Horse Ranch, Mixed Farm, Farm

Troms og Finnmark

29 reviews • Updated 1 year ago

Our Farm: Nordre Hestnes Gård is a farm in Balsfjord, 60 km away from the city Tromsø. It is very close to the fjord with an amazing view across the water and mountaintops in every direction. We are operating ecologically and are certified by Debio and also as a Green Care farm. The animals we have on the farm, are horses, hens and sheep. We also have small fields with vegetables and herbs. Additionally, there are two apartments that are rented out to tourists. Nordre Hestnes Gård also works with the child welfare program of Norway, and there is a group of children staying on the farm for a weekend, approximately twice a month. We run a continuously evolving farm, where the goals and visions vary and change. New ideas and creative ways of enhancing the work and life on the farm are welcome. Work: The work on the farm consists of about 6 hours a day, 5 days a week and always varies, some odd work hours can be asked of you in times off need, depending on the seasons, weather and capabilities. However, there are also daily chores. These consist of: - Taking care of the animals (feeding, giving water, collecting eggs, cleaning) - Taking care of vegetable fields and herb garden - Farm maintenance (repairing broken fences, lights etc.) - Cooking (we take turns, so everyone will cook around once a week) The two apartments that are rented out to tourists also have to be prepared after a stay, which will also fall into your field of responsibilities. We use wood from our forest for heating so there might be some woodwork. We have a wood machine and will try to maintain a good production of firewood. In Summer and Autumn there will be a lot of gardening (planting, maintaining and harvesting the vegetable fields). Also, we want to build new fences around the farm. What we are looking for: We are looking for independent, reliable team-players that can be a valuable part of our farm. You should be honest, sincere and respectful towards the people and animals you'll work together with. There are also several building projects, so people with carpenting skills are very welcome! What we can offer you: Wwoofers stay in a separate one-bedroom apartment (we have four beds) in the basement of one of our houses, with a small kitchen, bathroom and your own washing machine. On your days off, there is a variety of activities to do. The surroundings are extremely beautiful, so you can go for hikes, ski tours, fishing, swims and relaxing in our own sauna by the sea. Tromsø is one hour away with the bus and the city has many attractions and possibilities to offer. Organic methods: Using manure from our own hens, horses and sheep Certifications: Debio Current projects: . Internet access available

Learning opportunities

Vegetable farming

Poultry farming

Sheep or goat farming

Forestry

Beekeeping

Meat processing

Beer, cider, wine, or juice making

Mechanics / tools / technology

Host type

Self-sufficiency property

Certified organic

26.3 Hectares | 65 Acres

Accommodation

3 WWOOFers

Bedroom

Children accepted

Pets not accepted

Meals

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Length of stay

3-4 weeks

Over a month

Bård

Member since 2015

Languages spoken: English, Norwegian Response rate: 16% Response time: typically within 6 days

November 2025

Open

Planned visit

Closed

MapLibre | Protomaps | © OpenStreetMap

Troms og Finnmark

It is approximately one hour from Tromsø centrum by bus. Take the bus from Tromsø airport to Prostneset (Tromsø sentrum). Take another bus from Prostneset to LAKSVATN (Balsfjord). We will pick you up at Laksvatn with our car. See tromskortet.no f

Reviews

Sophia

Austria • October 2025

Staying at Bård’s farm was truly a unique and unforgettable experience. The place itself is stunning – a little off the beaten path, surrounded by mountains on one side and with a fjord and small jetty almost like a “second garden” on the other. You live in the middle of horses, goats, and chickens, and the whole atmosphere feels very real and close to nature. Life on the farm is simple, routine, and grounding. My tasks during autumn time included caring for the animals, keeping the farm in good shape, harvesting, weeding, and building fences. It’s honest work that gives you a real connection to the place. Meals are shared together – lunch and dinner are cooked as a group – but there’s also enough space and freedom, which he and his family fully respect. What made my stay special was the way Bård runs his farm - his generosity and authentic, down-to-earth attitude, and the trust he gives you with his animals and the farm – all of this makes living and working with him feel natural and uncomplicated. He expects good and honest work in return, and that balance, together with the stunning location and the uncomplicated way of living together, made this time on the farm something I can genuinely recommend.

