Lofoten Islands: Arctic Peaks Rising from the Sea
The Lofoten archipelago stretches like a stunning rock wall erupting from the Norwegian Sea, between latitudes 67° and 68° north of the Arctic Circle. This series of islands—including Austvågøy, Gimsøy, Vestvågøy, Flakstadøy, Moskenesøy, Vaerøy, and Røst—covers 1,227 square kilometers and supports an estimated 24,000 inhabitants. The 180-kilometer (112-mile) section from Raftsundet Bridge to the village of Å features some of Norway's most stunning scenery, with rugged mountains rising right from the sea, producing a landscape of astonishing contrasts.
Lofoten's topography is a breathtaking mix of rugged rocky peaks, open sea, sheltered coves, gorgeous beaches, and flatland valleys. The Vestfjord connects the mainland and the Lofoten Islands, providing protected waters that have supported populations for millennia. Archaeological evidence shows that the earliest inhabitants arrived in Lofoten around 7,000 years ago, during the Stone Age, and made their livelihood by fishing and hunting. The islands were formerly covered in enormous pine and birch woods and inhabited by deer, bears, reindeer, lynx, and beavers, while the sea was teeming with fish, seals, and whales.
For more than a millennium, the Lofoten Fisheries have played an important role in the archipelago's history and economy. In 860 AD, King Alfred of England wrote about stockfish brought from Vágar in Lofoten by the Viking Ottar, describing a commerce that still exists today. The warm Gulf Stream results in a very moderate coastal environment when compared to other regions at the same latitude, such as Alaska and Greenland. The coldest months are January and February, with average temperatures of -1°C (30°F), while July and August average 13°C (55°F), making Lofoten accessible and habitable year-round despite its Arctic position.
