Do you want to discover unknown places on the other side of the planet? Head for Norway and its Arctic region to explore a part of the world still preserved from mass tourism, which will particularly appeal to visitors eager for adventure and lovers of triumphant nature. This Nordic dream is waiting for you in the Lofoten Islands. Located some 200 km north of the Arctic Circle, this archipelago is one of Norway's most beautiful jewels. This string of beautiful islands fascinates by its splendid landscapes, between mountainous peaks, fjords, emerald sea and pretty fishermen villages with colored houses...
A history linked to fishing..
About 25 000 people live today between the 67th and the 68th parallel north, on an archipelago of 1 227 km2 which advances in the sea, 150 km long: the Lofoten islands. In the medieval Scandinavian language, Ló means the lynx and Fótr, the foot. According to the etymological roots, Lofoten was once compared to the foot of a lynx. Here, more than an institution and still very present today, fishing has provided a living for the inhabitants of Lofoten for 6,000 years. The one that reigns supreme is the cod! Every year, from January to April, the Norwegian Arctic cod comes to lay its eggs in the surrounding currents. These miraculous fisheries already attracted fishermen from all over Northern Norway in the year 1100, during the season, 30,000 men landed. The fishermen rented the famous fishermen's huts and could dry their fish on the large wooden hangers and sell their catch on the spot. The tradition of the rorbus is not new! The cod was dried and transported to Bergen, before being sold in Europe. Even if nowadays the methods of fishing, production and sale have evolved, fish dryers and fishermen's huts are still standing and above all the product is the same: cod and dried fish are on every card! It is therefore not uncommon, between the months of February and May, to see cod drying, upside down and open-mouthed, along the roads, in the gardens, everywhere!
Exceptional landscapes
Precious Norwegian asset, the Lofoten Islands have seen an increase in tourist attraction in recent years, but are working to keep their natural charm. And the feeling of being alone in the middle of nowhere is quickly present, in front of the immensity of the landscapes. Here, exceptional landscapes intermingle: from deep fjords and their steep cliffs to fertile plains, from small picturesque harbors colored by red fishermen's huts on stilts, to white sandy beaches stretching along the coast... And those lights! Even if you will never be sure to find good weather, the lights that illuminate the peninsula, pink, glowing, incandescent, ochre, azure, rainbow, sometimes metallic, offer a unique show and make the Lofoten Islands surely the most photogenic place in the country. The Lofoten Islands are certainly among the most beautiful islands in the world. A singular nature and the roots of a culture that can be found under the dramatic line of the illustrations of Kaare Espolin Johnson, a famous artist of the 20th century in Northern Norway who has his gallery in Kabelvåg. The Lofoten Islands have attracted many artists for more than a century and have seen the emergence of beautiful art galleries and craft stores.
From island to island, activities and visits are numerous
The main islands are Austvågøya, Gimsøy, Vestvågøy, Flakstadøy, Moskenes, Værøy and Røst. The southern part of Norway's largest island, Hinnøy, is also located in Lofoten. A road in very good condition, the E10, has made its way through the peninsular map, connecting Fiskebøl to Å in 170 km. The archipelago is thus crossed rather quickly. However, the road is worth taking your time. Sometimes it is winding, passing through very diverse landscapes, from the black mountains on one side to the green mountains on the other where goats roam, following the coast, its Caribbean beaches and its majestic fjords, crossing bridges and villages. The trip between Moskenes and Vaerøy, for example, will take you through one of the most ferocious ocean currents, the famous maelstrom that inspired Jules Verne in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Edgar Allan Poe in his short story A Descent into the Maelstrom. Vaerøy has a white sandy beach protected by strangely beautiful mountains. The smooth rock walls rise to a height of 400 m, prohibiting any other access than by sea. One of the last islands of Lofoten, Vaerøy, is a real bird sanctuary. The capture of eagles is one of its traditions. And, about ten kilometers north of Vaerøy, is Reine, a hamlet of 300 inhabitants, awarded for its location in "the most beautiful landscape in Norway". Indeed, the sites of the surroundings are grandiose. The mountains have been sculpted and shaped by the glaciers of the Tertiary era like nowhere else. Less restored than in Å (Moskenes), the rorbuer of Reine climb from their piles the rocks of the harbor. Other isolated hamlets around have only the Reine ferry to connect them to the rest of the region
The diversity of the Lofoten Islands and the splendor of their nature allow the practice of activities throughout the year: whale and orca safari (6 m long) on board a sea Zodiac in autumn, fishing, hiking, kayaking, cultural visits, cruises in the fjords, bike rides, horseback riding... It's hard to get bored.
The discovery of oil, these last years, off Lofoten made a big noise in the world companies which saw themselves already amassing the black gold in this idyllic place. But that was without counting the Norwegian government, which in March 2011 banned all oil activity off the Lofoten Islands until further notice. The center-left government thus avoided a potential ecological crisis by making the islands safe. Phew! So, no more time to lose to discover this little jewel of northern Europe!
Useful information
When to come? If you dream of contemplating the Northern Lights, ice fishing, snowmobiling or dog sledding, winter is the ideal season. Even if the most pleasant period to visit Norway is indisputably from May to September, when the weather is good and all the tourist sites are open
How to get there. Departures from Paris to Oslo from 200 to 400 € with a regular airline. From Oslo, car or train, then ferry to the Lofoten Islands.
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Useful. To prepare your trip in the best way.
NATIONAL TOURIST OFFICE OF NORWAY - More information on the site
LOFOTEN ISLANDS TOURIST OFFICE - More informationon the website
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