national tourist route lofoten

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Scenic route Lofoten

Along the wall of jagged peaks rising from the expanse of ocean

A drive through a well-established destination with magnificent scenery and a vibrant coastal culture.

Regardless of the time of year, Lofoten provides a journey through breathtaking scenery. The combination of the ocean, jagged mountain peaks, tiny sheltered fishing villages, and white beaches with crystal clear waters will never cease to enchant us. Many tourists have discovered that Lofoten is at least as beautiful in winter as in summer. The Arctic winter is the perfect time to see the northern lights, an overwhelming play of light and colour.

Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten runs between Å and Raftsundet, with detours to Nusfjord, Vikten, Utakleiv, Unstad, Eggum and Henningsvær.

Map of the route

Closed for the winter, rest areas and viewpoints, grunnfør.

Austnesfjorden

Gimsøystraumen

Gårdsvatnet

Torvdalshalsen

Eggum Artwork

Rambergstranda

Brunstranda

Akkarvikodden

Reinehalsen

Travel information

Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten runs from Raftsundet to Å [E10] with detours to Eggum [7724], Henningsvær [816], Unstad [7720], Utakleiv [7606] [7716], Vikten [7600] and Nusfjord [7596]. You can avoid using ferries here by driving on [E10]. However in several places ferries offer an alternative route. (Click on the ferry icon for timetable.)

By travelling with the Hurtigruten coastal express, ferries and Euroroute 6 you can combine this stretch of road with other Norwegian Scenic Routes. You can avoid using ferries here by driving on Euroroute 10. However in several places ferries offer an alternative route. To the south, ferries operate on the section from Bodø - Moskenes, Svolvær - Skutvik and Bognes - Lødingen. To the north a ferry will take you from Melbu to Fiskebøl.

For cyclists: Car traffic can be quite challenging in high season. It may be a good idea to choose alternative routes such as County Road [888] from Fiskebøl to Austnesfjorden, or County Road [815] from Sundklakkstraumen to Leknes. Use the local bike ferry between Nusfjord and Ballstad to avoid the Nappstraum tunnel. Book your ticket at ballstadgutt.no. Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten is part of National Cycle Route 1, which runs along the entire coast of Norway. From Bergen to Nordkapp the route also coincides with EuroVelo 1 «Atlantic Coast Route». The route is signposted.

Traffic and road information

Telephone +47 815 48 991

Traffic alerts in map (Norwegian only) Traffic alerts in telephone app (Norwegian only)

Map information

Gpx file download for gps and navigation app. In this file, the direction of travel is from Å to Raftsundet. Gpx files for all Scenic Routes . Any alternative driving pattern must be adapted by the users themselves.

Information

Emptying toilets from motorhomes and caravans is not permitted in our toilets. The facility is not designed for such use. The nearest dump stations are at Reine, Hamnøy, Ramberg, Leknes, Lyngvær, Svolvær, Austnesfjorden and Torvdalshalsen.

Experiences

It is easy to travel by car or bicycle in Lofoten. There is a variety of options and most are close and easily accessible. It is almost “mandatory” to try your hand at the Lofoten cod fishing, or perhaps a sea eagle safari, a stimulating boat trip in a RIB boat, or you can go it alone in a kayak or go snorkelling in the Arctic waters.

There are innumerable hiking options and many of the trails lead up to one of the many mountain peaks. If you are not comfortable with high altitudes, there are also a number of hikes closer to the sea level.

The Arctic light makes Lofoten special. Whether you want to see the midnight sun, the northern lights or maybe the blue light in the dark season, Lofoten is the place to go.

Useful links

VISITNORWAY

The official travel guide to Norway

Map with information on sleep, eat and do

Ferry routes and timetables (Norwegian)

Entur - Travel planner

Travel by bus, train, ferry, metro and plane

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The 18 Norwegian Scenic Routes

Norwegian Scenic Routes are roads that run through unique Norwegian nature. Along the roads you will find artworks, viewpoints and rest areas with innovative architecture in beautiful landscapes.

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The Norwegian Scenic Route in Lofoten is an island hopping adventure through a towering mountain chain

The National Scenic Route through Lofoten runs through some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes, and is exceptionally beautiful. And even then you have to set aside time for all the detours: most of the best parts aren’t actually along the main road.

Your journey starts in Vesterålen

The National Tourist Route in Lofoten starts in the far south of the neighboring archipelago  Vesterålen . The elegant arc of the Raftsund Bridge offers wonderful views of the narrow sound, surrounded by 1,000 metre (3,300 ft) high mountains, but if you look to the north, you will also see the greener and more open landscape of north Vesterålen, and the 1,262 metre (4,140 ft) high spire of  Møysalen . This is a landscape of dark purple, craggy mountaintops that shelter fertile villages, pleasant bays and fjord arms.

Svolvær in Lofoten is a photographers idyll

The location of the Lofoten capital Svolvær is beautiful, with a profusion of small islands and islets in a basin edged by steep mountains, all overlooked by the Svolværgeita rock formation on the mountainside. Svolvær is a vibrant city, and with its cafes, excellent restaurants, lovely art galleries and great quayside promenade, is a photographer’s dream.

Kayaking in Lofoten – From calm to challenging waters

The lofoten cathedral, through the maelstrom to the refsvikhula cave, the norwegian fishing village museum in å brings the past to life, kabelvåg and storvågen are full of coastal culture gems.

