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Home , Andenes, Dverberg, Dverberg (municipality), Hadsel, Hadselfjord, Lofoten

FACTS ABOUT VESTERÅLEN

Vesterålen is a cluster of remarkable and 13th centuries the stockfish trade years old. A dark mineral, resembling land. From the mountains at Sellevoll you islands, located 200 km within the with started, and caused a tran- Gabbro is found at Åsanfjorden in the Bø may see how the mounds form a pattern . 35.000 people live in this sition to money-based economy. One of municipality, dated back some 3500 mill. looking like a flat cone-shaped cake. The archipelago of unspoiled beauty. the consequences was a change in the years. More recent minerals (400Ð600 Bog-Ashpodel with beautiful yellow flo- Westwards, facing the Norwegian population pattern, increasing the num- mill. years) are found on And¿ya, betwe- wers grow on the poor marshland. The sea; a ragged alpine landscape of ne- ber of people in the fishing districts. The en and Skogvollvatn, and a common trees in Vesterålen are Birch, edlesharp peaks. To the east; the wa- later Middle Ages was a period of narrow zone of even younger minerals Roan and Willow. European Bird Cherry terways of the coastal express stea- growth, caused by the stockfish trade (100Ð150 mill years) between Ramså and Grey-Alder are relatively rare, and mer, bordered by wide beaches and with the . At this time and Haugnes, the latter the most recent pines are planted in parts of the region. small communities huddled closely people started to settle in villages, such mineral found ashore in . Rich de- is famous for the beautiful villa together. In the centre of the islands as and Langenes. posits of fossils, oil and coal are found in gardens, where foreign trees grow, indi- are vast areas of marsh with creeks Ecclesiastical art from Holland and the same area. The landscape in cating a favourable local climate. The and ponds. Vesterålen offers a dis- Northern Germany is partly preserved Vesterålen was shaped over the last 2 rectory garden in was earlier tinct flora, rich birdlife, plentiful deep- from this period. The altarpiece of million years (Quarternary Period). The known for its collection of rare species of sea and fresh-water fishing, beautiful Hadsel church (1520) is particularly no- high mountain areas often have a plain primula. scenery and picturesque fishing ham- teworthy. The Stockfish trade made or slightly rippled surface, e.g. Staveheia lats. Vesterålen dependent upon the on And¿ya and Lang¿ya mountains give Birdlife European trade cycles. The falling price a craggy and ragged impression. The Mt. The northern location and the varied na- Communications of fish and the rising price of grain during Reka northwest of Eidsfjord, and the ture of Vesterålen ensure rich bird-life. Coastal express steamers call daily at the 16th and 17th centuries led to consi- mountains between Stave and are The sea around the islands is very rich Ris¿yhamn, and . derable poverty. But the centuries experi- typical examples. Between the mountain and plentiful, providing a feeding place 5 bridges link the islands together and enced growth periods, and mobility of plateau and the beach there is a steep for the large colonies of birds. Amongst connect them with the mainland. Several the population. Every summer and au- slope. The coastal plains, the slopes and these Artic Seahorse and Gannet are daily flights to the airports at Andenes tumn small cargo boats sailed to Bergen, many of the valleys were shaped by gla- well represented. Nykan near B¿, and and Stokmarknes, and airport is loaded with stockfish and liver oil, ciers, while the mountain plateaus only the Bleiks¿ya are the most famous roo- also within reach. The bus services are salt, beer, clothes and commodities. This partly were formed by the icecaps. Some keries. During the winter there are good frequent within the region, and there are trade ensured regular contact with the mountains on the coastal plains are rem- hibernating areas for Auk and Sea- direct connections to the railway stations outside world. Merchants from Bergen nants of the erosion, e.g. Bleiks¿ya and Ducks, and the rare White-Billed Diver is at and as well. It’s easy to and had a monopoly of trade Gaukværøy. The highest watermarks in a common sight in the sounds between drive to