If being up in the arctic conjures up images of being dressed in layers and still freezing to death, Lofoten in north Norway falls on the contrary end. Lofoten islands have allured many backpackers for years to explore arctic wilderness without any of the extreme harshness possible at this latitude in other parts of the world. At 68 North, these islands are at the same latitude as Greenland. While you won’t see many polar bears, the millions of sea birds including sea gulls and puffins, orcas more than make up for it.
Lofoten has a long running tradition of fishing but the rugged landscapes here are what draw the truest of nature lovers. You will be surrounded by lofty mountains, bird colonies, stunning coastline, thunderous waterfalls, snow capped mountains, cascaded lakes, untamed fjords, white sand beaches and turquoise waters. Any other place in the world so beautiful would have been commercialized indiscriminately with hefty permit, park fees and tolls, but Lofoten thankfully isn’t so. We loved our backpacking time in the arctic islands and here is why you should embark on this fantastic journey and see this unique beauty for yourselves.
Freedom camping
One thing nordic countries have got perfectly right and most countries not is the right of public access to the wilderness. Allemannsrett, everyman’s right allows one to live wild and free in Norway. One can spend the day swimming in the lakes or picking up berries and mushrooms, and then retiring by a campfire in the evenings calling a new stunning place abode each night. There is no worshipping lottery gods to secure permits, tents can be pitched at any remote place you find yourself at. Almost all of the times we were able to find great spots with only the nature for company.
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| Our tent at Munkebu bathed in midnight sun. |
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| A morning view of Hermannsdalstinden, highest on Moskenesoya |
Ridiculously beautiful
Diverse terrain, contrasting backdrops found at the far reaches of the earth is what Lofoten is made of. Granite peaks rise straight from the sea and reflect in the calm waters of arctic. Then there are stunning turquoise green and blue hued white sand beaches perfect for kite surfing. A few weeks here and one can witness nature at its wildest, male storms whipping up strong winds and wild waves, grey clouds just not intending to let go off mountains or sometimes have endless sunshine for days at a stretch. Backpacking in the summers means not bound by any time and having the entire time for adventure alone.
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| Kvalvika beach, the most stunningly colored in Lofoten |
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| View from the island of Austvagoya |
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| Horseid beach, the biggest on the island of Moskenesoya |
Fresh spring water
I remember making a trip to globetrotter, a famous outdoor store in Germany to look for options to treat water for the backpacking trip. Going through shelves of overwhelming choices of water purifiers, water filters, water tablets, water treatment systems and getting to no decision was soon getting infuriating. One of the guys sensed the restlessness and asked where I was heading to. I replied Norway, north of Norway actually. All he said “If I were you I wouldn’t bother buying anything to treat water for that place”. Sipping from the bottle we just refilled from a waterfall, I can now understand why. Water tasted so good and fresh. Infact, one of the backpackers we met also planned to carry some in his cabin bag on his way out and probably will taste a bit of Norway from his patio in some country unknown and less privileged.
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| Beautiful lakes, with the tastiest and sweetest of waters |
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| Cascaded lakes fed directly from the mountains, you can spot the ocean in the distance too. |
Uncrowded
With all such great provisions Norway still remains uncrowded once you go past the harbor towns where the huge cruise ships dock and take boats full of tourists to fjord excursions. You can choose to go up the mountains or secluded beaches and find your own solace. You can spend days exploring the rugged landscapes without seeing a single being. Have trails, beaches, mountain tops all to yourselves.
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| Having the entire Kjerkfjorden to ourselves |
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| Trails beckoning to be walked |
Helpful locals
It might be difficult to find locals, but the handful we met made a strong impression of being friendly and helpful. One time when our tent succumbed to the wild gale winds of Lofoten, we asked one of the locals if he could direct us to a store to find a replacement. He instead fixed it himself with some duct tape and tools he had. All this without he speaking any english and we any Norwegian. He just won our heart over with his hospitality and so did Norway.
Now that you have reasons more than one, pack your bags, put on your best hiking boots and head up north to this arctic wonderland of Lofoten.
You might also like our backpacking trip in the USA to the alpine wilderness in enchantments
Read our other posts on Lofoten islands
The ultimate road trip in the Lofoten islands
Related posts:
Best Hikes in the Lofoten Islands, Norway
Kayaking a craft in the fjords of Reine, Lofoten Islands
Chasing midnight sun in the arctic, Lofoten islands
The ultimate road trip in Lofoten – Itinerary | Norway
Great and nice place to visit. You have made me add Lofoten as a destination in my list! Thanks a lot!
Thanks very interesting blog!
fantastic altogether, you just gained a emblem new reader.