Language
News

Hauklandstranda visitor centre along Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten to open on Wednesday 18 June

Published:

The project is a cooperation between Vestvågøy Municipality, Nordland County Administration, and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA).

The glass facade of the building mirrors the landscape. Architect: Arne Henriksen Arkitekter AS. Photo: Ole Kristian Fjelltun-Larsen.

Haukland is a small village on the outer side of Vestvågøy, a detour from Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten. Here we find a sheltered sandy beach that has long been used as a swimming spot and recreation area.

Large wooden building with a glass facade.
The new visitor center at Hauklandstranda. Architect: Arne Henriksen Arkitekter AS. Photo: Ole Kristian Fjelltun-Larsen

Increased tourism

The increasing tourism in Lofoten is calling for more extensive facilities. A new service building is now opening at Hauklandstranda, containing a café, sanitary facilities and room for equipment for the activities offered.

The new outdoor facilities include pedestrian paths and a larger car park with room for about one hundred cars, four disabled parking spaces, nine motorhome spaces, and parking bays for two buses. The building as well as the parking area and other infrastructure have been established gently in the terrain to avoid major interventions in the vulnerable and unique coastal landscape.

Cafe with views of sandy beach and mountains.
Cafe with close contact with nature. Architect: Arne Henriksen Arkitekter AS. Photo: Ole Kristian Fjelltun-Larsen

Close cooperation

“In Vestvågøy Municipality we are very pleased to see that the idea and vision that local initiators had back in 2012 is now realised. Already then they saw the need for better facilities for visitors. After a re-start of the project in 2020, there has been good communication and close cooperation between Norwegian Scenic Routes and Vestvågøy Municipality, which has led to the opening of the visitor centre and the surrounding parking facilities”, says Sigve Olsen, Head of Economic Development at Vestvågøy Municipality.

Cafe with a view of the sandy beach and mountains.
The café offers a great view of the sandy beach. Architect: Arne Henriksen Arkitekter AS. Photo: Ole Kristian Fjelltun-Larsen

Example of visitor facilitation

Hauklandstranda is a government-protected outdoor recreation area owned by the Norwegian Environment Agency and an iconic visiting spot in Norway. It is also an example of visitor facilitation and systematic work on visitor management. The centre that is now opening provides new all-year facilities for both the local population and the many tourists visiting the area.

Several bicycles are parked outside the visitor center.
The visitor center has facilities for various activities. Architect: Arne Henriksen Arkitekter AS. Photo: Ole Kristian Fjelltun-Larsen

Norwegian Scenic Routes

In June 2025, it is 32 years since the Norwegian Parliament requested a closer look at the combination of roads and tourism in order to strengthen Norway as a travel destination. This became the start of a targeted investment in Norwegian Scenic Routes, with the NPRA as the driving force.

The result is an attraction with international appeal. Along 18 Scenic Routes from Jæren in the south to Varanger in the north, travellers get to experience coastal landscapes, mountains, fiords and waterfalls. The experience is enhanced by innovative architecture and thought-provoking works of art at designated viewpoints and rest areas.

Architect: Arne Henriksen Arkitekter AS
Contracting client: Vestvågøy Municipality
Project manager: Ivan Pirojkov/ Ove Berg
Engineering design: NPRA
Contractor: Thore Magnussen og Sønn AS