Vesterålen from Narvik, (connec- in the northern part of Norway. But gra- the west are 20Ð25 meters above sea-le- the islands. In Vesterålen all the common tion to E-6). The new road to Kiruna me- dually, independent trade activities star- vel, and in , Sortlandsund sea-birds at this latitude can be found. ans a regular route to Sweden. However, ted due to the innkeeper (trading and and Ris¿ysund 30Ð40 meters above the Visitors from the South may find the travellers coming on the E-6 from the conveyance) licenses of the 1770s. sea-level. After the last glacial epoch mountain areas, the birch woods and the south will find the ferry BognesÐ Successful herring from 1861 about 15Ð20.000 years ago, many mo- vast marshland areas most interesting, L¿dingen the easiest route. The ferry meant that the district prospered, and led raines were deposited on And¿ya, especially on And¿ya. The Black-tailed connection MelbuÐFiskeb¿l takes you to to the establishment of many seine fis- Lang¿ya and the northern part of . hing stations and several steamship Hinn¿ya. companies. There was a considerable In the old days… migration from the southern parts of Flora and vegetation We still know fairly little about the oldest Norway. The population grew from 8.670 Demanding vegetation is not common in history of Vesterålen, but continnous ex- in 1855, to 22.460 in 1900. In 1893 Vesterålen because hard and acid rocks cavations bring new knowledge. The ol- Vesteraalen Steamship Company together with steep and shady landsca- dest known traces of settlements in (OVDS) initiated the first weekly coastal pe occur in most places. The valley bot- Vesterålen date back to 5.000 years B. ÇexpressÈ, steamer between Trondheim toms and the steep hillsides are often co- C. The first islanders lived by fishing and and Hammerfest. vered with birches. Black crowberry and hunting, and migrated seasonally. dwarf corner grow on the woodland floor. Cultivation of grain and cattle breeding Style of building Hillsides have rich fren vegetation. were known as far back as 1400 B. C. The old dwellings in Vesterålen resemb- Heathberry, Bilberry, Matgrass and Traces are found of settlements recogni- led peat-huts. The loghouse became Mountain Lady’s Mantle are common on sable as farms; i.e. dwellinghouses and common during the 17th century. The the treeless plateaus. Near Ramheia and barns encircling a yard, dating back to ground floor of the earlier loghouses had R¿yken (400 m) on the northern edge of the beginning of the Christian era. The 2Ð3 rooms. One could walk upright on And¿ya there are large concentrations of Puffin houses were made of timber, and the in- the ground floor only in the loft, the win- various mountain-plants. The drift-sand sulation and roofing material were clay dows were on the short sides of the hou- areas near Bleik (on And¿ya) and near Godwit, common in the southern parts of and stone. se, squeezed in between the rafters and B¿ (on Lang¿ya) are particularly worth Europe, is rare in Norway, and only nests During the first thousand years A. D. the- the floor, and one could walk upright only seeing. At the end of July all the mea- on And¿ya. The White-tailed eagle lives re was a tremendous increase in the below the ridge pole. The entrance was dows are completely covered in white in the mountain areas and by the coast. number of settlements in Vesterålen. Not located on the leeward side, and led di- Burnet Saxifrage, and you may find Some parts of Vesterålen are frequently only the good agricultural areas became rectly into the kitchen. Until the end of the herbs and beautiful wild flowers, such as visited by migrating geese, both more densely populated, but also outly- 19th century, practically all houses were Harebell and Wild Betony. Near the be- Barnacle Geese and Pink-Footed Geese ing areas such as Gaukværøy in B¿. roofed with peat. Even the loghouses of ach a belt of bluish green lyme grass breed in Vesterålen. Invasions of birds During the (800Ð1050) fixed the upper class were relatively modest, grow among Yellow Lady's Slippers, etc. from the east, e.g. Woodpie and settlements became more common. This and rarely with 2 full storeys. The majori- The occurence of Kobresia Myosuroides Waxwings, are often observed in is seen today from the farm mounds ty of houses were long and narrow, sel- in the