Malangen

Malangen is a fjord that extends roughly 60 kilometers through several municipalities, with a maximum width of about 7 kilometers between Senja and Kvaløya islands. At its northern end, the waterway branches into four separate fjords, each defining a different section of coastline.

The fjord marked the northern limit of Norwegian settlement in the Middle Ages, making it a boundary of territorial expansion for the kingdom. The name was later used for a municipality established in 1871.

The name reflects Old Norse roots describing the inlet's narrow shape, and for centuries the fjord has shaped how people on nearby islands and coastal settlements organize their lives and livelihoods.

The fjord is accessible from several coastal villages where boat tours and fishing activities can be arranged. Summer offers the best conditions for visiting, when the weather is more stable and daylight lasts nearly all day.

At several points, the water takes on distinctive colors where glacial streams merge with the fjord, creating visible contrasts from the sediment they carry. These patterns appear where cold mountain streams grind rocks into fine particles that remain suspended in the water.

Location: Balsfjord Municipality

Location: Målselv Municipality

Location: Tromsø Municipality

Location: Senja Municipality

Part of: Norwegian Sea

GPS coordinates: 69.41710,18.42730

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:08