Since 1898, the imposing bulk of Lofoten cathedral has been presiding over the road leading down to the old centre of the island kingdom, Kabelvåg. There are many interesting sights in this town, like the Lofoten Aquarium with fish from the Vestfjord, Galleri Espolin with powerful images from a distinctive artist, and the Lofoten Museum, with exhibitions about the Lofoten fishery and coastal culture.

Take a detour to the beautiful island Henningsvær

Henningsvær is scattered over dozens of islands under the craggy 942 metre (3,090 ft) high Vågakallen. We recommend a walk down to the breakwater for some photos of the mountain and harbour. On your walk, you can stop off at Galleri Lofotens Hus, with paintings of Lofoten when it was discovered by Norwegian painters, or Engelskmannsbrygga (‘Englishman’s Wharf’) with its glass-blowers, potters and candle factory.

Gimsøy and Vestvågøy are where the Vikings roamed

Lofoten’s golf course lies on the smaller island of Gimsøya, with a fantastic view of the mountains of Bø in Vesterålen. Further west, the landscape has a surprise in store: behind the massive mountain range, the land levels out into a plain in the middle of the island of Vestvågøya. The main sight there is the reconstructed  Viking chieftain’s house at Borg . Detours from the E10 are just as interesting: visit the fishing villages of Ballstad and Stamsund on the inner coast of the island and the surfing village of  Unstad  and viewpoint of Eggum on its outer coast.

Flakstadøy is where detours lead to fascinating sites

Flakstad Church in the centre of Ramberg was built in 1780 from Russian drift timber. Chalk-white Ramberg beach is impossible to pass without stopping for a quick dip. The detours on this island are also unmissable:  Nusfjord  is a picturesque fishing village with old buildings nestled between craggy cliffs, while  the blacksmith in Sund  makes beautiful wrought-iron cormorants.

Round the trip off at the outermost peaks

Moskenesøya, the outermost island in this long chain, full of jagged peaks, is like a spear being brandished at the Gulf Stream. All the settlements are concentrated along the inner coast in picturesque fishing villages with old buildings: Reine, Sørvågen, Moskenes, Tind and the village with the shortest name of all, Å. A boat trip into the Reinefjord will take you to the foot of those impressive peaks, while the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum at Å focuses on coastal culture. The Lofoten Toy Museum will bring back nostalgic childhood memories.

Jann finds Northern Lights in Lofoten behind the next mountain

Å is at the end of the lofoten road, go to lofoten’s wild side for the midnight sun.

Practical information on The Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten

Where is lofoten.

Lofoten is an island chain that sticks out from Northern Norway into the sea. The only main route that takes you to Lofoten first passes through Vesterålen and then from the town of Svolvær until Å on the last island in the chain.

When is the best time to visit?

Summer is a very popular time to visit Lofoten. It is common to see queues on the roads during this time thousands make the journey to Lofoten to see the stunning natural landscape under the midnight sun. Therefore, you can go along with the crowds or visit during the less crowded seasons of Spring and Autumn. A bonus in Autumn is that you might get the chance to see aurora after a long day of exploring.

Where can I get more information?

You can check out the Visit Lofoten webpage for all the information you need about visiting this exceptional mountain chain.

The Golden Age is vividly represented at Galleri Lofotens Hus

Lofoten gårdsysteri is the goat farm you never knew you needed to visit, the lofoten fishery is the richest in the world, see life in the vestfjord at lofoten aquarium.

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The ultimate road trip in Lofoten – Itinerary | Norway

On our recent trip to the Lofoten islands in Norway, we spent most of our time backpacking on Sordland,  the south islands. But we couldn’t leave without exploring the other islands of Lofoten and with the amount of time we had, we could only squeeze in a road trip to explore Lofoten north to south. What we love about road trips is the freedom to explore at our own pace, spending time at great sights and zooming past the ordinary ones. But, this time we found ourselves surrounded by such stunning idyllic mountain and seascapes throughout the drive that it made it hard for us to just move on from one stop and get to the next planned stop. We had to trick our mind and heart, which did not always work. So it actually took us 4 days to finish a stretch of 140 miles on the E10.

The lofoten National tourist route or E10 in short is the only major road that runs north to south on Lofoten islands and ends at the town of A. But there are lot of off roads that branch off E10 and we had our fair share of driving on most of them.

Getting to the Lofoten islands & renting a car

The most common way is to take a flight to one of the two major airports on the island, Leknes or Solvaer. Another option is to fly to Bodo on mainland and take a ferry either to Solvaer or Moskenes. Cars can be rented in Bodo or on the islands itself. Usually renting a car in Norway can get really tough on the wallet,  on the islands it gets even more pricier. Many people rent it either in Sweden or mainland Norway and take the ferry to get to Lofoten. We by some stroke of luck found a good deal with rent a car moskenes . The cars aren’t the newest, so are a little cheaper but are usually in great condition. They are a locally run business and were extremely helpful and flexible with pick up and drop off times. For us the added advantage was that the rental office was right outside the ferry terminal in Moskenes. Read on for our travelogue on the road.

Village of A

We started the drive from south to north and what better than to start chronologically from the village of A. This fishing village is the last motorable road on the island of Moskenesoya. The next islands. Vaeroy and Rost both require a ferry from Moskenes. The port of Moskenes is itself stunningly beautiful and makes for a great picnic stop watching the ferry boats come in and leave, which actually is only a few times a day. Most other times the port is idle and the calm waters reflect the mountains that meticulously frame the cute little port.

