Nordfold: Routes, Fishing and Village History

Nordfold offers a range of starting points for planning your trip: routes for hiking, cycling and skiing, fishing opportunities at named bodies of water, and insights into the village’s history.

Routes by Season and Distance

The route to Stokkvatnet starts at Laksåvatnet in Nordfold. In summer, it is suitable for hiking or cycling; in winter, you can ski it. These different uses provide a practical reference when coordinating your travel dates with your planned activities.

Two other routes have simple distances listed: Nordfold–Gammen–Einangen–Laksaa is about 8 kilometres long, and Nordfold–Marhaug is 5.5 kilometres. Both routes are partially marked. The first route leads to the Gammen cabin, where you can take a break and see Helldalsisen. The trailhead is near the former dental clinic.

The Nordfold–Marhaug route starts at the youth centre in Nordfold, heads towards Nordfoldvatnet and continues along a forest road to Marhaug. Kvitbergan is a stopping point on the way to Gammen; the path there starts in Kalvdalen. At Kvitbergan, there is a shelter with views over Nordfoldfjord. As its condition may change, check it before your visit.

Skiing and Groomed Tracks

A municipal recreation plan from 2021 lists a floodlit ski trail in Nordfold. Grooming with a piste machine or snowmobile depends on snow conditions. Ski tracks are also groomed from Djupdalen and from the floodlit trail in Nordfold when conditions are suitable. Depending on the snow cover, they head towards Vasshauet, Allmenningsvatnet or Einangsbukta.

The winter options therefore vary by starting point and direction. If you want to use a particular track, plan for changing snow conditions; the directions given provide guidance without prescribing the same route for every trip.

Fishing and Paths by the Water

Fishing is possible year-round in Nordfoldvannet, also known as Allmenningsvannet; nets can be borrowed if needed. Check local fishing rules and access conditions before your visit. Stokkvatnet is also considered a good fishing lake, although fishing rules may vary.

Allmenningsvatnet is accessible from Nordfold by road; there is a car park at the start of the floodlit trail. A forest road along the lake continues to Einangbukta. From there, you can continue on foot to Einangen and Erlingbu. This lets you consider the waters and paths separately: the named lakes are the main focus for fishing, while the forest road connects to other destinations on foot.

At Stokkvatnet, fishing can be combined with a route that can be used for hiking, cycling or skiing depending on the season. At Nordfoldvannet, by contrast, fishing is available year-round, and nets can be borrowed if needed. Check the applicable local rules before setting out.

Village History and Event Dates

Nordfold Church is a wooden church built in 1976. The history of fishing is also part of Nordfold: Nordfoldfjord has been rich in fish since time immemorial, and Nordfolda was particularly known for herring fishing. These two aspects offer different perspectives on the village’s history—the construction of the church and the importance of fishing.

Nordfolddagan is a recurring village festival in Nordfold. Events were held in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022 and 2024; another edition ran from 1 to 5 July 2026. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the specific event dates for the relevant year.

Nordfold’s former role in transport can also be understood in its historical context: until the Steigenveien road was completed, the village was a transport hub for all road traffic heading south and had a ferry connection to Røsvik.

Small Game Hunting

In Nordfold, the Steigen Jeger- og Fiskerforening offers small game hunting, with or without a dog, under an agreement with the landowner associations of Nordfold, Lakså and Alvenes. Capercaillie and black grouse are excluded. Check hunting seasons, quotas and permits before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Leines, Leinesfjorden and Våg.

Go to the main travel overview: Steigen.