Lauklines: an accommodation in the heart of Kvaløya’s fjords

Lauklines is located about thirty minutes from Tromsø, on the island of Kvaløya. Hanna and Andreas run six red and yellow cabins, known as "rorbu" in Norwegian, including three premium cabins that can accommodate up to six people.

Lauklines has its own little story, and I thought it would be nice to share it briefly.

In the 1920s, Håkon Nilsen, Andreas’s grandfather, settled here after a life spent herring fishing. When he became too ill to continue working at sea, he transformed the place into a small shop by the fjord with his wife, Halldis. The store and the jetty soon became an important stop for local fishermen. Unfortunately, a fire in the 1950s destroyed the buildings, but the family chose to stay and rebuilt the house that now serves as the reception.

The fishing activity continued for a few more decades before fading out. In the late 1990s, it was finally Andreas who brought Lauklines back to life. He restored the old buildings and built the cabins you see today, laying the foundations for Lauklines Kystferie, which he now runs with Hanna.

Behind the reception, Hanna and Andreas have even kept a small space set up like a museum, with old fishing objects and tools from the past.

panneau indiquant la météo sur l'accueil du centre de vacances lauklines

accueil lauklines avec ponton au dessus du fjord sous les nuages d'automne

vacancier à lauklines sur les terrasses en pilotis au-dessus du fjord

ponton à bateau à lauklines sous un temps d'automne menaçant avec une legere eclaircie en arrière-plan

Authentic cabins by the fjord

With their 100 m², the cabins can accommodate up to six people, making them ideal for families or small groups. We were personally charmed by the wooden interior, the simple and authentic decor, and above all the wide opening onto the fjord.

From both the living room and the bedroom, it almost feels like being on the sea — as if you were on a boat !

Lauklines cabine premium jaune au bord du fjord à kvaloya en automne

rorbu rouge et sa table de pique nique au bord du fjord à Lauklines

lauklines et ses six rorbu rouges et jaunes au bord du fjord

intérieur du salon des cabines de Lauklines à kvaloya proche de tromso, décoration cocooning en bois

un homme regarde à travers la fenêtre de la cabine Lauklines avec un thé en automne

deux personnes boivent le thé sur une table de pique-nique de l'hébergement lauklines sur la terrasse

décoration intérieure de lauklines avec vase et bougie

Experiencing autumn in Kvaløya: light, colours and ever-changing weather

We stayed in Lauklines in October and absolutely loved this time of year. There are very few tourists, and the colours are incredible. Warm orange tones blend with the first snowfalls — a mix that’s just wonderful to witness.

The weather changes constantly, and you can go from rain or snow to a beautiful sun in just a few minutes. Honestly, I’ve never seen anything quite like it — even compared to the mountains or the coast of Brittany ! It’s impressive, and really beautiful to watch.

Another advantage of coming at this time of year is, of course, the Northern Lights. On our very first evening, we were offered a beautiful show of auroras dancing above the fjord — a memorable moment of our stay.

aurores boréales à lauklines au dessus des cabines jaunes

pluie et soleil au-dessus de maisons norvégiennes de sommaroy au bord du fjord

randonneuse sur une plage de sommaroy en norvege

rorbu rouge au bord du fjord avec arc-en-ciel et nuages menaçants en automne

rorbu jaune au bord d'une plage à l'eau turquoise à kvaloya proche de tromso sous la neige

Exploring Kvaløya while staying at Lauklines

Lauklines is ideally located for exploring the surrounding area.

Andreas knows the region like the back of his hand and will happily recommend the most beautiful places not to miss. Here are a few of our favourites:

Sommarøy
Kattfjordvatnet Lake
Ersfjordbotn
Grøtfjord
Tromvik
Kvaløyvågen

fjord norvégiens avec neige et couleurs d'automne à kvaloya proche de tromso

cascade à kvaloya avec les feuilles oranges d'automne

lac Kattfjordvatnet en automne avec un petit cours d'eau et la montagne enneigée en arrière plan

randonneur en automne sur un sentier à kvaloya

route de kvaloya avec des panneaux indiquants de faire attention aux reines et élans

reine en norvege à kvaloya sous la pluie

Discovering Kvaløya with Explore the Arctic

Lauklines also offers activities in partnership with Marcus and the rest of the Explore the Arctic team. It’s a small local company that focuses on small-group excursions to discover Kvaløya and its fjords.

Why choose Explore the Arctic: flexibility, small groups and local guides

With Explore the Arctic, activities are carried out in small groups, with a maximum of six people.

Marcus explained to us that on Kvaløya, the weather can change from one moment to the next, and that flexibility is essential. Excursions are therefore scheduled at the best time of day, and if needed, shifted to another day to make the most of the conditions.

This is a completely different approach from large tourist companies that run activities with huge groups and keep activities going no matter the weather.

The team is made up of local guides who know every corner of the area, as well as the stories and traditions of the region. They adapt each activity to the group’s rhythm, making the experience more personal and tailored. By booking with them, you support a local company and discover the territory through the eyes of the people who live here.

bateau de peche à côté du ponton à lauklines en norvege

bateau de pecheur explore the arcitc avec pecheurs en combinais orange

Activities you can enjoy in autumn around Lauklines

Explore the Arctic offers a wide range of outdoor activities. The great thing about autumn is that you can combine more “summer-style” expeditions with the experience of the Northern Lights at night.

Here are some of the activities available:

Boat trips in the fjords
Sea fishing or shore fishing
Hiking / nature walks
Photo road trips and exploration of Kvaløya
Wildlife observation
Northern Lights chasing

For more information, I’ll let you check the Explore the Arctic website directly.

When we were there, the sea conditions unfortunately weren’t good enough to go out by boat. Our stay was short, so we couldn’t reschedule. But I’m still sharing some images that Marcus was able to take during previous outings.

pecheur sur son bateau avec le poisson au bout de la canne à peche à kvaloya

pecheur au coucher du soleil avec explore the arctic

aigle à kvaloya dans les fjords autour de tromso

bateau de peche avec explore the arctic à kvaloya

Practical information for planning your stay at Lauklines

Do you need a car to get to Lauklines?

Lauklines is located about 30 minutes from Tromsø, and having a car really helps you explore Kvaløya freely. A transfer can be arranged if needed, but a car remains the easiest option for getting around.

How long should you stay at Lauklines?

We stayed for three nights, which already allowed us to discover several places around the fjords. But to fully enjoy the area, the atmosphere, and the Explore the Arctic activities, a week is ideal.

Where can you buy groceries?

There are no shops nearby, so it’s best to do your groceries in Tromsø before arriving, especially if you’re staying for several days. The cabins are well equipped for cooking on site.

What temperatures can you expect in autumn?

In October, temperatures are usually between 0 and 5°C. The weather changes quickly, but the cold remains manageable with good warm layers.

homme en tenue d'automne devant l'hébergement Lauklines à Kvaloya

And that’s it for our experience at Lauklines — a stay I warmly recommend, especially for the setting, the comfort, and the lovely welcome from the whole team.

A big thank you to them for this beautiful discovery!

For more information about the accommodation, feel free to visit the Lauklines website.

If you have any questions, you can leave me a comment below.

Lauklines: an accommodation in the heart of Kvaløya’s fjords

Norvège

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