Most imaginations of a great Lofoten holiday are based out of Reine. This cute town is dotted with the famous red fishing homes called rorbuer. These houses are perched on the edge of water while majestic cliffs that rise straight out of the sea form a background that can’t be matched. Make sure you stop at the cafe next to Reine church for a bite or two of their scrumptious cakes. We made it a day long stop and hiked to the  top of Reinebringen for the best views.

We then stayed back for another day to explore the fjords. The Kjerkfjord lying right behind the town of Reine is not accessible by the road. We kayaked in the midnight through this fjord at our own pace watching the sun paint the sky in a vivid orange hue that lasted for hours. Its also possible to take a ferry that shuttles between Reine and the village of Vindstadt. Its  a great way to take in the beauty of the calm fjord and the laid back lifestyle of the Norwegians.

Driving in Norway you can’t help but marvel at the great mix of modern architecture and the striking beauty of the fjords. This can be best seen at Hamnoy where E10 connects the tiny islands like pearls on a string.

A diversion we highly recommend from here is to the village of Ferdvang. We passed by two iconic bridges which can easily get anyone thinking they are on the The Atlantic Road which is way south but holds the same charm.  The sea stretches on both sides and the bridges curve and sway while the water below shines in a silver. This offroad ends dramatically at the Yttersand beach, a white sand beach with the turquoise blue water and the wide panoramas of the mountains striking the perfect balance.

Back on the E10 passing through Ramberg, we get to the island of Flakstadoya. Ramberg beach is one of the longest beach on the island and gets lot of crowds. While most people come for soaking the sun, there are also a handful who are busy kitesurfing. Just a few kilometers further is Flakstad. The Flakstad beach is our favorite beach to see the midnight sun. It is unobstructed by any mountains unlike most beaches on the Lofoten. There are also camping and public facilities available. A small cafe also serves freshly baked goodies and we loved their apple strudel. After Flakstad the road goes briefly inland tracing contours of a U shaped fjord. This part of the drive the fjord water is so shallow that one can see the reefs below effortlessly.

Kite surfing at the Ramberg Beach

A great side trip from here is to drive to the south coast and the village of Nusfjord. This best preserved fishing village, named the same as the fjord is a UNESCO world heritage site. The village itself has an eerily calm and serene mood to it. We spent our time sitting at the harbor and watching the tranquil water and the cliffs towering behind.

Arriving at Vestvagoy, the next island on the Lofoten we drove towards Leknes. Leknes, an urban town was our stop to get fueled up and stack up on food. There are also convenient stores, great restaurants and sports shop. It was kind of a breather after the stunning scenery that had our eyes peeled throughout.

Just outside of Leknes a road branching off from the e10 leads to Uttakleiv and a beach with the same name that had our jaw drop in awe. Another beach right next to it is Haukland with white sand. It is the one of the most beautiful beach on the island of Vestvagoy and is conveniently accessible by car.

Eggum & Unstad

On the northern part of Vestvagoy island, a lesser known gem is Eggum national reserve. There is a camping spot, a run down stone fort and lots of soft sand at the beach. There is a short coastal walk of 1km that leads to the Unstadt. Unstadt is also accessible by car through a tunnel so bare you can see the stones dug randomly. Unstadt is a local favorite for adventure sports with organized tours for paddling and kite surfing. The cute town leading to the beach has colorful houses that urge you to just call one of them home.

Eggum beach bathed in the golden hues

A coastal walk from Eggum to Unstad

Driving back on the e10 highway we passed by a bridge that connects the island of Vestvagoy and Gimsoy. Although this island is the smallest in Lofoten, it boasts of a golf course in the most secluded setting. We spent the evening watching midnight sun dazzle the sea from our tent with the only sound being of the crashing waves. We woke up the next day to the pretty meadows and fields of wildflowers. It  was very hard to bid bye to this place and get back to the road towards the island of Austvagoya.

Watching the midnight Sun grandeur at Gimsoy beach

Bridge connecting the Gimsoyland

Henningsvaer

Austvagoya island is also home to the town of Hennigsvaer. This charming port town has  a picturesque harbor, excellent cafés, pastel colored houses. For a taste of this quaint town head straight to the climbers cafe even if you are not into climbing. There  freshly baked cakes are out of the world and the atmosphere itself is electric and abuzz with. adventure enthusiasts. Take a stroll in the village or hike up to the Glomtinden. This short and easy hike offers a beautiful view of the town itself and the two bridges that connect the rocky islands, while the fjords and sea stretch in both directions in the backdrop.

Taking a stroll in Hennigsvaer

Svolvaer is the biggest town, the closest a city on the islands. This is where the casual travelers and adventure seekers come together. There is a famous boat tour to trolls fjord through a 2 mile long fjord where the boats almost kiss the walls is a thrilling ride in itself. There are also lot of challenging climbs around Svolvaer. The most iconic of them is to Svolvaergeita, where climbers can jump from one pinnacle to the other. We took a hiking route that allowed seeing climbers do the jump. We continued onto the devils window. E10 continues on to the island of Hinnoya, but for the lack of time we had to turn back.

