“Autumn is the best time of the year”, say locals in Northern Norway about the Arctic autumn.
The locals love the flaming autumn colors dressing the landscape, the crystal waters, the fresh, nippy air allowing you to see far.
As evening darkness is back, the locals light candles, sit around the campfire and gaze up at the stars. And, out of nowhere, the Northern Lights appear.
Quiet at first, but soon rising to a grand overture to the Northern Lights season. The experience is so different from the mid-winter auroras.
Autumn days invite to hikes, to kayaking, boat rides and mountain biking – and dogsledding on wheels for natural speed.
The locals are crazy about wild berries and mushrooms. Restaurants serve crispy veg from northern farms, mutton flavored by summer herbs, succulent seafood from colder waters and the sought-after sweet berries.
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Related: Tourist Board of Northern Norway Adopts Sustainable Marketing Guidelines to Promote Responsible Tourism
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A Local Favourite
Autumn is a cherished season by locals in Northern Norway, not only for its vibrant colors, but also for the quiet return of everyday life. This time of year is ideal for hiking amidst the stunning autumn palette, with clear waters and fresh air providing exceptional visibility. As the people of Northern Norway settle back into their routines after a busy summer, travelers have the unique opportunity to experience how Nordland residents live, and their way of life.
“Autumn in Northern Norway presents a feast for the senses, with dark evenings unveiling one of the season’s best-kept secrets: the Northern Lights”, according to Siw Sandvik, Leader of Communication and Marketing at the Northern Norway Tourism Board.
Differing from the mid-winter auroras, the end of September and beginning of October is usually the best time to experience the Northern Lights due to usually stronger auroras. The fall equinox creates a unique magnetic effect, enhancing aurora activity. Sandvik highlights this unique experience and the whole science behind it, inviting visitors to embrace the tranquility, culture, and rich natural offerings of the region during this time of year.
Experience the region’s natural wonders without the crowds
The campaign underscores significant investments aimed at enhancing the autumn experience. These include the bolstering of infrastructure for outdoor pursuits, the refinement of facilities for optimal Northern Lights viewing, and the introduction of innovative culinary experiences showcasing the region’s rich bounty of local produce.
“The campaign presents a multitude of experiences designed to fully embrace the unique offerings of the season. From the enchanting dance of the Northern Lights to the thrilling display of storm-watching along the rugged coast, each activity promises an unforgettable adventure”, Sandvik explains.
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Season, Weather and Climate in Northern Norway
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Autumn is the best time to see far
After a buzzing, hectic summer, nature slows down in autumn. The crisp air bites your fingertips. Summer haze and biting bugs have all gone; from a viewpoint, you can see a long way. In streams and lakes, life has quietened, so the water is crystal clear, shining in the low light. Autumn is a time for horizons.
Autumn is the best time to sense
Autumn is decay: crumbling undergrowth, withering flowers, seeds ripening and falling to the ground. Aspens turn lemony yellow, birches become ochre, and rowans range from red through orange and yellow to a striking violet shade. Then, on a stormy night, it all blows away. We are left with dry straws blowing in the autumn wind. Leaves on the ground are strewn with crystals from the first frost. Rowan berries await the birds’ feast.
Autumn is the best time to look up
Timid at first, Aurora borealis makes her first small performances in August, striving to outdo the reds and golds of the sunset. By early September, Aurora can dance the night away for hours. Before the autumn equinox, the sun and the planet align harmoniously, opening doors for direct energy from the sun. Electric blue, baby pink, deep purple. The Northern Lights season is here, with more to come.
Autumn is the best time to put on your hiking shoes
The crisp autumn air invigorates. Paths lead into colorful forests, along clean and clear streams, up onto the moors and to impressive viewpoints. Those that allow you to see far, across clear lakes and fjords, to distant mountains or the endless horizon of the Atlantic. The sun sits lower, casting a golden hue over the landscape, or autumn rain drips off decaying vegetation. Take a deep breath and embrace it all.
Autumn is the best time to have two desserts
Autumn is abundance. Colder waters make shells and crabs firm yet succulent. On tussocks in dry areas, lingonberries ripen into a rich ruby colour. This year’s lambs have roamed herb-filled mountain pastures and heather all summer. The reindeer have enjoyed a lazy summer on the coast. It’s time to harvest succulent carrots, small yellow turnips, new potatoes, currants, and fragrant herbs from the garden. It all becomes a feast for the palate.
Autumn is the best time to be together
When you haven’t seen dusk and darkness for a while, you welcome it. All of a sudden, it’s time for that feeling of “kos”; lighting candles, placing comforting tidbits on the table, and simply being together. Around café tables, candles flicker, conversations pick up, and the mood is mellow. Time to talk. Thethe loud craziness of summer is no more.
Autumn is the best time to be alone
Autumn evenings are deep blue. Perhaps you feel a bit blue too. It’s perfectly fine to sink into the sofa, gaze at the moon and stars, or watch the rain streaming down your window. Summer has faded, winter and darkness lie ahead. Time to think. To reflect. Autumn signifies change.
“Arctic Autumn” is a new campaign from the Northern Norway Tourism Board The initiative highlights the mesmerizing shoulder season from September to November, showcasing the region’s stunning autumn scenery and distinctive experiences.
Arctic Autumn, based on a press release from the Northern Norway Tourism Board
Feature image (on top): Photo by Reiner Schaufler
All images © nordnorge.com, if not otherwise stated