Nature and culture
The island kingdom of Vega in the county of Nordland encompasses 6000 islands, holms, and skerries.
In addition to the main island of Vega, Ylvingen, Kilvær and Omnøy are the only islands inhabited all year round. Vega and Ylvingen can be reached by car ferry from Horn and Tjøtta or express boat from Brønnøysund and Sandnessjøen.
Vega is a kingdom of contrasts. The Vega Archipelago is now inscribed on The UNESCO World Heritage List like the old wooden buildings ("Bryggen") along the harbour front of Bergen and the old mining town of Røros. This is much because of its wetlands with a rich flora and fauna.
The history of Vega goes back 10.000 years.
(See: Preliminary field guide to the geology of Vega) (pdf).
One of Norway's oldest settlements has been found on the island. Farming and fishing have always been the main sources of income. Today we even have a well developed public- and commercial service. Art, cultural activities and children are some of our most important developing areas, and for many years the municipality of Vega has among other things had a Children's Local Coucil and a Children's school of art.
There are many possibilities of examining our kingdom of islands. There is plenty of flat terrain, which is ideal for cycling. Vega is also great for mountain hiking and kayaking. Some of the trails are marked and you will find them on this map.
Idyllic spots are numerous. Vega has shallow sandy beaches at Eidem in the south, fishery harbours at Nes, Holand and Kirkøy in the north, rolling stones and a panoramic view in the west and green deciduous trees, bays and coves in the east. Vega also have two protected wetland areas - Kjellerhaugvatnet and Holandsosen - swarming with birds. There are also many possibilities for fishing in freshwater or in the sea.
Read about Guided boat ride and fishing in the Vega islands.
Off the main island of Vega another world of inhabited islands have existed right up to our days. Vega is an ornithologist' dream. Chief among the bird population are eider ducks, raised for their feathers - the houses built for them to nest in can still be seen, alongside lighthouses, fishing villages and dramatic landscapes. The tradition of keeping eider ducks as domestic animals on the islands is documented at the "E-house", a museum and visitor centre situated in an old building in the fishery harbour at Nes.
The old fishing villages of Skjærvær and Bremstein are restored and a restaurant and accommodation are available on the islands of Hysvær and Skogsholmen.
The Vega archipelago has one of the largest eider duck colonies in Norway. The small islands, islets and skerries are scattered along a shallow shelf surrounding the main island Vega. Here you can find rich varieties of birds, and human beings have to submit to the rhythm of nature. Most of this area is protected by law and intruding on the birds is prohibited during brooding season.
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