Appreciating the view over the town of Svolvaer

A climber touting the pinnacles of Svolvaer’s famous rocks

  Read our other posts on Lofoten islands

Kayaking a craft in the fjords of Reine

Backpacking from sea to sky in Lofoten islands 

Best hikes in the Lofoten islands

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8 Comments:

Hey Leela. you have done great job here. thanks for such a useful information. Thank you! I am also planning the exact same itinerary in June and need your suggestions. I am coming from London to Copenhangen, stay 3 nights then fly to stockholm and stay 3 nights and then start Norway. I want to end the itinerary in such a way that i go to Reykavik for 04 days. please suggest me how should i go. i can spend 14-16 days in Norway but want to do the best possible itinerary. i love driving and so dont wish to do this bya a cruise. please advise. Also mention some very unique properties if you can. I am travelling with my wife with two kids aged 12 and 14 resp. they are more adventurous then me.

Hi Leela, good sharing on the Islands! Your pictures brought out the best of Lofoten! If dont mind, Can I ask which are the places you rest for the night everyday for the 4 days in Lofoten?

Hi Alex, Thanks a bunch! We stayed for 10 days and mostly used campsites in Moskenes, Gimsoy, Flakstad beach, Eggum. We also stayed at Munkebu hut for one night.The rorbuer in Reine, Hennigsvaer and Nusfjord are a good option if you are looking for comfort.

Fajnie gdyby coś podobnego jeszcze się pojawiło

Your blog is so great, thank you! Can you tell me what month you were there and how many days you’re in Lofoten islands? My husband and I are planing go to Norway in the end of Sep and early Oct. We like to visit the beautiful islands and hope to see the Northern lights too. Thanks again.

We went in the month of July for two weeks and enjoyed making the most of the sun being up all the time hiking, road tripping and kayaking. We can’t wait to go back when the sky will be full of stars and the northern lights. 🙂

we found your blog a lot awesome and I just wanna thank you for that. We hope that u keep up this perfect work!

Thanks Carel!

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National Scenic Route through Lofoten

Can I drive with camper

National Scenic Route in Lofoten is extremely beautiful E10 highway. It is particularly chosen driving tour through the top scenery that Lofoten has to offer. The length of the Lofoten's national scenic route is 197 km.

E10 starts from the north in Raftsundet which is near the neighboring Vesterålen islands. It goes to the south of Lofoten islands and finishes at Å town. It offers a trip among magnificent natural surroundings. The scenery is both gorgeous and deserted! National Scenic route runs through gorgeous hills, islands connected by fabulous bridges, wide valleys, traditional fishing villages and many more.

The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has developed this route for visitors for easier exploration. It provides remarkable viewpoints, services, car parking, outdoor furniture, tracks and artwork. Special characteristic of National Scenic Route in Lofoten is brave innovative architecture built in spectacular landscapes.

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• Properly plan your trip
• Be sure to check the forecast before your trip and prepare accordingly
• Pay attention to the path and stay on the road
• Take plenty of water

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Turn-by-turn directions, coordinates.

• First-aid kit
• Pack high energy snacks and water
• If you want to camp there, then tent and sleeping bags are essential

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Weather at the route's trailhead.

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The Ultimate 3, 4 or 5 Days in Lofoten Itinerary

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Planning the perfect Lofoten itinerary is a pure joy and an incredible addition to any trip to Norway. Far beyond the Arctic Circle, high up on the wild Norwegian coast, lies the island archipelago of Lofoten.

Majestic mountains pierce the skyline, plunging down onto white sand beaches, hiking trails weave through untamed wilderness, quaint fishing villages dot the coastline and a fascinating history full of Viking tales unfold.

Whether you plan on visiting during the summer or the polar winter, use this Lofoten Islands itinerary to make the most out of your 3, 4 or 5 days in the Lofoten Islands. 

Table of Contents

How Many Days in the Lofoten Islands?

7 primary islands make up the archipelago, and unlimited activities to take part in, so deciding how many days to spend in the Lofoten Islands can be a challenge. Because of how remote it is, it can also take up an entire day just to travel there, so bear this in mind when booking time off work and planning out your greater Norway itinerary .  

With 3 days in the Lofoten Islands, you will be able to explore the two largest villages, Svolvær and Henningsvær — the latter of which has become recognised worldwide for its football pitch on social media.

You will also have time to head out on the water to explore the fjords and at least one hike to experience some of the incredible views. There is also just enough time to squeeze in one of Lofoten’s jaw-dropping, pristine beaches and go horse riding on day 3. 

If you can spare another day to spend 4 days in the Lofoten Islands, you’ll also be able to visit the iconic Viking Museum and ride on one of the traditional wooden longboats. After delving into the island’s Viking history, we then head over to the Lonely Planet’s ‘Best Beach in Europe’ and hike up above it into the mountains. 

This cluster of islands off the Norwegian coast is one of the most beautiful places in the world, so ideally, you will want to spend as much time here as possible. With 5 days in the Lofoten Islands, you’ll have time to head down to the southern tip, exploring the town of Reine and the old fishing village at the very end of the archipelago, Å.

There is plenty to do on this side of the archipelago, including some of Lofoten’s best hikes, kayaking, galleries and museums.     

Getting To & Around the Lofoten Islands 

Take a look at a map of Norway and you will instantly see how remote the Lofoten islands really are. Reaching them is not as tricky as it may seem at first but it may take an entire day of travel, depending on where you are arriving from. 

The most efficient way to get to the Lofoten Islands is by plane. The most popular route is to fly into the major airports in Bodø or Harstad/Narvik Airport. From there, during the summer, you can take a connecting flight to a much smaller domestic airport on Lofoten.

