Vesterålen 2012 - Engelsk

Vester책len 2012

www.visitvesteralen.com Vesterålen welcomes you year round The many activities Vesterålen has to offer include whale safaris under the midnight sun and winter fishing under the northern lights. These are unique experiences. We have received many enquiries from tourists who wish to visit our region during the winter season. For this reason we have included in the guide a separate section pertaining to winter adventures in our region.

In Vesterålen there is plenty of space for everyone. Parking is free of charge in the cities and towns, and you need not worry about congested traffic and toll booths. The guide you are holding was produced in order to provide you with information about tourism in the region. The information is not exhaustive, since activities and new offerings emerge continually year-round and are too numerous to be included in printed material such as this. News about emerging events is updated continually and can be found on our websites: www.visitvesteralen.com and www.vestreg.no In the pages of this brochure you can become familiar with offers for tourists, cultural events and other information about the region. The regional tourist information centre at Sortland is open year-round. E-mail enquiries about tourism in Vesterålen can be addressed to turistinfo@vestreg.no In addition we direct your attention to our online booking, including pertinent offers and information, at www.visitvesteralen.com Welcome to Vesterålen!

Roy Odd Schøyen, Director of Tourism

Photo: Marten Bril

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www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com Distances in Vesterålen - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.

Sortland Kaljord = 53 km com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesMelbu - Stokmarknes = 16 km teralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.visStokmarknes - Sortland = 28 km tivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.

Sortland - Lødingen = 58 km vistivesteralen.com www.vistivesteralen.com Lødingen - Øksneshamn = 63 km Sortland - Andenes = 101 km www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com Sortland Stø = 54 km - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.

Sortland - Nyksund = 52 km com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesSortland - Bø (Straume) = 58 km teralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.visSortland - Hovden = 69 km tivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www. vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen. com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www. vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen. com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www. vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com Useful telephone numbers - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.

The country code for telephone calls- to Norway is + 47. com - www.vistivesteralen.com www.vistivesTo ring out of Norway, dial 00 + country code + number. teralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.

Time/route info for Nordland County: 177 vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com If you ring from any area than Nordland, use www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com number (+47) 75 77 24 10 or go to: -telephone www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen. www.177nordland.com com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesRing (+47) 175 for information about montain passes, teralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.visroad and traffi c conditions in Nordland/Norway. tivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.

Also see: www.vegvesen.no vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com Emergency telephone numbers: www.vistivesteralen.com - www.visitvesterålen.com Police..............................................112 - www. visitvesteralen.com - www.visitvesteralen.

Medical emergency help.............113 com - www.visitvesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.visitvesterålen.com - www. visitvesteralen.com - www.visitvesteralen.com - www. visitvesteralen.com - www.visitvesteralen.com Vesterålen 2012

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www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen. com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www. vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen. com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.

Opening hours at the tourist offices in Vesterålen vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com -Andøy: www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen. com - www.vistivesteralen.com www.vistivesHamnegt.1, Hisnakul. Tel: +47 76 14- 12 03 Open: June – August teralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www. vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com Bø: www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.

Ryggedalen, Tel.: +47 482 92 136 / 76 11 42 00 com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com www.vistivesteralen.com - www.

Hadsel: vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com Markedsbrygga, Stokmarknes.

Tel: +47 76 16 46 60 and laundry facilities available at the touristinformation.

-Shower www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.

Open: June August com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesSortland: teralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.

Kjøpmannsgt. 2. Open- year round. vistivesteralen.com www.vistivesteralen.com Tel./fax.: +47 76 11 14 80/+47 76 11 15 01 www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen. www.visitvesteralen.com – turistinfo@vestreg.no com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesØksnes: teralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.

Tel.: +47 76 18 50 50 – turistinfo@oksnes.kommune.no vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com Open: June – August - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen. com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www. vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen. com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www. vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen. com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www. vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen - www.visitvesteralen.com - www.visitvesteralen. com - www.visitvesteralen.com - www.visitveDumping stations for camping caravans & tourist coaches salen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com - www. vistivesteralen.com - www.vistivesteralen.com Sortland Havna Service (Esso).........E10 Esso Myre......................RV 821 -Øksnes www.vistivesteralen - www.visitvesteralen.com - www.visitvesteralen.com - www.visitvesteralen. com - www.visitvesalen.com -www.visitvesteralen.

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Fishing and boating in Vesterålen Some of the country’s richest fishing grounds are located in Vesterålen. Traditional fishing villages are well worth a visit, whether they are old, abandoned fishing stations or newer, modern fishing ports bustling with maritime activity.

trout and char. Fishing contests are arranged during the season. Fishing licences can be purchased locally. Information on small game hunting and fishing in Vesterålen can be found on our website: www.vestreg.no/jaktogfiske

Many visitors want to come to Vesterålen precisely for the good fishing they find here. In Vesterålen we offer guided fishing outings, and many of the tourist facilities have boats for hire.

There are also many good spots where one can fish from the shoreline. The most common species are cod, coalfish, haddock and redfish, but it is also possible to catch salmon and sea trout or even a giant halibut.

Children and adolescents younger than 16 years of age are legally entitled to a free fishing licence for inland fishing during the period 1 January to 20 August.

Fishing rights in rivers and lakes are the property of the property owners, and fishing can be done only with the consent of the landowner (for example through purchase of a local fishing licence). Fishing for salmon, sea trout and Arctic char in watercourses requires an additional licensing fee paid to the Norwegian government.

The ice fishing season runs from February to April.

Abundant lakes provide ample opportunities to catch Photo: Ian Robins, Marten Bril, Alf Oxem, Roy Odd Schøyen, bilder.nornet.no

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Guest marinas in Vesterålen Sortland Småbåthavn 5 spaces for guests (water depth: 2m) Tel: +47 76 12 23 46 Lødingen 16 spaces for guests Tel:: +47 76 98 66 09 Hennes havn spaces for guests: vary Tel: +47 76 15 62 75 Markedsbrygga Stokmarknes 8 spaces for guests Tel: +47 76 15 14 51

Maurnes Fiskerihavn 5 spaces for guests Tel: +47 76 12 66 85

SjøhusSenteret Gjestehavn 15 spaces for guests (water depth: 3m) Tel: +47 76 12 37 40

Melbu Småbåthavn 10 spaces for guests (water depth: 2,5-3m) Tel: +47 76 15 72 77

Fiskeværet Skipnes 25 spaces for guests (water depth: 2,8m) Tel: +47 76 13 28 55

Myre Sjarkhavn 10 spaces for guests (water depth: 3m) Tel: +47 76 13 40 35 / 95 15 38 72

Stokmarknes Båthavn 4 spaces for guests Tel: +47 76 15 16 16

Offersøy 10 spaces for guests (water depth: 4m) Tel: +47 76 93 39 00

Torghuken, Sortland 6-7 spaces for guests Tel: +47 76 10 99 00

Andenes pendelkai (Andenes port authorities) Tel: +47 478 67 933

Ringstad Båthavn 4 spaces for guests (water depth: 4,5m) (3m rock by entrance) Tel: +47 915 14 215

Bleik 3 spaces for guests Tel: +47 478 67 933 Nordmela 5 spaces for guests Tel: +47 478 67 933

Vinjesjøen Båthavn 8-10 spaces for guests Tel: +47 76 13 53 35

Dverberg 2 spaces for guests Tel: +47 76 14 20 58

Fjordcamp 15 spaces for guests Tel: +47 76 13 76 40

Vesterålen Hotel & Kongressenter 12 spaces for guests Tel: +47 76 15 29 99

Risøyhamn Havn Port of refuge

Nyksund Tel: +47 76 13 40 35 Port of refuge

Bunker: Statoil Yngve Steiro +47 76 12 80 00, Sortland Center - Esso Havna Service +47 76 11 37 00, Sortland Center Subject to changes.

Båtdiesel: Esso Havna Service - fyller nede på kaia, betaler inne på Esso.

GOD STREK

THE ADVENTURE ON THE OUTER LIMITS OF VESTERÅLEN

Holmvik brygge

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www.nyksund.com +47 76 13 47 96

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www.litloyfyr.no +47 992 77 364

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www.museumnord.no/bo +47 474 68 564

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www.nyksund-info.com +47 481 18 068

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Hildreland consists of several small, family-run businesses. They would very much like to acquaint you with the fairy-tale and the rich, local coastal culture here. They want to let you taste traditional foods and sleep well in calm surroundings. Below are some of these businesses. At www.hildreland.no, you can find even more.

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TRAVEL TO VESTERÅLEN The trip to Vesterålen is an experience in itself, whether you travel by automobile, bus, aeroplane, coastal express, train or a combination of these.

Your own automobile: E-6 through Norway, via Riksgrensen E-10 from Sweden. Ferries, see www.177.no Traffic and road information: www.vegvesen.no/Trafikkinformasjon/Reiseinformasjon/Trafikkmeldinger By air : Oslo/Bergen/Stavanger/Trondheim to Harstad-Narvik Evenes airport www.sas.no eller www.norwegian.com Bus from Evenes to Sortland www.flybussen.no/sortland/ Oslo – Bodø – Stokmarknes – Tromsø / Oslo – Bodø – Andenes – Tromsø www.wideroe.no

Coastal Express: Bergen - Kirkenes, calls at Stokmarknes, Sortland and Risøyhamn. www.hurtigruten.no The regional tourist office at Sortland tel. + 47 76 11 14 80, will help you with bookings for the coastal express ship.

Photo: Marten Bril

By train: Oslo – Fauske www.nsb.no, bus Fauske – Sortland www.177nordland.no Train through Sweden to Narvik. www.sj.se/ Bus Narvik – Sortland www.177nordland.no

Symbols:

r Restaurant s Cafè m Beer/wine licenced n Fully Diving Whalesafari Tunnel

user friendly i Wheelchair f u Bike-rental Y Fishing facilities F Nature safari Ø Sea-rafting k Surfing ?

Internett

National tourist road- to be.

Store

Airport

Coastal Express

Boat for hire Playground

,

Transport Norwegian foodprints

Guest Marinas

Farm Foods

Kanoeing/Kayak

Sights

Conferences

Ski resort

S = Draining Bobil WC I Arctic Menu H Ferry

Tourist information Accommodation

/ Allergy room w Electrical hook-up l Golf K Church activities | Winter c Tent/lavvo Touroperator

Marked treck

Bathing

Speed boat

Rest stop

Currency: We highly recommend you to change your foreign currency to NOK before your departure to northern Norway. Credit cards as VISA and MasterCard can be used in most ATM’s and stores/eating facilities. Some foreign debit cards are rarely accepted and only those with a chip.

Midnightsun/Dark(blue) season: 20-05 - 23.07 / 23.11 - 17.01

Refilling of gas bottles: Industrifeltet (only 11 kg) - Shell oilcenter / Hålogaland Varmeservice as - Markveien 25, Sortland. tel: +47 76 12 00 29

Diving cylinders/Oxygen: Ringstad Sjøhus, Vesterålen Hotell & Konferansesenter

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T H E

O R I G I N A L

A N D

L E A D I N G

S I N C E

1 9 8 8

Whale guarant ee*

MEET

Experience the world’s largest toothed whale in it’s right element from May – September We have arranged whale safaris in Andenes since 1988, which combine research, learning and adventure into one unique experience. We offer: The shortest distance to the whale watching grounds, qualified guides, whale guarantee and the Norwegian Whale Centre featuring a multimedia presentation, restaurant /café, pub and souvenir shop. *We see whales on 96% of our trips. If the trip is not sucessful, we offer you a new whalesafari for free (you need to make a new booking yourself).

