I had by no means actually harbored desires of travelling to the Arctic area. It sounded fascinating, after all, but additionally far, distant and fragile. May I actually justify flying all the way in which – and burning all these emissions – to expertise it?
However after per week of self-guided e-biking across the Swiss Alps final summer season, I used to be hooked to the thought of utilizing low carbon options to achieve a number of the farthest reaches in Europe – the Lofoten Islands within the Norwegian Arctic.
We hatched up a loopy plan, to spend a month travelling from Switzerland to the Lofoten Islands and again, utilizing solely public transport – trains, buses and a public ferry!
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The journey from Switzerland to the Lofoten Islands
An try to keep away from the carbon emissions of flying inside Europe became one loopy journey. We travelled a complete of 8000+ kilometers and spent 74.5 hours on trains, plus a number of extra on ferries.
The Eurail Global Pass, which covers practice journeys and a few bus journey throughout the Schengen area, allowed us to sluggish transit by means of 5 nations. We travelled by means of Switzerland, spent a few days in a busy Hamburg, whiled away per week every within the hip cities of Oslo and Stockholm (on the return journey), transited by means of a warmth wave-stricken Copenhagen, journeyed alongside the North Sea, and crossed the Arctic Circle. An unbelievable variety of landscapes stored us firm all alongside, from the excessive Alpine peaks in Switzerland to the awe-inspiring fjords of Norway!
Alongside the way in which, we skilled Europe’s quickest practice, the TGV, which felt like gliding in a dream. However we additionally bumped into overbooked, elbow-to-elbow crowded trains in Hamburg, beneath renovation practice strains in Sweden and Norway, delayed connections in Copenhagen, and dated regional trains throughout Europe.
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Midnight solar on the Lofoten Islands
By the point we arrived on the finish of the Norwegian practice line in Bodø, I felt thrilled and exhausted in equal measures. I may by no means have imagined although, what lay forward, on the general public ferry trip and the northernmost area of our planet.
A number of hundred kilometers out into the North Sea, dramatic cliffs rose up from the water, and remoted islands lay sprawled throughout the ocean, populated with sparse, colourful Arctic settlements. On the island of Værøy (inhabitants: 800), in a single such settlement, one colourful abode was our Airbnb – a comfy studio on the base of a towering cliff, overlooking the unbelievable blues of the North Sea!
Our host rapidly initiated us into life on this Lofoten Island – the climbing trails, the fascinating historical past, the biking routes, the one eatery, the one pub, and one grocery store with remarkably considerable cabinets regardless of the remoteness, a reminder of our travels by means of one of many richest nations on Earth. Over the subsequent few days, we cycled and hiked within the surreal magic of ’24 hour daylight’ days, confused about when to sleep and eat with no sundown or dawn to information us! It was summer season in spite of everything, and the solar by no means units this far out within the Arctic.
Due to our host, we acquired after-hours entry to the native pub, bought insider recommendations on a climbing path to an deserted fishing village, learnt how local weather change is impacting this distant settlement (extra on that quickly), and have become a part of this small Arctic neighborhood for some time.
Our time on the island jogged my memory of all the explanations I really like travelling – to witness Earth’s wild magnificence and join with folks I couldn’t in any other case have identified. And regardless that making it there with out flying was lengthy, costly and tiring, I can’t think about doing it some other approach.
Lofoten Islands: Fast Journey Ideas
The place are the Lofoten Islands?
The Lofoten Islands are an archipelago, situated north of the Arctic Circle in Norway. It includes of 5 massive islands, and several other smaller ones, house to distant Arctic communities.
Find out how to get to the Lofoten Islands?
Probably the most scenic and eco-friendly method to get to the Lofoten Islands is utilizing public transport. Prepare connections from throughout Europe can take you to Norway. From Trondheim in Norway, take the ten hour in a single day or day practice to Bodø. Bodø is well-connected to the Lofoten Islands by a public ferry.
How a lot does the ferry between Bodo and Lofoten Islands price?
The ferry from Bodø to Moskenes, the preferred island within the Lofoten Islands, prices 260 NOK (roughly 25$). Nonetheless, the ferry to the lesser identified island of Værøy is freed from price. Up to date ferry prices and timetables may be discovered here.
The place to remain within the Lofoten Islands?
We totally loved our weeklong Airbnb stay on a self-catering island cottage on Vaeroy. Our host went out of his method to choose us up from the ferry terminal, and gave us insider ideas that basically made us really feel a part of the native Arctic neighborhood.
Conventional lodging within the Lofoten Islands are known as “Rorbuer” – fishing cottages on stilts that had been inbuilt conventional Arctic model by the native fishing neighborhood. We stayed at Eliassen Rorbeur in Hamnoy on Moskenes Islands, and liked the splurge.
What’s the finest time to go to Lofoten Islands?
Many individuals journey within the winter months from October and March, to expertise the northern lights on the Lofoten Islands. I’m certain that should be a shocking expertise, but additionally bitterly chilly!
We liked experiencing the lengthy summer season days and the midnight solar on the Lofoten Islands. The most effective time for these is July and August.
What number of days do you want within the Lofoten?
The extra the higher 😉 Travelling within the Arctic, particularly the distant Lofoten Islands, may be costly although. Plan for per week atleast, and extra should you can afford it.
Are you able to expertise the evening sky?
After all! Visiting in the summertime is a bit like dishonest, as a result of individuals who dwell within the Lofoten Islands must expertise the cruel Arctic chilly, with 24 dead nights, through the winter months.
What’s a beneficial itinerary for the Lofoten Islands?
We spent practically per week on Værøy, and an evening on the way in which again within the common village of Reine, on the island of Moskenes. Should you get pleasure from biking, climbing, native tradition and quietude, I extremely suggest spending extra of your time on Vaeroy, with a day or two in Moskenes because the ferry passes by means of there anyway.
Do you dream of travelling to distant locations just like the Lofoten Islands within the Arctic? Would you go on journey to get there with out flying?
*Due to Airbnb and Eurail for supporting this journey!
Welcome to my weblog, The Taking pictures Star. I’ve been known as a storyteller, author, photographer, digital nomad, “sustainability influencer,” social entrepreneur, solo traveller, vegan, sustainable tourism guide and environmentalist. However in my coronary heart, I’m only a lady who believes that journey – if finished proper – has the ability to vary us and the world we dwell in.
