It’s miles from a vacationer hotspot, however the tiny settlement Nyksund has a captivating story to inform and various surprises up its sleeve. That is the story of Nyksund.
As you wind your approach alongside the slender coastal street of Langøya island in Northern Norway, it is solely pure to start to marvel. Certainly no-one lives right here?
With the frigid ocean on one aspect and an imposing, craggy mountain on the opposite, the ribbon of street feels precarious. You cross your fingers, hoping you don’t meet a automobile coming the opposite approach.
The sudden emergence of a cluster of buildings forward brings you again to actuality. Folks do dwell right here in spite of everything! That is Nyksund, a quaint fishing hamlet that has been deserted thrice in its storied previous.
Remarkably, this resilient village is as soon as once more experiencing a renaissance, fuelled by an sudden supply: a bunch of younger people from Berlin, Germany, searching for to rebuild their lives by respiratory new life into this once-forgotten place.
A Summer time Journey to Nyksund
On a latest summer season cruise to Svalbard, I took the chance to affix an organised tour from the port of Sortland to Nyksund.
The journey additionally served as a bus tour of the Vesterålen archipelago, positioned north of Lofoten. Between Sortland and Nyksund, there’s a number of scenic spots and also you get a really feel for what life is like on this a part of the world.
I might been as soon as earlier than on a analysis journey for my guidebook, however that was now a distant reminiscence. I used to be eager to return to see how the village had modified. The reply? Not very a lot. However once you look again additional in time, it is modified an excellent deal certainly!
A Video Tour of Nyksund
Whereas I used to be in Nyksund, I made this fast video. So, for those who choose to observe quite than learn, that is for you. Take pleasure in:
I hope you loved the fast video tour of this fascinating settlement. Learn on for extra particulars and extra images.
The Origins of Nyksund
When folks first lived right here is unsure. Written data have been discovered relationship from 1601, but it surely’s believed folks lived at this location far longer.
At this level, it is most likely a good suggestion to place Nyksund on a map. For those who check out the settlement on Google Maps, you may see how remoted it actually is. So, why did folks transfer right here in any respect?
As with many small communities within the distant north, Nyksund grew due to the bounty from the ocean. It should not come as a shock that someplace virtually utterly surrounded by water ought to have a powerful historical past of fishing.
Vesterålen is nicely positioned for deep sea fishing because it’s comparatively near the sting of the Norwegian Continental Shelf. This attracted eager fishermen to Nyksund, who have been in a position to put with the distant, uncovered location for the rewards given by the ocean.
It may appear arduous to imagine right now, however the village was dwelling to 800 folks at its peak. So, what went fallacious?
Nyksund’s Fall and Rise
Many guests to Norway hear in regards to the metropolis hearth in Ålesund, or the blazes that destroyed elements of previous Bergen. They have been devestating tales certainly, however there have been many extra picket settlements throughout Norway that suffered from hearth.
That included Nyksund. In 1934, hearth ravaged the picket buildings of the fishing village. Somewhat than rebuild them in wooden, locals took the unusal (for the time) step of constructing many in stone. A few of these stay standing right now.
Within the Seventies, Nyksund suffered the identical destiny as many small Norwegian fishing communities. Enhancements in fishing expertise meant that vessels grew to become greater, and the village’s small harbour might now not be used.
The Norwegian authorities carried out a pressured relocation, financially supporting the small inhabitants to maneuver elsewhere.
Many Nyksund locals started a brand new life in Myre. The larger village, simply seven miles away, had turn into a profitable fish processing centre. It was the third time Nyksund had been adandoned, and it appeared any hope for a future was now gone for good.
Issues modified within the Nineteen Eighties, when a bunch of younger German college students on a street journey round Northern Norway stumbled upon Nyksund accidentally. The group noticed potential.
Quickly, the group had began a social venture to ressurect the village. They introduced over younger folks from Berlin and different elements of the world to assist renovate the buildings, whereas on the identical time giving the younger folks a objective and selling worldwide relations.
Vesterålen locals, initially uncertain, shortly embraced the plan and joined in. Quickly, extra folks have been concerned. Run-down buildings have been renovated, companies have been began, and Nyksund took its first tentative steps towards a revival.
Nyksund At this time
To say Nyksund is now thriving could be an overstatement. However the village is dwelling to roughly 25 everlasting residents.
That is sufficient to make the village a functioning vacationer vacation spot, its essential supply of earnings right now. There are locations to remain in a single day, a few locations to eat, a small church, and even a second-hand retailer.
“Since we began to revive Holmvik Brygge we received increasingly more impressed about how folks managed to dwell and to work right here greater than 100 years in the past”
Ssemjon Gerlitz, Holmvik Brygge
A handful of artists and photographers now name the village their dwelling, working a few artwork galleries. A co-working house welcomes creatives and even has a recording studio.
For those who’re planning to go to Nyksund, attempt to time your go to to coincide with one of many numerous occasions or concert events held in the summertime.
Mountain climbing in Nyksund
Nyksund can also be an intriguing vacation spot for eager walkers. The village is the start of the well-known Queen’s Path (Dronningruta), a mountaineering path that winds its approach alongside the rocky shoreline to the small fishing village Stø.
Identified for its unimaginable views of the ocean, the path is a favorite of Norway’s Queen Sonja, after which it is named.
Expertise is required for this hike, nevertheless. The 12-15km roundtrip hike (relying on the route chosen) takes between 5 and eight hours.
Go to Norway recommends utilizing the mountain path from Nyksund to Stø, and following the shoreline path within the different path.
The right way to Journey to Nyksund
It’s doable to journey to Nyksund by native bus from Sortland, however utilizing it should take some planning. You may want to alter buses in Myre, and, relying on the day, you could be in for a protracted wait. Verify Reis Nordland for instances and fares.
So, until you are travelling on an organised journey or prepared to fork out for an expensive taxi, driving is the one possible solution to go to. It takes about one hour to drive from Sortland.
Whereas a automobile is important to dwell in Nyksund, you possibly can’t really drive into the settlement as a customer. A carpark simply exterior is obtainable for guests, and it is a quick stroll into the village from there.
Have you ever ever been to Nyksund? I might love to listen to your ideas and experiences within the feedback beneath.
