Norway Lights

Norway, a land of enchanting landscapes and awe-inspiring natural wonders, becomes a true spectacle under the canvas of the Northern Lights. The dance of the auroras in the Arctic skies is a phenomenon that captivates the soul, and one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the celestial ballet is through a road trip across Norway. The lights are most comfortably seen in September and March.

If you want to explore the far northern reaches of Norway you should start your journey in Tromsø. Renting a car in Norway is expensive, so if you’re solo or with a partner I recommend renting a camper van as it combines your transportation and lodging. Companies like Arctic Campers provide cozy and well-equipped vans that allow you the freedom to explore the breathtaking scenery without being tied to a fixed itinerary. Norway is also particularly friendly to campers for two reasons:

1. Allemannsretten, or “everyman’s right”, which allows you to traverse or camp any uncultivated areas so long as you don’t disturb the inhabitants and stay at least 150 meters away from their property.

2. The plethora of rest stops and amenities provided by the government. You can find a map of these sites on the Norcamp website, and don’t forget to check out some of the spectacular public restrooms in the area. Just be aware that in the Winter and Spring some remote restrooms like the Gullsdassen on Senja are closed due to the risk of freezing pipes.

If you want a dense collection of stunning views the absolute must-see in the Tromsø area is the island of Senja. The island is often considered “Norway in miniature” due to the scenic diversity found there. It has a variety of geographical features found across the rest of Norway from rugged coastlines to towering peaks and awesome fjords.

To get hands-on with the aforementioned rugged peaks, it is worth visiting the small town of Fjordgård to hike up the deceptively difficult Segla mountain. The initial ascent until the saddle is a decent uphill, but the grade escalates quickly for the last stretch. Don’t worry if you don’t feel like pushing yourself for the peak as you’ll get plenty of stunning views once you reach the side of the fjord. A word of warning: traversing Segla during Winter or early Spring can be perilous without the proper equipment. In snowy conditions, having snowshoes is not just a recommendation; it’s a necessity. You can rent a pair from a shop in town, so don’t fret if you didn’t bring any of your own.

When hunting for the perfect spot to catch the Aurora you should look for large open areas. Sometimes this can be over the various lakes on Senja, and sometimes this can be in a fjord looking out over the Norwegian Sea. I drove along the coastal roads after a quick dinner of “stabbur makrell” (mackerel in tomato sauce) and found myself in the small town of Steinfjord. I kept my eyes on the sky for hours, waiting to see even a whisp of lights. Finally near midnight I saw a pale cloud of green in the sky that, within a minute, exploded into dazzling, mile-high sheets of light. The whole scene lasted no longer than ten minutes. The pillars of light danced first above the walls of the fjord, unbelievably bright in the night sky, but quickly moved out to sea. Finding a cozy spot to witness the majesty away from light pollution made the whole expedition worth it.

As the journey through Norway unfolds, the magical allure of the Northern Lights becomes more than a spectacle; it becomes a transformative experience. The crips Arctic air, the untouched beauty of the landscapes, and the ethereal glow of the auroras create a tapestry of memories that will last a lifetime.

Southern Stars

PATON