Reisa Nasjonalpark
TransParcNet Meeting 2024 – Háldi Transboundary Area 2. – 5th september
We are delighted to invite the EUROPARC Transboundary Area family to the EUROPARC TransParcNet Meeting in Háldi Transboundary Area 2.-5.september 2024
You can find all the necessary information about the meeting here.
The registration is closed, but late registration can be possible.
DAY 1 – Monday 2nd of September
10.30 Charter bus from Tromsø drives through the Lyngen alps Protected Landscape and by the beautiful Lyngen Fjord (3 hours). Includes som guiding
15.30 – 17.30 Welcome to the TransParcNet meeting
- Opening session
- Short excursions in the surrounding areas
19.30 Dinner at BIOS Café in Storslett. A 3 course meal with traditional ingredients like codfish, reindeer and salmon.
DAY 2 – Tuesday 3rd of September
08.00 – 12.00 TransParcNet conference programme part 1
- How climate change impacts species and ecosystems in the Fennoscandian High North. Professor Rolf A. Ims. Arctic University of Tromsø.
- Climate change adaptation tools – speaker not confirmed
- The EU policies to support cross border and regional cooperation in EU neighbouring countries: possible synergies with TransParcNet. Stefania Petrosillo. Consultant for EC-DG NEAR, EU B4LIFE.
- Transboundary Issues. Short presentations from members.
14.00 – 17.30 Field Trips and excursions. Field trips approx. 3hr with different themes. Scroll down on the page to read more
18.00 TBA buffet and appertif – a buffet composed by local products coming from all TBA´s that have the possibility to bring some local products
19.00 – 21.30 Dinner and social gathering at Ovi Raishiin
22.00 Bus heads back Hotel (50 min)
DAY 3 – Wednesday 4th of September
08.00 Bus from Reisafjord Hotel via Lyngenfjord to Kilpisjärvi (2 hrs 30 min). NOTE: When crossing border the time changes one hour. 08.NOR time is 09.FIN time.
12.00 Excursion to Saana Fell with different difficulty levels (scroll down on the page to read more). Take away lunch can be enjoyed by a day trip hut (4 hours).
18.00 Check-in at the Cahkal Hotel.
18.30 Dinner in the hotel restaurant.
21.00 Possibility for a sauna (until 23.00) or socializing in the lounge.
DAY 4 – Thursday 5th of September
09.00 Field trip to Lake Tsahkal or a visit to Kilpisjärvi Visitor Centre. See more info further down the page.
11.00 Lunch, change, pack.
12.15 TransParcNet conference programme part 2
- Remote sensing in Northern Lapland. Finnish Environmental Institute + Metsähallitus.
- Arctic Fox, cooperation for protection in three countries. Tuomo Ollila, Metsähallitus
- Visitor flows as a basis for future management or trail plans. Speaker not confirmed.
- Climate change communication and visitor center network. Speaker not confirmed.
15.00 Bus to Tromsø city centre and airport (2 hrs 30 min). (The bus arrive Tromsø Airport 16.30 Norwegian time).
Downolad the updated programme here
REGISTRATION – closed, but contact us for late registration
Contact for late registration: rune.benonisen@statsforvalteren.no
Registration is only valid when payment by invoice or credit Card is registered. Please use the registration link that is valid for you.
Participation fee of 530Euro include:
Chartered bus from Tromsø and all transportation locally, and from Kilpisjärvi to Tromsø, hotel in double room 3 nights, breakfast, lunsh, dinner from lunch 2.september to lunch 5th, all field trip options exept one.
Not included:
Extra fee if available single room (ca.15 Euro), field trip option “river boat excursion” Reisa river (ca. 150 Euro), breakfast 2. september, dinner 5th september, flights, own transport (expl hired car), beer and wine not included in meals.
Registration for participants
– Registration for paying participants
———————————————-
Registration for internal participants and norwegian participants. (Used only by invitation).
The Háldi Transboundary Area (TBA) consists of Reisa National Park and Ráisduottarháldi Protected Landscape Area in Norway and Käsivarsi Wilderness Area in Finland. Together these protected areas cover 3000 km2 of roadless, intact nature without inhabitants or settlements.
In Norway we will stay in the villages of Storslett and Sørkjosen in the municipality of Nordreisa. Villages lie by the outlet of the Reisa river, which is the same river that runs through Reisa National Park. The villages inhabit 3000 of the 5000 inhabitants of the municipality and is also the regional center for the surrounding municipalities.
