Laukvik: Coastal Scenery and Fishing History

At the northwestern end of Austvågøya in Lofoten lies Laukvik, an old fishing village. The destination combines a distinctive coastal setting with architectural and industrial heritage; hikes and a longer cycling route add to the activities in the area.

Coastal setting with a fjord and open sea

The built-up area of Laukvik lies on a large beach, surrounded by mountains. It borders a fjord system with islands and skerries; to the west, the area faces the open sea. The beach, mountain backdrop, fjord and open sea provide different scenic settings to consider when choosing where to stay. If coastal scenery is a particular priority when planning your trip, you can use these features to get a sense of Laukvik.

Stangerholmen: trading post and fish processing

Stangerholmen in Laukvik is a historic complex of interconnected buildings. It includes a trading post dating from the late 19th century; other buildings are associated with fish processing from the 1930s to the 1970s. The merchant’s residence is an example of the Swiss style of the late 19th century. The interior of the residence, dating from the early 20th century, houses the principal work of northern Norwegian decorative painter Henning Welford (1852–1921). The site thus brings together architectural history, fish processing and decorative painting as distinct historical themes.

Lasteplassen and the history of ore

Lasteplassen in Laukvik preserves another historical trace: ore mining at Matmora and the shipment of iron ore between 1907 and 1909. Lasteplassen includes the ruins of buildings, remnants of a railway track and transport wagons, as well as a stone-paved loading area. While Stangerholmen is associated with the trading post and fish processing, Lasteplassen focuses on mining and ore transport. The two sites therefore highlight different aspects of Laukvik’s history. If you are planning to visit the historic sites, check accessibility in advance.

Hiking and surfing nearby

Thanks to its beautiful location on the outer edge of Lofoten, Laukvik is particularly well suited to hiking. A nearby option is a mountain hike over Matmora. Many people also visit Delp, in the surrounding area, to surf. The activities can be distinguished by location: Matmora is associated with the mountain hike, and Delp with surfing. When planning, you can weigh up your interest in hiking or surfing without confusing the two locations.

Road connections and cycling route

County Road 888 runs east from Laukvik to Fiskebøl on the E10 by Hadselfjord and southeast to Vestpollen on Austnesfjord, also on the E10. County Road 7638, Midnattsolveien, runs between Vestpollen and Laukvik. These details provide an overview of the named roads and directions around Laukvik.

For cyclists, the 68 km Fiskebøl–Laukvik–Vestpollen–Svolvær route follows Midnattsolveien and is considered scenic. It runs along the outer side of Austvågøya through a low-traffic area. The scenery alternates between beautiful sandy beaches and fjord arms. These scenic and traffic conditions apply to the longer route, not exclusively to Laukvik. Road and traffic conditions can change; check the latest information before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Svolvær, Digermulen, Eide, Henningsvær, Skrova, Kabelvåg, Laupstad, Brettesnes

Return to the main travel overview: Vågan.