About the national park
Seiland features steep cliffs plunging into the sea, secluded flower meadows, and Europe’s northernmost glaciers glimmering above the island. Enjoy an easy and beautiful day trip on the north or south side of the island, or get a taste of wilderness in the heart of the national park. Seiland makes certain demands of its visitors, but offers a unique natural experience in return.
The island of Seiland is located off the coast of West Finnmark, and the national park covers just over half of the island. The southern and northern areas outside the park have scattered settlements, roads, and accommodation options. Access is via ferry or express boat. In these areas you will find marked trails leading to the park border, but within the park itself, there are no marked trails or open cabins. This requires visitors to bring tents and self-sufficient gear.
Seiland boasts large protected areas, minimal human disturbance, unique geology, and a strategic location. These features make the island a sanctuary and a suitable habitat for diverse plant and animal species. Many of the heads of fjords and valleys were previously used as hay-making meadows and pastures, and this has given Seiland rare cultural landscapes that you can still see today.
Kulturlandskap i Store Bekkarfjord. Foto: Per Arne Askeland, Bårdfjorden. Foto: Ingunn Ims Vistnes
Melkevatnan. Foto: Per Arne Askeland
Why a national park?
The national park was established in 2006 and covers an area of 316 km2, including 9.6 km2 of sea area. It is entirely located on Seiland, Norway’s seventh-largest island, covering 53% of the island.
The national park was established to:
- Preserve a coastal alpine landscape with a unique and varied biodiversity
- Ensure a variety of natural habitats in the region
- Preserve landscape forms and distinctive geological deposits
- Protect cultural hertage sites
The regulations for Seiland National Park also state: “The public shall be given access to nature-based experiences through engaging in traditional and simple outdoor activities with little technical support. Preservation of the natural environment in the national park is vital for Sámi culture and economic activities. It shall be possible to use the area for reindeer husbandry.”
What are you permitted to do in the national park?
In the national park, visitors are free to walk or ski anywhere. You may pick berries and edible mushrooms. You may hunt and fish by the same rules as outside the national park. Remember to purchase a hunting and/or fishing license from the Finnmark Estate.
Campfires are allowed year-round, also included the period from April 15 to September 15, in areas where there is clearly no risk of fire. Use established fire pits or create fires where they leave no lasting trace, using brought-in firewood and fallen twigs. Cutting trees is prohibited, and much of the park has limited twigs available. On Seiland’s west coast, driftwood can be found on the shoreline, but on the east side, driftwood is scarce or absent.
Drone flying is strictly forbidden within the park.
Motorized vehicles are prohibited in the national park. This includes snowmobiles, ATVs, freshwater motorboats, flying below 300 metres and landing helicopters. Motorized boat traffic is permitted at sea.
Melkevatnan. Foto: Per Arne Askeland
Telt i Bårdfjorden. Foto: Ingunn Ims Vistnes
Do not leave any litter or waste behind in the national park. We also ask you not to leave toilet paper behind, if large groups have been in the same area.
Events with a large number of participants, overnight stays with larger groups over multiple days, or repeated events in the same area over time require permission from the National Park Board. Cycling also requires permission.
The national park is home to many interesting geological deposits. You may put a small stone in your pocket to take home, but you may not remove large stones or large amounts of stones from the national park.
Please contact the national park manager (seiland@statsforvalteren.no) if you have questions about regulations and how to apply for exemptions.
Other protected sites on Seiland
Eidvågen nature reserve (nesting cliff) https://faktaark.naturbase.no/?id=VV00000048
Teist. Foto: Karl-Otto Jacobsen