There is one in Leknes and another in Svolvaer. If you are travelling outside of the summer or plan on hiring a car anyway, the quickest and most dependable way to travel is to pick up your car from Bodø or Harstad/Narvik then drive across to Lofoten either via the ferry or the bridge. 

If you’re coming from another place in Northern Norway, like Tromsø , you can also drive across the bridge to the Lofoten archipelago and avoid the ferry altogether. If you need to rent a car for your trip, you can browse Rentalcars.com to compare prices of major companies.

If you fly into Bodø, you will take the ferry across to Lofoten. This is a 3.5-hour crossing that can get rough and wild in bad weather. So, if you are prone to seasickness, consider flying into Harstad/Narvik and driving across the bridge instead. The ferry does sell out in advance during the peak tourist months, so make sure to book ahead if you opt for this route. 

There are no train stations anywhere near Lofoten. The nearest railway is in Bodø. From here, you would need to hire a car to take the ferry. It can be a more affordable option than air travel if you are visiting from Oslo or Trondheim, but you will still need to hire a car so a road trip in Norway is unavoidable.

Whether you are bringing your own car or picking up a hire from the airport, getting around the Lofoten Islands is best done on four wheels. There are buses that link the islands but they are unreliable and during the winter, some only run once or twice a day. 

There are hundreds of hiking trails to get around on, including ‘The Long Crossing’ which traverses the Lofoten Islands. It is around 160 km, depending on added diversions and takes roughly 11 days so it’s definitely one of the longest hikes in Lofoten. If you are visiting during summer and want to ditch the motor, this is a truly epic adventure. 

3, 4 or 5 Days in the Lofoten Islands Itinerary

Now you know how to get there, it’s time to dive into our Lofoten Islands itinerary. To really make the most out of your time, this schedule is packed to the brim. Full of hikes, cultural centres, beautiful beaches and unique places to visit.

Because the islands are connected by bridges and driving times are relatively short between destinations, you could easily mix and match this itinerary to suit your plans whether you have 3 or 5 days to explore Lofoten.  

Day 1 – Svolvær, Trollfjord & Northern Lights

Svolvær .

Svolvær is the ‘capital’ of the Lofoten Islands. It is the largest settlement in the archipelago, so it makes sense to begin our Lofoten road trip here. Nestled between soaring mountains and a serene harbour, this charismatic town is home to a rainbow of fishermen’s cabins lining the waterfront.

Spend the morning strolling around the town. There are several galleries and artisan boutiques as well as a church, an ice bar and an aquarium to explore. 

Svolvær is often referred to as the adventure hub of Lofoten. There are several options for day trips from the town, but the most popular is the Trollfjord cruise. Trollfjord, or “Trollfjorden” in Norwegian, is a narrow fjord known for its dramatic sheer cliffs.

The main attraction of Trollfjord cruises is, of course, the breathtaking scenery. As you sail through the narrow fjord, you’ll be surrounded by towering, nearly vertical cliffs that rise dramatically from the water. The fjord is often shrouded in mist and fog, adding to its mystical allure.

There are several vessels to choose from: large cruise ships, fishing boats and much smaller ribs. There is also a silent, electric boat tour so you can hear the sound of the lashing waves and the call of seabirds without a boat engine in the background. 

The Trollfjord cruise can also become part of a longer trip out on the sea. Whale watching and fishing are popular day trips from Svolvær. You can see whales from October to January, but if you are visiting over the summer, don’t worry, there are plenty of other animals to spot and wildlife tours to join , such as seals and otters. You can also take this cruise that focuses on sea eagles

Svolværgeita 

Lofoten is one of the best places in Europe to go hiking. Towering mountains, pristine white beaches and quaint fishing villages often rolled into one hike. There are hundreds of trails to choose from, but one of the most popular hikes is Svolværgeita or “The Svolvær Goat,” which refers to a pair of distinctive rock peaks that resemble the horns of a goat. 

From young adventurers to active seniors, the first peak of Tjeldbergtind is easily accessible, and the path is well signposted from Svolvær town. From this plateau, you will be treated to the most incredible views, not only over Svolvær but across to Vestfjord, the high peaks of Svolværgeitathe and Fløyen. This hike is 2 hours out and back with 360m of elevation.

Beyond this viewpoint, climbers don their helmets and harnesses to tackle the vertical peaks above. If you are not an experienced climber but still want to scale the ‘horns’, you can hire equipment and a guide to take you up from Svolvær.

Dinner 

It’s no surprise that the local cuisine in the Lofoten Islands revolves around fish. Everywhere you go, you will see traditional outdoor cod drying racks, also known as hjell. The harsh winds and cold temperatures provide the perfect conditions for drying fish. 

The most famous dish, especially in Svolvær, is the grilled stockfish. The perfect golden seer on local cod, served with various vegetables, depending on what is available seasonally. For the best grilled stockfish, head to a restaurant that specialises in fish such as Børsen Spiseri.  

Northern Lights 

Experiencing the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, in the Lofoten Islands is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The dancing wisps of green, blue and purple glide across the sky, putting on a show for anyone lucky enough to witness it. The aurora are most active from September to March, so if you are hoping to spot them during your trip, you’ll want to avoid visiting during the summer months. 

There are several nighttime tours available , which usually include boarding a boat or a minibus to chase the Northern Lights to where they are most visible. If you are a camera enthusiast or want to learn more about night photography, you can even join a photographer on a guided tour. 

