The train from Sweden ends in Narvik, a Norwegian town far north of the Arctic Circle. Its harbor nonetheless is favored as it does not freeze in winter, owing to the influence of the Gulf Stream…..
This ice-free port is critical to the export of Swedish iron ore…. A strength that was not overlooked by the German forces during World War II. Norway declared itself a neutral state initially, but was drawn into the conflict and forced to capitulate in 1940. (Interesting side note: the Norwegian who headed Nazi Norway during the occupation was named Quisling; his name is now synonymous in English and Scandinavian languages with “traitor” or “collaborator”.)
But this post is really about the majesty of the archipelago of Lofoten…. Indicated on the map below for those of you who may need a little geographic orientation.
This is another of those places that, when mentioned, everybody says, “Oh, it’s beautiful there.” They are correct.
The approach to Narvik by train had everybody straining toward the windows in anticipation…..
Driving there is also quite dramatic, as roads clearly had to blast through or be carved into the rock that plunges down to the valleys and waterways created by glaciers over the millennia.
There is no culture or history that is apparent to the common visitor…. Just the magnificent fjords and the fishing villages nestled alongside.
Drying racks for fish extend along the roadsides, often with interesting scarecrows (recalling Calvary) to divert the birds….
Weather was drizzly and overcast at first….enlivened by gray landscapes, minor monuments, dramatic rock faces and sea birds.
The primary activity here is hiking. Views are dazzling when the weather clears a bit….
The walks we took were advertised as easy…. However, they looked a whole lot like climbing as we ascended 300 to 400 meters.
Other animal friends joined us along the way.
Another ascent provided views of a fjord-side golf course….
These ascending and descending videos are obviously in time-lapse…. To save us all some agony!
Fireweed – also common in Alaska and the Yukon – is a colorful part of the landscape, but considered by many to be invasive.
Some more pretty pictures…
A typical fishing village along the fjord, similar to where we stayed….
Sea urchins beneath the deck…. Who knew they were pink?
And a final sunrise as we prepare to leave Lofoten and Norway behind.
Emerald Isle to the Norse Lands 