Or you will get your money back. Your choice.

Booking/info.: Hvalsafari AS, P.B. 58, N-8483 Andenes Tel.: + 47 76 11 56 00 E-mail: booking@whalesafari.no www.whalesafari.com

NO. 1 IN ARCTIC WHALEWATCHING

DESIGN: GOD STREK. PHOTO: FERNANDO UGARTE, LUNDQVIST/BJØNNES, WHALESAFARI AND SVEIN T. K. ELIASSEN.

Moby MobyDick y Dick

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Whale safari in Vesterålen Vesterålen is located on the edge of the continental shelf, where the nutrientrich ocean is a primary feeding ground for whales. This geographical privilege makes the area perfect for whale safaris. Here one can experience some of the world’s largest sea mammals at close range.

From May to September, whale safaris are arranged from the ports of Andenes and Stø, both situated on the seaward side of Vesterålen.

Various experiences The boats used for whale safaris vary in size, fittings and motor power. One common factor for all boats and crews is that they meet the stringent requirements for government licensing. Safety and comfort are foremost. This entails that whale safaris can be completed only under suitable weather conditions.

The whale safari out of Andenes is closest to the whale fields and includes, in addition to the boat-trip itself, an orientation and an interesting exhibition at the new whale centre, as well as a film describing the life of a whale. The whale centre is centrally located on the

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harbour at Andenes with a number of adjoining sights and attractions.

The whale safari at Stø leaves from the harbour at Stø, a charming, working fishing village at the northernmost point of Langøya. The boat excursion includes, in addition to the whale spotting, an outing to the Anda bird rock.

Anda is an important nesting area for puffins, kittiwakes, auks, European shags, herring gulls and black-backed gulls. In addition you will encounter sea eagles, which prey on hatchlings on the bird rock. There is also a large seal colony on and around the island. Anda is a natural wildlife preserve.

The trips to Andenes and Stø are an experience in themselves, as you travel through breathtakingly beautiful coastal landscape.

If you plan to take the whale safari, it is recommended that you bring along warm clothing and appropriate footwear. A light meal is served on board, as well as coffee or tea. During the summer season there is a great influx of whale enthusiasts, and we therefore recommend that you book your safari well in advance.

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www.visitvesteralen.com

Whale species in Vesterålen

Sperm Whale

Humpback Whale

Pilot Whale

Minke Whales

Orca/Killer Whale

Fin Whale

• Is the world’s largest toothed whale.

• The males can grow up to 20 m in length and weigh up to 70 tonnes.

The females can grow up to 12 m in length.

• Can dive to a depth of 3000 m and remain under water up to 90 minutes at a time.

• During spring, only the males come all the way from the Azores to the North-Norwegian coast in search of food, primarily squid and fish.

• Can grow up to 18 m in length and weigh up to 40 tonnes.

• It moves in groups of 3-4 of its species.

• It makes acrobatic leaps into the air and slaps the water with its fins, a phenomenon researchers think is a form of communication.

• Known for its «singing». It emits powerful sounds under water, resembling a song, which may last as long as 20 minutes.

• Is a toothed whale that can grow up to 6 m in length and weigh up to 3.5 tonnes.

• Is a gregarious mammal and can move in groups of up to several hundred whales.

• Feeds predominantly on squid, but fish are also a part of its diet.

• Is unconditionally preserved in Norway.

• Grow to be 10-12 m long and may weigh up to 9 tonnes.

• Is a baleen whale, meaning it is toothless.

• Feeds predominantly on fish, such as herring, coalfish and cod.

• Is the only species of whale that is hunted in Norway.

• Can grow up to 9 m in length and weigh up to 8 tonnes.

• Has a particularly tall dorsal fin, approx. 1-2 m high, a trait found especially on males.

• Is a toothed whale belonging to the dolphin family and is very common along the coast of Northern Norway.

• It feeds on fish and other sea mammals.

• Can become very old. Females can become 80 years old.

• Can normally grow 19-22.5 m in length and weigh approx. 45-75 metric tonnes.

• In arctic waters it can grow to about 24 m in length. The females are larger than the males.

• Is the world’s second largest baleen species and has 55100 ventral grooves and 520-950 baleens that can be up to 90 cm in length.

• Feeds predominantly on copepods and krill, in addition to herring and capelin.

Photo: Marten Bril

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Arctic Experience The Traditional Fishing Village Stø!

Whale Tours Whale, W hale, b bird ird a and nd seal seal watching watch in one.

GU WHALE

ARANTE

E

R ES ER V E YO U

R SA FA R I FR EE O F C H A R G E!

We W e follow international guidelines for responsible g guid u whale watching

From the lively fishing village of Stø, we take you on an unforgettable ocean safari! Experience the largest toothed whale in the world, as well as seabirds and seals, all in their natural living environment and learn about their biology!

Cozy Atmosphere The friendly staff will ensure your comfort onboard and make you feel as a part of our whale watching team.

Our multilingual guides are qualified nature guides or marine biologists with first-hand knowledge about the marine wildlife and the culture of the area.

The Combination Makes Us Unique Your Guide To Responsible Whale Watching

We are close to Bleik Canyon, the feeding area of sperm whales, and Anda Nature Reserve, home to thousands of seabirds and a large harbor seal colony. All this wildlife allow us to offer you the full nature package: whale, bird and seal watching combined in one adventure!

We follow international guidelines established in close collaboration with WDCS (Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society) in order to ensure the welfare of the animals at all times.

Midnight M idniigh ht S Sun un W Whale halle a and dW Wildlife ildlife S Safaris! affariis!!

A late evening departure to experience the midnight sun while watching whales, birds and seals!

JOIN US NOW! blog / www.arcticwhaletours.com Whale Watching Season: 25.5. – 15.9

facebook / Arctic Whale Tours

twitter / ArcticWhaleTour

Contact Us: info@arcticwhaletours.com / 0047 76 13 43 00 - 0047 473 84 621

MYRE HOTELL Only 15 minutes from Stø

STØ SAFARI Seal and bird safari, fishing trips and photosafari

www.myre-hotell.no post@myre-hotell.no +47 76119920

www.stosafari.no kontakt@stosafari.no +47 46860335

DRONNINGRUTA Marked hiking trail

STØ BOBILCAMP Seaside camping and ‘Valen’ restaurant www.stobobilcamp.com loleinan@frisurf.no +47 76132530

MADE IN STØ Local arts, handicrafts and ceramics

STRANDBO APARTMENTS Cosy apartments in the harbour

ARCTIC CAFÉ & PUB On the whale safari pier

GUNNARTANGEN Rorbu accommodation by the sea

unni-kb@iaksess.no +47 99709893

arcticwhaletours@gmail.com +47 76134300

arcticwhaletours@gmail.com +47 76134300

gunnar@ulriksen.nu +47 76132403

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Paddling Vesterålen is a paddler’s paradise for both experts and the less experienced. You can experience beautiful fjords, idyllic skerry landscape and fascinating sea landscapes. You can watch bird and animal life at close range, with pristine and wild nature through the prism of ever-changing wind and weather conditions.

All the way from Trollfjord in the south to Andenes in the north you will enjoy sensational paddling opportunities that will give you a feeling of being one with nature, and you can enjoy this alone as an experienced paddler or as a member of a guided excursion. You can glide calmly over a mirror like surface, or you can surf on breakers coming in from the open ocean.

If you are an experienced paddler, you can explore the seaward side of the Vesterålen islands and experience the area in all its whimsical temperament. Here you will find steep mountain walls and cliffs, well-known bird sanctuaries and challenging sea conditions. The outer side of Bø and Øksnes are very highly recommended! You can also sign up for a guided paddling excursion. For the less experi-

enced kayakers, there are lush calm fjords and skerries that are very suitable for paddling. In these areas it is also much easier to get ashore if the weather should suddenly change for the worse. Eidsfjord and its branches, such as Olderfjord, Mellfjord and Hellfjord, offer excellent alternatives to the open ocean. And if you are a total novice, you can sign up for a beginner’s course. If you do not own your own kayak, or are travelling light, you can hire a kayak with all the necessary equipment.

We also wish to recommend one of the world’s largest and best established paddling events, Arctic Sea Kayak Race (ASKR). The event convenes competition paddlers, leisure paddlers and novices for an enjoyable, sociable and instructive week of paddling in the beautiful natural surroundings of the Vesterålen islands. ASKR and Vesterålen expand their success with the World Cup in Surf Skiing which will take place on the seaward side of Vesterålen.

If you are coming to Vesterålen, grant yourself with an outing in a kayak. The experience will give you memories of a lifetime!

Photo: Odd-Eirik Einarsen

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Nature treks

There are marked hiking trails throughout the entire Vesterålen area, and they may be used during both summer and winter. The routes are easily accessible and are found almost anywhere one wants to explore.

There are two marked coastal trails, each described by a separate brochure. One is located in Bø (Straumsjøen – Spjelkvågen) and the other in Andøya (Stave – Bleik).

There is also a touring map with several suggested trip itineraries. The map is also very suitable for use as a road map.

There are also marked trails to the Norwegian Trekking Association’s cabins in Vesterålen. The local hiking association has cabins both in the mountains and along the seashore. There is a sharing agreement between Vesterålen Tourism and the local hiking association. You may borrow keys to the cabins at the regional tourist office, Vesterålen Tourism.

«Dronningruta (The Queen’s Route)» is a marked hiking trail about 15 km long between Stø and Nyksund. This is

the route that Queen Sonja enjoyed so much in 1994, and which was thereafter called the “Queen’s Route”. The trail can be completed as a round trip starting and ending at either of the two poles (Stø or Nyksund).

Møysalen National Park is one of the country’s smallest national preserves, with only 51.2 km2 and is located on Hinnøy, Norway’s largest island. Towering in the centre of the national park is Møysalen, the mountain that was selected by outdoor magazine Ute as ‘Norway’s most beautiful natural attraction’. There are guided treks to the peak, which is 1262 m above sea level. Surrounding peaks in the area rise up to 1000 m above sea level.

Ask for the brochures containing route suggestions and descriptions at the local tourist information. You can also visit Vesterålen Hiking Association’s website at www.turistforeningen.no/vesteralen if you want information about the seasonal excursion programme or the local hiking association’s cabins in Vesterålen.

Right of access The Outdoor Recreations Act provides the right of the public to access and stay in wilderness areas. It gives us the right to passage in wooded and mountainous areas, to go skiing, sledging and to ride horseback on trails and roads. The public right of access safeguards the right to spend time and to set up tents in wilderness areas, but not closer than 150 m from houses or cabins. Wilderness is defined as all uncultivated land and comprises most lakes, shorelines, moorlands, forests and mountain areas in Norway.

As users of the public right of access we also have obligations.

We must behave in a cautious and considerate manner and avoid causing harm or inconveniences for owners, users, damage to the natural environment or harm to domesticated animals or wildlife. On many maps, bathing sites are marked that are not posted with signs or adapted to public use. You are personally responsible for investigating whether these can be used in accordance with the above-mentioned legal restrictions. The same applies for marked tent sites. Be careful to tidy up after

yourself before you leave a resting place or tent site. Take all refuse with you. You must also exercise caution when lighting fires outdoors and you must not light open fires near any forested area during the period 15 April to 15 September.

