Norway is one of those countries in Europe that you never get tired of. It’s truly a unique place on earth with an abundance of beauty. Having traveled the southern part of Norway a few years back, I decided it was time for another trip. This time, I spent 2 weeks up in the far north of Norway, above the arctic circle to capture the beauty of the Lofoten islands, Senja and Nordland.
I started my trip on Senja, one of the largest islands in Norway, known for its unique mountain formations and endless hiking options. Whereas the Lofoten islands are known to international tourist, Senja is still under the radar and mostly visited by Norwegians. The views over this island are truly unique from the summits of Grytetippen. From Mount Hesten, you get an amazing view over Mount Segla, a massive rock towering out of the ocean amidst a fjord. This mountain is what attracts many people to Senja and standing there high above the fjords, it was not hard to see why.
After Senja, it was time to visit Lofoten. This archipelago, which has many islands connected by bridges, is like nothing I had ever seen. With many little wooden houses, called rorbuer, dotting the landscape, turquoise water and unique mountain peaks, the landscape is so spectacular that on every turn you want to stop and take photos of the landscape. Lofoten is home to some iconic hikes in Norway, such as Reinebringen. As you climb up the many steps, you are rewarded with a birds-eye view over the fjords and the little villages of Lofoten. The villages are also worth a visit as they all are set in a very impressive landscape. My favorite villages in Lofoten had to be Å I Lofoten, Reine and Hamnøy. They are extremely photogenic with their bright colored houses, and scenic setting amidst the fjords. Visiting Lofoten during summertime means that the midnight sun allowed me to hike late at night as the sun only touched the horizon before rising again. I ended my stay in Lofoten with a hike to Ryten, which has a 360 view over Lofoten, from the stunning beaches to the incredible mountain ranges more inland.
But Lofoten is not the only star of this part of Norway. The views on neighboring, tiny Værøy island are equally stunning, and the beach of Hovdsundet in Bodø resembles a tropical place instead of an arctic beach. All in all, I was very impressed with this part of Norway and can recommend this part of Norway as it features landscapes that you won’t really find anywhere else in Europe.
Travel photography Lofoten Islands | Senja | Nordland in northern Norway
