I had by no means actually harbored desires of travelling to the Arctic area. It sounded fascinating, in fact, but additionally far, distant and fragile. Could I actually justify flying all the way in which – and burning all these emissions – to expertise it?
But after per week of self-guided e-biking throughout the Swiss Alps final summer time, I used to be hooked to the thought of utilizing low carbon options to achieve the farthest reaches in Europe – specifically 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 become one loopy journey. We travelled a complete of 8000+ kilometers and spent 74.5 hours on trains, plus a couple 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 way of 5 nations. We travelled by way 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 way of a warmth wave-stricken Copenhagen, journeyed alongside the North Sea, and crossed the Arctic Circle. An unimaginable variety of landscapes stored us firm all alongside, from the excessive Alpine peaks in Switzerland to the awe-inspiring fjords of Norway!
Along the way in which, we skilled Europe’s quickest practice, the TGV, which felt like gliding in a dream. But we additionally bumped into overbooked, elbow-to-elbow crowded trains in Hamburg, underneath renovation practice traces 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 time we arrived on the finish of the Norwegian practice line in Bodø, I felt thrilled and exhausted in equal measures. I might by no means have imagined although, what lay forward, on the general public ferry experience and the northernmost area of our planet.
A couple 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 unimaginable 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 ample cabinets regardless of the remoteness, a reminder of our travels by way 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 time in any case, and the solar by no means units this far out within the Arctic.
Thanks 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 group for some time.
Our time on the island jogged my memory of all the explanations I like travelling – to witness Earth’s wild magnificence and join with individuals I couldn’t in any other case have identified. And despite the fact that making it there with out flying was lengthy, costly and tiring, I can’t think about doing it some other means.
Lofoten Islands: Quick Travel Tips
Where are the Lofoten Islands?
The Lofoten Islands are an archipelago, positioned north of the Arctic Circle in Norway. It includes of 5 large islands, and several other smaller ones, house to distant Arctic communities.
How to get to the Lofoten Islands?
The most scenic and eco-friendly solution to get to the Lofoten Islands is utilizing public transport. Train 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 value?
The ferry from Bodø to Moskenes, the most well-liked island within the Lofoten Islands, prices 260 NOK (roughly 25$). However, the ferry to the lesser identified island of Værøy is freed from value. Updated ferry prices and timetables might be discovered right here.
Where to remain within the Lofoten Islands?
We totally loved our weeklong Airbnb keep on a self-catering island cottage on Vaeroy. Our host went out of his solution 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 group.
Traditional lodging within the Lofoten Islands are referred to as “Rorbuer” – fishing cottages on stilts that have been inbuilt conventional Arctic model by the native fishing group. We stayed at Eliassen Rorbeur in Hamnoy on Moskenes Islands, and cherished the splurge.
What is the very best 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 positive that have to be a shocking expertise, but additionally bitterly chilly!
We cherished experiencing the lengthy summer time days and the midnight solar on the Lofoten Islands. The greatest time for these is July and August.
How many days do you want within the Lofoten?
The extra the higher 😉 Travelling within the Arctic, particularly the distant Lofoten Islands, might be costly although. Plan for per week atleast, and extra in case you can afford it.
Can you expertise the night time sky?
Of course! Visiting in the summertime is a bit like dishonest, as a result of individuals who dwell within the Lofoten Islands must expertise the tough Arctic chilly, with 24 dead nights, in the course of the winter months.
What’s a advisable itinerary for the Lofoten Islands?
We spent almost per week on Værøy, and an evening on the way in which again within the in style village of Reine, on the island of Moskenes. If you take pleasure in biking, climbing, native tradition and quietude, I extremely advocate spending extra of your time on Vaeroy, with a day or two in Moskenes for the reason that ferry passes by way 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?
Welcome to my weblog, The Shooting Star. I’ve been referred to as a storyteller, author, photographer, digital nomad, instagrammer, social entrepreneur, solo traveller, vegan, sustainable tourism guide and environmentalist. But in my coronary heart, I’m only a woman who believes within the transformative energy of journey.