Nordreisa: River Landscapes, Hiking Trails and Culture

The Reisaelva defines Nordreisa as a river landscape: it flows northwest through Reisa National Park to the coast. The national park encompasses an almost untouched natural area, and the Reisaelva is one of Norway’s best salmon rivers. If you would like to combine nature and culture when planning your trip, Nordreisa offers both trails alongside the river landscape and insights into the region’s history.

River, Waterfall and Hiking Trails

Mollisfossen has a total drop of 269 m. A sightseeing trip there offers the chance to experience the national park’s most visited attraction. The waterfall is therefore a specific natural highlight to plan around; if you would rather cover a longer distance on foot, you can explore the historic route.

This multi-day hike is about 60 km long. It begins in Saraelv, follows the Reisaelva past Imofossen, and then crosses the mountains to Reisavann. At Sieimma, a detour leads to rock paintings that are about 4,000 years old and lie on the opposite side of the river. The approximate overall distance and multi-day nature of the hike are important features to consider when deciding whether this route is right for your trip.

The Nordkalottruta also passes through Reisa National Park and the Ráisdouttarháldi protected landscape area. It is a section of the European long-distance trail E1, which runs from Sicily to the North Cape. In summer, you can canoe on the Reisaelva; traditional riverboats with outboard motors are also permitted as far as Nedrefoss. Alongside hiking, you can therefore choose to make time on the river a separate focus of your trip.

Experience Nature and Culture Together

Halti is an authorized visitor centre for Reisa National Park. Its exhibition Fantastiske Reisa explores the landscape, nature and culture in connection with the Reisa river system. At Halti, visitors can also follow the trail alongside the Reisaelva and explore Elveparken. If you would like to focus your stay more on the river landscape, you can take these themes into account when choosing where to stay.

For a different glimpse into the history of Northern Norway, visit Tørfoss farm, a site run by the Nord-Troms Museum in Nordreisa municipality. The farm was cleared for cultivation in the 1750s and tells the story of Kven settlement in the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors can learn about the life and livelihood of a Kven family. Tørfoss thus offers a distinct cultural focus alongside the natural experiences by the river.

Trading History on Uløya

Havnnes is a historic trading post on Uløya in Nordreisa and Norway’s northernmost preserved trading post still in operation. Most of the buildings at the old Havnnes Handelssted date from the 19th century; they are protected or designated as worthy of preservation. Visitors can enter the stockfish storehouse and see the large stocks of fish destined for the Italian market. This visit brings the history of trade to life through a tangible look at how the fish is stored and where it is bound.

Havnnes has marked hiking trails, ranging from easy forest walks to more challenging mountain hikes. Bicycles and boats are available to rent there. If you are weighing up hiking, cultural history and time on the water, these offer different ways to spend your stay in Nordreisa. When looking for a holiday rental, it is worth first considering which of these experiences matter most to you.

Explore Places in Nordreisa

To help you find your way around the municipality, here are Sørkjosen, Storslett, Rotsund and Havnnes. Ovi Raishiin is about 48 km from Storslett. The access road follows FV 865 to the junction at Bilto, then a municipal road to the turning point in Saraelv, followed by another 700 m along a forest road. If you would like to compare destinations in the same wider area, you can also explore Lyngen, Gáivuotna-Kåfjord, Bjarkøy and Kvænangen.

For the wider travel overview: Troms.