Our visit was to the Lofoten Islands through the port of Leknes and spent an hour at the Mortsund’s fishing industry and a scenic drive across Vestvågøy and Haukland Beach.
Leknes is a vibrant town and commercial hub located in the heart of the Lofoten archipelago in Nordland county, Norway. Situated about 105 miles north of the Arctic Circle, it serves as the administrative center of Vestvågøy Municipality with a population of around 3,763.
The “Leknes” designation is somewhat misleading. Leknes was the cruise port and gateway, but our principal destinations were elsewhere on Vestvågøy Island.
Our first stop was to the Lofoten Seafood Center in Mortsund. As we sat at the wooden drying structures called hjell our guide explained how cod was harvested during the winter fishing season and hung outside without salt or smoke.
Lofoten’s combination of cold temperatures, wind and relatively low humidity allows the fish to dry gradually without spoiling. Once dried, it can be stored and transported for long periods. This simple preservation method helped make stockfish one of Norway’s most important exports for centuries. Visit Norway’s stockfish explanation
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The final photograph is Haukland Beach with the broad crescent of pale sand, volleyball net, turquoise water and surrounding mountain profiles. The photograph captures what makes Haukland so surprising: viewed without context, it could be mistaken for a beach much farther south. The green mountains and Arctic location reveal the difference—and the water remains cold despite its inviting color.
