5 reasons to visit Vesterålen on your way to Lofoten

Chances are you haven’t heard of Vesterålen yet. If you’re after an authentic experience north of the arctic circle, you just found your hidden gem…

Located a few hundred kilometres north of its famous neighbour Lofoten this archipelago offers stunning landscapes without the crowds.

The Vesterålen archipelago is composed of hundreds of islands, with the main ones connected by bridges. Here, roads wind between rounded mountains overlooking the Arctic ocean, small villages hide in sheltered bays, reindeer roam around, and thousands of seabirds nest on tiny islets. It’s the perfect stop if you’re driving south from Narvik to Lofoten as we did.

In case you’re not convinced yet, here are 5 reasons to discover Vesterålen.

1. Explore the fantastic hiking trails of Vesterålen

Vesterålen is home to some of the most incredible hikes in Norway. And you get to enjoy those views by yourself. We barely saw anyone on the trails we explored.

The most famous is definitely the Dronningruta or Queen’s route. But there are plenty of other excellent alternatives like Måtinden. 68north.com has tons of information on hiking opportunities in the area.

2. Wander the unspoiled beaches of Andøya island

This island hides some of Norway’s most beautiful beaches. Follow the Fv976 to Bleik and take a stroll along the endless stretch of pure sand. We guarantee you’ll love walking with the ocean on one side and majestic mountains on the other. If you have time, enjoy the view from the top of Måtinden, and check out Hoyvika beach.

3. Observe wildlife at any time of the year

Vesterålen is an excellent destination for wildlife lovers. The ocean there is very rich in nutrients making it a primary feeding ground for whales. You can go whale watching in Vesterålen at any time of the year. In winter you might spot killer whales, humpbacks, pilot whales and fin whales. The rest of the year, you’ll likely see sperm whales.

If you’re a bird enthusiast, keep an eye out for white-tailed sea eagles when you’re close to the ocean. These birds are huge! In summer you can also hop on a boat in Bleik to observe 80,000 pairs of majestic puffins, cormorants, razorbills and guillemots.

4. Drive along the Andøya scenic route

This 51km drive is breathtaking. It runs along the outer edge of Andøya island. With the never-ending ocean on one side and grass-covered mountains on the other, you’ll feel like anything’s possible.

5. Witness one of nature’s miracles… or two

Watch the midnight sun

Photograph by Ystein Lunde Ingvaldsen – nordnorge.com – Boe

Seeing the sun in the sky in the middle of the night is an unforgettable experience. In Northern Norway, there are about 76 days of midnight sun between May and July. The further north you wander, the more nights of midnight sun you get.

You’ll find more information and a beautiful timelapse here.

Experience the northern lights

Photograph by Marten Bril – .visitvesteralen.com – Sortland

The northern lights can be seen from September to mid-April on clear nights (increase your chances by going in March or October). Check out this site for more information about the best places to go and a detailed forecast.

Bonus: where to stay on Vesterålen?

Holmvik Brygge in Nyksund is the perfect base to explore the area, visit Stø, Myre, go whale watching or learn more about the region’s past.

As far as one can remember, fishing has been part of Vesterålen’s history. Today, you can still feel that connection as you drive past thousands of stockfish hanging on wooden racks along the road in Vesteralen and the Lofoten islands. And this heritage is what Ssemjon works so hard to keep alive and the reason he created Holmvik Brygge. From the renovated accommodation to the traditional dishes served at the restaurant, everything is designed to show you a glimpse of the past and how fishermen used to live.

Ssjemon moved to Norway about 20 years ago and settled in Nyksund, an old fisherman’s village in Vesteralen. He renovated an old fisherman “brygge” using materials from the nearby houses that didn’t survive the test of time and the harsh weather conditions.

This is now the main guesthouse and restaurant, offering 10 rooms with shared bathroom. We chose the more private option and stayed in one of the 3 new studio apartments. There’s a fully equipped kitchen where you can cook basic meals and prepare your sandwiches for the next day’s hike. The bed is super comfy. You can check the weather conditions from there and go back to sleep if you feel like it 🙂

They welcome guests all year round so you can explore the many nearby hiking trails like the famous Queen’s route.

Ssemjon is genuinely passionate about the local history.  He’ll be able to tell you everything about a time when Nyksund was one of the most important fishing villages in Vesterålen. He’s also a guide and can help you plan your trip as well as accompany you on your hike.

Ssemjon, thanks again for having us 🙂