Lofoten Islands: The Ultimate Travel Guide
The Lofoten archipelago is a part of the larger Vesterålen region, located between the northern part of Norway and Sweden. It comprises over 1,200 islands that stretch across an area of 740 square miles (1,400 km²). The largest island is Åland. Lofoten has been inhabited since ancient times by indigenous groups such as Saami and Vikings.
Lofoten is known for a distinctive scenery with dramatic mountains and peaks, open sea and sheltered bays, beaches and untouched lands. Read our Ultimate Travel Guide and see the magic it has to offer!
The Lofoten archipelago
The Lofoten archipelago is located in northern Norway, just off the coast of Finnmark county. It covers an area of 1,200 square kilometers (about 460 square miles) and is considered to be the largest island group in Norway. The archipelago has a rugged landscape with mountains, peaks and cliffs that rise up to 700 meters (2,300 feet) above sea level.
The Lofoten islands were formed by glaciers during the last ice age; they are still exposed today because there are very few trees on them. This makes them ideal for hiking or biking tours throughout all seasons—even when snow covers these beautiful peaks and valleys!
The first inhabitants settled here around 500 BC; over time they established villages along their coasts where they lived off fishing as well as hunting seals & whales who came there every year looking for food after birth season ended at end May when baby animals needed milk from mothers’ mammaries which could only happen between July & August so females give birth around then depending on location – Northern Hemisphere vs Southern Hemisphere.
Lofoten is an archipelago and a traditional district in the county of Nordland, Norway. It is part of the larger Vesterålen region. Lofoten is known for a distinctive scenery with dramatic mountains and peaks, open sea and sheltered bays, beaches and untouched lands. Though lying within the Arctic Circle, the archipelago experiences one of the world’s largest elevated temperature anomalies relative to its high latitude.
Lofoten Islands Climate
The climate in Lofoten is subarctic, with cool summers and relatively mild winters (for its latitude). The islands experience extremely fruitful fishing throughout the summer season. However, this remains meager during wintertime. Although there is no polar night, it is still very dark during the winter months, contributing to the light-hearted nature of locals who are more than happy to experience their short summers during their long winters.
Lofoten is one of the best places for hiking in Norway.
Lofoten is one of the best places for hiking in Norway. The islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and they offer many trails to explore, including:
• The Seterseggen Trail – This trail covers approximately 17 kilometers and takes you through mountains, forests and valleys. You can hike from Seterstølen to Skåtøya or from Binnoeggen to Kverneset all over this route.
• Some other popular hikes include:
• “Kjendalsheiene” (Hiking) – This trail goes up into the highest point on Lofoten Island
• Tjeldstindet (1 724 m). You will pass through beautiful forests with old pine trees that have been around since before humans walked this earth! It’s also possible to hike down into some caves along this route if you want an adventure!
Lofoten Islands Hiking: Steind
The Lofoten Islands are located in the middle of a big bay and are one of the best places for hiking in Norway.
Stetind is a mountain in the municipality of Mo i Rana, Norway. It’s located at the eastern end of the Lofoten archipelago and has an elevation of 1,926 m (6,246 ft). The mountain was originally called “Stetindfjellet” by Norwegian cartographers from 1875 to 1890.
Stetind is often climbed by hikers and climbers who want to experience what it’s like to be on top of this peak with clear views over Mo i Rana town below them as well as over many other nearby islands such as Lønsethøa and Værøyen. Hikers can also get up close with these beautiful lakes or just enjoy watching birds fly overhead while hiking around Stetind’s summit area!
Lofoten Islands Hiking: The Lofoten Wall
This is an easy hike that’s great for families, but it might be too easy for experienced hikers. The wall is about 3 miles long, and you can see the most dramatic peaks of the island from its summit.
The trailhead starts at Sommarö in Røst, which is south of Vågan and north of Stavanger. It ends in Balsfjord, which has a small parking lot where you can park your car overnight before continuing your trip through Lofoten National Park (LN).
Lofoten Islands Hiking: Horseid Beach
Horseid Beach is a great place to hike. It’s located in the northern part of the Lofoten Islands, which means you’ll have to take a ferry ride across to get there. The beach is surrounded by mountains and steep cliffs that make it an excellent spot for viewing wildlife.
