part of National Cycle Route 1.

The mountain scenery also offers striking landmarks. The Lyngen Alps stretch across Lyngen, Storfjord and Tromsø; their highest point reaches 1,834 metres. The Fjellheisen cable car offers panoramic views of Tromsø and the surrounding islands, fjords, mountains and sea. At Gorsa Bridge, a 153-metre-long bridge spans the deep Sabetjohk Canyon. These different features—peaks, wide-open views and a gorge—each offer a distinct focus when choosing your excursions.

Culture, research and exhibitions

The museums and visitor centres cover a range of topics. The permanent exhibitions at the Polar Museum focus on Arctic hunting and trapping, Norwegian polar expeditions and the cultural history of Svalbard. The Arctic University Museum of Norway presents the history and natural environment of Northern Norway, including Sámi culture, Stone Age people and the Vikings of the North. At Seppalatunet, visitors can learn more about famous polar expeditions.

Science and the environment provide further areas of focus: the Science Centre of Northern Norway presents four main themes and includes Norway’s largest planetarium. Polaria is an Arctic experience centre where visitors can see bearded seals up close. It also features knowledge-based exhibitions developed in collaboration with researchers, showcasing some of the climate and environmental research carried out in the polar regions. The Troll Museum is Norway’s first museum devoted entirely to trolls and fairy tales. The range therefore extends from nature and research topics to storytelling traditions.

A fixed event date may also be relevant when planning your trip: the Indigenous festival Riddu Riđđu takes place every year in July in Manndalen, on the shore of the Lyngenfjord. Festival dates vary, so check the current dates before travelling. The specific location and July timing offer a different kind of reference point from the year-round museum exhibits described above.

Combining travel interests with your hotel search

When looking for a hotel in Troms, it helps to first organise your planned priorities: would you like to include river trips and activities in the Reisa Valley, plan hikes with a stated time requirement, or explore museums, research and culture? Cycling, mountain views and the alpine ski centre on Senja can also inform your choice of travel interests. There are runs for all skill levels, and operating conditions can vary. If you want to combine several themes, keep seasonal activities, estimated hiking times and changing conditions in mind.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kvæfjord, Salangen, Tranøy, Balsfjord, Lenvik, Torsken, Kåfjord, Berg, Tromsø, Karlsøy, Skånland, Storfjord, Bjarkøy, Harstad, Dyrøy, Lyngen, Nordreisa, Lavangen, Sørreisa, Målselv, Ibestad, Bardu, Skjervøy, Kvænangen, Gratangen, Gáivuotna-Kåfjord.

For the broader travel overview: Norway.