Gorsabrua, or Gorsa Bridge, is a spectacular bridge in the picturesque Kåfjorddalen valley in Birtavarre, Norway, under which the deepest canyon in northern Europe drops. A massive waterfall rushes along the wall of the gorge.

The bridge offers a breathtaking view of the Gorsa Canyon or the Gorzi Gorge, 153 metres deep. For the more adventurous, there's a wild bungee jump. The view and atmosphere of Gorsabrua is hard to describe in words or capture in pictures - you have to experience it first hand!

Gorsabrua hike is great to combine with a trip to Lyngenfjord's Dalberget, the magnificent glacial lake Blåisvatnet, or Hengen waterfall in Skibotn.

Arrival at Gorsabrua

The easiest place to start your hike to Gorsabrua is at the Ankerlia car park, about 11 km from Birtavarre. The drive to Birtavarre takes less than an hour from Yykeänperä (Skibotn), about 1.5 hours from Kilpisjärvi in Finland and about 2.5 hours from Tromsø.

When arriving by car, follow the signs from the E6 road towards Kåfjord and continue along the Kåfjorddalen road, first along the paved section for about 8 km and then along the gravel road for about 3 km.

Gorsabrua car park Ankerlia

The Kåfjorddalsvegen road enters the former mining area of Ankerlia, where there is a spacious parking lot. There are signposts, tables and benches and a toilet. There's a parking fee that can be paid using the EasyPark mobile app.

The Ankerlia car park is a short walk from the old mining area. There is a beautiful landscape along the riverbank. The Gorsabrua hike could be done as a circular route, the path runs along both sides of the gorge.

Upper car park near Gorsabrua

You can continue along the gravel road (Guolásveien) for about 2 km to a smaller car park. The road is narrow, bumpy and winding, with steep cliff sides. There are also fluffy sheep hanging around on the road, in no hurry to move on the side of the road.

For a smaller parking lot, the road winds up a short distance to a wooden bridge. The bridge leads over the Goikegorsa Gorge and can feel wild. After the bridge, you drive a steep serpentine slope up Miessevarri for about a kilometre to the car park.

There is also a car park at Paulanhytta cabin on the south side of Miessevarri, with a path to Gorsabrua Bridge.

Gorsabrua trail - from the upper car park

From the upper car park there is a 1.8 km walk to the Gorsabrua bridge. The path is clearly marked. The first few hundred metres are on a wide, sandy path that climbs gently through dense woodland.

The terrain is soft and muddy in places, but the path is partly graveled and paved. As you progress, the forest gives way and the view of the valley opens up. The vast Moskkugaisi dominates the whole western side of the gorge valley. Green slopes rise on both sides of the valley.

The path is built into a steep rocky slope, with no handrails. Although it is worth keeping an eye on the path, there are no particular difficulties or dangerous places.

After the forest thins out, the trail gradually ascends to more rocky and rugged terrain. In summer, arctic plants such as twinflower bloom along the trail. The vertical rock walls are fine slate.

There are a few good places to stop and take a break along the way. There are benches at some points, and you can even sit on the big rocks. There is no drinking water point along the trail, but I did see a small stream along the way.

After 1.5 km of walking and 300 metres before the bridge, there is a signpost along the path. Straight ahead, the trail continues for a good couple of kilometres to Sabetjohka and Paulanhytta cabin.

Just before the bridge, the path turns right and down. From the plateau, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Sabetjohka and Guolasjohka as they foam down the cliffs. The small plateau is a perfect place to take a break.

Gorsabrua bridge and waterfall

Finally, you reach the Gorsabrua Bridge, which rests between sheer rock walls with a 153-metre-deep black canyon below. Gorsabrua literally means "Gorsa Bridge". The plateau is fenced all along the edge, with warning signs telling you to stay in the area at your own risk. There is a green "Ut i Nord" postbox on the side of the bridge.

The lightweight, aluminium triangular bridge was put in place by helicopter in 2011. It is 53 metres long and about 1.5 metres wide. Railings allow an unobstructed view down. The view from the Gorsa Bridge is one of the most impressive in northern Norway.

Below the Gorsabrua Bridge, a river meanders along the canyon floor, into which the Sabetjohka, Guolásjohka, Unna-Goddejohka and Magerelva all flow. Near the bridge, the Sabetjohka waterfall plunges in great white foam almost all the way down the gorge into the darkness. Along the way, the water steams and sparkles in the sunlight and can form a rainbow in the mist of the gorge.

For the bridge- and high altitude-phobic, walking across the Gorsa Bridge to the other side of the gorge requires some deep breaths. Stopping in the middle of the bridge to admire the scenery, take photographs and selfies can be overwhelming. There are some incredible vantage points higher up the slope on the west side of the bridge, but if the bridge already makes you dizzy, you probably don't want to continue up the slope.

The best time to photograph Gorsabrua would be early morning or on a cloudy day - the contrast between the white foaming waterfall and the black gorge at midday in July sun is stark. The proportions are also incredible - the Canon 24-70mm zoom lens just didn't seem to have enough power to capture the scenery.

Gorsabua bungee - a jump into the gorge

If your tummy doesn't tweak too much (or if you want to maximise the nausea!) book the Gorsabrua bungee jump. On summer weekends, there are organized bungee jumps from the bridge straight into the gorge.

If you look at the photo of the bridge, you'll see a small plateau in the middle outside it. It's the spot. For me, just sneaking across the bridge from side to side and back again without passing out was an experience not soon forgotten.

So if you're interested in one of Europe's highest bungee jumps, book in advance at bungee.no. The age limit is 16 years, the height limit 145 - 210 cm and the weight limit 45-110 kg.

Gorsabrua map and other things to see

A map of the Gorsabrua area can be found along the trail. A large topo map shows all the parking areas, trails, attractions and roads in the area.

The Ankerlia area is also a good place to learn about the old mining history of the area. Buildings and information boards provide information about the industrial past of the area.

• On the other side of the river (if you can get across) is the Gapahuk lean-to shelter. You can climb the trail to the Monte Carlo mine, where you can see old mining structures. The trail crosses to the left into the Sorbmegorsa or Ørndalen valley, where there is a lookout point.
• You may climb Moskkugaisi's mossy slopes to explore the old mining area and admire the scenery. The path is steep and unmarked. Ørndalshytta is located on the north side.
• The Kåfjord area is known for its cultural heritage and coastal Sami history. Manndalen is home to the Centre for Nordic Folk, the "Senter for Nordlige folk" (address: Kjerringdalsveien 240).
• You can drive along the bumpy dirt road all the way to Lake Guolasjávri. From Guolasjärvi lake, it's the shortest and easiest route to the top of Finland's highest point, Halti. For a longer hike, take the Nordkalott Trail (Arctic Trail) from Lake Somasjärvi to Sieimma and Reisa National Park.
• Lyngen and Lyngen Alps are only a short drive away. Places worth visiting include Dalberget and Storhaugen on the north side of the fjord, Blåvatnet on the west side of the Lyngen peninsula and Lyngstuva lighthouse on the northern tip of the peninsula.
• When on a roadtrip, you can reach Alta from Lyngen in afew hours. Great places to visit are Alta Canyon and UNESCO site Lille Raipas.

Distances

• Kilpisjärvi - Birtavarre 1h 20 min
• Tromsø - Birtavarre 2h 20 min
• Alta - Birtavarre 3h 15 min
• Birtavarre - Ankerlia 20 min