Tafjord: Hiking, Hydropower and Culture

Tafjord brings together mountain sports, hydropower history and local activities. When looking for a hotel in Tafjord, consider whether hiking, cultural history or specific experiences will be the main focus of your trip. The range of options includes everything from Tafjordfjella to the former Tafjord 1 power station and the Zakariasdammen dam.

Hiking and cabins in Tafjordfjella

Tafjord is a gateway to Reinheimen National Park and a starting point for cabin-to-cabin hikes in Tafjordfjella. Marked trails lead into the mountains from Tafjord. There, DNT Ålesund operates staffed and self-service mountain cabins where you can stay overnight. The cabins and trails make this a good choice for travellers who want to combine hiking with overnight stays in the mountains.

Tafjordfjella is also a popular area for hiking and other forms of outdoor recreation in summer and winter. The seasonal range is another factor to consider when planning: the area is suitable for activities in both summer and winter, while the cabins mentioned above provide places to stay during hikes.

Hydropower and local history

After it was decommissioned in 1989, the former Tafjord 1 power station was converted into a museum. The original machinery has been preserved in the engine hall. As well as its landscape, Tafjord is shaped by its history of hydropower use.

Ville Krefter in Tafjord explores the forces of nature through interactive exhibitions and activities. The centre covers the 1934 Tafjord disaster, the development of hydropower in the Tafjord water system, and avalanche and landslide activity. These topics bring the study of natural forces together with the history of energy production.

Fundergata, in the wider area around the destination, offers another glimpse into the past. This distinctive streetscape includes church barns, houses and a school. It is considered the only surviving ensemble of its kind in the surrounding area and complements industrial history with a different picture of historic local life.

Zakariasdammen and local activities

Zakariasdammen is a popular excursion destination in Tafjord. The dam was built from 1966 to 1969 and rises 96 metres above the valley floor. A constructed walkway leads to the top of the dam and offers views; it is suitable for visitors who are not afraid of heights. Rappelling at the dam is also offered as an organised activity in cooperation with Ville Krefter. Availability depends on the operator.

The Tafjorden Explorer tour combines kayaking on the fjord with a hike to an abandoned mountain farmstead. It starts at 09:15 at the base at Sjoavegen 21 in Tafjord and is about 14 kilometres long. This combination of water and hiking sections differs from the marked trails in Tafjordfjella, which are a separate part of the outdoor activities on offer.

The former site of Tafjord 1, now part of Ville Krefter, includes a 20-metre-long pipe slide and a climbing wall with ten different routes. Ville Krefter also offers family-friendly activities such as indoor climbing and escape rooms. As the centre’s offerings may change, check current availability before visiting.

Tafjord outdoor swimming pool has an outdoor pool heated to 27–31°C, a paddling pool, water slides and play equipment. As seasonal operations may change, check the current opening hours before your visit. This lets you include local activities alongside hydropower, mountain sports and local history in your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Eidsdal, Valldal, Fjøra, Norddal.

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