Photo: Marten Bril

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Dronningruta

Photo: bilder.nornet.no

[The Queen’s Route] – a round trip along the shoreline and over the mountain.

Dronningruta is a marked trail about 15 km long and is a ‘round trip’ along the shoreline and over the mountain between Nyksund and Stø in Øksnes municipality in Vesterålen. If you are in good physical shape and are used to medium altitudes, this is the trip for you. Certain portions of the trip may seem challenging in terms of heights.

The trip can be done in 5-8 hours. Red route +++ The trip is a round trip between Stø and Nyksund, and you decide on your own where you want to start. The highest point is Finngamheia (448 mas). The route is signposted with the Hiking Association’s Ts at the starting points and along the trail.

The hiking surface is mountain rock, earth, stone and peat. Parts of

the route run along the shoreline. Along the beach areas, the route has peat and grass ground cover and can be wet. There is a sheep trail up the mountainside; at the summit, the ground is hard and stony. There is a steep section from both sides up to the mountain summit. Certain parts are secured with safety ropes.

Experiences along this route are numerous. The trip offers not only variation in hiking terrain and splendid vistas, but the starting and stopping points are also two very special sights. Nyksund is an old, once abandoned fishing village that has been resurrected through the efforts of artist residents and and the tourism industry. Stø is a small, charming and active fishing village.

Vesterålen Turlag (Vesterålen Hiking Association) Activities: - Sea- and Fresh water fishing (salmon, trout, charr) - Hiking, guided tours to the mountain Møysalen (1262 m) - Outing Facilities: - Café, camping site with service building, ‘Rorbu’ cabin Rental: - Boats for tours and fishing - Room

Vesterålen Hiking Association was founded in 1988 and annually arranges some 60 treks in the Vesterålen islands: Andøya, Hadseløya, Langøya, Skogsøya, Tindsøya, Dyrøya and parts of Austvågøya and Hinnøya.

Vesterålen Hiking Association arranges trips of varying degrees of difficulty, from the easiest ones suitable for small children to the most challenging mountain treks. The common denominator is enjoyment rather than performance and time constraints. www.turistforeningen.no/vesteralen vesteralen@turistforeningen.no

post@moeysalen.no - www.moeysalen.no

Tel. +47 76 12 26 01

Recommended reading: Encounter with Vesterålen, travel handbooks/folders containing cultural and historical information, published by the Vesterålen Cultural Committee in collaboration with the Vesterålen Museum. Prices NOK 198,-/25,Cycling and Touring Map for Vesterålen, topographical touring map published by Ugland in collaboration with Vesterålen Regional Council and Vesterålen Hiking Association. Price: NOK 139,Kyststibrosjyrer Andøy og Bø [Norwegian language only], published by the Vesterålen Outdoor Recreation Council.

You may purchase this publication at the regional tourist information office in Sortland. You may also order it from our website: www.vestreg.no/butikk or via e-mail addressed to turistinfo@vestreg.no

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Cycling in Vesterålen Experiencing Vesterålen by automobile is fine, but the adventure is undoubtedly better when you travel the roads by bicycle. Cycling around Vesterålen opens for magic experiences for the visitor who has sufficient time to take one day at a time. You can chart out a suitable daily route that lets you travel at your own speed and enjoy as much as possible of the region.

The routes are easy to cycle, with very little hilly terrain and many stretches that are practically free of motorised traffic. In other words, the roads are suitable for bicycles with a trailer and a small amount of baggage cargo.

If you need more inspiration and tips on bicycle routes in Vesterålen, you can visit our cycling web pages or order our combined bicycle and touring map, as well as our cycling guide. The guide contains suggested cycling routes, table of distances, segmented maps, samples of what you can do and see, as well as other trip tips for your biking journey through Vesterålen.

We have a separate bicycle guide for Vesterålen including good individual, weather-resistant maps for each route. The guide can be purchased either on the Internet or by e-mail.

You can stop along the way for a picnic on the shore- We bid you welcome and wish you a pleasant bicycle line or a taste of Vesterålen at one of the cafés or res- trip through Vesterålen! taurants. If you need accommodation, you will find something to your liking, whether it is a chalet, a seaside lodge, fisherman’s cabin or hotel room.

Photo: Marten Bril, bilder.nornet.no, Trym Ivar Bergsmo, Ragnhild Gundersen, Roy Odd Schøyen, Benjamin Antonsen.

Fotos: .......

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www.visitvesteralen.com www.visitvesteralen.com Extract from the bicycle guide for Vesterålen (you can buy the guide at our tourist-office or order it at our

website).

Route 1. Lødingen – Raftsundet

Route 2. Sortland – Kaljord

Both in the town centre (Lødingen) and in the Vestbygda area, there are tourist facilities offering deep-sea fishing, skerry cruises, scuba diving, kayaking, wind-surfing – and killer whale safaris during the autumn months. Beautiful resting places, old fishing communities, nature trails and hiking paths running by ancient Viking dwelling features.

From Sortland and out towards Fiskebøl you can avail yourself of bathing beaches, art studios, shops and dining facilities. You can also participate in a guided trek to the peak of Vesterålen’s tallest mountain - Møysalen (1262mas), and visit Møysalen National Park.

Route 3. Melbu – Frøskeland, 76 km

Route 4. Sortland – Bø (Hovden), – the only route

Hadsel Island has much to offer in the way of culture, museums and galleries. You can hire a boat and fishing equipment or participate in various organised trips. The seaward route from Melbu - Stokmarknes is a gem! Easily negotiable terrain! Eidsfjord offers kayak paddling, mountain climbing and overnight accommodation, with excellent resting spots and a fantastic panorama!

passing through a tunnel (1612m). It is recommended to turn on your bicycle headlamp. Bø has a dramatically beautiful mountain panorama and view out towards the open ocean. It comprises small local communities, pleasant sandy beaches and a lot to see. Iron age excavations, ‘The Man from the Sea’ sculpture, churches and tourist facilities.

Route 5. Sortland – Stø, 56 km

Route 6. Sortland – Andenes, 120 km

You will pass by Jennestad before you reach the intersection for the road to Myre. Øksnes offers boats for hire, farm tourism, marked hiking trails, fishing villages (You MUST see Nyksund) and, not least of all, the bird, seal and whale safaris out of Stø. It is possible to take the speed shuttle boat in Øksnes Vestbygd, providing a varied panorama of the natural surroundings and local rural community.

The art gallery, museum, outdoor religious service, pleasant sandy beaches, Andøya Rocket Launch facility, the HISNAKUL centre, Andenes lighthouse, nature safari, and not least of all, the whale safari at Andenes all make this trip a varied and fascinating treat.

More info about our cycling routes can be found at www.visitvesteralen.com

Lofoten Insomnia Race is the world’s brightest cycling trip from Å to Lødingen, see Internet: www.lofoteninsomnia.no Recommended reading: Vesterålen cycle guide Price: NOK 250,Cycling and Touring Map, topographical touring map published by Ugland in collaboration with Vesterålen Regional Council and Vesterålen Hiking Association. Price: NOK 139,You may purchase this publication at the regional tourist information office in Sortland.

You may also order it from our website: www.vestreg.no/butikk or via e-mail addressed to turistinfo@vestreg.no

Bicycle Welcome companies:

6Island Adventures, Tel: +47 952 00 689, sveinung.sorlie@islandadventure.no – www.islandadventure.no 6Sortland Vandrehjem, Tel: +47 76 10 84 00, post@sortlandhotell.no – www.sortlandhotell.no 6Stø Bobilcamp, Tel: +47 76 13 25 30 - loleinan@frisurf.no – www.stobobilcamp.no 6Holmvik brygge, Tel: +47 76 13 47 96, post@nyksund.com – www.nyksund.com/ 6Myre Hotell, Tel: +47 76 11 99 20, Post@Myre-Hotell.no – www.myre-hotell.no 6Ringstad Sjøhus, Tel: +47 76 13 74 80, mail@sjohus.no – www.sjohus.no 6Toftenes Sjøhuscamping, Tel: +47 76 13 14 55, post@toftenessjohus.no – www.toftenessjohus.no Foto: Foto Fo too: Od Odd Odd-Eirik d-Eiri r k Einar Einarsen rs

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A Taste of Vesterålen Vesterålen most definitely has resources and ingredients suitable for inclusion in a local, seasonally varied menu.

Several of the dining establishments in the area have recognized the potential in using short-travelled food items from the fields and forests, from the mountainsides, from the moors, from rivers and the open ocean.

Sometimes, however, fish needs to be processed and treated in order to create the traditional, local delicacies – such as «boknafisk» (semi-dried cod), «lutefisk», freshly salted redfish, salt-cured herring or cured salmon. Whatever the item, freshness and quality are the very prerequisites for a maximally successful end product.

Arktisk Meny (“Arctic Menu”) is a union of restaurants in Northern Norway, a stamp of quality for local ingredients, of which many of the dining est-ablishments in Vesterålen are members.

Vesterålen Lamb – raised on pristine mountain pastures sprinkled with natural seaspray salt– has always been a hit on area menus. In recent years, however, the succulent meat of the rarer “villsauen” (feral sheep) has become increasingly popular - not without good reason.

Vesterålen is primarily a fish-producing region where enormous amounts of top-quality fish are caught, processed and exported. And when the distance from fishing boats and fish-farming pens to the kitchen counter is short, your dining experience is enhanced. Therefore, we invite you to the table - to enjoy fresh skrei cod with liver and roe, coalfish steak, halibut fillet, Arctic char, prawns, fried herring and whale steak.

Nonetheless, traditional game such as reindeer, elk, grouse and geese – hunted and processed in Vesterålen – remain quainter items and are very exclusive. The game is often served with local chanterelle mushrooms and with cloudberries for dessert – both of these gathered in the forests and on the moors of Vesterålen. We mustn’t forget to mention the local vegetables that are grown to a sweet flavour under the life-giving midnight sun …

Photo: Trond Johnsen - Akvakultur i Vesterålen, Stian Klausen - Nordlaks, FHL, Odd-Eirik Einarsen, Andøy Frilufssenter

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len r i Vesterå Akvakultu educational and – Exciting es for the ie r expe nc ily entire fam

JOIN THE

AKVAKULTUR I VESTERÅLEN is a new adventure center for aquaculture. We are localized in the little village Blokken in Sortland. It takes about 30 minutes to drive there from the center of Sortland. At our facility you get to gout to sea and visit

our farms and see the way they are run, with about 140 000 fish in the cages! In the new exhibitions we give you the story of Norwegian aquaculture industry from the early beginning in the 50’s and 60’s until today with high-tech operation. We have a tunnel that kids can crawl through, computer games, under water cameras, exciting films and a 12 meters long map made from glass where every light shows where there is fish farming in all of northern Norway. And everyone who wants gets to taste the fish!

Akvakultur i Vesterålen Gårdsøyveien 32, Blokken, 8400 Sortland Booking/Info: Tel: +47 958 81 822 E-post: post@akvakulturivesteralen.no

www.akvakulturivesteralen.no www.facebook.com/akvakultur

DESIG N: G O D ST REK . FOTO : ST I AN KLAUSSEN , MARTEN BR IL O G FI SKERI - O G HAVBRUKSN ÆRI NG ENS LAN DSFOR EN I NG .