The path starts at Tjeldsundet (the old town) and follows along the shoreline before leading out into open water where you’ll find yourself surrounded by seabirds nesting on platforms built up from their nests—this makes for some interesting views!
Lofoten Islands Hiking: Reinebringen Mountain
Reinebringen is a mountain on the island of Moskenesøya, located in northern Norway. It is the highest point on Moskenesøya and a popular hiking destination in Lofoten.
Reinebringen rises to an elevation of 633 m / 2,100 ft and offers great views over the surrounding area, including Ullsfjorden and Raudfjorden towards Spitsbergen.
Moskenes maelstrom
The Moskenes maelstrom is a large, fast-moving whirlpool in the North Sea. It’s located between Tromso and Hornsund, Norway, and has been known to cause serious injury or even death.
The maelstrom usually occurs during late summer months when there are strong winds blowing over warm water that creates currents that can be dangerous for boats traveling through them. These currents can be up to 3 meters per second (6 mph) at their peak speeds! The name comes from Norwegian words meaning “sea monster” because some people have claimed that it looks like one when seen from above; others say they’ve seen it move so fast they couldn’t keep up with it!
The force of these currents makes them appear as if they’re going uphill instead of downhill—this means that you’ll want to avoid this spot if possible (and don’t forget about your safety)! If caught in one of these deadly waves, stay calm and don’t panic; use common sense when dealing with dangerous situations such as this one: stay away from any sharp objects near shorelines such as rocks or trees branches–they could injure even experienced sailors who aren’t careful enough during storms.”
Kollhellaren Cave
Kollhellaren Cave is a sea cave at the village of Reine, Lofoten, Norway. It is part of the Nærøyfjord and lies between Reinebotn and Eidevatnet. The cave has several entrances on its eastern side and connects with other caves along its length.
The first written mention of this cave comes from 1739 when it was described as being “inhabited by seals”.
Vestvagoy
Vestvagoy is a small island in the Lofoten archipelago, located in the Vestvågøy municipality of Norway. It has an area of 38 square kilometers (14 square miles) and consists mainly of mountains and hills.
The island is separated from its neighbor Austvågøy by Vestvagoy Sound, which connects both islands together with their ports at Melkøya (Austvågøy) and Borgundbukta (Vestvagoy).
Viking longhouse
Lofoten is also home to the famous viking longhouse. The Vikings built longhouses, or long houses, on stilts in order to protect them from the harsh weather. These buildings were often built near the sea and had a central hall with a fire pit inside. Longhouse roofs were made from large flat stones that could be easily stacked one over another to create walls. This method allowed for plenty of light through the holes in these roofs because it let sunlight into each room without blocking any heat from escaping out through them (a common problem with other types of building materials).
Henningsvaer
The island of Henningsvaer is located in the municipality of Moskenes, and has a population of about 150 people. This small island has become a popular tourist destination, with many visitors coming to enjoy its natural beauty and solitude.
The name Henningsvaer comes from an old Norwegian fishing vessel that was wrecked on this island in the early 1900s.
Skomvaer Lighthouse
The Skomvaer Lighthouse is one of the most well-known and important lighthouses in Lofoten. It was built in 1883, but it’s been replaced by modern technology.
The lighthouse is a white, round concrete tower with red top that stands about 160 feet tall above sea level. The current structure dates back to 2004 when it was built on top of an older one from 1930 that had collapsed into the sea due to erosion from storms and ice floes during winter months (December through March).
Conclusion
Lofoten Islands are a unique place, with great opportunities for both active and passive people. Lofoten offers exciting experiences for all ages, from hiking and biking along the rugged coastline to exploring its caves and lighthouses. Experience the beauty of this Norwegian archipelago by visiting one of its stunning towns!
You’ll love Lofoten, and we hope this guide has helped you get a sense of what it’s like to visit. The islands are a fantastic destination for those looking for an adventurous getaway from the mainland, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, fishing and exploring these beautiful waters. If you want even more information about what there is do on the island then check out our blog post on visiting Lofoten Islands and make sure to follow us on Instagram!