Beautiful Balsfjord

Just a short drive from Tromsø you find Balsfjord, which offers unspoiled wilderness and beautiful scenery year-round. Visitors can indulge in a range of outdoor activities or simply unwind, making it an ideal destination for both adventure seekers and those in search of relaxation.

 

Balsfjord and Malangen

The closest municipality to Tromsø is Balsfjord, which features majestic nature and two fjords: the Balsfjord and the Malangen fjord. The area offers a wide range of activities, attractions and services for visitors year-round.

How to get there

Balsfjord is the perfect place for those seeking a break from city life, and wishing to get close to nature. Find out how to get to Balsfjord and Malangen from Tromsø. 

 

Winter activities

Dog sledding

Dog sledding is a must-do experience for many who visit the Tromsø region. Several places offer dog sledding trips in the wilderness: 

• Malangen Resort
• Lyngsfjord Adventure
• Best Arctic

Northern light chase

Seeing the northern lights has become extremely popular for guests from all over the world. Some activity providers offer various ways to experience the northern lights, from chases by minibus to visits to aurora camps:

• Malangen Resort
• Camp Tamok

Sami culture and reindeer sledding

The Sami are an indigenous people who have lived in the Arctic region for thousands of years. The reindeer is an essential part of their culture, as both a means of transport and a source of food. These activity providers offer reindeer sledding or reindeer visits:

• Malangen Resort
• Lyngsfjord Adventure

Snowmobile safari

The modern form of transport is snowmobiles, which allows you to move quickly through the snow-covered landscape on marked trails. Several activity providers offer snowmobile safaris.

• Malangen Resort
• Lyngsfjord Adventure

Ski touring

Troms county has several locations that are wonderful for ski touring adventures. While Lyngen is world-renowned, areas such as the Tamok valley and Malangen are growing in popularity. In Malangen, you will discover numerous mountains that offer the perfect combination of spectacular sea views and moderately demanding descents.

Malangen Resort - The seven peaks

Summer activities

Sea based activities

At Malangen Resort it’s possible to rent fishing boats with necessary equipment, stand-up paddleboards (SUP) and sea kayaks. If you really want to test your speed out on the fjord, you can rent a jet ski.

Hiking trails

Balsfjord and Malangen have a large network of marked hiking trails, which are freely accessible to everyone who wants to get and explore the pristine nature.

Autumn 

The colourful season

Autumn in Northern Norway is a unique time. The period between an overwhelming green landscape turning into autumn colours of red and yellow is overwhelmingly beautiful. Picking wild berries, hiking in the mountains and countryside and heading out to sea are all experiences that add an extra dimension to autumn.

Dining and accommodation

Malangen Resort

Malangen Resort is located on the water’s edge by the Malangen fjord. The resort has an a la carte restaurant and a range of accommodation options, including cabins, apartments and hotel rooms. The resort offers a wide range of activities for its guests. The restaurant has a varied menu with a focus on Arctic produce. 

Vollan Gjestestue

Vollan Gjestestue is an institution in Balsfjord, which has been serving food to locals and visitors for more than 80 years. This establishment, which serves traditional Norwegian food based on local produce, also offers accommodation in hotel rooms.

Attractions

Aursfjordsaga

The Aursfjordsaga, a water-powered sawmill, was built in 1796 by Ingebrigt Eliassen from Malangen.
The only problem was that the sawmill was built on the landowner’s land. It took until 1818 before he was granted the right to fully operate the sawmill – by the Swedish king himself. In 1977, after it had fallen into decline, Arne Pedersen began the painstaking task of reconstructing the sawmill. Today, the sawmill in Malangen is one of Scandinavia’s rarest building constructions.

Rock carvings at Tennes

The rock art at Tennes was carved out by hunters and fishermen between 7,000 and 4,000 years ago. The open-air site is accessible with good paths and lighting and is wheelchair friendly.

Malangen Church

Malangen Church was built in long church style in 1853 by local builders. This wooden church is situated in the village of Mortenhals in Malangen. The church seats about 280 people.

Balsfjord Church

Balsfjord Church was built in long church style in 1856. This white, wooden church is situated near the village of Tennes. The Neo-Gothic style and axial tower on the western side combine to give the church its distinctive character. The church seats about 400 people.