drib sand areas near Bleik, is per- Vesterålen. where house remnants and refuse are dom more than 5 meters wide. Until haps a remnant of the glacial epoch, deposited in thick layers. During the 12th about 1850 there were few houses of in- when And¿ya supposedly had icefree Life in the ocean ternational design in Vesterålen. The areas. The only place in Scandinavia All the common fishes in Northern shape of the house was more often de- where it is possible to study the 20.000 Norway are found in Vesterålen, such as termined by climate, accessible building year history of vegetation is from the bot- Cod, Haddock, Pollack, Tusk, Ling material and social needs, than by style. tom depositions of Lake Endletvatn and Rosefish, Halibut, Herring and Salmon. An exception is the Manor, in ®råsvatn (And¿ya). The pasture land The in-shore fishing is very good. The Empire style. In this period, national ro- contributing to the green and fertile ap- approach of the cod in the spawning se- mantic style of building became more pearance along Ris¿ysundet, ason during the winter is of considerable common in Vesterålen. The change in ar- Sortlandsundet and Hadselfjorden, have importance. The winter-fisheries in chitectural styles was a result of the in- pine and larch trees. The vegetation is Lofoten are well-known to most people, dustrialisation which emerged in Norway, kept low and open by the sheep. but the fact is that nearly the same and obliterated or veiled local characte- Climatically demanding plants grow amount of fish is caught in Vesterålen. ristics. here. Vast march-land and moss charac- The relatively mild climate along the terise the landscape. Desposits of peat Norwegian coast is caused by the Gulf Mountains and Landscape give the marsh an arched surface, very Stream. The brings warm The majority of mountains of Vesterålen poor of nutrition. Near Dverberg there is currents Ð as well as fish and other mari- Tinden in ¯ksnes are Bedrock, i.e more than 600 mill. a remarkable area of concentric marsh- ne animals common in more tropical wa-

SORTLAND CAMPING & MOTELL NAF, Tlf: +47 76 12 13 77, Fax +47 76 12 25 78 meters difference between the top of the Economic life phony orchestra, folk song and rock and the ebb. The currents in the Vesterålen’s economy is varied and in- groups, you name it. sounds and fjords vary with the tide. dustries of different kinds are represen- Football, cycling and skiing are popular There are good fishing opportunities in ted; the fishing and fishprocessing indus- sports. There are several sports halls the lakes and rivers as well. Just remem- tries, construction and timber-processing with swimmingpools. ber to obtain a fishing license for fresh- industries, firms of contractors, transport water fishing! and shipping, printing, tourism and hotel Climate and seasons business, agriculture and the processing The warm Gulf Stream flows past Food traditions of agricultural products, construction and Vesterålen and brings mild weather the In the past the staple diet was herring plastic processing. A considerable num- year round. The warmest months are Trollfjorden in Hadsel and potatoes, milk and porridge, and ber of people are employed by the autho- July and August with average temperatu- fish and potatoes. Both herring and por- rities and the armed forces, trade and res of 12Ð14¡C (54Ð58¡). The max. tem- ters. Rare fish to be found in the waters ridge belong to the traditional service business employ its share of this perature measured is 30,8¡C (87¡F). July are: Arctic Skate, Scabbard Fish and Norwegian diet, and ancient mythology labour. The firms of Vesterålen must be is the driest month. The rain comes Black Scabbard Fish. The Scabbard Fish tells of herring and oatmeal as food lit for characterzed as small or medium sized mainly in AugustÐDecember, and most is found nowhere else along the goods. The potato became a main cour- compared to companies of other parts of of it actually in October. Usually the snow Norwegian coast. More rare are: Black- se at the beginning of the 19th century, a Norway, the sizes varying from 1 to 250 comes in January, February and March. fish, Bass, Congereel and the Thick- and godsend because Vesterålen had a very employees The fishing industry is the The average temperature during the pe- Thin- lipped Grey Mullet. The two