Ornes

Understand

Nordland occupies the relatively narrow strip of land between the border with Sweden and the Atlantic Ocean, in addition to a myriad of islands. At the most narrow point there is only a few kilometres of Norwegian land from the sea to the border, while the county is 700 km from south to north, like London to Glasgow or Naples to Milan. Nordland mainland has a coastline of about 5,000 km — more than most countries in Europe. If islands are included Nordland has about one third of Norway's coastline, and Nordland's coastline is longer than the coastline of the U.S.A. or China. Nordland has some 18,000 islands and almost 30 per cent of Norway's island area is in Nordland.

Norway's mainland is largely protected by a belt of countless islands and skerries. The waters between these are often navigable and create a sheltered sea lane. This belt is particularly wide on the Helgeland coast (southern Nordland) where the belt stretches some 50 km into the ocean. Nordland is characterised by a brim of lowland and islands from where mountains rise steeply. This landscape is typical for Norway and has entered the international geological terminology as the strandflat (literally "beach flats"). Residual mountains surrounded by the strandflat are frequent particularly on Helgeland coast giving the area a distinct character. Mountains mostly rise steeply from the ocean and culminate in alpine summits or wide barren plateaus. The mainland is highly fragmented by many fjords cutting deep into …

Get in

thumb|Narvik-Kiruna train on the Iron Ore Railway, near the border thumb|Hurtigruten detour to Trollfjorden

Get around

thumb|Nordlandsbanen railway crossing Saltfjellet plateau in March thumb|Road E6 north of Bodø thumb|New tunnel through the great Junkerdalen valley and gorge; the old road is left as an alternative for pedestrians and bicycles.

See

thumb|Bridge across Saltstraumen, the world's strongest tidal current

Old fishing cabins in Lofoten. Saltstraumen has the world's strongest maelstrom (tidal whirlpool), near Bodø, with some of the best fishing in the world. International fishing competitions are often held there, and there are possibilities of renting fishing gear or staying at the camping place. A must-see if you are in the region. Torghatten: there is a cave or hole right through Torghatten summit on an island near Brønnøysund, Helgeland coast. The hole was created by waves and ice. Svarthamarhola, near Bodø, is the largest natural cave in Scandinavia (30 m from floor to ceiling) and the only cave with a glacier inside. It is a full-day, partly strenuous hike with a guide (whom you must pay).

Do

center|700px|thumb|Backcountry skiing is popular in the winter and spring. Be aware of avalanche hazard.

In Lofoten, and along the entire county, you can go fishing, diving and mountain climbing.

A whale (orca) safari with snorkeling is also an option in the Tysfjord area. Whale watching tours to the nearby continental shelf, where sightings of sperm whales are common, are arranged from Andenes and also Nyksund in Vesterålen.

Near Halsa south of Bodø you can attend guided glacier climbing and glacier walks.

Caves open for guided visits in the region include Kollhellaren in Lofoten, Torghatten in Helgeland, Svarthammarhola near Bodø and Grønligrotta in Mo i Rana.

Stay safe

If you stay on land you ought to be safe most of the time. If you go out on the sea for fishing or diving, check the local weather forecasts as rapid weather changes can occur, as if you go trekking. The North Atlantic weather can be rough and waves can be treacherous particularly beyond the protective islands and skerries. If you go in the winter or up in the mountains, you should have some knowledge about when you need special skills.

Go next

Troms Trøndelag Norrbotten County