Solveig

Germany • July 2025

I had three wonderful weeks at Nordre Hestnes Gard :) It was a pleasure spending time with Bard, his family, and the animals. The work was fun, and the time with the other Wwoofers was incredible. I wish I could have stayed longer! Besides work, we were also able to spend quality time with the family through various activities, such as a trip to a festival in Tromsø. I highly recommend the farm and everything it offers!

Magdeleine

France • December 2024

I have just spent a wonderful 5 weeks in November-December at Nordre Hestnes Gård. The autumn months are rather quiet, my main focus was on feeding the animals mornings and evenings, cleaning eggs (lots of eggs), cleaning the stables and preparing the BNBs. Plus the odd jobs here and there! The work was very manageable and I always had guidance when I needed it. It also meant I had a lot of time to go riding, chilling with the cats, throwing balls to the dog, playing darts and games with the family, baking Christmas cookies and building snowmen... I am incredibly grateful for this time spent in the north of Norway with everyone at the farm. I discovered loads and felt like a proper part of the family. I'm sad to be gone and would love to come back! But maybe in summer, when there is sun again ;)

Tabea

Germany • August 2024

I staied at Nordre Hestnes Gård for three weeks in July and I'm really glad that I had the chance to experience the northern part of Norway and it's astonishing landscape! At the farm you'll work usually during the week for about 5 to 6 hours, starting at 9 o'clock with the animals. Since the horses and sheep were up in the mountains, we only had to care for the chickens and goats. The rest of the day we often did some weeding in the garden, cut down some trees, once built a compost and also a new fence for the chickens. The work was sometimes was a bit unorganised and we did not have proper tools, on the other hand it wasn't exhausting and you will have enough free time. Up to four WWOOFers share one room with two bunk beds and all people on the farm eat lunch and dinner (delicious food!!!) together. Thanks to Bård, his family and the other people at the farm for sharing your place!

Emilie

Switzerland • June 2024

My time at Nordre Hestnes Gård was absolutely amazing. Bård is very kind and so generous. All the woofers and people at the farm were the sweetest souls too (and tinka the dog!!!) :) The farm is the perfect size and so diverse!I learned so much in such little time! The living/eating situation was great, the work hours were flexible and respected, the tasks were varied,fun, and there were always new beautiful projects being created. We had amazing extras like the sauna and fjord, whale and dolphin watching from our front door, homemade beer, games in the evenings, delicious locally sourced food, a mountain right behind the farm. Everything and everyone was amazing!!!! Things to keep in mind: the city is pretty far, but i didn’t mind only going there once or twice (there’s a bus but it takes 1:30 one way), norway is very expensive… be prepared, be prepared to have snow one week and very warm weather the next, plans are always changing on the farm so you have to be flexible. I’d really recommend this place to anyone who wants to get started with wwoofing! I’m so grateful for this month and really want to come back eventually ❤️

Callie

United States • August 2023

I just spent four weeks at Nordre Hestnes Gård and enjoyed every second of it. The land and fjord that the farm are on is absolutely magical, and the people are wonderful - I was very sad to leave. The work is manageable and enjoyable, lots of weeding (but with a fjord view - and that makes everything enjoyable), foraging and collecting berries, harvesting produce, stacking firewood, cleaning the tourist homes when guests change etc. One thing to note is that when I was there, there was not much guidance or work directly with Bård or Lotte, so if you are looking for an experience where you are learning in depth farming techniques or hand holding, this might not be the best fit. When not working there are endless opportunities for fun if you enjoy spending time outside. Horse back riding, beach walks, swimming in the fjord, hiking in the mountain, time in the sauna, yoga on the dock, games with other wwoofers. I was even able to go fishing in the fjord a few times which was an incredible experience. Housing for the wwoofers is in a shared bunk house with a kitchenette and bathroom. Lunch and Dinner are shared communally every day and we all took turns sharing the responsibilities of cooking and cleaning. A great wwoofing experience - I am already wondering when I can come back in the winter time in order to work with the sheeps and horses more and spend time in the snow with the Nothern lights! Thank you Nordre Hestness Gård!