last meagre grain production. The diet was main industry of the region and approx riods ÷1 to ÷2°C (29–31°F). The mid- mentioned fishes are very palatable, and relatively wholesome in those days. 95.000 tons of fish are landed annually. night sun is visible in Vesterålen from ap- in tropical and temperate zones they are Fresh fish was accessible in most places Fishing is a fulltime occupation for the prox. May 20th till July 24th. As a con- of economic importance. If you catch a the whole year round. In old writings, the majority of the fishermen, the traditional trast to the Çlight seasonÈ the sun is ne- rare fish, kindly inform the museum in bad coffee was mentioned as a problem. combination farming/fishing has nearly ver above the horizon between the end ¿. The occurence of the these tro- The coffee merchants not only thinned died out The combination of crofting with of November till mid-January. Take your pical species is both interesting and gi- out the coffee by adding chicory, but another occupation still exists in some time and enjoy the glimmering Northern ves information about marine conditions. they actually forged it. Today, the diet in areas. Lack of full-time jobs is one of the Lights on the sky during the winter. Vesterålen is excellent for divers. Near Vesterålen does not differ very much main reasons for not having one full-time Vesterålen is the northern border of the from that of the rest of Norway. Fresh occupation. Some of the best known Camping in Vesterålen crustaceans: Crabs and Lobster. The sea fish is still important, and vegetables are companies in the district should be menti- The people who lives in Vesterålen are bottom is full of delicacies such as also fairly common, although expensive. oned: Vesteraalens Steamship Company proud of the magnificent natural surroun- Islandic Scallop. Horse Mussel and other During the winterfishing the traditional (OVDS) startet the first coastal express dings in which they live. Recreational use clams. It is not even necessary to dive for Çm¿ljaÈ is eaten. It consists of fresh and still keeps up the tradition by opera- of the area, however leads to wear and mussels because you may pick them at ÇskreiÈ (cod in spawning period), liver, ting 6 of the 11 ships in this service. tear, pollution, littering and imbalance in ebb-tide where the rivers and creeks run roe, and flatbread (thin, crisp unleave- Vesterålen Canning Company produces flora and fauna. We wish, of course, to into the sea. It is fun to watch the ned bread). Vesterålen Fish balls, a product known all avoid these harms, and therefore we ap- Lumpfish swim just below the zone, in ÇRavÈ and ÇreklingÈ, a traditional deli- over Norway. Fish breeding from roe and peal to all visitors in our area to show the between seaweed and sea tangle. cacy, is made from halibut. The fines and small fry is also developing rapidly. utmost respect for nature. Most munici- Interesting experiences are the kelp the outer flesh plus a little of the fishme- Salmon and trout are most common, and palities have recommended places for jungle, steep slopes covered with Sea- at is cut loose so that the dorsal- and other species are on the increase. emptying of garbage and septic tanks for anemone, Sponge and Sea squirt, and ventral fins are kept together by the tail. buses, recreational vehicles and perso- the overhangs covered with the big soft This is covered with salt and hung up to Cultural activities nal automobiles. Inquire at various tourist coral: Dead Mans’s Fingers. It is 5 1/2 dry. ÇReklingÈ with the fattest fins was Song and music activities have long tra- information offices. hours between ebb and flow tide, and 2 called ÇravÈ and considered a delicacy. ditions in Vesterålen; brass-bands, sym- SUGGESTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL TOURS

