Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ARCTIC HIGHWAY
Mosjøen
POP 9850
When arriving in Mosjøen (pronounced moo-sher-en), along the E6, you may be put off by
the industrial face of this aluminium-producing town. Don't be. About 1km south, along
lake-like Vefsnfjorden, historic Sjøgata and a street or two nearby are among the most
charming in northern Norway and well merit a browse.
The town has a strong historical connection with the UK; in the mid-19th century, five
Englishmenimportedtechnicallyadvancedsteamenginesandsawmillmachineryandestab-
lished the North of Europe Land & Mining Company Ltd to provide timber for constructing
Britain's burgeoning industrial towns and cities. What was a tiny coastal settlement quickly
became the region's first registered town.
DECISION TIME
At Steinkjer, to the south in Trøndelag (
Click here
), those with wheels have a binary
choice. The swifter, more direct yet lightly trafficked Arctic Highway to Narvik? Or
the slower, even less-frequented, more expensive but more beautiful Kystriksveien
(coastal route)? If you can spare the extra time and cash, take the 650km-long Kys-
triksveien (known more prosaically as the E17) as far as Bodø, ferry hopping your
way northwards and perhaps detouring to take in a glacier and offshore island or two.
Unfortunately, If you're reliant upon public transport, going along the Arctic High-
way, by either bus or train, is the only practical choice.
Sights & Activities
Sjøgata
HISTORIC STREET
