Nordreisa: Nature, Rivers and Cultural History

Reisa National Park encompasses an almost untouched natural area. The Reisaelva flows northwest through the park towards the coast and is one of Norway’s best salmon rivers. The Mollisfossen waterfall is also a highlight of nature experiences in Nordreisa: its total drop is 269 metres. A sightseeing tour to Mollisfossen offers the chance to experience the national park’s most visited attraction.

River and hiking trails

In summer, you can canoe on the Reisaelva. This is distinct from travelling in traditional riverboats with outboard motors, which is permitted as far as Nedrefoss. For hikers, the historic route is a multi-day undertaking: it is about 60 kilometres long, starts in Saraelv, follows the Reisaelva past Imofossen, and then crosses the mountains to Reisavann. Conditions can vary and should be taken into account when planning.

Another hiking route is the Nordkalottruta. It runs through Reisa National Park and the Ráisdouttarháldi Landscape Protection Area, and forms part of the European long-distance footpath E1 from Sicily to the North Cape. The options range from summer river activities to a multi-day tour and a long-distance trail. The approximate length and duration of the historic route can help you estimate how much time you will need.

Kven history and Havnnes

The Tørfoss farm was cleared for cultivation in the 1750s and represents the history of Kven settlement in Northern Norway during the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors can learn about the life and livelihood of a Kven family there. Tørfoss thus connects a specific place with the history of a community and its way of life.

Havnnes is a historic trading post on Uløya in Nordreisa and Norway’s northernmost surviving trading post still in operation. Most of the buildings at the old Havnnes Handelssted date from the 19th century; they are either protected or designated as worthy of preservation. Havnnes also has marked hiking trails, ranging from easy forest walks to more challenging mountain hikes.

Visitors to Havnnes Handelssted can enter the stockfish warehouse and see the large supplies of fish destined for the Italian market. If you plan a visit, check in advance whether it is available. You can also rent bicycles and boats on Havnnes. The combination of trading history, the fish warehouse and marked trails makes this a different travel experience from the river and hiking experiences in the national park.

Halti in Storslett

Halti, an authorised visitor centre for Reisa National Park, is located in Storslett. At Halti, visitors can follow the path along the Reisaelva and explore Elveparken. The exhibition Fantastiske Reisa explores the landscape, nature and culture associated with the Reisa river system. It complements outdoor experiences with an insight into the themes connected to this river system.

If you are looking for a hotel in Nordreisa, you can use your travel interests as a guide: the river and hiking trails offer different experiences from Kven history and the historic trading post of Havnnes. Consider which of these themes you would like to make the focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Rotsund, Havnnes, Sørkjosen, Storslett, Kvæfjord, Skjervøy, Berg, Lavangen

Back to the regional travel overview: Troms.