Nasjonalt Villakssenter Kvåsfossen
Where the wild salmon travels through the mountain
On the banks of the river Lygna lies the wild salmon's own experience and knowledge centre. Beneath it, carved into the mountain, runs a 240-metre fish ladder inside a tunnel. More than 600 fish pass through it every year.
The fish ladder offers a genuinely rare window directly into the river, the kind of view you almost never get anywhere else. If you time your visit well, you may spot Atlantic salmon, sea trout and eel at several different stages of their life cycles.
Kvåsfossen · Lyngdal Inside the mountain
The centre perches dramatically at Kvåsfossen, tipping right over the edge of the gorge. Walk "the plank" and look straight down into the waterfall, or descend into the tunnel and follow the salmon's journey upriver.
A unique view directly into the river.
Salmon, sea trout and eel at various life stages.
What you can experience
- Walk "the plank" and look straight down into the waterfall
- Learn about wild salmon in the centre's exhibitions
- Follow the salmon's journey through the fish ladder
- Enjoy the view and a coffee on the gorge edge
- Buy a fishing permit for sea trout and salmon fishing in Lygna
- Browse the shop stocked with locally produced goods
- Explore the beautiful hiking areas nearby
The river Lygna is permanently protected from hydroelectric development, so its water level follows nature's own rhythms of rainfall. The area around the centre offers wonderful trails, fishing spots and forest that invite you to spend an entire day in the landscape.
The wild salmon's story on Sørlandet
The centre shares knowledge about the life, challenges and threats facing wild salmon. A dedicated exhibition tells the story of the wild salmon on Sørlandet.
The fish ladder helps the Atlantic salmon pass Kvåsfossen, and in doing so doubles the spawning habitat available to the species. At the same time, visitors get the chance to study salmon behaviour at different life stages and across the changing seasons of the river.
"The fish ladder offers a genuinely rare window directly into the river, the kind of view you almost never get anywhere else."
Nasjonalt Villakssenter KvåsfossenA place where first summer jobs happen
The school summer holiday is peak season for the centre, and that's when the team expands. Staff span every age group, from those taking on their very first summer job and students, to those winding down a long career.
"Our staff need to be dependable and confident in every encounter with the guests who come through our doors. Conversations happen in different languages and with visitors of all ages. Happy guests send positive energy straight back to the people who work here."
Nasjonalt Villakssenter Kvåsfossen
Nature worth protecting
"We want to be a sustainable organisation that takes responsibility for economic, environmental and social challenges in a balanced way. We want to care for nature and its diversity."
Nasjonalt Villakssenter Kvåsfossen