Reisa National Park Photo: Magnus Rismyhr Map and information Welcome to Norway’s National Parks Welcome to Reisa Reisa National Park features high mountains, intersected by canyons, gullies and wetlands. The area offers the Reisa river, waterfalls, river boat trips, fishing, hunting and much else. The Reisa river runs through the excellent view over the whole area. National Park and is one of the 2 km away, just outside the protected country’s few rivers for large area, lies Halti (1,326 m - 4,350 ft salmon. The river’s name is thought AMSL) - Finland’s highest mountain. to come from old Norse risa, which means ‘to rise’ and may refer to the Nordreisa, where “the three tribes river’s rapidly changing water levels meet”, is where people of Norwegian, and volumes when precipitation is Kven and Sami descent have heavy. The Reisa river has carved a traditionally met to exploit the area’s deep canyon since the last Ice Age resources. The valley contains traces and there are numerous waterfalls of travel and subsistence, including where tributaries join the main river. many charcoal kilns, árran (camp fire The most eye-catching waterfall is sites) and wild reindeer pitfall traps. At Mollisfossen, with a total fall of 269 m Sieimma you can see 3,800-year-old (883 ft). rock paintings from the Early Metal Age. The Ráisduottarháldi Protected In both winter and summer, Reisa Landscape area is located in a National Park offers many wilderness mountainous area along the Finnish experiences and the area can be border. Ráisduottarháldi mountain, explored on foot, by canoe, river boat 1,361 m (4,465 ft) AMSL, is within or on horseback. walking distance and provides an Photo: Wenche Offerdal Wenche Photo: Mollisfossen - an imposing sight. Photo: Håvard K. Blixgård Håvard Photo: The Reisa river can also be enjoyed by river boat. Experiences Reisa’s varied landscape provides many opportunities for memorable experiences in both summer and winter. In summer, the valley bottom is easily accessible and you can follow the path along the river bank on foot, or use a traditional river boat or canoe. Hiking Hunting Nordkalottruta (the Northern Cap The National Park offers hunting for Route), which is also part of the E1, runs both moose and small game, and the through the National Park and west of area Reisavann is popular for the latter. the valley Reisadalen it passes through Finland, Norway and Sweden. The part of River boat the route that runs through Reisadalen The traditional river boat in Reisa is (Saraelv - Ráisjávri) has also a status as specially designed for the river and a “Heritage Trail”. There are several cabins trip in one is a special tourist product along the way that are available for use. in Reisa National Park. A river boat is a Some are open, while others must be delightful way to enjoy the unique valley booked in advance. scenery along Reisadalen, while gaining an insight into an important aspect of Canoeing local culture. Paddling along the Reisa river with 100 meters high cliffs on either side is an Skiing exhilarating experience. If the water level In winter, a ski trip between the cabins in is normal, paddling along the river from Reisadalen or in the mountains is a fine Nedrefoss to Saraelv is straightforward, experience. The ice on the river is often as there are long calm stretches and few skiable between January and March and difficult parts. the waterfalls along the valley are frozen, scenic columns against the cliffs. Fishing There is salmon fishing in the Reisa as Scooter track far up as Imofossen and salmon as large A recreational track for snow scooters as 20 kilos are caught there every year. runs from Sappen/Gahperus to Somájávri. Fishing in the mountain lakes is also The local authority opens it every winter popular, both in winter and summer. from December/January until 1 May. Photo: Trond Østvang Trond Photo: Rune Benonisen Photo: Fine conditions for skiing trips in winter. Canoeing is an exhilarating way to enjoy the National Park. Photo: Jan R. Olsen Photo: Fishing in the Reisa river. Facts and information Reisa National Park was established in 1986 and covers 803 km² Where is Reisa In Nordreisa Municipality, Troms. National Park? How do I get there? By plane from Tromsø to Sørkjosen airport and taxi to Storslett. By car or bus along the E6 from Alta or Nordkjosbotn/Tromsø, or possibly E8 and Highway 91 via Lyngseidet. From Storslett it is 46 km by car to Saraelv, the starting point for trips up into Reisadalen. Starting point Guolasjavri: From Biertavarre in Kåfjord it is 10 km to Ankerlia along county road FV333. Then along the construction road to Guolasjavri, approx 17 km. Starting point Ráisjávri: From Kautokeino by car, around 30 km towards Biedjovaggi. Then 4 km on foot to Reisavannhytta. Alternatively - follow the Northern Cap route from Kautokeino to