THE SALMON ROE is only a few millimetres, and yet it is still big enough to create some of Norway’s most important industries. Did you know that Norwegian salmon is enjoyed by 12 million people in 100 countries every day(!), and is one of our most renowned products in the world? Salmon farming also provides opportunities, power and settlement along the coast of Norway, and is together with fishery the most important industry in Vesterålen.

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Culture Experiencing the local culture and art should be one of your primary goals when you visit Vesterålen. A large number of cultural events are arranged jointly through comprehensive collaboration of the local municipalities.

Volunteer organisations work to provide high-quality cultural experiences throughout the year. Have a look at the calendar of cultural events that you can find on Vesterålen Tourism’s website. A large number of varied local events, festivals and cultural days are well worth experiencing. User-friendly handbooks and brochures are useful guides to the art galleries and studios, museums and interesting sights that you find spread throughout the islands.

Fishing has been an important resource for generations and is also the basis for much of the culture and local identity in Vesterålen. The informational series Encounter with Vesterålen, including sight-specific handbooks and brochures, provide detailed insight into this basis. An abundance of art projects are also worth a visit. We might mention Artscape Nordland, with some of Nordland county’s most popular and frequently visited sculptures. In the region there is also a series of artistically decorated electrical transformer sheds, and on the seaward side of Vesterålen you will discover art installations designed and built using items washed ashore by the Gulf Stream. The literary decor on Sortland’s buildings is equally interesting: more than thirty texts written by young people now adorn the walls of the Blue City by the Sea.

Cultural information: www.vestreg.no • www.museumnord.no • www.hurtigrutemuseet.no • www.vol.no/vt • www.nfk.no • telemuseum.no/mambo/content/view/211/118/ • www.nordland-akademi.no

Recommended reading: Encounter with Vesterålen, travel handbooks/folders containing cultural and historical information, published by the

Vesterålen Cultural Committee in collaboration with the Vesterålen Museum. Prices NOK 198,-/25,Art in Vesterålen, an annually updated guide to art, including an overview of art studios, galleries, exhibitions and sculptures found in Vesterålen. Free of charge

Vesterålen Nature and Culture Experiences, a brochure on the varied natural and cultural attractions in Vesterålen. Free of charge.

Photo: bilder.nornet.no

You may purchase this publication at the regional tourist information in Sortland. You may also order it from our website: www.vestreg.no/butikk or via e-mail addresssed to: turistinfo@vestreg.no

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Laterna Magica. Photo: Laterna Magica.

Hisnakul. Photo: bilder.nornet.no

Cultural events in Vesterålen 2012 Date

Place

February .

March April June

Andenes Hadsel Sortland Andenes Lødingen Lødingen Andenes Bleik Melbu Sortland Bø Fiskenes Lødingen Risøyhamn Sandnes Nyksund Vesterålen Hadsel Sortland Melbu Bø Lødingen Sortland

July

August

September October November

Name of the event

Info

Nordlyst Kreativ Uke Kulturuka Varme strømmer i den blå byen Rock mot Rus Sommer-Lødingen Sjømatfestivalen Andenes Havfiskefestival Bleiksdagan Sommer-Melbu Blablafestivalen Reginedagan Feskenesmarknaden Kystkulturdagan Risøyhamnmarknaden Sandnesdagan Nyskund.ti Vesterålen matfestival Hadsel marathon Sortland Jazzfestival Kvitt Brød-seilas Rock mot Frafløtting (every second year) Lødingendagan Laterna Magica

Winter festival featuring concerts, exhibits, culinary delicacies, lectures A cultural event for children, adolescents and adults, cinema, concerts Warm Currents in the Blue City – Performances, concerts, exhibitions, etc.

Various rock concerts Various events Seafood festival. Various events Deep Sea Fishing Festival – fishing contests Local cultural fair Concerts, seminars, art exhibits, etc.

Rock festival for young people Exhibits, concerts, fairytale readings, theatre, etc.

Sales stalls, cultural events, vocal music Various events Various events Enjoyable evening for senior citizens, deep sea fishing contest Concerts, art exhibits, etc.

Events focused on culinary experiences, culture and experiences Marathon, gala dinner, mountain excursion to Storheia Various jazz groups in concert, art exhibitions Annual regatta Rock Against Depopulation – Rock Concerts Cultural week, concerts, exhibits, events Film days for children and adolescents

Subject to changes.

For further information about festivals and cultural events in Vesterålen: www.vestreg.no/kulturkalender Accommodation | Shop | Gallery | Museum We are located centrally on Andenes Harbour approximatly 5 minutes walking distance from the Whalecenter. Send your request for a reservation today: post@fargeklatten.no Booking: +47 977 600 20

ANDENES

Online shop fargeklatten.no

www.fargeklatten.no

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www.visitvesteralen.com Galleries and Museums Telephone

Adress/internet

Company/E-mail

Information

Time

8430 Myre www.tinden.oksnes.no

Handelsstedet Tinden post@tinden.oksnes.no

+47 76 13 28 56

Coast historical museum. Old Tinden Trading place Cafè.

Contact us

8484 Risøyhamn www.dickmonshouwer.com

Galleri Dick Monshouwer dick.monshouwer@c2i.net

+47 76 14 51 00 +47 476 50 058

Dick Monshouwer, gallery, jewellery and paintings All year.

Thu - Sat

8450 Stokmarknes www. hurtigrutemuseet.no

Hurtigrutemuseet post@hurtigrutemuseet.no

+47 76 11 81 90

A journey through the history of the coastal express incl. the old coastal express Finnmarken

All year see ad. p.19

8400 Sortland www. lihallen.no

Lihallen Kulturgård post@lihallen.no

+47 76 12 70 11 +47 951 78 797

Exhibition by Tove Hov Jacobsen. (Paintings in oil, acryl and water-colour. Open June - Aug. Closed Mon - Tue.

12 a.m - 4 p.m

8410 Lødingen www.lodingen.kommune.no

Losmuseet, Lødingen Norsk Telemuseum

+47 76 98 66 00

Exhibition portreying the development of the piloting service. Open June-Aug Wed: 4 - 7 p.m Exhibition from the era of the line telegraph. thu/fri/sat: 12am-3pm

8480 Andenes Museum Nord Andøymuseet +47 76 11 54 32 www.museumnord.no andoymuseet@museumnord.no

Exhibition on the the polar areas, Andøyas geology.

Open June - Aug.

8470 Bø i Vesterålen Museum Nord Bø Museum www.museumnord.no bo.museum@museumnord.no

Life in the 18th century. Open June - Aug

8459 Melbu www.museumnord.no 8400 Sortland www.museumnord.no

+47 76 13 82 00

Museum Nord Norsk Fiskeindustrimuseum nof@museumnord.no +47 76 15 98 25 Museum Nord Sortland Museum +47 76 10 92 71 morten.halvorsen@museumnord.no

10 a.m - 18 p.m

Tue-Thu:10 am-6 pm, Wed -Fri:10 am-4 pm,Sat-Sun:11 am-4 pm

Exhibition on the herring oil era, concerts in the herring tank 9 am-3 pm Open Mon - Fri. all year.

No fixed exhibitions. Se web-site for information about comming exhibitions. see info on website

8459 Melbu Museum Nord Vesterålsmuseet +47 76 15 75 56 www.museumnord.no vesteraalsmuseet@museumnord.no

Melbu Hovedgård, Galleri Rødgården and Melbu Community Centre Open every day, all year

june-aug: 11-4 aug-dec: 9-3

8432 Alsvåg Museum Nord Øksnes Museum +47 76 18 52 50 www.museumnord.no oeksn@online.no

Alsvåg Manor. Exhibit ‘Fishing village in transformation’.

Summer exhibitions. Open June - Aug

Mon-Fri: 11-5 Sat-Sun: 12-5

8480 Andenes www.fargeklatten.no

Fargeklatten Veita post@fargeklatten.no

+47 977 60 020

Gallery, shop with handcrafts, turf museum and history museum Open every day, all year.

Norwegian Fishing Industry Museum, Melbu. National museum. Localized in the old herring-oil factory, “Neptun”.

Bø Museum, Vinje. Fairytale forest and elf grotto. The Norwegian fairy tale author ms. Normann. By the sculpture “Mannen fra havet” (The Man from the Sea).

Vesterålen Museum, Melbu The mansion and the lush park of the famous mr. Fredriksen.

Nyksund fishing village, From abandoned fishing village to new growth. Daily guided tours 15.06 – 15.08.

Sortland Museum, Jennestad trading post, Sortland. Original, old fashioned shop. Locally produced gifts. Art gallery.

GOD STREK

The Andøy Museum/Polar Museum, Andenes. Mr. Nøis, polar hunter traveling from Andøy to Spitsbergen. Located by the lighthouse and the “Øy-museet”.

Visit our museums in the Vesterålen islands and experience something new and engaging

The Andøy Museum/Polar Museum Tel. +47 76 11 54 32 museumnord.no/andoy ANDENES

Øksnes museum – Nyksund. Tel. +47 76 18 52 50 museumnord.no/oksnes

Museum Nord Museums in Lofoten, Vesterålen & Ofoten www.museumnord.no

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SORTLAND

Sortland Museum, Jennestad trading post Tel. +47 76 10 92 71 museumnord.no/sortland Bø museum Tel. +47 474 68 564 museumnord.no/bo Norwegian Fishing Industry Museum Tel. +47 76 15 98 25 nofi.museum.no Vesterålen Museum Tel. +47 76 15 75 56 museumnord.no/vestmus

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VINJE MELBU

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Gallery Uvær On the outer side of the Hadsel island Teigan, 13 km west of Stokmarknes glass, paintings and ceramics

Open: 17. June - 5. August.

Tuesday - Sunday kl. 12 - 16

Siv Johansen, +47 917 20 382

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Stave Camping & Hot Pools Marmelkroken Galleri Dick Monshouwer Kvalnesbrygga Camping Andøy Fjordfiske Andøy Friluftssenter Naturpartner

Midnattsol Camping & Hytteutleie

1 Andenes Camping Fargeklatten Veita Hvalsafari AS Riggen Restaurant & Bar Andøymuseet Hotell Marena Norlandia Andrikken Hotell Norlandia Viking Hotell Lankanholmen Sjøhus 2 Norlandia Havhusene Bleik Leiligheter nær Bleiksstranda Puffin Safari Sea Safari Andenes

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10 Inga Sámi Siida 11 Lihallen Kulturgård 12 Den Kvite Bussen Noras Hus Postmestergården Sortland Camping & Motell NAF Sortland Museum Sortlandshotellene AS Sortland Vandrehjem Vesterålen Matfestival(regional)* Cafè Håndverkeren TS-Foto Vesterålen Sea Safari 13 SjøhusSenteret 14 Marthahaugen Gård 15 Arctic Quest 17 Toftenes Sjøhuscamping 18 Øksnes Museum 19 Myre Overnatting Myre Hotell AS Myre Holiday

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20 Ekspedisjonen AS Holmvik Brygge Marihaugen Nyksund Ekspedisjonen LTD Livskraftverk AS 21 Arctic Whale Tours AS Gunnartangen rorbuer Stø Safari Stø Bobilcamp Husjord Apartment 22 Skjellbogen Hyttegrend 23 Fjordcamp 24 Handelsstedet Tinden 25 Fiskeværet Skipnes 26 Konferansestedet Finvåg 27 Øksnes Gjestetård & Leirskole 28 Åsand Brygge 29 Bø Taxi 30 Bø museum 31 Skagakaia & Cafè Gamle Posthuset 32 Ringstad Sjøhus

Published by: Vesterålen reiseliv, Kjøpmannsgata 2, 8400 Sortland Norway Photo: Alf Oxem, Marten Bril, Trym Ivar Bergsmo, bilder.nornet.no, Ivar Steiro, Ragnhild Gundersen, Map material: NorNet AS/vesteralskartet.no - Print: K. Nordahls Trykkeri AS - Vesterålen reiseliv assumes no responsibility for errors or changes subsequent to printing.