Of course, you don’t have to join a tour to see the Northern Lights. You could wrap up warm and head out to find them yourselves, but doing it this way, you may miss out on some of the hidden spots only the locals know of. 

Day 2 – Explore the Lofoten Coastline

Kabelvåg .

Day two, and it’s time to set off on our Lofoten road trip itinerary. Just a 10-minute drive from Svolvær, you’ll find our first stop, Kabelvåg. Kabelvåg is a charming coastal village known for its rich history.

It is one of the oldest fishing villages in Lofoten, with a history of over a thousand years. It was once a centre for the fishing industry, and remnants of its maritime heritage can still be seen in the historic buildings and docks.

One of Kabelvåg’s prominent landmarks is the Lofoten Cathedral, also known as Vågan Church. This Gothic-style church, built in the 19th century, is one of the largest wooden churches in northern Norway and serves as a cultural and historical focal point for the village.

There are a variety of activities on offer in Kabelvåg. You could discover marine wildlife in the aquarium, learn about the history of Norway’s coastal steamer service, known as Hurtigruten, in the museum or visit the art gallery Galleri Espolin.

Henningsvær

One of the most popular villages in the Lofoten Archipelago is Henningsvær. Recognised worldwide for its football pitch, surrounded by quaint fishing huts and dramatic mountains. It’s an up-and-coming destination, growing in popularity with new art galleries, artisan producers, cafes and restaurants opening every year. 

Located on the southern coast of the island Austvågøya, the village is connected to the mainland by a series of bridges, including the famous “Bridge of Henningsvær”. As you drive across, you are greeted by stunning views of the village, surrounding islands, and the Norwegian Sea. 

Like many places in the Lofoten Islands, Henningsvær has a rich fishing heritage. The village was historically a hub for cod fishing, and remnants of its maritime history can still be seen in the fishing cabins, docks, and the lively harbour. You can sample some of the fresh seafood in one of the cafes or restaurants. 

One of the best ways to experience the magical Lofoten coastline is by taking to the water. Paddle through crystal-clear waters, tracing the contours of rugged cliffs, hidden coves, and charming fishing villages. Glide beneath dramatic peaks that rise from the Arctic Sea, their reflections creating a mirror-like magic.

Whether you’re a novice or an experienced kayaker, there are several routes to discover around the coastline, from serene fjord explorations to thrilling open-water journeys. Encounter wildlife like seabirds and seals, all while basking in the awe-inspiring beauty of Lofoten’s coastal landscape.

There are several kayak rental shops in Henningsvær where you can pick up a kayak and safety equipment. Some of these offer experienced tour guides who can provide insights into the local environment, history, and geography along the way. You can pre-book some experiences such as this half-day tour or this evening tour.

You can head out on a self-guided tour, but make sure to check the weather forecast and wear appropriate clothing. It can get very cold out on the open water, especially if visiting Lofoten during the winter months. 

Henningsvær is also the epicentre for climbing on the Lofoten Islands. If you have a head for heights and want to explore some of the notable climbing spots in the vicinity, you can hire equipment and an experienced guide from the village to help you scale the sheer rock faces. 

If you are an experienced climber with your own gear, the most iconic routes in the region include Vågakallen, a prominent peak offering a range of climbing routes with varying levels of difficulty or Presten, an iconic granite tower that attracts climbers from around the world, offering both traditional and sport climbing routes.

Day 3 – Explore Gimsøy

After spending the evening in Henningsvær, we are now heading onto the next island in the archipelago, Gimsøy. Seeing as there is no major settlement on Gimsøy, it can often be overlooked and driven through on the main road heading south, but take the long way around and drive the coastal road to discover hidden gems, incredible views and our next stop, Hov Beach. 

Hov Beach 

Hov Beach is a coastal gem that truly encapsulates the essence of Arctic beauty and it is a must-visit place on any trip to the Lofoten Islands. Its soft, golden sands stretch along the wild Norwegian Sea, framed by dramatic mountains and rolling dunes.

Because it is not on the typical tourist route around Lofoten, it is a much quieter beach than those featured in days 4 & 5, so if you are searching for tranquillity, this is the ideal location. 

Horse Riding at Hov Beach 

Whilst you could simply stroll along the beach, leaving footprints in the sand, one of the best ways to explore the surroundings is on horseback. Saddle up your Icelandic horse to tolt (the Icelandic version of a trot) through the lapping waves. 

Whether you’re a seasoned equestrian or a beginner, Hov Gard Horse Riding Centre has a trek to suit you. Choose from full-day sightseeing treks to shorter beach rides or even Northern Lights tours on horseback. 

Låven Restaurant

After riding across the golden sands, you are sure to have built up an appetite. Hov Beach may be off the beaten path, but you don’t have to stray far to find a fantastic restaurant. 

Låven Restaurant is housed in a restored barn, offering a cosy and rustic ambience. Savour locally sourced ingredients in dishes that reflect the region’s traditions, including fresh seafood, reindeer, and Arctic herbs.  

Hoven Mountain

Perhaps one of the easiest mountain hikes in the Lofoten archipelago, Hoven Mountain rises up 360m from Hov Beach.

Despite the modest elevation and a gentle main trail, the views from the summit are breathtaking. The ascent should take between 1-2 hrs and is accessible no matter what your previous hiking experience. The trail is well-signposted and begins at the golf course. 

On a clear day in the summer, you can see across to the islands of Vesterålen in the north. During the winter months, the ascent will most likely be in the dark, but this is a great spot for watching the Northern Lights so make sure to pack a head torch and a picnic blanket.

