Lyngen Alps

The Lyngen Alps (Norwegian: Lyngsalpene) are a mountain range in northeastern Troms county in Norway, east of the city of Tromsø. The mountain range runs through the municipalities of Lyngen, Balsfjord, and Storfjord. The mountains follow the western shore of the Lyngen fjord in a north-south direction. The length of the range is at least 90 kilometres (56 mi) (depending on definition—there are mountains all the way south to the border with Sweden) and the width is 15–20 kilometres (9.3–12.4 mi). The mountains dominate the Lyngen Peninsula, which is bordered by the Lyngen fjord to the east, and the Ullsfjorden to the west. The British climber William Cecil Slingsby was the first to climb many of the peaks.

The mountains are of alpine character, popular among extreme skiers. The highest summit is the 1,833-metre (6,014 ft) tall Jiekkevarre, the highest mountain in Troms county; Store Lenangstind is also a prominent mountain. There are several glaciers in the mountains. The Lyngen Alps are sufficiently high as to give rain shadow in the interior lowland areas east of the mountains.

Lyngen

Lyngen (Northern Sami: Ivggu suohkan; Kven: Yykeän komuuni) is a municipality in Troms county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Lyngseidet. Other villages include Furuflaten, Lattervika, Nord-Lenangen, and Svensby.

Name

The municipality is named after the Lyngen fjord (Old Norse: Lygnir). The name of the fjord is derived from the word logn which means "quiet, still, or calm".

Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms is from modern times (1987). The arms show a black horse of the local breed (Lyngshest) on a silver background. The silver color symbolizes the sea and fishing industry and the horse represents the local agriculture.

History

The Lyngen Church was built at Karnes in 1731, and was moved to its present location at Lyngseidet in 1740. In 1775, the church was rebuilt in its current cross shape, with the material from the old church used for a boathouse in Oldervik. Finally in 1840–1845, the church was renovated with a new tower, galleries, windows and panelling.

Lyngen (fjord)

Lyngen (also known as Norwegian: Lyngenfjorden, Northern Sami: Ivgovuotna, Kven: Yykeänvuono) is a fjord in the municipalities of Skjervøy, Nordreisa, Lyngen, Gáivuotna–Kåfjord, and Storfjord in Troms county, Norway. The 82-kilometre (51 mi) long fjord is the longest fjord in Troms county. It stretches from the village of Hatteng in Storfjord in the south all the way north to the islands of Skjervøy. The Lyngen Alps lie along the western shore of the fjord and the European route E06 highway runs along the eastern shore. The Kåfjorden branches off of the main fjord on the east side, and the southernmost part of the fjord is also known as the Storfjorden.

Media gallery

A view of the Lyngenfjorden

A view of the Lyngenfjorden

Cod drying along the fjord

Cod drying along the fjord

View of the fjord under the northern lights

View of the fjord under the northern lights

View from Rottsund, Nordreisa

View from Rottsund, Nordreisa

See also