Løkta

Løkta is simply a charming and very safe place. The island is located at the mouth of Ranfjorden, along the Helgeland coast in Nordland. The village’s approximately 110 residents enjoy amenities such as a kindergarten, a school, and a store on the island. Plus, there’s a free ferry to the mainland! The very first thing that greets you when you get off the ferry are two old liquor cellars from 1790, a visible reminder of the island’s former trade.

The island is perfect for those who want to feel secure in beautiful surroundings. There are no wolves, lynxes, vipers, or rats here. But teddy bears? There are plenty of those, much to the delight of the island’s children. They’re cuties!

For over ten years, children have delighted in the Teddy Bear Forest on Løkta. Here, you’ll find teddy bears. Hundreds of them. Some reside in the little teddy bear café (where sawdust-and-water cakes are on the menu), while others need to visit the teddy bear hospital and be patched up with masking tape.

Together with his wife Åsa, Finn Birger created the Teddy Bear Forest. And it all began many years ago with their then six-year-old grandchild.

«We have a small piece of woodland on our property, and the boy discovered it was exactly one hundred meters long. It was obvious – Winnie the Pooh had to live here. It was the Hundred Acre Wood!»

What started with one little teddy bear grew into a forest with hundreds of bears, small cabins for teddy bears and kids, and even a zipline and a five-meter climbing wall! Everything is free, and the couple lets the children play to their heart’s content.

«They completely immerse themselves in their own world, and it’s wonderful to contribute to that,» says Finn Birger with a smile. The forest usually opens at midsummer, and the bears reside in the Teddy Bear Forest until school starts in the fall.

Løkta Kolonial is, in many ways, the heart of Løkta. It’s a grocery store with soul, offering much more than just milk and bread. When the store celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024, the entire village was treated to dinner and a subsequent party at the community hall!

As «FisherGuy» puts it on Google Reviews: «Epic store. Great service. Cool store owner.»

The cool store owner is Halvard Mikalsen. He welcomes visitors of all ages. The store features a coffee corner where people gather to chat and enjoy themselves. In the summer, it becomes a self-service café; in this village, there’s trust that people won’t take advantage.

Løkta Kolonial is the place to go for groceries, fuel, a bite to eat, or just to meet friends over a cup of coffee. Every day, Halvard is visited by the local school children. The municipality pays for them to be served healthy and tasty meals (hot meals once a week and sandwiches the rest of the week).

«It’s fantastic, it brings life to the place,» says the cool store owner.

For sports enthusiasts, the local sports club, Løkta Idrettslag, is an active organization. They enjoy both large and small football fields, shelters, and a barbecue area. The sports club ensures the trails are well-maintained and organizes events for the local community.

The villagers also gather at the Youth House for fun and festivities.

«We organize Mother’s Day dinners, Father’s Day dinners, and good old-fashioned parties,» Halvard says.

There are many farmers on the island, and thus many grazing animals. Learning where food comes from is natural for the younger generation. The island’s primary school (grades 1 to 10) has impressive greenhouses where students learn to grow vegetables.

Løkta is ideal for cycling enthusiasts! It offers flat, well-maintained roads with minimal traffic. Benches are placed at intervals, allowing you to rest and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Be sure to stop by Trollskogen, where you’ll find a grill, a fire pit, and possibly other adventurers.

There’s plenty of fish to catch! A spot called Sundstraumen is renowned for its abundant pollock population. Over a billion liters of water flow through here daily, making it a paradise for fish – and fishermen.

Løkta is also home to a diverse bird population. Occasionally, a majestic sea eagle soars overhead, and in the spring, birds flock to the island; oystercatchers, lapwings, curlews, golden plovers, shelducks, and many more contribute to the rich birdlife. Over 70 species of birds can be found on Løkta.