The trail is well-signposted and begins at the golf course. Of course, if you don’t want to hike, you could always opt to play a round of golf at the world-famous Lofoten Golf Links instead.  

Stay in a campervan or tent at Hov 

If you are road-tripping in a campervan or travelling with a tent, you can camp at Hov Beach. Hov camping offers incredible views out to the North Sea, with open access to the golden sands and fresh ocean breeze. 

They have all the usual facilities, showers, toilets and camper services, along with a wooden sauna you can either book privately or enjoy in a public session. 

Day 4 – Viking Museum, Haukland Beach & More!

Lofotr viking museum.

Another 35 minutes along the E10, the main highway through Lofoten, you will be transported on a captivating journey back in time to the Viking Age.

The Viking Museum is centred around the reconstructed Chieftain’s House, a vast longhouse that showcases authentic Viking architecture and artefacts. With so many immersive experiences and historical insights, the Lofotr Viking Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives and legends of the Norse seafarers who once roamed these rugged shores.

Here, you can travel back in time to experience Viking culture, participating in activities like archery, crafting, and feasting on traditional Viking cuisine such as lamb soup and mead. 

The museum also boasts a full-scale replica of the Viking ship Gokstad (from the 800s). Subject to the weather forecast, the museum offers a 30-minute sailing aboard this ship, which is included in your admission price. In the event of bad weather, the ship is moored, but you can still go inside to explore. 

Unstad Surf Beach 

After returning to the present era, it’s time to head on to one of the most iconic beaches in the Lofoten Islands, Unstad. Here, you will find towering mountains, rolling dunes and, most importantly, the world’s most northern surf school.  

Lofoten is renowned for its consistent and powerful waves, making it a top destination for both seasoned surfers and novices. The surf scene at Unstad is well-established, with a surf camp and rental facility catering to all levels.

The chance to ride Arctic waves under the mesmerising Northern Lights or the midnight sun is an adventure like no other. 

Haukland Beach 

If you are not interested in plunging into the North Sea and riding the waves, head on to the next beach on our itinerary, Haukland. This beach holds many accolades, and as soon as you arrive, it’s not hard to see why.

It has been voted as Norway’s Best Beach as well as the Lonely Planet’s most stunning beach in the whole of Europe. Haukland, along with the neighbouring bay Uttakleiv, makes up a true Arctic paradise. Powder white sands contrast vividly with the turquoise Norwegian Sea.

Towering peaks and emerald-green hills envelop the beach, creating a breathtaking backdrop whether you want to relax on the beach, walk along the shore or set up a picnic. This area is also popular among hikers, with several routes starting from the beach.

If you want to view this picturesque coastline from above, the best hike is up mountain Mannen. 

Mountain Mannen

Rising majestically from the sea, Mannen offers an iconic peak to conquer. The relatively short trail meanders through pristine Arctic landscapes, winding up rugged slopes and moss-covered rocks. It is one of Lofoten’s most popular hikes and is a must-visit spot for photographers. As you ascend, the panoramic views expand, revealing the beauty of the surrounding fjords and dramatic coastal vistas. 

The entire hike takes around 2-3 hours and is accessible to anyone who is comfortable with a little elevation (around 400m). 

Day 5 – Iconic Lofoten Villages

Sund blacksmith.

Day 5 begins with a brief stop-off along the E10 highway. It may look unassuming at first, but the blacksmith museum and shop in the tiny fishing village of Sund is well worth stopping for. 

The original blacksmith who built this workshop, Hans Gjertsen is famous for surging through the crowd at the 1963 opening of the E10 road (also known as King Olav V’s Way) to present the king with a hand-forged iron cormorant as a gift.

Now, these metal birds, perched on rocks, are made here all year round. Stand and watch as the blacksmith bends and shapes the red-hot iron to create the long, winding necks of these majestic birds. 

You can purchase one of these sculptures to take home and place on your mantelpiece to forever remind you of your Arctic adventure.

As we head further south, the next stop is the picturesque fishing village that could have easily been plucked straight out of a fairy tale. Surrounded by towering granite peaks that plunge straight down into the Norwegian Sea, Reine boasts breathtaking views from every angle.

The iconic red Rorbuer (fishermen’s cabins) lining the harbour paint the village with a splash of colour against the dramatic landscapes.

Reinebringen Hike

One of the most renowned hikes in the archipelago is the Reinebringen hike. Starting in the quaint village of Reine, the trail ascends steeply, offering panoramic views of Reinefjorden, the red Rorbuer cabins, and the surrounding jagged peaks. The terrain can be challenging, with rocky and sometimes slippery paths, but the payoff at the summit is truly breathtaking. 

The entire hike is just 3km, but with 510m of ascent and a risk of rockfall, this trail may not be suitable for everyone. 

Stone steps lead most of the way up the mountain to both viewpoints. The views from the summit are truly breathtaking. It is a popular hike for good reason. On a clear day, you can see across several islands in the archipelago, including Reine, Hamnøy, and Sakrisøy, with the dramatic, rocky mountains rising from the ocean behind. 

The village with the world’s shortest name, Å sits at the southern tip of the Lofoten island archipelago. Pronounced “Aw,” this picturesque fishing village is steeped in history, with its roots dating back centuries as a fishing hub.

