Located at the southern end of Porsangerfjorden, Lakselv is a lively village on the edge of Stabbursdalen National Park in northern Norway. It’s a hub for outdoor pursuits in the surrounding region, including salmon fishing, waterfall hiking and illuminated skiing.

Sprawling west of Lakselv is Stabbursdalen National Park, which encompasses the Stabburselva river and the northernmost pine forest in the world. Browse the interactive displays at the Stabbursnes Naturhus & Museum, then venture out on foot to explore the park’s glacial canyon and photograph the Stabbursfossen waterfall.

Running through Lakselv is the Lakselva river, which is a popular fishing destination due to its populations of salmon, trout and Arctic char. In the winter, ice fishing, dog sledding and snowmobiling are popular and there are several illuminated skiing tracks nearby. For a cultural experience, you can join a Sami guide to visit their winter pasture and feed the reindeer.

Getting there

Lakselv Airport is a five-minute drive from the village centre and has flights to Oslo and Tromsø while daily buses connect to Alta and Kirkenes. The centre of Lakselv is compact enough to explore on foot but having your own vehicle is best for getting around the region.