How to Visit the Silfar Canyon in Børselv, Norway (+ FAQ)
I tried to get to Silfar Canyon in Børselv, Norway, earlier this year, only to realize that the road connecting Børselv and Ifjord is quite rough in late winter, so I passed on the opportunity and ventured east in a different way.
So when I was recently heading back up north, this time in August, I knew I had to check out Børselv for a night. There were a couple of other things I wanted to do there (more at the end of the guide), but Silfar Canyon was definitely one of the main things.
Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. It rained. And it rained. And it rained. Finally, at around 6pm, I found a short window where the rain decided to let up and I headed over there from where I was staying in the village.
In this guide, I cover how to get to Silfar Canyon, what to expect there, and some other things to pair with your trip. There is a map at the end of the guide so you can find the Børselv canyon with ease. Let me know if you have any questions… thanks!
What is the Silfar Canyon in Børselv?
The Silfar Canyon is a deep canyon located just outside of Børselv (to the northeast), Norway in Porsanger. It is around 80 meters deep (about 262 feet) at its highest and the water flowing through it from the Børselva River is a vibrant blueish-green hue.
The canyon is nearly 6 kilometers long, but you can easily reach a small portion of it with an easy 1-kilometer (0.6-mile) hike.
The granite canyon was formed over thousands of years from snowmelt (and erosion from the Børselva) from the last ice age. You can read a little more about the short trail to it later in the post.
How to Visit Silfar Canyon
The canyon is super easy to reach if you’re staying in Børselv. It is around 8.6 kilometers (5.3 miles) from the Coop Marked grocery store in the village. Drive time is about 8 minutes northeast on the Fv98. It is best reached by car, and it is just a short distance over the kolonnekjøring sign/barrier.
There are two areas where you can park when there. Once you see the sign to Silfar Canyon, you can park at the lot right there. Or, you can turn right (if coming from Børselv) on the dirt road where the sign directs you. There is a much larger parking lot in that area.
After you reach the parking lot, head straight toward the canyon. You will see a trail with rocks at first and then it will gradually become dirt and tree roots. It is an easy trail with only one or two areas where you need to watch your footing well. The elevation gain is only 16.7 meters (55 feet) and the distance is short.
When you are walking toward the canyon, you will see a place where the trail splits into two – one going to the right and one going to the left. These trails both hug the canyon and you can take whichever one… but the left one is where the river flows more dramatically and may offer cooler shots. If you want to swim, on the other hand, head to the right.
The further you go on the trail, the more overgrown it becomes. Go at your own risk. It is unmarked and there are no railings between you and the bottom of the canyon.
For reference, Børselv is 43 kilometers (about 27 miles) from Lakselv, which is also the nearest airport. But if you have a chance, I recommend staying in Børselv and supporting the local community.
Silfar Canyon Quick FAQ
Can you camp there?
While the trail to the canyon isn’t really a good place to set up a tent, there is a spacious parking lot at the beginning of the trail where you can find a spot to set up a tent. There are also camper vans hanging around, and it is permitted to park there. You will likely not be alone there.
There are, on the other hand, no facilities there.
Is it free to visit Silfar Canyon?
Yes, it is free to visit and park there.
When is the best time to visit Silfar Canyon?
Summer and autumn. Winter will be challenging to visit without hiking there or the right equipment (if the weather isn’t cooperating). There is also a convoy on the road to Ifjord that you will need to go down to reach this.
On the other hand, this is right at the start of the Kolonnekjøring sign and barrier, so you may still be able to get there with ease. Nevertheless, for safety purposes, I would only visit in summer and autumn. Beware that summer may have a lot of bugs. There were none when I was there, but it was the end of August.
How long do you need to spend there?
It depends on what you’re looking to do. If you’re looking to do an extensive hike, you may need to forge your own trail in places, so I would set aside a few hours. But if you just want to do the short hike to the canyon and take a few photos, an hour (maximum) is good.
What kind of flora is in the area?
You will find a lot of birch trees and shrubbery. I saw plenty of juniper, lingonberries, wildflowers (including fireweed), blueberries, crowberries, etc. There were a lot of ferns the closer you got to the canyon’s edge.
Can you swim in the canyon?
Yes! If you head to the right a bit, where the river calms and head down to a small pool area, you can swim at your own risk. I didn’t go down to this area due to the rain starting back up.
Is it worth visiting the Børselv canyon?
If you are in the area, or even as close as Lakselv, I definitely recommend visiting Silfar Canyon! It is a beautiful place that is pretty easy to reach on foot, and it offers a look at one of the top salmon rivers in Finnmark.
What should I wear to the canyon?
If it has been raining recently, I would recommend rubber boots or waterproof shoes. I threw on a pair of rubber boots for the trek since it was so short and easy. Turns out, it was a smart idea as they ended up covered in mud.
Can you fly a drone at Silfar Canyon?
Yes! I had my drone with me, but I didn’t fly it due to the impending rain showers that were nearly non-stop all day.
You won’t be able to easily launch it from close to the gorge, so I would possibly do it in the clearing at the parking lot, or with a palm launch (if you’re comfortable doing so).
Børselv’s Silfar Canyon (On a Map!)
How To Use This Map
You can use your fingers/mouse to zoom in and out. To get more info about a place, simply touch/click the icons. Want to save this map for later use? Click the ‘⭐’ by the map title and it will add it to your Google Maps account (Saved > Maps or ‘Your Places’).
Other Things to Do in Børselv
Børselv is small but quaint for a night! There is nowhere to really eat there, but here is a Coop Marked grocery store in town (open M-F from 9am until 8pm and Saturdays from 10am until 6pm). You can also stop at Bungålaven Lodge and see if they have anything for sale in the reception area.
In Børselv is the Kven Institute (50 NOK to visit), which is worth a stop.
I also highly recommend checking out Pirate Husky. In the wintertime, they have dog-sledding excursions, but in the summer, you can do a hike with them or simply visit their farm. I visited when in Børselv and am already plotting a winter trip back.
Where to Stay in Børselv
I stayed at Bungalåven Lodge when there. It is a cabin and campsite area and I stayed in cabin #9. I absolutely loved this place, and it was very affordable too (like $60 or something).
Do you have any questions about visiting the Silfar Canyon in Børselv? Let me know in the comments. Thanks!
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