What are the best seasons on Lofoten? This is a big question for everyone who plans a visit to the Lofoten Islands. Of course, the traveler is primarily interested in what the best time to travel is. The answer to this question is not straightforward.
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Seasons on Lofoten Islands
I will tell you about the four seasons of Lofoten.
Winter
If you arrived on the Lofoten Islands early December to mid-January the sun does not rise at all. As photography is all about light what can we do when it is simply not there?
Winter is the best time of year if you wish to see Aurora and snow-capped mountains. If you are lucky and the ground is covered with fresh snow the snow-white landscape will be simply stunning.
I believe the best time for photography would be the period from early February to the second half of March.
Besides, from early February the days become relatively long. But at the same time, the sun does not rise high above the horizon which gives long shadows that look so good for photographs. At night you can take pictures of Aurora.
Spring
Not surprising this time of the year is absolutely not interesting for travel and shooting on Lofoten Islands. The mountains are full of melted snow and wet. Vegetation has not yet awakened from winter hibernation.
Summer
For the first visit to Lofoten summer is the best time. In the summer, it’s time to relax on the beaches and go hiking. Despite crowds of tourists, you will enjoy it there. From early June to mid-July there is the realm of the Midnight Sun, a period without dark time. This is a great moment to shout from the mountain peaks where you can see the sun and the valleys it illuminates.
Of course, summer is the best time for those who like to travel with tents and prefer wild camping to hotels.
Autumn
Autumn is the time for a thoughtful photo trip suitable for an experienced photographer who knows exactly what you want.
In addition to the usual coastal landscapes and mountains, two more themes can be added. One is the Aurora Aurelia, which, with luck, can be seen already from the end of August. In addition, autumn is a riot of colors. I love Arctic nature in the fall. The surrounding landscape, uniformly green in summer, now blossoms with all colors: all shades of yellow, orange and red. It’s time to give your attention to shooting inside the islands: by the lakes and in the woods.
It is advisable to stay no later than mid-October otherwise one runs the risk that the winds will tear off all the foliage from the trees, storms and bad weather will start and your journey will deteriorate into waiting for the opportunity to go out.
The best time for hiking
From the first half of July to the middle of August. Going before July can be a mistake. The problem is that the snow in the mountains and on the passes has not yet melted by this time. It will be very wet in the mountains will be very wet even if the weather is good. Some routes will cover by snow and will be difficult or impossible to pass.
In autumn it often rains, the temperature is falling and the day is much shorter than in the height of summer. This makes hiking not very comfortable. In winter, hiking in the mountains associated with a likelihood of avalanches and cold. This makes it very dangerous hiking to Lofoten mountains without special equipment and experience.
From early July to the middle of August it’s warm. It might rain, but the chances are lower than at any other time of the year. If you arrived in Lofoten before July 17, you will find a unique natural phenomenon. The midnight sun. It’s amazing. You are standing on the beach or a mountain peak at 1-30 AM and admiring the sun. In early August, the sun sets below the horizon, but for a while yet it is still possible to be a hike at any time of the day or night (depending on the desire and the weather of course)!
The best time for photo shooting
From early February to the second half of March in winter. And from the second half of July to the end of October in summer and autumn.
Everyone likes to shoot at Lofoten in winter.
But I like shooting mostly in the fall. In the fall, you do not run the risk of standing in line to occupy a convenient shooting point. The cost of accommodation is lower. An Aurora, for which all come here in the winter, starts in August. Plants and trees are becoming yellow, orange in September-October. The grass is still green. This makes a very strong color contrast.
But everyone has their own preferences.
The winter season starts from the middle of January and lasts until the second half of March. In December and January, there is the Polar night. The sun does not rise from beyond the horizon. There is twilight only a few hours in the day. It’s a great time to shooting Aurora if the sky is clear, if the weather is bad, you might be stuck in the hotel.
Your trip geography will greatly expand in the summer. You can get to the mountains, hard-to-reach beaches, climb the mountain peaks and shoot Lofoten from the top. It’s better for focusing on this in the summer. You can always return here at other times of the year and shoot places available all year round.
The best time for Aurora
The Lofoten Islands are my main photographic topic. If you want to find out the best points of view on Lofoten Islands and extend your personal knowledge about taking photos on Lofoten – you should read my book “Lofoten Islands Travel and Photo Guide”.
LOFOTEN ISLANDS: Photo and Travel Guide Yes, I want to read it
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