Andøya roundtrip ring summertime, known as ÇSommer- ges in the ÇexteriorÈ and it has also its this picturesque village. You will have Expected timeschedule: 5Ð6 hrs incl. MelbuÈ and participants are both from ÇownÈ birdcliff right in the middle of the enough opportunities to choose from, lunch. Norway and abroad. The beach Taen is village.Thousands of kittiwakes are nes- so don’t forget your camera! From Sortland you follow the road along a popular look-out point for the midnight ting here. Nice look-outpoint for the mid- Sortlandssund to Risp¿hamn and fur- sun. nightsun at Hovden. Day trip with ther on to the place Dverberg. Some the coastal steamer worthwhilestops to make along the way: Øksnes Boat trips in Duration: 14 hours. A visit to Dverberg church, an octangu- Expected timeschedule: 5Ð6 hours. Øksnes Vestbygd Embark the coastal steamer at 1300 in lar timber church from 1843, distinctive This tour leads you to the idyllic village Expected timeschedule: 5 hours. Sortland. A visit to the Hurtigrutemuseet in its character, and Ramsåfeltet, where of . Many years the base in the Take the local boat from Myre on a (Coastal Steamer Museum) in you can find remains from ancient ani- search for the gold of the sea Ð cod. round trip in beautiful surroundings in Stokmarknes is recommended. The ste- mals (lizards). Local sights are: the old Now the village is vacated but Nyksund ¯ksnes Vestbygd. The trip will bring you amer sails through the narrow and idyllic light-house with its 153 steps to the top, gives still an impression of the lively fis- into close contact with the island culture, Raftsundet sound and into the famous the Polar museum and the whale centre. hing village it once was. You should also and you will see how people lived here Trollfjorden. The steamer arrives in The trip continues around the island to visit the St¿ with a num- at the time when the ocean was the Svolvær at about 1800, where there will the novel fishing town of Bleik, and per- ber of motives for your camera, especi- main communication artery. The boat be time for a stroll in Çthe capital of haps a walk along Bleiksstranda beach, ally if you want to take pictures of the stops at many nice places before retur- LofotenÈ before returning by north- one of Norway’s longest, sandy shores. midnight sun. In Alsvåg you may stop ning to the point of departure. One of bound steamer. (Arrives in Svolvær Right off the coast lies Bleiks¿y Island Ð and have a look at the Alsvåg manor, these places is Tinden trading centre, 2100, departure 2200). Returning by co- one of the country’s most famous and once residence of the sheriffs and ship- with a real North-Norwegian shop da- astal steamer, you can enjoy the sur- easily accessible nesting colonies. owners. Its main buildings are back to ting from the last century, still in operati- roundings by night as well. 1671. on. The grading centre is a cultural mo- Hadsel roundtrip nument worthy of preservation. No ad- Guided Tour to Expected timeschedule: 4 hours incl. Jennestad og Bø vance booking. mt. Møysalen lunch. Expected Timeschedule: 5 hours incl. Duration: 9 hours by boat. Following route 19 to Stokmarknes you lunch. Lofoten Point of departure: Hennes mole visit the Coastal Express museum and Jennestad was one of the important tra- Expected timeschedule: 11-12 hrs incl. Price: Abt. NOK 150,- for adults then take the road around the westside ding centres in in the begin- lunch. Abt. NOK 75,- for children under 14 yrs. of the island of Hadsel. It’s a beautiful ning of this century. It has existed for You take the ferry from Melbu to Season: Saturdays and some Sundays scenic route and you will have a won- more than one hundred years. The spirit Fiskeb¿l and head for Svolvær and from 17 JuneÐ30 September derful view to the Lofoten and the island of the past is kept alive in the buildings Kabelvåg. Here you must visit the Time: 09.00 Gaukværøy. In the village Melbu visit the and the aumosphere. Today it repre- Lofoten aquarium and the Lofoten mu- Guided tours to M¿ysalen, 1,262 m abo- Melbu manor with its restored buildings sents a living memory of the trading seum. After this break drive through the ve sea level. Accommodation. Food ser- from the 19th century and also the centres of Hamsun’s fiction. Continue to breathtaking landscape of the Lofoten ved, boat hire, fishing trips and horse- Vesterålen museum (or the Norwegian the municipality B¿ with its small, lively down to the village with the shortest back riding. Individual trips organised on Museum for the Fishing Industry). Melbu fishing villages like Nykvåg and Hovden. name in the world – Å.Visit the local mu- request. is also famous for its cultural events du- Nykvåg is one of the oldest fishing villa- seum and you might also take a walk in

SORTLAND CAMPING & MOTELL NAF, Tlf: +47 76 12 13 77, Fax +47 76 12 25 78