Nordland-Hw17 | TravelWorld Photography

Nordland-Highway 17

Nordland county stretches from Trøndelag in the south to the Lofoten Island in the north, even if Lofoten is part of administrative county Nordland. The main road north-south is E6. This runs inland, while Highway 17 runs along the outer edge of the mainland. This road connects all the coastal communities and is also the lifeline for all the island communities offshore. The coastline is intersected by a many fjords, and therefore a number of car ferries connect sections of Hw 17. In addition, a number of fast passenger boats provide a life important service to the coastal communities.

The population has for ages made their living off the sea, plus the add-on from cultivating small farms. The climate is heavily influenced by the Gulf Ocean Stream, making agriculture possible. The Arctic Circle intersects about the middle of the region. But low pressure centers sweep in from the North Atlantic Ocean, each winter causing very bad weather and hurricanes. For this reason, the population has through its history suffered many losses of life at sea. Even with the present day modern fishing vessels and technology, accidents do happen.

Two island communities are worth noting: Træna and Vega. Træna is located on the Artic Circle, some 40 km offshore. The geography is unique as the island has some tall mountains, Trænastaven being 338 m high. Therefore, these mountains are visible from the sea a distance of 100 km before even coming close to the mainland. Vega in the other hand, is mostly flat, and is known for the harvesting of eider down. The inhabitants build nests on land for the birds to select the best one. As eider down is very valuable, it has been a source of conflict even from the viking age.

The pictures below are taken during several trips by car and our motor home through area. The perspectives are thus pretty much views from the road areas, as well as from ferries. The geography is mountainous, with the bare rock often "growing" straight of the ocean. Due to the tough climate, the mountains have no or very little vegetation. Also, the mountains are alpine in appearance, probably caused by a thinner ice shelf during the last Ice Age. The sheltered inland areas may be quite lush, as the winter temperatures are seldom very low as compared to the latitude.

Highway 17

Approximate map of Nordland county, excluding Lofoten in the north. Highway 17 is marked in yellow.

Highway 17

South of Bodø where this trip starts southward, the bridge across "Saltstrømmen" (the Salt Stream) is one of the strongest tidal currents in the world at 8 knots.

Highway 17

Looking inland, mountain peaks may be seen everywhere.

Highway 17

The mountains are in general of Alpine character, providing serious challenges for climbers.

Highway 17

Barren coastline, with mountain peaks inland.

Highway 17

An isolated island with tall mountains.

Highway 17

A rest stop in the fall.

Highway 17

The same rest stop in the spring, with flowers and winter snow up in the mountains.

Highway 17

A memorial over the Norwegian submarine "Ula" sunk by the Germans during WW2.

Highway 17

The base of the memorial is made of marble from a local area, having unique banded color pattern.

Highway 17

Turning inland, a typical country road (too narrow to have a center line).

Highway 17

Some areas have more rolling hills

Highway 17

Quiet, calm fjord, inland from the ocean

Highway 17

Agriculture among high mountains

Highway 17

From the Southern part of Nordland

Highway 17

On the road Eastward towards Svartisen Glacier

Highway 17

The Svartisen Glacier

Highway 17

Run-off from the glacier

Highway 17

An arm from the glacies approching the sea

Highway 17

Powerline from Svartisen power station crossing the fjord

Highway 17

Small community underneath the mountains

Highway 17

A lone road along the fjord reach the settlement et the end

Highway 17

A small farm and two boat houses

Highway 17

Hestmannen, 571 m, a landmark used by sailors

Highway 17

Marker for the Polar Circle, 63 degrees, 33 minutes North. However, it moves northwards 14 m per year due to the steady change of the axes of the earth.

Highway 17

One of the many car ferries connecting pieces of Highway 17

Typical for the area - high mountains, forest at the lower level, and small farms at the sea level.

Highway 17

View across the fjord

Highway 17

One of several catamaran passenger ships serving the coastal comunities

Highway 17

One of several bridges connection parts of Hw17

Highway 17

Check your eyesight before continue driving!

Highway 17

Morning sun across the mountains.

Highway 17

Television tower on an island.

Highway 17

The mountains are bare almost from sea level due to the climate.

Highway 17

Montain dome created when this part of the earth was formed.

Highway 17

Two lonely houses, with a planted forest at sea level.

Highway 17

Typical view along the coastline.

Highway 17

Wiev Westwards towards Vega Island.

Highway 17

Ferry terminal and an habour for fishing boats and pleasure crafts.

Highway 17

The que waiting for the ferry to arrive.

Highway 17

High tide and sea on Vega.

Highway 17

A sheltered inlet with the harbour for a fishing boat.

Highway 17

Rooms for rent to tourist fihermen.

Highway 17

A view from Vega facing north towards othe mountainous islands in the distance.

Highway 17

The climate here on the island is good for wild blackberries.

Highway 17

Delerict boathose, with the only mountain on Vega as a backdrop.

Highway 17

Only the fondations of the barn is left standing.

Highway 17

This earth cellar is more sturdy.

Highway 17

The shoreline rocks are polished by the big waves fromthe ocean.

Highway 17

The home of a fisherman, and his boat used for coastal fishing. Offshore fishing require much bigger boats.

Highway 17

An old, traditional fishing boat with mast for for sails among several other types of small boats.

Highway 17

Shoreline at low tide.

Highway 17

Hills dug up by worms living in the soil, visible here at low tide.

Highway 17

A small shed in a barren environment.

Highway 17

A few houses with no space for agriculture.

Highway 17

Towards the open ocean in the afternoon sun.

Highway 17

A mountain pretending to be a volcano!

Highway 17

View of Træna, approximately 1 hour by boat from the mainland.

Highway 17

The main island of Træna, with Trænastaven - "Træna Staff" (338 m) and other mountains sheltering the community from the Western weather.

Highway 17

Træna is an active fishing community, and the harbour of ocean-going fishing boats.

Highway 17

Marker of the Polar Circle, the counterpart to the one on the mainland.

Highway 17

The local store sells food and everything the population may need, post office, as well as serves as an restaurant and a meeting place for gossip.

Highway 17

The church on Træna in a very typical building style.

Highway 17

The graveyard.

Highway 17

The original church built in stonework.

Highway 17

A lone house with of nature.

Highway 17

Tourists in kayaks passing by.

Highway 17

Ocean-going fishing boat.

Highway 17

A Search and Rescue boat supplied by a nation-wide voluntary organization. These boats have towing capabilities, and have saved hundred of lives along the coast.

Highway 17

An older style passenger boat, named after Haarek, a local chieftain living around year 1000.

Highway 17

A modern catamaran with a typical speed of 24 knots, serving routes among the coastal communities.

Highway 17

M/S Steigtind, with a speed up to 32 knots.

Highway 17

The "cockpit" is practical, provides ample space and easy living on the road.