Lofoten
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Reine, Lofoten, seen from top of Reinebringen (June, 2003). |
Lofoten is an
archipelago and a
traditional district in the county of
Nordland,
Norway.
Lofoten is located at the 67th and 68th degree parallels north of the
arctic circle in
Northern Norway. It is well known for its exceptional natural beauty within Norway. Lofoten encompasses the municipalities of
Vågan,
Vestvågøy,
Flakstad,
Moskenes,
Værøy, and
Røst. The principal islands, running from north to south, are
*Southern tip of
Hinnøya*
Austvågøy (526.7 km² ),
*
Gimsøya (46.4 km² ),
*
Vestvågøy (411.1 km² ),
*
Flakstadøya (109.8 km² ),
*
Moskenesøya (185.9 km² ),whilst further to the south are the small and isolated islands of
Værøy () and
Røst (). The total land area amounts to 1,227 km², and the population totals 24,500. Between the mainland and the archipelago lies the vast, open
Vestfjord, and to the north is
Vesterålen. The principal towns in Lofoten are
Leknes in
Vestvågøy and
Svolvær in
Vågan.
The Lofoten Islands are characterised by their mountains and peaks, sheltered inlets, stretches of seashore and large virgin areas. The highest mountain in Lofoten is
Higravstinden (1161 m) in Austvågøy; the
Møysalen National Park (
) just northeast of Lofoten have mountains reaching 1262 m. The famous
Moskstraumen (Malstrøm) system of
tidal eddies is located in western Lofoten, and is indeed the root of the term
maelstrom. The sea is rich with life, and the worlds largest deep water coral reef (Røst Reef, 40 km long) is located west of Røst. Lofoten has a very high density of
sea eagles and
cormorants, and millions of other sea birds, among them the colourfull
puffin.
Otters are common, and there are
moose on Austvågøy.
Winter temperatures in Lofoten are very mild considering the location north of the Arctic Circle (largest positive temperature anomaly in the world relative to
latitude).
Røst and
Værøy are
the world's most northern locations where average temperatures are above freezing all year (
123). Winters are slightly colder in the northeastern part of Lofoten;
Svolvær has a January average of -1.5°C (30°F), but summers are a bit warmer, with both July and August 24-hr averages of 13°C (56°F). May and June are the driest months, while October has three times as much precipitation (
4,
5). Typical daytime temperature in May is 9°C (48°F), in July 15°C (60°F) and in September 11°C (52°F). The warmest recording in Svolvær is 30.4°C (87°F). Strong winds can occur in late
autumn and
winter, but are rare late March - mid-October.
Snow and
sleet are not uncommon in winter; the mountains can have substantial amounts of snow.
In Svolvær, the sun (midnight sun) is above the
horizon from May 25 to July 17, and in winter the sun does not rise from December 4 to January 7. In
Leknes, the sun is above the horizon from May 26 to July 17, and in winter the sun does not rise from December 9 to January 4.
 |
Lofoten Islands, seen from the west |
Vågar is the first known town formation in northern Norway. It existed in the early
Viking Age, maybe earlier, and was located on the southern coast on eastern Lofoten, not far from
Svolvær and
Kabelvåg in
Vågan municipality. However, the
Lofotr museum with the reconstructed longhouse is located near Borg on
Vestvågøy, which have many
archeological finds from the
iron age and viking age (
necklace). The islands have for more than 1000 years been the center of great
cod fisheries, especially in winter, when the cod migrates south from the
Barents Sea and gathers in Lofoten to
spawn.
Bergen in south western Norway was for a long time the hub for further export south to large parts of
Europe, particularly so when trade was controlled by the
Hanseatic League. In the lowland areas, particularly Vestvågøy,
agriculture plays a significant role, as it has done since the
bronze age.
 |
Small vessels fishing cod (skrei) outside Flakstad island (March, 2005). |
 |
Henningsvær, a fishing village in Lofoten during fishing season (April, 2001). |
The name Lofoten, originally Lofotr, is derived from "lo", meaning lynx, and "fotr" meaning "the foot". Lofotr was originally the name of the island of
Vestvågøy only. It has later become the name of the chain of islands. The chain of islands with its pointed peaks looks like a lynx' foot from the mainland. In Norwegian, it is always a singular. Another name one might come across, is "Lofotveggen" - or the Lofoten wall. The archipelago looks like a closed wall when seen from elevated points around
Bodø, some 100km long, and 800-1000 m. high.
 |
Henningsvær, seen from the air, May 1996. |
Lofoten offers unique rock climbing and mountaineering opportunities. It has 24 hours daylight in the summer and has Alpine-style ridges, summits and glaciers; but at a height of less than 1200m. The main centre for rock-climbing is Henningsvaer on Austvågøya.
The main areas for mountaineering are on Austvågøya and Moskenesøya. The best guidebook for rock climbing is Ed Webster's "Climbing in the Magic Islands" (ISBN 8299319900). A more up-to-date guide for some easy mountaineering routes is Anthony Dyer et al's "Walks and Scrambles in Norway" (ISBN 1904466257)
*
Atlantic cod*
Stockfish |
Lofoten, southside, from the air, May 1996. |
*
Tourist information*
Lofoten.no - Lofoten Internet Portal*
Kabelvåg - Local site for the beautiful place in Lofoten*
Photo gallery on M. Klüber Photography*
Nusfjord, one of the most popular tourist attractions, welcome!*
Deep water corals*
Picture showing a white Lofoten beach*
Picture: View overlooking Svolværgeita and Svolvær*
Many pictures from Lofoten