In Finland we will stay in the village of Kilpisjärvi which lies by the shores of a great lake carrying the same name. Kilpisjärvi is a small town in the municipality of Enontekiö and there are only 120 inhabitants. However, in terms of increasing tourism, it is much bigger than its actual size.
During the meeting we will travel by bus between the locations and see more of the region in Troms county in Norway and Lapland in Finland.
More information about the Háldi Transboundary Area can be found on this web page. Maybe you want to start with the Core information document: Core information document
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Clothing and other outdoor gear
“There is no such thing as bad weather. Only unsuitable clothing.” (Alfred Wainwright).
In the arctic areas we need to be prepared for every possible weather, also in early September. Therefore, we recommend you bring with you at least the following:
- Base layer (shirt and pants)
- Pants suitable for staying outdoors (at least windproof). Bringing an additional pair of waterproof shell pants is not a bad idea.
- Jacket for hiking + waterproof shell jacket + warm puffy jacket (for breaks).
- Mittens or gloves, a warm beanie and good shoes for hiking (preferable water repellent).
Now that you’re warm, you should also consider bringing:
- A backpack for carrying snacks and extra clothing
- A refillable water botle
- Sunglasses
Excursions
DAY 1
Short and easy walk (200m) from Halti building to the village sauna by the Reisa river. Learn and experience our Sauna traditions and on how Finnish speaking settlers, The Kveens, thru history have been and is a vital part of the society of the area.
Guiding.
DAY 1
Hike to a small design-cabin overviewing the village Storslett and the outlet of the Reisa river that also is a nature reserve and a Ramsar area. Moderately Strenuous hike that will be challenging for an unconditioned person. The terrain involves a steady and somewhere steep incline. Length/time 2km/1hr one way. Total duration of the trip 2,5hr including stops.
Guding.
DAY 1
Car and walk Reisa river outlet nature reserve and Ramsar site. Hiking trip in the area along maintained trail. A hike that is generally suitable for anyone who enjoys walking. Total length/time 2-3km roundtrip with several stops on the way. 1,5-2hr in total.
Guiding.
DAY 2
Ovi Raishiin is the visitor point and entrance point to Reisa valley and Reisa National Park. See the facilities and learn how we communicate with visitors regarding climate change issues. We will stay in the same area with chances of short walk on nature trail or gravel roads in the surroundings.
Guiding.
DAY 2
Sarafossen is one of the highest waterfalls in Nordreisa. The hike is steep but short. Total length/time 1 km roundtrip with several stops on the way. 1,5-2hr in total. We finish the tour at Ovi Raishiin, the entrance point to Reisa National Park.
Guiding.
DAY 2
The border of Reisa NP is 10km from end of the road (Ovi Raishiin). To reach the border we drive 5km on a gravel road and hike 5km to reach Sieimma wich is the border of the NP. Flat terrain in forrested area.
If conditions in the river is OK we can padle canoe or inflatable pack-raft all the way back to Ovi Raishiin. The river holds grade 1 padeling.
If paddling is not possible, or for those who don`t want to paddle, will hike back on the trail that follows Reisa river 5km back to the car.
DAY 2
Using the traditional riverboat is vital part of the local culture by locals. Historically it was used as poling boat to get upstream for harvesting the resoursces of the valley. Today the boat looks similar, 8-9 meters long, 1m wide, but have now outboard motor.
The trip goes upstream into Reisa NP and to the Mollisfossen wich is a waterfall in a sideriver to Reisa. The waterfall is 269 m and is truly a wonder of nature. The trip includes transport to mollisfossen aprox 1,5hr, 1hr stay at the sight and return 45min to startingpoint.
This trip has an extra cost of approximatley 118 euros that needs to be paid localy. It is also affected by weather and water conditions on the river.
DAY 3
We start together with a 1 km hike to Saana Day Trip hut. At the hut Hannu Autto from Kilpisjärvi Biological Research Station present a Virtual Science Trail application. There is also a possibility to eat take away lunch and use a toilet. Then, it’s time for a walk in the nature. Pick your favorite!
The trail to the top of Saana offers hikers the most spectacular views around Lake Kilpisjärvi, and the experience also includes the steps of Saana. From the top of Saana, you can see the fell landscape reaching far into the horizon and feel the fresh Arctic wind.
