Målselv is Troms’s inland adventure basin — a municipality where salmon leap through glacier-fed rivers, dog sleds dash across snowy valleys, and waterfalls tumble beside military outposts. With around 6,700 residents and a landscape shaped by the Målselva river, Øvre Dividal National Park, and the villages of Bardufoss, Øverbygd, and Moen, Målselv is the kind of place where you can ski past reindeer tracks, hike to Sami sacrificial lakes, and still catch a cod burger beside a 1915 power station. It’s got wilderness, waterfalls, and a name that may stem from Old Norse malr — “bag” or “sack,” referring to the shape of the fjord.
Top Attractions
- Målselv Fjellandsby – alpine resort with ski slopes, cabins & panoramic valley views
- Målselvfossen – Norway’s national waterfall & salmon fishing hotspot
- Polarbadet – indoor water park with pools, slides & sauna
- Midt-Troms Museum – regional museum with exhibits on Sami & settler history
- Fossmotunet – open-air museum with 1800s farm buildings & cultural programs
Unique Experiences
- OffTrack Experience – dog sledding & ski tours with small-group wilderness guides
- Trapper’s Farm – expedition-style adventures with fishing, hunting & huskies
- Falstind Summit Hike – alpine trek with views of Lyngen Alps & glacier tongues
- Øvre Dividal National Park – pristine wilderness with moose, reindeer & Sami heritage
- Heggelia Chapel – 1960s-style roadside church with minimalist architecture
Where to Stay
Search hotels, cabins & guesthouses in Målselv
Where to Eat
Explore top-rated restaurants in Målselv
Getting There
Målselv lies along the E6 highway, with Bardufoss as its commercial center and airport hub. Train access is limited, but buses serve Moen, Øverbygd, and Andselv. The area is best explored by boots, sled, or skis — especially if you’re chasing salmon echoes, military lore, or the hush of birch leaves beside a national waterfall.