The salmon ladder in Beisfjord

Bjerkvik

The salmon ladder in Beisfjord is located in Lakselva, south of Narvik. Here you can follow a facilitated trip along the river and see a locally built facility that helps salmon and sea trout further up the watercourse.

Highlights

  • Experience Northern Europe's longest and highest salmon ladder in an active river landscape
  • See salmon and sea trout through the glass window at one of the pools
  • Follow the path along the Beisfjord river up towards Skamdalen
  • Take a break at the picnic area, wooden bench, bridge and barbecue hut near Lillevann
  • Departs from: Tømmerbakkveien in Beisfjord

Description

The salmon ladder in Beisfjord is an outdoor destination where nature, local history and river life meet. The staircase was built in the 1980s by the Beisfjord landowner association to help the salmon past a high waterfall and extend the salmon-bearing stretch of the river from about 4 to 7 kilometers. The facility is 500 meters long, has 83 pools and a height of fall of 43.5 meters. At one of the larger pools, a small superstructure has been built with a glass window facing the water. Here you can stand dry and see salmon and sea trout in the pool or on your way further up the river when the conditions are right. Lakselva was previously known as a good salmon river, but the flood in 1959 destroyed spawning grounds and changed the river environment. Later, measures have been taken to improve the watercourse, and the landowner association has collaborated with the Norwegian Wild Salmon Management through Project Nordland 2023 to strengthen the stock. The trip into the area provides a calm and concrete nature experience close to water, forest and mountains. At the top of the river, just below Lillevannet, there is an adapted picnic area with a bridge, bench and barbecue hut. This makes the place well suited as a hiking destination for both adults and children who want to experience the river, the salmon ladder and the landscape towards Skamdalen.

Transport

From Narvik, drive south to Fagernes and continue along the county road to Beisfjord.

Additional information

All fishing is strictly prohibited in the fish ladder itself and in its immediate vicinity. For fishing elsewhere in the watercourse, local regulations, a fishing permit and the national fishing fee for anadromous species apply. Lakselva is a typical flood river where water levels can rise and fall quickly. Please show consideration by the river. There is a rest area, wooden bench, bridge and grill cabin in the area at the top of the fish ladder.

Map & Directions

15 km

Drive into Beisfjord, and turn off to Tømmerbakkveien. From here, follow the road up towards the salmon ladder and further into Skamdalen. Up at Lillevannet there is a bridge over the river, and in the area you will find a picnic area with a bench and a newer barbecue hut. If you drive further towards Skamdalen, there is a toll road with automatic sign reading and payment via Youpark.