Gimsøya


Gimsøya is an island in Vågan Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. Gimsøya is situated between the islands of Austvågøya and Vestvågøya in the Lofoten archipelago. The island has a population of 181.
The European route E10 highway passes through Gimsøya linking the island to Austvågøya by the Gimsøystraumen Bridge and to the island of Vestvågøya by the Sundklakkstraumen Bridge. The main population centres on Gimsøya include Vinje, Hov, Hovsund, Barstrand, Gimsøysand, and Årrstranda.
Historically, the island made up a large part of the old Gimsøy Municipality which existed from 1856 until its dissolution in 1964.

Geography

The southern and eastern part of Gimsøya is mountainous. The highest point is the tall Svarttinden. In the north and west, the island is flat and marshy, with the exception of the tall Hoven mountain. There are large protected areas in Gimsøya related to fauna and bird life. "Gimsøy marshes nature reserve" is located on the island.

Beaches

The north-facing part of Gimsøy has great views of the open ocean, and is a popular place to watch the midnight sun. Both Hovstranda by the camping site, Vinjestranda by Gimsøy landhandel and the smaller beaches are good places to see the midnight sun.