Værøy
Værøy is Nordland’s puffin-perched island basin — a municipality where cliffs cradle seabird colonies, stockfish dries in the midnight sun, and a silver puffin flaps across the coat of arms. With around 680 residents and a landscape shaped by Værøya Island, Sørland village, and the abandoned hamlet of Måstad, Værøy is the kind of place where you can hike past eagle caves, explore puffin lore, and still sip spruce cordial beside a beach that glows like the Caribbean. It’s got cliffs, currents, and a name that means “weather island.”
Top Attractions
- Håheia – panoramic mountain hike with views over Sørland & Vestfjorden
- Måstadfjellet – viewpoint above abandoned Måstad village, home of the puffin dog
- Breivika Beach – white sand cove with turquoise waters & hiking access
- Værøy Old Church – 18th-century red timber church moved from Vågan in 1799
- Nordlandshagen – beach & campsite with trails to Måstad & Hornskaret
Unique Experiences
- Puffin Safari – boat trip to bird cliffs with sightings of puffins, sea eagles & guillemots
- Midnight Sun Festival – electronic music celebration under 24-hour daylight
- Stockfish Racks – walk among thousands of drying cod in summer sun
- Ocean Kayaking – paddle around the island’s cliffs, caves & beaches
- Wild Camping – pitch a tent at Nordlandshagen or Breivika with sea views
Places to Stay
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Where to Eat
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Getting There
Værøy lies southwest of Moskenes in Lofoten, with Sørland as its administrative center. Reach it via ferry from Bodø or Moskenes (free for passengers), or helicopter from Bodø. The area is best explored by boots, boat, or bold curiosity — especially if you’re chasing puffin echoes, fjord lore, or the hush of sea mist beside a trail once walked by dogs bred to hunt birds in cliffs.