Stabbursdalen nasjonalpark, Lakselv

Amazingly beautiful park with some great walks. We took the 5km route to the waterfall which was stunning. This route isn't suitable for people who are unsteady on their feet as almost the whole route is on boulders and there are some pretty steep ups and downs. Also the route was exceptionally slippy on the day we went due to fog and rain so the risk of slipping is high. The car park at the start of the trail has two good barbecues and toilets. It's also a great place for people in camper vans etc as a stay over place for the night.

Beautiful park with preserved areas and beautiful trails Reaching the waterfall is tiring enough but it's worth it. At the beginning of the road leading to the car park, we met a herd of reindeer in the pasture that they had been photographed quite quietly.

The Stabbursdalen National Park contains many of Finnmark's typical landscape forms: barren mountains, open plateaux and narrow ravines, with scattered mountain birch and stretches of pine forest. Waterfalls and rapids interspersed with deep pools of still water mark the Stabburselva river as it runs through the National Park. At Luobbal (Lompola) it sweeps gently into wide bays. The bare rugged mountains of Gaissene to the southeast contrast with the ancient undulating landscape to the north and west. The park was originally established in 1970, conserving a 98-square-kilometre (38 sq mi) area of forest surrounding the river. In 2002, the park was vastly expanded to cover a total of 747 square kilometres (288 sq mi). Pine forest Pine tree (Pinus sylvestris) in Stabbursdalen Some 7,500–5,000 years ago when the climate was warmer, the pine forest spread far inland along the fjords and valleys. As it grew colder, the forest retreated and has only survived in sheltered valleys like Stabbursdalen, where it forms the world's northernmost pine forest (Porsanger climate). Its protection is therefore one of the major objectives of this national park. The woodland is open with low shrubby pine trees, in the far north trees grow slowly and are liable to frost and wind damage. The dry sterile soil can only support a poor undergrowth of lichen and heather. At Loubbal the wetlands form a fertile oasis in an otherwise barren landschape. Along the river, willow and sedge, with pine woodland behind, support a rich bird life. Stabbursdalen is the most northernly habitat for many species, including black grouse and osprey, and wetlands are important breeding ground, especially for ducks. Old hollow pine trees provide good nesting places for the goldeneye and goosander.

13 km walk from okselvbru.

Fantastic place