Reisa National Park takes over where the Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau ends abruptly. The Reisa River has cut into the mountain plateau like an axe blade in the landscape to form the long Reisa Valley. You will discover an eldorado of spectacular waterfalls, deep canyons and harsh forests. Prepare yourself for a unique piece of Norwegian nature!
Reisa National Park covers an area of 806 km² in Nordreisa municipality in Troms County. The national park was established in 1986 to protect the area and preserve the beautiful and untouched mountain and valley landscape, complete with its diverse fauna and unique geological deposits. Reisa National Park is also home to one of the richest Arctic faunas in Norway.
Mollis waterfall in Reisa National Park. Photo: Petr Pavlíček
The Reisa Valley’s mighty landscape
Reisa National Park stretches in a north-westerly direction from the mountain plateau landscape in the southeast to a more alpine landscape closer to the coast in the northwest. The nature here is completely unique with narrow. The Reisa Valley has many side valleys and the Reisa River cuts down through a majestic canyon. The national park borders the 80 km² Ráisduottarháldi protected landscape area to the west and the Käsivarsi wilderness area in Finland to the southwest.
The national park is home to several impressive waterfalls, including the famous Mollisfossen. The highest waterfall in Northern Europe, Mollisfossen is 269 m high with a free fall of 140 m. A few kilometres north of the cabin in Nedrefoss is another beautiful waterfall, Imofossen, formed by two rivers plunging over a vertical rock wall into a narrow canyon.
Fall in Reisa National Park. Photo: Petr Pavlíček
Visitor Point – Ovi Raaishiin
At the end of the road at the top of Reisadalen, you will find Ovi Raishiin. This is the gateway and visitor center for Reisa National Park. It is a natural starting point for hikes in the area and into the national park.
Where the road ends, you will find parking, toilets, fireplaces and plenty of information about hiking opportunities in the area. The site is operated by Halti National Park Center and is staffed on Wednesdays and Fridays during the summer season.
'Ovi Raishiin' is Kven and means 'The Door to Reisadalen'. Hikers and walkers come here to follow the Nordkalottruta – a hiking trail that stretches 800 km through the border areas of Norway, Sweden and Finland. The Nordkalottruta goes through the national park and you can follow it directly from Ovi Raishiin.
The place is also often visited by families and visitors with limited mobility. Ovi Raishiin is well-suited for strollers and wheelchairs, with a ramp to toilets and accessible fireplaces, tables, benches and viewpoints up the valley.
The Reisa River flows below Ovi Raishiin, and visitors can be picked up or transported to Dronningstøa at Ovi Raishiin by experienced riverboat drivers.
Woman biking at visitor point - Ovi Raishiin. Photo: Petr Pavlíček
Nature-based experiences in National Park
The varied nature of the Reisa Valley and surrounding areas offer visitors opportunities for wild and spectacular nature-based experiences year-round.
During the summer months, the main valley from Saraelv to Nedrefoss is extremely popular among visitors, in the river as well as on land. The Reisa River is perfect for travelling by riverboat or paddling by canoe, but please pay special attention to the fact that the river level rises quickly due to rapid snow melting in warm weather or in heavy rain.
The are many hiking options in Reisa National Park for those wanting to explore on foot.
One of the options is to follow the Arctic Trail (Nordkalottleden). This is a marked trail that follows the western side of the Reisa River right up to Nedrefoss, across the river via a swing bridge up the eastern side of the river to Imo and then up onto the mountain plateau all the way to Ráisjávri.
If you would prefer a shorter hike, you can start at the visitors’ centre at Ovi Raishiin and follow the trail on the western side of the river for roughly 9 km to Sieimma. When you reach Sieimma, you can admire the Stone Age Rock Art, which has been accessible to the public since 2013.
In the lower reaches of the Reisa watercourse, you can fish for salmon, sea trout and Arctic char right up to the Imofossen waterfall. Salmon fishing in the Reisa River is a popular activity for locals as well as anglers from around the world! Several have had the pleasure of catching a salmon weighing more than 20 kg! Upriver from Imo, there is good Arctic char fishing and, if you are lucky, you can also catch perch, burbot, northern pike and European whitefish. Moreover, there are stocks of northern pike in Ráisjávri.