This hike requires a good physical fitness to make it all the way to top and back to the bus in 3 hours. There is viewpoint halfway up, which is also a good turning point.
The distance from the Saana Day Trip Hut to the top and back to the bus is 7,5 km.
Read more https://www.nationalparks.fi/kasivarsi/trails#Saanatrail
DAY 3
Get to know the flora, fauna, and cultural history of the area on the Saana nature trail. The loop trail runs along mountain birch forests and treeless summits and crosses several small rivers.
This hike is relaxed and runs on a flatter ground. The distance from the Saana Day Trip Hut back to the hut and to the bus is 5 km. Estimated hiking time 1,5-2 hours.
Read more https://www.nationalparks.fi/kasivarsi/trails#saananature
DAY 3
Follow the path around Saana to Saana Lake. After 6 km there is a Day Trip Hut and toilets by the lake, a perfect spot to admire the mighty Saana Fell and have small break. From the hut the trail leads you downhill through a mountain birch forest to the village. From the village you can follow the sidewalk to the hotel.
This longer hike allows you to enjoy the scenery. The distance from the Saana Day Trip Hut back to the hotel is 10 km. Estimated hiking time 3 hours.
DAY 4
The trail to Lake Tsahkaljärvi has been paved with gravel but the ascend is steep in places. In the horizon, Saana rises northwest of Lake Tsahkaljärvi. Along the trail leading to the village centre, visit the beautiful Tsahkal Falls.
Read more https://www.nationalparks.fi/kasivarsi/trails#tsahkaltrail
DAY 4
Kilpisjärvi sits at the foot of Saana Fell in the middle of the Arctic high-fell area. Kilpisjärvi Visitor Centre’s permanent exhibition On the Edge of the Caledonides introduces Malla Strict Nature Reserve, Saana Nature Reserve and Research Area, Käsivarsi Wilderness Area, and the residents of Kilpisjärvi. The Visitor Centre is for all visitors, tourists, fishers, and hikers on the Nordkalott Trail.
Read more https://www.nationalparks.fi/kilpisjarvivisitorcentre
Want to stay longer?
The travel to Háldi area is quite long and expensive. So many of you may want to extend the trip before or after the meeting. There are of course many possibilities, but let us give you a few more concrete options.
Stay in Tromsø area before or after the meeting?
The city of Tromsø is the “capital” of northern Norway. Since the last 10 years Tromsø have boosted as a turism destination. The periode august and early september is not the peek season, but there are many possibilities for hiking and experiensing nature. With a car you can reach the costal areas of Tromsø, that is the shores of the arctic ocean. Hiking, sightseeing or fishing from the shores? Or you can go north to Lyngen protected landscape area for hiking. Or simlply stay in the city and using the surrounding areas for hiking or sightseeing.
https://www.visittromso.no/
Stay in Kilpisjärvi area after the meeting? Or go south to Rovaniemi?
(more information will come)
Exploring Reisa and Háldi area before or after the meeting?
If this is a option for you you need to travel with hired car, commercial bus or fly to/from Tromsø from Sørkjosen Airport.
The Norwegian part of Háldi TBA is located in an area that is known as Lyngen Area. This is the name of the large fjord and also the larger destination also including Reisa National Parc. For moderate to skilled hikers this area gives actually endless oportinities for day-hikes or overnight hikes in surroundings with little or no facilitation.
How about hiking all the way to Mollisfossen waterfall and staying overnight in a small turf-hut or the hiking assosiation cabin in Reisa NP (Nedrefoss)? Exploring the Reisavalley and the landscape and learning and seeing the cultural traces of sami and kveni culture? The hike to Nedrefoss cabin is 26km in flat terrain but on narrow trails in forrested area along the Reisa river.
Or how about hiking to the Haldi mountain? A trip in arctic-like mountain terrain. Starting the hike from Norwegian side, staying overnight in Metsähallitus cabing near the mountain? This trip is mainly for experienced hikers and more “sensitive” to wather conditions. The hike from starting point at lake Goulasjävri to Finlands highest mountain is 8km
See more information on the website covering the Háldi TBA or theese websites:
Käsivarsi Wilderness Area – Nationalparks.fi
Visit Lyngenfjord | Opplev Lyngenfjordregionen – Nord Norge (visit-lyngenfjord.com)
You can also contact Rune Benonisen on +4790660709 or e-mail rune.benonisen@statsforvalteren.no for tips and guidance.
