Kvænangen – Forest Valleys, Culture and Fjord Tours

Forest valleys with a slowly flowing river, traces of different histories of land use and settlement, and excursions on the water shape Kvænangen. You can explore the municipality with a focus on hiking, culture or guided tours. Notable destinations include the Kvænangsbotn and Navitdalen landscape protection areas, historical sites and the island of Spildra.

Forests, Valleys and Waterfalls

In Kvænangsbotn Landscape Protection Area, pine forests, small lakes, marshes and birch forests alternate. The landscape lies between hills and ridges of resistant rock. Visible traces of Sámi reindeer husbandry and Kven forestry can also be found there. If you are planning a hiking trip, the area offers options ranging from short day hikes to cabins to longer excursions with your own tent and fishing rod.

Navitdalen Landscape Protection Area encompasses a forested mountain valley with a slowly flowing river and open areas on the valley floor. To the east rises a mountain range with peaks up to 1,200 m. The hike to Navitdalen is about 7 km long and has an elevation gain of 350 m. Your own tent and backpack are recommended for this trip; a fishing rod and camera are also recommended.

South of Navitfossen waterfall is a starting point with parking, benches and a toilet. From there, you can access the waterfall and hiking trails into Navitdalen. Another waterfall destination is Storfossen, also called Stuoragorži: it has a drop of 20 to 30 m. From the rock above the waterfall, you can enjoy views across Kvænangsdalen.

Hiking and Winter Excursions

The route through Gearbbetdalen is 5 km long and leads to Gerbikkhytta. Built in 1895, the building is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Kvænangen. This trail combines a specific hike with a historical destination. Distance and elevation gain are not the same for every route: an elevation gain of 350 m is given for the hike to Navitdalen, while the Gearbbetdalen route is listed as 5 km long.

Snowmobiling is also among the leisure activities available in the municipality: recreational snowmobiling is permitted on a network of trails about 225 km long. If you would rather focus your trip on hiking, winter excursions, or culture and guided experiences, you can take this into account when looking for a holiday apartment and include the relevant starting points in your plans.

Cultural History on Spildra and in Burfjord

The cultural heritage site on Spildra includes more than 300 Stone Age house foundations. Other remains there include ruins of former Sámi dwellings, Sieidi sacrificial stones, bear graves, scree burials, and graves in rock crevices and caves. On a guided cultural heritage tour, participants are driven about 2.5 km to the starting point of the cultural trail. The tour is offered in Norwegian and English.

Dalstuene, also called Skogstuene, is the Nord-Troms Museum’s historical site in Kvænangen municipality. The complex consists of Gammelstua, Stallen and Nystua. Gammelstua was built in the 1880s, and the other two cabins in the early 20th century. All three cabins were used year-round to make use of forest resources. In Burfjord, the exhibition “Stories from the war” can be visited year-round at Flerbrukshuset. Opening hours may change, so you should contact the museum beforehand.

Fjord, Islands and Glaciers

A full-day fjord photo safari takes you to the island of Skorpa. There you will find a bird cliff, a church dating from 1793 and plant life that is unique in the European context. A guided boat safari also departs from Spildra towards Jøkelfjord. It is possible to go ashore below the Øksfjordjøkulen glacier. Kvænangen Adventure works with a certified local glacier guide for day trips to the glacier; tours are available daily on request.

Whale watching in Kvænangen is offered from the island of Spildra, Burfjord or Skjervøy. These different starting points and experiences give your vacation plans different focuses; you do not need to combine the activities into a single tour. You can also explore Sørstraumen as a destination within the municipality.

Other destinations: Tranøy, Berg, Balsfjord, Kåfjord, Sørreisa, Bjarkøy, Skånland.

For the overview of the wider region: Troms.