Partners and nettwork in Vesterålen touring association:

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33 Klaksjord Apartment 34 Grønningbrygga 35 Akvakultur i Vesterålen 36 Møysalen Nasjonalparksenter AS 37 Norsk Hurtigrutemuseum Sub-Sea Nor AS Time Out Event Vesterålen Hotell & Kongressenter 38 Stokmarknes Camping 39 Nygård Feriehus 40 Island Adventure Melbu Hotel AS Norsk Fiskeindustrimuseum Vesterålsmuseet Vesterålen Rib Safari 41 Los- og Telemuseet Lødingen 42 Lødingen Skyssbåtservice 43 Offersøy Feriesenter

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Odd-Eirik Einarsen, Ian Robbin, Benjamin Antonsen, Andøy Friluftssenter, Akvakultur i Vesterålen, Kristine Karlsen.

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Nature safari Vesterålen is the realm of hundreds of large and smaller islands which form a fantastic natural skerry landscape. The terrain varies from craggy alpine mountains to gentle, green hillsides, deep valleys, chalk-white sandy beaches and narrow fjords. In no other place in the world does the Gulf Stream come as close in towards the shoreline as it does in Vesterålen.

Because of the warm and nutrient-rich ocean currents, Vesterålen is host during the summer to teeming bird life and practically unparalleled flora.

discovery adventure that will permit you to have a close encounter with sea birds or with the lord of the forest – the moose – or perhaps a wandering herd of reindeer. Perhaps other adventures appeal to you – how about a seal and bird safari to the Bleiksøya Bird Preserve and Anda Fyr, a photo safari, a sea eagle safari, a skerry excursion, pine tree safari or a boat trip into the famous Trollfjord? During late autumn and early winter a killer whale safari is arranged out of Lødingen/Offersøy in the Vestfjord firth.

Opportunities are as abundant as nature itself and We are proud of our natural surroundings and want will leave you with long-lasting memories, whether to share it with our guests. Therefore our local na- you venture out to sea or keep your feet firmly planted ture- and culture guides are ready to take you on a on terra firma.

Photo: Marten Bril

Fotos: ................

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Vesterålen Explorer is your host for first class adventures in Vesterålen and Lofoten.

Experience everyday life up-close, the unique history and culture, the world-famous scenery.

And, of course - the legendary cuisine!

www.vesteralen-explorer.no Tlf. +47 76 20 21 00 © www.lundeimages.com

PUFFIN AND SEA-EAGLE SAFARI Sea-eagle on the hunt after puffins can be observed on every trip. Experience the Island of Bleiksøya, one of the most known and approachable bird rocks in Norway. There are more then 150.000 puffins on their breeding grounds.

Also other species of seabird can be observed. The trip will take 1,5 hrs. with a local guide. Midnight sun-trips will be organised if enough bookings.

YOUR OWN CATCH OF COD Fishing on the open sea is the North Norwegian Adventure. Deep-sea fishing trips - coley, cod, haddock, etc. Fishing tackle available on board. Have your catch cooked and served on board. Daily departures at 17:00. Additional trips made when necessary. Duration: approx. 4 hours.

Starting point: Bleik Harbour.

Stay in apartment near the beach in the village of Bleik.

Tel. +47 917 45 775 e-mail: marinka_p24@yahoo.no

BOOKING Tel.: +47 90 83 85 94(duty phone on board) +47 90 28 17 72 / +47 97 19 52 75/ +47 75 14 57 75. e-mail: rsolvol@start.no

www.puffinsafari.com PHOTO: PUFFIN SAFARI, OLA ALBERT BJERRANG (WWW.BJERRANG.NO). PAOLO VOLPOMNI.

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Accommodation/dining facilities or/and activities Tel/Fax

Haugnesveien 28 8480 Andenes

+47 91 67 49 60

8480 Andenes

Sea Safari Andenes AS post@seasafariandenes.no Hvalsafari Camping booking@whalesafari.no Andøy Friluftssenter booking@andoy-friluftssenter.no Riggen Restaurant & Bar riggen@whalesafari.no

Andbø (Bø) 8484 Risøyhamn Sjøgt 38A 8480 Andenes Forfjord 8484 Risøyhamn Stave 8489 Nordmela

Marmelkroken kare.myrvang@nordlysnett.no Fargeklatten Veita post@fargeklatten.no Naturpartner naturop@nordlysnett.no Stave Camping & 38•Hot Pools info@stavecamping.no

Storgata 53 8480 Andenes

Norlandia Andrikken Hotell service@andrikkenhotell.no

+47 76 14 12 22 +47 76 14 19 33

44/72 www.andrikken.norlandia.no

All year

8481 Bleik

Norlandia Havhusene Bleik service@andrikkenhotell.no

+47 76 14 12 22 +47 76 14 19 33

6/36 www.andrikken.norlandia.no

All year

Lankanholmen Sjøhus service@andrikkenhotell.no Norlandia Viking Hotell service@andrikkenhotell.no Hotell Marena info@hotellmarena.no Leilighet nær Bleiksstranda trondsolvoll@yahoo.no Puffin Safari rolf.solvoll@tnett.no

+47 76 14 12 22 +47 76 14 19 33 +47 76 14 12 22 +47 76 14 19 33 +47 915 83 517 +47 76 14 10 10 +47 917 45 775

13/52 www.andrikken.norlandia.no 28/48 www.andrikken.norlandia.no 29/56 www.hotellmarena.no 3/5

All year

8480 Andenes

Bø

Andøy

8480 Andenes Storgt. 15 8480 Andenes Gårdsvn 78 8481 Bleik Bleik 8481 Bleik

Hadsel

Pricecategory

Company/E-mail

8480 Andenes Buknesfjord 8484 Risøyhamn

Cabin/ beds

www.seasafariandenes.no

+47 76 14 14 12 +47 76 11 56 10 www.whalesafari.no +47 76 14 88 04 13/26 5/26 www.andoy-friluftssenter.no +47 76 11 56 05 +47 76 11 56 10 +47 951 17 359 +47 97 76 00 20 +47 76 14 88 88 +47 91 86 00 03 +47 926 01 257

+47 902 81 772

Hvalsafari AS post@whalesafari.no

Boks 58 8483 Andenes Gårdsveien 8 8481 Bleik Skjoldhamn 8484 Risøyhamn

+47 76 11 56 00 +47 76 11 56 10 Midnattsol Camping & Hytteutleie +47 478 43 219 midnattsol.camping@gmail.com Andøy Fjordfiske AS +47 416 04 816 andoy.fjordfiske@gmail.com +47 901 98 602

Kvalnes 8485 Dverberg

Kvalnesbrygga Camping kvbrygga@online.no

+47 76 14 63 78

Ringstad 8475 Straumsjøen Skjellbogen 8408 Sandset

Ringstad Sjøhus mail@sjohus.no Skjellbogen Hyttegrend skjellbogen@iaksess.no

+47 76 13 74 80

Eidet 8475 Straumsjøen

Season All year May - Sept 14.01-15.12 May - Sept

9/35 1/6 www.marmelkroken.no /18 www.fargeklatten.no 1/8 www.naturpartner.no 9/20 5/10 www.stavecamping.no

All year All year All year 25.5-05.09

All year All year All year 01.05-15.08

www.puffinsafari.com

May - Sept

www.whalesafari.no 2/8

All year

1/5 www.andoy-fjordfiske.no www.kvalnesbrygga.no

June - Oct All year All year

+47 944 08 419

13/51 www.sjohus.no 6/24

Åsand Brygge post@asand.no

+47 76 13 81 00 +47 971 40 910

4/6 4/18 www.asand.no

All year

Kråkberget 8475 Straumsjøen

Fjordcamp post@fjordcamp.no

+47 76 13 76 40 +47 76 13 76 80

34/128 www.fjordcamp.no

All year

Postboks 17 8469 Bø i Vesterålen Skagen 8470 Bø i Vesterålen Straume 8475 Straumsjøen

Vesterålen Apartment Klaksjord +47 950 08 999 siw-ste@online.no Skagakaia & Cafè Gamle Posthuset +47 920 63 875 post@skagakaia.no Bø Taxi +47 76 13 77 00 post@botaxi.no

4 leil./ 24-32

All year

7/13 www.skagakaia.no

May - Sept

Lekangvn 324 8450 Stokmarknes

Nygård Feriehus oddarne.dyro@trollfjord.no

+47 76 15 54 95 +47 905 51 072

9/20 www.nygardferiehus.no

Roald Alværs gt 2b 8450 Stokmarknes

Subsea Nor AS post@subsea-nor.no

+47 915 34 091

Chr. Fredriksens gt 3 8445 Melbu

Melbu Hotell booking@m-h.no

+47 76 16 00 00 +47 76 16 00 66

PB 215

Vesterålen Rib Safari maritim.nord@trollfjord.no

+47 950 82 719

Ivar Bergsmovei 35 8450 Stokmarknes

Stokmarknes Camping Trolldalen +47 992 34 380

8459 Melbu

8414 Hennes

26

Room/ beds

Adress

Møysalen Nasjonalparksenter AS +47 974 60 889 post@moeysalen.no

All year

All year

www.botaxi.no

All year

www.subsea-nor.no 58/113 www.v-resort.no

All year

www.vesteralenribsafari.no 1/4

All year 01.06 - 20.09

7/10 www.moeysalen.no

Vesterålen 2012

All year

June - Sept

•

www.visitvesteralen.com

Hadsel Lødingen

Pricecategory

Adress

Company/E-mail

Børøya 8450 Stokmarknes

Vesterålen Hotell & Kongressenter +47 76 15 29 99 post@v-resort.no +47 76 15 29 95

70/128 17/114 www.v-resort.no

8445 Melbu

Island Adventure +47 952 00 689 sveinung.sorlie@islandadventure.no

www.islandadventure.no

8450 Stokmarknes

Time Out Event AS anette@timeoutevent.no

+47 920 28 007

www.timeoutevent.no

Grønning 8450 Stokmarknes

Grønningbrygga BA roy@gronningbrygga.no

+47 992 25 323

1/13 www.gronningbrygga.no

All year

Offersøy 8412 Vestbygd

Offersøy Feriesenter AS post@offersoy-feriesenter.no

+47 76 93 39 00 +47 76 93 39 01

8/25 10/70 www.offersoy-feriesenter.no

All year

Rinøyvåg 8412 Vestbygd

Lødingen Skyssbåtservice AS charterboat@lsbs.no

+47 76 93 54 09 +47 76 93 58 58

www.lsbs.no

Kleiva 8400 Sortland Torggata 13 8400 Sortland

Vesterålen Matfestival +47 907 88 531 marte@vesteralenmatfestival.no Cafè Håndverkeren +47 76 12 12 60 olerune@live.no

Øvre Ånstadvei 19 8400 Sortland

Marthahaugen Gård mdaljord@online.no

+47 76 12 41 50

Vesterålen Golf

+47 906 86 497

Akvakultur i Vesterålen post@akvakulturivesteralen.no Sortland Camping & Motell AS hj.bergseng@sortland-camping.no Vesterålen Turlag

