Discover Balsfjord: Fjord Nature and Culture

Balsfjord combines a distinctive fjord landscape with ancient rock carvings, a historic sawmill and nature exhibitions. There are also opportunities for active days: in summer, mountain hikes, fishing and paddling take centre stage; cross-country ski trails offer another, wintry perspective on the region. The experiences that interest you can help you choose how to spend your stay and find the right location for a holiday apartment or holiday home.

Fjord and Protected Wetlands

Balsfjord is a sill fjord with its own stocks of Pacific herring and capelin, as well as a resident cod population. Malangsfjorden, also known as Malangen, is one of the two fjords that make up Balsfjord. These waters are among the region’s defining natural features. Nature lovers can also explore the wetland system formed by the Sørkjosleira and Kobbevågen nature reserves: both are protected as Ramsar sites.

The Balsfjord Fjord Museum/Wetland Centre in Storsteinnes presents natural and cultural history through exhibitions and visitor experiences. Its natural history topics include birdlife, predators, insects and plants, as well as the geology of the surrounding area. A visit can therefore add insights to your stay that extend beyond fjord and mountains to encompass the local flora and fauna and geological surroundings.

Rock Carvings and Cultural History

Near Tennes are rock carving sites with more than 55 figures carved into stone, created over 6,000 years ago. The sites have footpaths, signs and lighting. The Gråbergan site is one of the rock carving sites mapped at Tennes. For anyone interested in culture, a visit is an opportunity to discover some of the region’s earliest visual records.

Aursfjordsaga tells a different story: it is the only preserved sawmill with a frame saw in Northern Norway. Ingebregt Eliassen originally built it in 1796. It is open to groups and school classes by appointment from May to September. Balsfjord Church is also part of the area’s cultural history: built in 1856, it is a protected cultural monument with 400 seats and is known for its excellent acoustics.

The fishing vessel MS “Terje” was built in Tennes in 1922 and brought ashore in 2002. Following extensive work, it was opened to the public in 2022. These dates give the vessel a distinct, well-defined place in the local fishing tradition.

Outdoor Activities and Local Produce

Summer outings can include mountain hikes, fishing and paddling. If you’d like to stay active during a winter holiday, Balsfjord has a wide range of cross-country ski trails through varied terrain. Selnes Farm near Laksvatn offers rides on Icelandic horses. Seasonal farm produce such as eggs, carrots, strawberries and sheepskins can also be bought there; the selection includes other products from the farm as well.

Parts of Balsfjord can be explored by bicycle or on foot along village roads and paths. Transport links are also a useful guide when choosing where to stay: the E6 runs through Balsfjord, and the E6 and E8 meet at Nordkjosbotn. Bus services connect Balsfjord with Tromsø and several other places in Troms. If you’re planning excursions using different modes of transport, these connections may help you decide where to base yourself.

Discover Places in Balsfjord

For a closer look, you can explore the places of Balsfjord, Nordkjosbotn, Mortenhals, Meistervik, Storsteinnes and Laksvatn individually. This can help you decide which experiences matter most for your trip: fjord and wetlands, cultural history, outdoor activities or a visit to a farm.

For the broader travel overview: Troms.

More Destinations

More places in the same destination:

Tromsø, Skjervøy.