Reisavannhytta. National Park Village Storslett National Park Halti National Park Centre, Storslett. www.reisanasjonalpark.no Visitor Centre Viewing point Ovi Raishiin – Visitor point Reisadalen, Saraelv Starting points Ovi Raishiin – Visitor point Reisadalen Guolasjavri – via Kåfjorddalen Reisavann – via Kautokeino Kilpisjärvi (Finland) – Nordkalottruta Tourist Information Halti Tourist Information. Tel: (+47) 775 88 250 Email: [email protected] Nearby Ráisduottarháldi Protected Landscape protected areas Javreoaivit nature reserve Reisautløpet nature reserve Spåkenesøra nature reserve Lindovara nature reserve Pihkahistamaelva nature reserve Gearpmesorda nature reserve Käsivarsi wilderness area (Finland) Management and Norwegian Nature Inspectorate supervision Send an SMS to tel: +47 950 01 881 More information www.norgesnasjonalparker.no www.reisanasjonalpark.no M-1428 | 2019 M-1428 Fauna and flora There is a rich variety of plant and animal life in the National Park because of its geography, climate and varied countryside and bedrock. Plant life char. Perch, freshwater whitefish and 385 plant species have been recorded pike are also found here. in the National Park, which is a large number in both the Northern Norwegian Bird life context and on a national basis. Many of Reisa’s varied nature offers habitats the species are found in the marshlands, for many birds and 122 species of woods and along the rivers, for example birds have been recorded here, but common cottonsedge, marsh saxifrage, the area is best known for its raptors. Arctic bramble, Arctic white campion The steep cliffs provide nesting sites and the red-listed grass Trisetum for species including golden eagles, subalpestre (Norwegian ‘kveinhavre’). At rough-legged buzzards and gyrfalcons. the extreme southern end of the park is In the marshland around Reisavann you the only natural occurrence of Norway can see rare eastern species such as spruce in Troms, consisting of just bartailed godwits, spotted redshanks three trees. and jack snipes. Animal life Reindeer husbandry The area is rich in animal life. Moose, Large parts of the National Park are lynx and wolverine tracks are often used for reindeer husbandry and more found when walking in the National Park than 20,000 domesticated reindeer and the occasional brown bear roams in graze these areas. The reindeer react to the area. Harbour seals have also been movement and try to avoid areas with observed in the Reisa river. many people and/or dogs. It is therefore important for all visitors to the National Fish Park to keep clear of reindeer, especially The Reisa river complex is one of the during calving (May-June) and during most valuable watercourses in Troms the mating season (October-November). for Atlantic salmon, sea trout and Arctic Photo: Jan R. Olsen Photo: A flock of reindeer. Photo: Kristin S. Karlsen Photo: Østlyngen Arve Photo: Arctic bramble is one of many species The gyrfalcon is our largest falcon. in the National Park. It is one of many raptor species that nest in Reisa. Landscape The landscape in the National Park Protected Landscape area of that name varies from a narrow river valley in the has valuable geological features from the north west to large marshlands and Quatenary period, which is one of the mountainous areas in the south towards reasons for protecting it. The whole of the plateau. Glacial scouring and melt Reisadalen is full of traces from melting water erosion since the last Ice Age ice after the last Ice Age. have made Reisadalen one of the most spectacular valleys in Norway. The park contains rock types that are 2.6 billion years old and the rock walls as one From the mountainous, boggy, heathland goes up the valley relate its geological plateau at Kautokeino in Finnmark, the history. At Nedrefoss there are pre- Reisa river runs via narrow gorges at Imo Cambrian outcrops and ridges of water- down into the valley, which then flattens rounded boulders left by the last Ice Age. out so that the river becomes calmer. One of the finest sights in the National The mountain massif Ráisduottarháldi Park is Mollisfossen, the highest waterfall is at the border with Finland and the in Northern Norway. Photo: Jan R. Olsen Photo: Reisadalen seen from Luvddiidvuopmi. Welcome, please take care of our nature Welcome to your tour through the National Park! There is room for many, if we are considerate towards other people and animals. The National Parks represent the very best of Norwegian nature, protecting the landscape and habitats of a wide variety of animals and plants and ensuring that future visitors will enjoy it too. Public right of access. You can roam established camp fire sites or light wherever you like, either on foot or your fire where it leaves no permanent on skis. You can also cycle or ride on trace. Use fallen twigs or pre-positioned established paths.