Small game hunting is also possible in the area. Two noted hunters from the Reisa Valley are Kristine and Johanne Thybo Hansen. The young hunting and outdoor recreation enthusiasts have been featured as the “Hunting twins” (Jegertvillingene) in several programmes on Norwegian TV.
Hunting and fishing in the national park are regulated by the applicable laws so it’s important to remember to buy valid hunting and/or fishing license. Read more
In the wintertime, the main valley is characterised by many frozen waterfalls and ice columns from the countless tributaries of the Reisa River. You can experience this beautiful sight by putting on skis and skiing along the frozen Reisa River or the riverbank. Always consider safety and take precautions when entering frozen lakes and rivers!
Riverboat in Reisa river. Photo: Magy Media
Cabins and accommodation options in the national park
Visitors to Reisa National Park may stay overnight in several unmanned cabins and turf huts. The hiking association has two unmanned cabins in the area, one at Nedrefoss and the other at Ovi Rashiin, while Statskog has a cabin at Ráisjávri.
Cabins open for free use include Sieimmahytta (8 km from Saraelv) Vuomadathytta (22 km from Saraelv) Naustneset hytte (26 km from Saraelv) Imogammen (33 km from Saraelv) and Arthurgammen at Luvddidjohka (36 km from Saraelv).
Sieimma cabin in Reisa National Park. Photo: Petr Pavlíček
History of the Reisa Valley
The Reisa Valley has been a meeting place for the Norwegian, Sami and Finnish cultures for several centuries. The area has been used by reindeer herders and the local population, which is of Sami, Kven (Finnish) and Norwegian origins. This is reflected by place names and cultural heritage sites.
Read more about the history of the Reisa Valley and the rich cultural heritage here!
The settlement in the Reisa Valley can be traced well back in history to the Sami hunting community. Finnish immigrants (known as Kvens) settled in the valley in the 18th century. It is widely believed that they introduced the characteristic riverboats in the valley.
The Reisa Valley and surrounding mountains have long been important areas for hunting, trapping and fishing. Grouse are still snared here in the traditional way from time to time.
Did you know that the national park is still an important grazing area for reindeer? Consequently, you must take special care if you visit during the calving season in April and May.
If you wish to visit Reisa National Park from Storslett, turn off the E6 highway and drive 44 km on route 856 to Bilto then continue a further 4km to Saraelv, where the road ends. The most common way to enter the actual national park is by river boat from Bilto or Saraelv, which may be booked in the summertime. If you arrive on foot, follow the riverbank or the Arctic Trail (Nordkalottleden) approx. 9 km to Sieimma, where the protected area starts.
From Kautokeino, it’s approx. 32 km along route 896 in the direction of Biedjuvaggi and Raisjavri. You can complete the final 3-4 km on foot on the hiking trail or drive on the old construction road down to Raisjavri. From Finland, you may reach Reisa National Park by following the Arctic Trail north from Kilpisjarvi. If you are driving, continue on the E6 highway to Birtavarre in Kåfjord then drive up the Kåfjord Valley to Ankerlia then Guolasjavri before continuing on foot.
You are welcome to hunt and fish in accordance with the current regulations. Don’t use live fish as bait or take live fish from one watercourse to another.
You may roam freely on foot or skis. You may pick berries, edible mushrooms and common plants for your own use, but be considerate towards cultural heritage sites, vegetation and animals. Be extra careful during the breeding season, considerate towards reindeer grazing in the area and respect the legally enforced duty to keep dogs on a leash.
You are welcome to rest or camp where you wish, but leave no trace and take your rubbish with you. You may light fires, but there is a general fire ban in forested areas from 15 April to 15 September. Be considerate when gathering firewood and don’t damage or destroy pine trees.
The use of traditional river boats is permitted up to Nedrefoss. This is the only form of motorised vehicles permitted except from driving associated with reindeer herding, supervision, etc.
You must take everything you brought into the national park out with you when you leave.