+47 958 81 822

Inga Sámi-Siida lailainga@hotmail.com

+47 76 12 51 23 +47 908 77 558

Arctic Sea Kayak Race

+47 450 05 890

Solveien 5a 8400 Sortland Nordlysvn 35 8400 Sortland

Noras Hus ove.aalo@vkbb.no Postmestergården asoelsne@online.no

+47 900 34 349 +47 76 12 10 41 +47 957 39 099

10/12

Gåsbol 8400 Sortland Vesterålsgt 59 8400 Sortland

Arctic Quest AS post@arcticquest.no Sortland Hotell post@sortlandhotell.no

+47 482 93 835 +47 76 10 84 00 +47 76 10 84 01

1/4 1/5 www.arcticquest.no 50/100 www.sortlandhotell.no

Vesterålsgt. 59 8400 Sortland

Sortland Vandrehjem sortland@hihostels.no

+47 76 10 84 00 +47 76 10 84 01

30/50 www.hihostels.no

Lihallvn. 37 8400 Sortland

Lihallen Kulturgård post@lihallen.no

+47 76 12 70 11 +47 951 78 797

www. lihallen.no

Strandgt 56 8400 Sortland

TS-Foto torgeir@tsfoto.no

+47 958 80 308

8400 Sortland

Vesterålen Sea Safari AS vip.p@online.no

+47 900 55 077 +47 951 91 184

8400 Sortland

Den Kvite Bussen ovehan@online.no

+47 91193 270

Ånstadsjøen 8400 Sortland

SjøhusSenteret sjoehus@online.no

+47 76 12 37 40 +47 76 12 00 40

8400 Sortland Gårdsøyveien 32 8450 Stokmarknes Vesterv. 51, Pb 255 8400 Sortland 8400 Sortland Kvalsaukan 8400 Sortland 8400 Sortland

Sortland

Room/ beds

www.visitvesteralen.com

Less than NOK 500 per night

Vesterålen 2012

•

Tel/Fax

+47 76 11 03 00 +47 76 12 25 78 +47 76 12 26 01

NOK 500 - 750 per night

Season

All year All year All year

All year August

www.vesteralenmatfestival.no

All year All year

www.marthahaugen.no

Summer

www.vesteraalengolf.no

July-August At request All year

www.akvakulturivesteralen.no 9/18 39/200 www.sortland-camping.no

All year

www.turistforening.no/vesteralen www.inga-sami-siida.no

All year At request

www.askr.no

Last whole in July 1/3

23.06 - 20.08

1/19

20.06 - 20.08 All year 03.01-20.12 03.01-15.12 June - August

www.tsfoto.no

Photosafari

All year All year

www.denkvitebussen.no 5/10 7/35 www.visitsortland.no

NOK 750 - 1000 per night

www.visitvesteralen.com

Cabin/ beds

All year Airport bus All year

More than NOK 1000 per night

27

www.visitvesteralen.com

Øksnes

Accommodation/dining facilities or/and activities Room/ beds

Pricecategory

Adress

Company/E-mail

Tel/Fax

Storgata 46 8430 Myre

+47 907 70 458

9/12

All year

8438 Stø

Myre Overnatting e@sordahl.no Arctic Whale Tours AS info@arcticwhaletours.com

+47 76 13 43 00 +47 76 13 43 01

5/24 www.arcticwhaletours.com

25.05-15.09

Storgt. 30 8430 Myre

Konferansestedet Finvåg asle@finvag.no

+47 76 13 28 85 +47 909 45 727

10/20 2/12 www.finvag.no

All year

8426 Barkestad

Fiskeværet Skipnes post@skipnes.com

+47 76 13 28 55 www.skipnes.com

8/56

Cabin/ beds

Season

01.05 - 31.08

Pb 338, Nyksund 8439 Myre

post@nyksund.com

Holmvik Brygge & Discover Vesterålen AS +47 76 13 47 96

+47 958 63 866

9/21 3/4 double beds www.nyksund.com

All year

Storgt. 52 8430 Myre

Myre Hotell post@myre-hotell.no

+47 76 11 99 20 +47 76 11 99 21

29/60 www.myre-hotell.no

All year

Pb. 502 - Nyksund 8439 Myre

Nyksund Ekspedisjonen LTD info@nyksund.biz

+47 76 13 27 00 +47 907 54 661

9/19 www.nyksund.biz

01.06 - 31.08

Stø 8430 Myre

Stø Bobilcamp AS loleinan@frisurf.no

+47 76 13 25 30 +47 907 55 173

2/15 www.stobobilcamp.com

15.5 - 1.9

Toftenes 8432 Alsvåg

Toftenes Sjøhuscamp post@toftenessjohus.no

+47 76 13 14 55 +47 971 69 078

4/15 4/16 www.toftenessjohus.no

All year

Nyksund 8439 Myre

Marihaugen +47 952 07 131 marilorange2000@yahoo.no

7+6

All year

Pb. 9 - Nyksund 8439 Myre 8438 Stø

Livskraftverk AS berthe@livskraftverk.no Gunnartangen Rorbuer gunnar@ulriksen.nu

5/4(5) www.livskraftverk.no 4/30 www.rorbuferie.net

All year

Nyksund Sortland

Ekspedisjonen AS post@ekspedisjonen-as.no

+47 481 18 068

5 www.ekspedisjonen-as.no

From easter to Septmeber

Olavs vei 4 8430 Myre

Myre Holiday olga@nordicmarine.net

+47 918 28 912

3/6 www.myreholiday.com

Mai - Sept

Skogsøyveien 8428 Tunstad

Øksnes Gjestegård & Leirskole +47 76 13 27 60 ol@iaksess.no +47 992 25 113

14/64 www.oksnesleirsted.no

All year

Husjord 8438 Stø

Husjord Apartment leif@husjord-apt.com

+47 413 33 015

1/ www.husjord-apt.com

All year

8438 Stø

Stø Safari kontakt@stosafari.no

+47 464 80 335

+47 915 11 634 +47 76 13 24 03 +47 908 75 955

All year

15.05-10.09

www.stosafari.no

Vesterålen online booking: You will find the best offers on our website: www.visitvesteralen.com - online booking, the official tourist web portal for Vesterålen.

Less than NOK 500 per night NOK 500 - 750 per night NOK 750 - 1000 per night More than NOK 1000 per night

Skåltofta Nyksund New, nice and roomy holiday apartment.

2 bedrooms – 4(5) beds.

Bicycles, kayak and secondhand car for rent.

OH, HEAVENLY OCEANVIEW!

Phone: +47 91511634 E-mail: berthe@livskraftverk.no

www.livskraftverk.no

28

Vesterålen 2012

•

www.visitvesteralen.com

We offer: • well-appointed, modern studio flats • designated areas for camping, caravans and campervans

• cabin with sea-view • service/pub • div. activitie-offers, ideal for wave-sufing!

KĂĽrebussen can also offer: customized guided tours, transport to/from airport, coastal express, railway or your own special needs.

Andbø, 8484 Risøyhamn - Tel: +47 951 17 359 - kare.myrvang@nordlysnett.no - www.marmelkroken.no

WELCOME TO Ă…SAND BRYGGE

A place for vacation, leisure, and recreation, fishing and hunting - Business trip and courses, sociability and friendly gatherings.

Eidet, N-8475 STRAUMSJĂ˜EN BĂ˜ I VESTERĂ…LEN

Tel: +47 76 13 81 00/ 938 23 305 / 971 40 910 post@asand.no - www.asand.no

Welcome to Skipnes!

Visit us and experience a special closeness to mountains, fjords, birds and fish, the midnight sun and much more in historical and peaceful surroundings. The venerable old fishing village of Skipnes today offers rorbu fisherman cabin holidays and adventures.

The village is located on a traffic-free island on the outer side of the VesterĂĽlen island, well sheltered in a natural harbour.

Tlf: 76 13 28 55 - Email: post@skipnes.com - www.skipnes.com

!

36 cabins 2 handicap cabins Camping caravan sites Course and conference Boat hire in beautiful surroundings

Welcome!

Tel.: +47 76 13 76 40 • Mobil: +47 958 88 291 Fax: +47 76 13 76 80 • www.fjordcamp.no

""

" #

" ! ! " $%% " &

Experience Offersøy!

On Offersøy you can experience the thrill of deep-sea fishing - and Vesterülens best boat hire! If you have your own favourite rod, bring it with you. If you need to rent fishing equipment, we have that too! Welcome to a pleasant experience in our familyfriendly, maritime neighbourhood spring, summer, autumn and winter!

OFFERSĂ˜Y FERIESENTER Offersøy, N-8412 VESTBYGD Tel.: +47 76 93 39 00 - Fax: +47 76 93 39 01 www.offersoy-feriesenter.no

www.visitvesteralen.com

Need a place to stay?

Most tourists who come to Vesterålen driving their own vehicles – footloose and fancy free, so to speak – have not booked their overnight accommodation in advance. Many interesting opportunities await them.

The easiest and cheapest solution – provided of course that one has brought along a tent – is to turn off the main road and pitch camp on dry ground with a good panorama of the ocean, the mountains and the midnight sun. The Norwegian Outdoor Recreation Act sets the only limits on camping (see below).

The liberal Norwegian regulations permit camping caravans and caravanettes to stop free of charge at suitable places along the public roads. But if you need more than a simple spot to park – such as electrical power, TV, Internet, showers, a waste disposal site, – or if you want dining facilities and social events – there are some ten camping places in Vesterålen that can cater to your needs. At the campsites you are also welcome to put up a tent or hire a cabin for the night.

All of the larger communities have reasonably priced hotel rooms and, when desired, also more expensive and posher offers. But Sortland is the only place that can boast a youth- and family hostel among available places to stay.

«Farm holidays», where vacationers stay in separate flats or rooms on the farm, are available – although not widespread.

Rorbu cabins and seaside lodges On the other hand: starting with the traditional type of accommodation that fishermen of yesteryear used when they were on the winter fisheries, many of the tourist facilities during recent years have restored or built rorbu cabins and seaside lodging on the edge of piers or on the seashore.

These cabins comprise fully equipped kitchens, so that modern travellers can prepare meals on their own – preferably fish that you’ve caught yourself ...

Check our online booking portal for good accommodation offers of all kinds at: www.visitvesteralen.com

Photo: bilder.nornet.no, Andøy Frilufssenter, Odd-Eirik Einarsen

Foto:..................

30

Vesterålen 2012

•

www.visitvesteralen.com

www.visitvesteralen.com Welcome to a magnificent experience Hotels & fishermans’s cabins - Sleep well in beautiful surroundings!

LIVE IN THE CENTRE

IN THE MIDDLE OF LOFOTEN & VESTERĂ…LEN

www.sortlandhotell.no

2009 Š NorNet.no

Postboks 63 N-8455 Stokmarknes (+47) 761 52 999 post@v-resort.no post@hurtigrutenshus.com www.v-resort.no www.hurtigrutenshus.com

Tel.:

+47

REASONABLY PRICED, COMFORTABLE AND LUXURIOUS r

The ďŹ nest hotel rooms in Andenes at the most affordable prices ARC

1/2

H

ou

r

1

H

ou

ANDENES

TIC C

IRCLE

BUKSNESFJORD SORTLAND STOKMARKNES

• Moose safari • Salmon fishing • Hiking trails • Restaurant • Accommodation Farm food

EACH ROOM – A NEW ADVENTURE

Photo: Andøy Friluftssenter, Philipp Hunter

ANDĂ˜Y FRILUFTSSENTER

Norwegian Food Prints

Booking: www.hotellmarena.no "OEFOFT t 5FM

VesterĂĽlen 2012

•

www.visitvesteralen.com

31

www.visitvesteralen.com At the Sortland bus teminal

Stop here for a bite to eat, reading materials and much more

A high point in your day!

