Discover Dåfjord

Dåfjord lies at the end of Dåfjorden, a fjord in the municipality of Karlsøy in North Troms. Dåfjorden cuts into Ringvassøya from the north and extends from Dåvøya, south of Helgesundet, to the settlement of Dåfjord at the head of the fjord. The body of water is around 12 km long; its mouth lies between Ytre Karaneset and the northern tip of Dåvøya. For orientation, it is useful to distinguish between the names: Dåfjorden refers to the body of water, while Dåfjord is the settlement at its end.

Coastal hiking trail and cultural heritage

The 17 km Grunnfjord–Dåfjord coastal hiking trail runs along the coast and offers campfire sites and shelters. Access trails lead toward the mountains and to old settlements and cultural heritage sites. The route description thus combines coastal scenery with traces of earlier settlement. If you are planning a hike, check current trail and access conditions in advance. The 17 km distance provides a guide for planning your hike.

Archaeological site 59800 is also located in Dåfjord. It comprises round gamme structures and gamme foundations of the Grunnfjord type, whose gables are curved and open toward the sea. A bell dating from 1588 hangs in the cemetery chapel in Dåfjord. It belonged to the old Helgøy Church, which was demolished in 1889. The site points to architectural forms, while the bell offers a connection to the history of a church: two different points of interest for anyone interested in the area's cultural history.

Getting there and planning

County Road 7912 leads down to Dåfjord from its junction with Road 7910. A report from December 2019 describes this section as narrow and winding and gives its classification as BkT8-50, which restricts commercial traffic. Check current road conditions before setting off.

More destinations in the wider travel destination of Karlsøy

The wider travel destination of Karlsøy also offers distinctive nature and hiking destinations. The Flatværet Nature Reserve consists of 52 grassy islets, surrounded by skerries and shallow-water areas. Cormorants and gulls are among the birds that nest there; several duck species moult there. Sørfugløya is one of Norway's most important bird cliffs and a significant nesting area, especially for razorbills and puffins. Visitors can also spot puffins, black guillemots, and common guillemots on the island. Bird sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed.

For hiking, Karlsøy offers other points of comparison: a marked trail from Gamnes on Ringvassøya leads to 333-meter-high Nattmålstuva; trail conditions can change. In the Nordkvaløya-Rebbenesøya Landscape Protection Area, you can hike through valleys and climb high peaks. A boat is required to reach most of the protected areas there, and sea conditions can affect the journey. This continuous coastal area is characteristic of the coastal culture of Troms.

Discover more destinations: Valen, Rebbenes, Vannvåg, Karlsøy, Vannareid, Hansnes.

Go to the wider travel overview: Karlsøy.