Located in the Nordland county of Norway, the Lofoten Islands is a wondrous archipelago popular for its unsurpassed natural beauty along with charming little fishing towns. The majestic Vestfjord Sea lies between the main land and Lofoten. What makes these islands interesting is the weather which is not as severe as the surrounding regions within the Arctic Circle. The Lofoten Islands actually experience the planet’s largest elevated temperature variances in regards to the latitude. This is caused by the Gulf Stream and results in very warm summers and mild winters.
Midsummer means that the sun does not fall below the horizon for seven weeks and the same goes for midwinter as it does not rise for weeks, attracting travellers looking for a truly unique break. Midsummer is indeed the main attraction of the islands and the best time to visit. Imagine having bright nights for weeks, enjoying the warmth of the sun and secluded beaches open for kayaking and many other water sports. Of course during the winter it’s all about the surreal Northern Lights, another once-in-a-lifetime kind of deal.
The main islands of Lofoten are Austvågøy, Gimsøya, Vestvågøy, Moskenesøy, and Flakstadøy surrounded by a number of other smaller islands. They actually look like a single mountain range because they are so close together. The ruggedness of the landscapes provides a perfect setting for hiking and cycling. Adventure seekers can also enjoy unique rock climbing and mountaineering opportunities, with Alpine ridges, snow-capped summits, and glaciers at least about 1,200 metres.
The islands feature a series of stunning caves too. A visit to Refsvikhula Cave is a must. The iconic cave has 3,000-year-old cave paintings sketched all over the walls which were discovered by archaeology students back in 1986. There is also the Storbåthallaren cave, in which the oldest-known Stone Age settlement was discovered. Items found there included fishing tackle, arrowheads, axes, bone needles, knives, and some remains of fish and shellfish laying there for over 5,500 years. Yes, it also had human bones.
Wildlife watching is very popular in the Lofoten Islands. The rich waters support entire colonies of breeding seabirds which include kittiwakes, razorbills, puffins, Arctic terns, white-tailed sea eagles, and red-necked phalaropes. During the summer, whale watching is beautiful. Sperm whales can be spotted during this time, while Orcas show up early autumn. Cod fishing has been the main activity of the islands for thousands of years, especially during winter when the fish migrate south from the Barents Sea and gather around the islands. People also seek to experience the infamous Maelstrom (Moskstraumen), one of the world’s strongest tidal currents. It was first mentioned in history by Pytheas, a Greek historian, about 2,000 years ago. There are countless boat rides and fishing expeditions that head to the area just off the coast of the islands specifically for the sheer thrill of it.
By Amal Ahmed