Miscela Kaffebar

Vesterålen Bil AS

CAR RENTAL Vesterålsgata 41, Sortland Tel: +47 76 11 07 17 hertz.sortland@hertz.no

Torggt 23, Sortland Espresso • Coffee • Tea • Lofoten Chocolate • Stone oven-baked bread from Eldhus Bakery • Delicacies from New Zealand and Italy

Fly with Widerøe to

We have waste disposal, please help us keep Vesterålen clean!

V r e i sterålen

Contact:

395,-

from

NOK

+47 76 11 29 00 www.reno-vest.no

OW

Book at wideroe.no

32

Vesterålen 2012

•

www.visitvesteralen.com

VesterĂĽlen 2012

•

www.visitvesteralen.com

33

Trollfjorden. Photo: Trym Ivar Bergsmo

The trolls and troll hags of Vesterålen There are no warning signs in Vesterålen telling us “Watch out for the trolls!” But it’s not necessary either. Our trolls are mostly peaceful, living an anonymous life withdrawn to our hills and mountains.

The Eidsfjordtroll has been renowned for many years for the planting of his dirt shovel – the mountain Ræka – highly viewable between Sortland, Øksnes and Bø.

By the mountain Møysalen, two troll maidens are raging with arched looks and crooked necks, eagering to betroll the people on their walk up to the hiker’s favorite - and Vesterålen’s tallest - mountain!

The most cunning of all the trolls are the females – the troll hags! Take the troll hag in Nyksund for instance. For over a hundred years she has been forcing young fishermen into giving her money in order for her to provide them with endless luck when they are out fishing.

You also have Jørlandsdronninga who lives in the Jørlandsfjord in Bø, and she is constantly on the lookout for riches and wealth. Unfortunately, one day, she learned a tough lesson of how quickly things can turn around and bite you in the butt if you’re being greedy and smug! All in one night she lost all her riches just because of a haughty comment.

Last, but not least, we want to tell you about a troll hag settled in Blokken. We don’t know so much of her besides her coffee-making on rainy days to lure freezing, young men into her home.

But there aren’t only troll hags living ‘round here. We have some big and ugly male trolls too! And they have

34

especially one thing in common: a troublesome love life, which occasionally makes them loose their temper! For instance, the Blåtinntroll – living in Øksnes – made an attempt to get the rich and wealthy Balle’s daughter as a salary for a boat trip he made to Bergen. Balle gave the troll what he wanted, but of course, his daughter refused.

The Blåtinntroll became so furious over the betrayal that he in a love sick anger ripped rocks, stones and rubble out of the hillside, creating a huge rockslide that buried Balle’s farm. Unfortunately the Blåtinntroll got so carried away he forgot all about the sunrise and turned into stone!

Some of the trolls of Vesterålen are also known for their appreciation of a good quarrel or fight! But when everything’s settled, they always make amends using a remarkably balanced way of maintaining their honor and friendship. The trolls also have an excellent sense for solutions within transportation. One time a troll got so sick and tired of the long, winding sea road from Vesterålen to Lofoten that he conjured up at terrible storm so he could have smooth sailing. After on, he sailed straight into the steep mountains with rocks flying everywhere! In that way Raftsundet could be the way it is today. Little did he know it would become a beloved tourist attraction.

Less fortunate was the Andøy-troll Torgaren. Torgaren was always irritated over the fact that he had to row his boat all the way to Langenes in Øksnes. One day his wife helped him tear rocks out of the mountain in order to make a breakwater across the Gavelfjord so he could walk right over. He jumped right into his work like only trolls can do.

Sadly he and the misses forgot all about the sun, so everything crumbled into rubble.

Vesterålen 2012

•

www.visitvesteralen.com

T H E

B E S T

I N

S E A F O O D

Welcome to

ekspedisjonen Monja & Ringo NYKSUND T e l . + 4 7 4 8 1 1 8 0 6 8 – p o s t @ n y k s u n d – i n f o. c o m

EKSPEDISJONEN AT VERTSBRYGGA b r e a k f a s t , c o ff e e , l u n c h , á l a c a r t e , o u t d o o r d i n i n g , b a r , s n a c k s

B & B NYKSUND T e l . + 4 7 4 8 1 1 8 0 6 8 – p o s t @ n y k s u n d – i n f o. c o m

ACCOMMODATION IN NYKSUND s p e n d a n i g h t a s d e s c r i b e d i n A s t r i d L I n d g r e n ’s n o v e l

SORTLAND T e l . + 4 7 7 6 2 0 1 0 4 0 – p o s t @ n y k s u n d – i n f o. c o m

EKSPEDISJONEN AT BLÅBRYGGA c o ff e e b a r , l u n c h e o n b a r , r e s t a u r a n t , o u t d o o r d i n i n g

A

W O R T H W H I L E

E X P E R I E N C E

Tlf. 76 12 37 00 SORTLAND SORTLAND Tel.: + 47 76 11 37 00

Havna Service AS is a petrol station with a convenience shop, fast food restaurant and automobile service hall.

CAR REPAIR SHOP • CAR WASH • CONVENIENCE SHOP • CAMPER VAN WASH FAST FOOD RESTAURANT • We are open Vesterålen 2012

•

www.visitvesteralen.com

24 hours a day! day 35

Winter in Vester책len

www.visitvesteralen.com

In quest of the northern lights Where the action is North Norway is the ideal location for observing the northern lights, since the so-called aurora oval runs along the coast of Nordland, Troms and Finnmark counties. In the centre of this oval are the Vesterålen islands.

Therefore it is entirely natural that the country’s most important land-based northern lights research is done at the northern tip of Andøya, at the rocket launching range and research installation ALOMAR (Arctic Lidar Observatory for Middle Atmosphere Research). More than 50 universities around the world participate in and contribute to this research.

2

Northern lights and superstition For the general public, the scintillating northern lights has traditionally been considered as spectacular and frightening – regardless of what research has revealed. In bygone eras, popular superstition caused people to regard the northern lights as something negative. It was not uncommon that Northerners only a few generations ago saw the fiery northern lights as an ill omen foreboding both lean years and plagues – the more impetuous the light, the worse things would be. Parents would chase the children indoors and advise them to make themselves as unnoticeable as possible. On the other hand, it was common practice to wave white linen at the northern lights if one wanted to intensify the shimmering …

Vesterålen 2012

•

www.visitvesteralen.com

www.visitvesteralen.com What are the northern lights?

Aurora polaris (polar light) is a physical phenomenon caused when the solar wind is stronger than normal, with great electrical discharges emitting electrically charged particles towards the earth. The particles are electrons and protons that create light as they collide with the gases in the earth’s atmosphere. Polar light is located at a height of between 90 and 180 km above the earth’s surface. The phenomenon can be observed on the night skies in a belt running around the magnetic poles – the northern lights oval – and can be seen by us in the Northern Hemisphere. Polar light manifests itself as billowing light that changes in shape, colour and intensity, from dark blue and hues of green and yellow, to red and orange.

Polar light in the Northern Hemisphere is called aurora borealis (dawning red in the north) or the northern lights, while polar light in the Southern Hemisphere is called aurora australis or the southern lights.

Colourful The northern lights come in many different colours.

The colours reflect the gases in the middle atmosphere. The greenish-yellow colours, which are the most distinct and common for the northern lights, derive from oxygen. The red also comes mainly from oxygen, with the addition of nitrogen. The violet colour we often see at the bottom of the northern lights comes from nitrogen, and the same is true of most of the bluish colour.

Learn and experience The Northern Lights Centre at Andenes is a popular excursion for pupils, students and teachers from all over the country who participate in various activities arranged by NAROM (www.narom.no).

Photo: Marten Bril

Vesterålen Vesterålen 2011 2012

••

www.visitvesteralen.com www.visitvesteralen.com

3

Ski/snowboard

Gavltind (662m), Andøy Park at the chapel in Skjoldehamn.

Follow the forest access road all the way up through the newly planted grounds and above the treeline. Go towards the summit in a northerly direction and steer clear of the sheer slope down towards Troll Lake. From the summit cairn, you have a panorama out across the Risøy Channel, Sortland, Øksnes, Andøy, Harstad and the open ocean.

Fine descent from the summit and all the way down to your car.

Level: Easy

Hallartind (530m), Hadsel Park at the forested area at Rå, just after the old tree nursery building. Follow the forest access road through the planted area and up towards the ridge (299 m).

Then continue your ascent above the treeline to the summit. From the summit cairn you have a view out towards Bø, Hadseløya and Lofoten. You can also see Møysalen out towards Hennes. A choice of various descents from the top.

Level: Medium difficulty

Stortind (609m), Sortland In Eidsfjord. Popular summit in winter.

Park at Lahaugen and go inwards towards ascending terrain (362 m). Then continue up, bearing right to 409 m, and on to the summit. From the top you have a panorama out across Eidsfjord, Bø and Valfjord. Fine descent with several alternative routes, both steep and less steep.

You will have to walk some distance back to the car, but it is worth it.

Level: Medium/Challenging

The ski-tradition A couple of decades ago, a group of Swedes came to Vesterålen to try their luck at alpine skiing – combined with winter cod fishing on the open ocean.

They chose Øksnes Vestbygd as their home base.

The local young people had been skiing in alpine terrain for as long as they could remember – on the more or less steep mountainsides. But with the arrival of the Swedes, we learned a new skiing term; the Swedes had come to ski off piste.

The various summits facing the open ocean on the outer side of the islands are certainly suitable for off piste skiing – when the snow is deep and covers all the underlying stones. But the Swedes had come so late in the winter that the sun had begun to melt the southern slopes. There were many skiing injuries, and the rescue boat ran a regular shuttle service to the doctor’s and the hospital.

After several years of meagre catches at sea and frequent broken bones and visits to seek medical assistance, the Swedes were required to put up a financial guarantee before they were allowed go skiing in the mountains. In other words, they mustn’t take it for granted that they would be allowed on the alpine slopes …

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The Swedish skiers who come today are normally much better prepared, equipped and trained. Few mountainsides, therefore, are on the average too challenging for today’s skiing freaks – whether they be novices or extreme skiers. But the basic rule still applies: talk with local people who know, ask for tips and advice – before you step up the slope and begin your descent.

If you are a dedicated telemark-, rando- or snowboard-enthusiast, you will see opportunities for rapid descents everywhere you turn in the mountains.

But here as well: Contact a local expert; the local tourist information will gladly help you by providing the telephone numbers of local, experienced skiers.

Even though most of the mountains in our area are safe and easy to negotiate, there may occasionally be potential snow slides in certain exposed areas, particularly after periods of heavy wind and poor weather.

For snowboarders there are ample opportunities, as there are both mountain slopes and a local alpine skiing facility. And the Ånstadblåheia skiing facility, located a few kilometres outside of downtown Sortland, is the site of the annual Blue Hype contest,

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www.visitvesteralen.com Ski / Snowboard Photo: Marten Bril, Ivar Steiro, Kristine Karlsen, bilder.nornet.no, Roy Odd Schøyen, Ragnhild Gundersen

featuring souring jumps and sporty skiing manoeuvring. Ski equipment is also for hire at the skiing facility.

In Vesterålen there are a number of prepared skiing trails for trekking and cross country outings. The longest trails, which are also lit, are at Hadseløya, Åse on Andøy and in Sortlandmarka.

The best time to ski in Vesterålen is February – April. During this period the days have once again become long enough that light is not a factor. The temperature at this time normally also stays below freezing, so that the snow is perfect for skiing on powder slopes.

And just so we have mentioned it: There are plenty of places to park your car practically anywhere, just in case you should be tempted to try skiing a tempting mountain slope …

Photo: Øyvind Lehn.

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Deep sea- and Ice fishing

Photo: www.timeoutevent.no

Photo: Trym Ivar Bergsmo

The Skrei fishery

Photo: Marten Bril

The wandering skrei For centuries, arctic cod has been the most valuable species of fish for the people of North Norway, and the winter cod fishery from January to April is the most important seasonal fishery in all of Norway. It is important to distinguish between coastal cod and «skrei».

When the Arctic cod set out on their annual migration to spawn along the northern coast of Norway, the fish is called skrei – a word that actually means «to wander», from the Old Norse «skrida».

Spawning places Historically speaking, nearly half the skrei shoals have migrated to the areas around Lofoten to spawn. But as a result of rising temperatures in the ocean during recent years, the increasing trend is that the skrei stop further north. This new migration pattern is a definite boon to Vesterålen fishermen. The fishing grounds off the coast from Andøy, Øksnes and Bø – 400 km north of the Arctic Circle – have become an Eldorado and Klondyke for skrei fishermen!

For professional fishermen, the winter season at sea is synonymous with skrei fishing. And with modern, advanced boats and equipment, amateur fishermen have also been able to participate in the quest for this prima quality fish, because what’s special about this species is that one does not have to go far out to sea; skrei can be caught in fjords and close to land.

Even the uninitiated tourist fisherman will have to try hard not to catch fish on an ocean outing – whether this be as a «hired hand» aboard a professional fishing boat, or aboard one’s own hired boat with an outboard motor and an echo sounder. The opportunity to hire 18-foot boats has gradually become more and more commonplace. In addition, you can spend the night in tradionalstyle rorbu cabins, and prepare fish dinners you will not find in every restaurant – we call it «møljekalas», meaning poached fresh skrei, with cod liver and roe …

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Mølje (Poached skrei, liver and roe) For people along the Norwegian coast, the first «møljekalas» (skrei feast) is the gastronomic highpoint of winter – a culinary banquet to which some have almost religious associations. Skrei feasts are not only traditional dining; they are festivities!

The traditional North Norwegian way of preparing skrei is simple: fish, liver and roe are steeped in separate cooking pots filled with boiling hot, lightly salted water. The proportion is at least two tbs salt per liter of water for poached cod, liver and roe. The liver and roe should simmer for a few minutes, while the fish must only steep in the water – never bring it to the boil!

Serve with boiled carrots, potatoes and flatbrød (wafer crisps). Beverage of choice. Voilà: your skrei feast is served!

Deep sea- and fjord fishing Most people are familiar with light angling from small leisure boats along the shoreline skerries and fjords.

Deep sea fishing, on the other hand, done from oceangoing vessels, is normally the domain of local fishing boats operated by experienced skippers. Deep sea fishing at great depths normally requires industrial equipment. For skrei fishing on the open ocean, it is recommended to use short, strong rods, reels with 200 meter line, jigs and lead sinkers that can weigh as much as 1000 grams. Weights and jigs must be so heavy that they sink to the bottom quickly without drifting away from or underneath the boat. It is normal to use one or more hooks. If you want to use bait, mackerel or herring is recommended.

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Ice-fishing Highpoint of the winter There are many fishing lakes in Vesterålen, where trout and Arctic char are the dominant species. The lakes are normally visited during the summer season, when the coffee pot, frying pan and an open fire add an extra dimension to outdoor life. But one should not scorn the fascination of going to the lake on skis, dabbing one’s face with a little extra sunscreen, drilling a hole in the ice, dropping a line and opening a thermos ful of hot cocoa and stretching out on a reindeer hide – while waiting for a tug on the line. For many, this is the highpoint of the winter …

Up until the present day such festive occasions have been the domain of local aficionados of ice-fishing.

This is because visiting tourist fishermen normally come during the summertime. But a few have discovered that it is just as exhilarating and attractive to pursue one’s fishing luck during the winter as well. And Vesterålen is the perfect place for such pursuits. The natural surroundings and terrain here offer limitless opportunities, since most of the fishing lakes are nearby and easily accessible.

There are also several local ice-fishing contests in various places in Vesterålen.

What is ice-fishing?

To go ice-fishing you will need an ice drill, a jigging rod, a small reel of fishing line (0.2 strength or stronger), jigging hooks and maggots. It is also recommended to dress warmly in windproof clothing and warm footwear. You also need an insulated seating pad. The most exclusive kind of seating pad is a reindeer hide, but a good Therm-a-Rest pad is also very suitable.

Some prefer to bring along a light camping chair. Hot beverages and a packed lunch are not only important; they are half the pleasure of ice-fishing.

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Photo: Ian Robins

You should never ice-fish on unsafe ice. But should a mishap occur, it is wise to have extra clothing in reserve, waterproof packed. A minimum of safety equipment is also obligatory on ice-fishing trips – such as a safety line and a couple of hand spikes. A hand spike is a handle with a steel spike attached. It is used to grip a slick, icy surface so that one can pull oneself up after going through the ice. But this is important: you will get no help from equipment that is still in your rucksack! Keep it hanging around you neck or fastened securely to your jacket so that your can easily get to it in an emergency! It may be practical and useful to bring along a sledge or toboggan.

Deep sea- and Ice fishing

Photo: Ragnhild Gundersen

Safe ice What is safe ice? The term varies in relation to the location of the water, the compactness and depth of the ice, the temperature, precipitation, wind – and the season.

As we say in North Norway: If the ice holds around Midsummer Eve, it will be a late spring …

When venturing out onto unfamiliar icy surfaces, one should exercise caution. Drill pilot holes at regular intervals as you cross the ice in order to test thickness.

This is because thickness may vary from place to place on the same lake. 10 cm of blue ice is normally safe, while snow-covered ice is the most difficult to gauge.

One must always be wary of ice exposed to currents, such as at the mouth of a river or sound. Areas where you can see stones or vegetation sticking up are also exposed places. You should also be careful around dams. If the lake is regulated, it is definitely important to be observant. Contact local experts for information on ice conditions on any given lake!

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www.visitvesteralen.com Winter special!

Although the sun does not appear over the horizon for nearly two months, winter in Vesterålen can be both colourful and exciting – with its blue, arctic light above white mountains and pink ocean water. But the dark season can also be trying and harsh, when winter storms hurl fists of ice in across land and peel asphalt from the road surfaces – and daylight flickers only fleetingly before it melts back into darkness. On the other hand, it is perhaps just such an encounter with this aspect of winter that lasts longest on our mental hard discs.

Despite the dark season and the harsh climate, residents of Vesterålen live completely normal lives during the winter season of the year. Many even prefer winter and its seasonal activities – outdoors in the natural surroundings as well as indoors at cultural events. As our guest, you can also take advantage of winter activities.

When the sun returns and days become longer, there is nothing as appealing as a skiing trip in pristine nature – nearby and accessible. The mountains of Vesterålen are made for skiing – whether it be on prepared ski trails or in the virgin snow – the mountains are easy to ascend and not dangerous for off-piste skiing.

Or maybe you would prefer driving a dog team – pulled on skis behind team, or as a passenger on a dog sledge. The experience may be had, and you need only agree with the dog team owner and select your destination.

Sledging with a team of reindeer is another winter offer that is becoming increasingly popular. The Samí culture in general has become an attraction in Vesterålen. If the herd of reindeer is grazing in the area, visitors are driven out to them on snowmobiles. Here you can try your skill

at lasso throwing. Or you can enjoy Samí traditional foods based on reindeer meat, served around an open fire in a Samí lávvo tent and accompanied by joik singing. But to really try Samí traditions, you should try spending the night in a lávvo tent on a bed of birch branches and reindeer hide.

Winter kayak paddling is undeniably quite different than kayaking under the midnight sun, perhaps even more fascinating when the sea glitters phosphorescently and the moon is the only source of light. If you are an experienced kayaker looking for an outing in a sea kayak, there are tour operators who provide guided excursions in winter as well – with or without overnight accommodation. Experienced paddlers can also hire kayaks and equipment and do exploring on their own in the shoreline skerries of Vesterålen.

Bird life in Vesterålen is abundant and varied. It’s true that many bird species leave the area during autumn, but not the eagles! Although one can spot sea eagles «everywhere» perched on shoreline stones, they are particularly abundant on the outer sides of the islands, where they know that food is most accessible to them. Why not join an eagle safari and experience eagles plunging to the surface of the sea to grasp a fleeing fish? These are the kinds of experiences that are remembered forever, especially if you have captured the happening on your camera’s memory card!

Should the weather be uninviting for outdoor activities, there are also many galleries and museums open during the winter. And it would be a rare event if there weren’t also a concert or an exhibition arranged nearby …

For further information on cultural events and museums, as well as when and where: http://www.vestreg.no http://www.museumnord.no

Photo: Inga Sami-Siida

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Experience eagle and deep sea fishing!

Photo course and safari!

Tour example:

Those who come here autumnand wintertime never forget. The experience of the arctic light and the clear fresh air is like stepping into a fairytale picture. Meetings with sea eagles and nature, walks on snow covered mountains while waiting for the spectacular Northern Lights makes room for new impulses and creativity. The Photographers expectation rises.

Our photographer, guide and host know when the moment is right and would love to shear it with you! A kayak tour with sea eagles and wilderness life close by. Snowshoe walks through the impressive, glistening white landscape in the province of Vesterålen. Accommodation in holiday apartments, houses or fisherman cabin with a personal and cosy atmosphere. Our restaurant invites you to a huge breakfast and tasty local specialities.

6 days - Arctic Winter Photographing • 5 x accommodations in 2-bed rooms • Breakfast, lunch and 3-course dinner • Photo workshops, excursions and trips • All transport incl. from and to the airport • Photo guide (Norwegian, English and German speaking)

Min. 1 – max 8 persons Season : Nov – March NOK 8350,- per person

Booking & info www.sjohus.no - mail@sjohus.no Tel. +47 76 13 74 80

ANDØY FRILUFTSSENTER OFFERS GREAT WINTER ACTIVITIES Northern lights and Arctic light adventures Guided wilderness walks and moose safari Nordic skiing and fun on snow shoos Ice fishing Team activities

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Hot wooden bath tub Farm food cuisine restaurant and Sami tent Comfortable accommodation Wheelchair friendly ARC

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BOOKING & INFO:

Farm food Norwegian Food Prints

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BUKSNESFJORD

Buksnesfjord in Vesterålen. Tel: +47 76 14 88 04 / 41 55 37 56 / 91 53 51 80 booking@andoy-friluftssenter.no - www.andoy-friluftssenter.no

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Foto: Andøy Friluftssenter, Daniele Zanoni, Hilde Jørgensen

- Activities, Accommodation & Restaurant

SORTLAND

STOKMARKNES

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