With only 123 residents, this quaint village is one of the best-preserved traditional fishing villages in Norway, with a history dating back to the 1800s. Characterised by its distinctive red Rorbuer cabins and traditional wooden architecture, Å feels as if it is truly frozen in time.

As soon as you walk into the village, you are welcomed by the warm, comforting smell of baking cinnamon buns. These sweet treats are one of Lofoten’s most popular dishes, but Å is where you will find the tiny bakery that makes the best cinnamon rolls, Nordlandsbåt. 

After sampling the local speciality you could explore the open-air Norwegian Fishing Village Museum or take a fishing tour from the harbour.

Å is the end of the road both literally and figuratively on our Lofoten Islands road trip. It may seem like we have come a long way, but the entire trip is just 2.5 hours of driving from Svolvær to Å. To return to the mainland, you can either drive back up to Svolvær and across the bridge or take the ferry from Moskenes to Bodø. 

Where to Stay in the Lofoten Islands

Henningsvær Guesthouse – Located in the village of Henningsvær, this guesthouse is an excellent base when exploring Lofoten. They have a great location for getting around the archipelago, a number of cosy rooms available and a continental breakfast available in the mornings. Click here to check availability

Thon Hotel Svolvær – Luxury travellers visiting Lofoten will love this sophisticated hotel in Svolvær. Perfectly poised for exploring all that these incredible islands have to offer, they have a range of chic and modern rooms available along with plenty of great amenities on offer to guests. Click here to check availability

Lofoten Cabins – Kåkern – These classic cabins located in Ramberg are an excellent option for those looking for a self-catering option while in the Lofoten Islands. They have a range of units available, all fully furnished and equipped with all you may need during your stay. Click here to check availability

Furu Hostel – Budget and solo visitors to the Lofoten Islands will love this highly-rated hostel located in Leknes. They have a range of stylish dorms and private rooms to choose from along with great self-catering facilities and convivial common areas to enjoy. Click here to check availability

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Lofoten hotels!

A true Arctic paradise, a trip to Lofoten is the adventure of a lifetime. The twinkle of the midnight sun, the swirling rivers of purple, blue and green Aurora Borealis in the night sky. Rugged mountains, narrow fjords and pristine beaches. Whether you have 3, 4 or 5 days in the Lofoten Islands, you are guaranteed to fall in love with the incredible scenery. There is nowhere else on the planet quite like it.

Are you planning to visit the Lofoten Islands? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

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About Neota Langley

Neota is a writer for The World Was Here First. Born and bred in Cornwall, she can usually be found with hiking boots on, ready to embark on an adventure. For the last 6 years, she has travelled throughout Europe in her self-built campervan with her trusty canine companion, Ivy. She loves exploring France, the Nordics and spending time in Alpine destinations.

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Travelling Without a Passport

Your Ultimate Guide to the Lofoten Islands

Welcome to a dramatically beautiful destination you’ll never forget. North of the Arctic Circle, the Lofoten region consists of a series of rugged islands off the coast of northern Norway . The picturesque archipelago is made up of four main islands – Austvågøya, Vestvågøya, Moskenesøya and Flakstadøya – as well as countless smaller (but equally enchanting) isles.

The area is known for its spectacular scenery, pristine environment and excellent fishing. Lofoten is an ideal place to travel solo or with a group tour, to see the magnificent northern lights and experience the midnight sun. It also provides a fascinating insight into Norway’s past and the fishing trade that plays a vital role in the nation’s history. But, before you go, we’ve compiled a list of everything you need to know. 

We love Norway, and we know you will too. It’s time to find your next tour to Norway .

How to get there

Yes, you can drive to the islands! The Lofoten National Tourist Route (the E10) takes you from mainland Norway to the Lofoten Islands via a series of tunnels, bridges and well-maintained roadways. Getting there makes for a scenic road trip, but if you’re short on time you might prefer to hire a car on the islands themselves after flying or boating in.

The quickest and easiest way to get to the Lofoten Islands is by plane. There are several airports on the islands themselves, the largest of which are Leknes (on Vestvågøya) and Svolvær (on Austvågøya). You can fly from the nation’s capital, Oslo, although you may have to transfer in Bodø, the mainland city closest to the islands.

You can catch a passenger or car ferry from mainland Bodø. The express passenger ferry that goes to Svolvær on Austvågøya is quick and scenic, but the car (and passenger) ferry to Moskenes on the southern island of Moskenesøya is your best bet if you want to take a vehicle. The famous Hurtigruten coastal cruise line also makes stops at Stamsund (on Vestvågøya) and Svolvær (on Austvågøya).

If all of the above options fail to capture the attention, there are many tour operators that offer tours through the Lofoten Islands that can save the hassle of planning for you while uncovering local experiences and meeting other like-minded travellers.

See Also: How to Enjoy Norway on a Budget

See the lights

Lofoten is hands-down one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. The main aurora viewing season runs through the colder months, from September to March. While there’s no guarantee that you’ll get to see this impressive natural light show, your chances here are good! Take a small group tour to hunt for the Aurora, or simply enjoy the display from town.

See Also: Northern Lights VS Southern Lights: What is the Difference?

Chase the sun

Visit during the summer months, and you’ll have the chance to witness the eerie beauty of the midnight sun. For several weeks, the sun never completely sets, casting a unique, golden glow over the islands that has to be seen to be believed. Locals take full advantage of the extra sunlight, with attractions and businesses staying open late. Try hiking, fishing or sightseeing in the wee small hours for a completely new experience!

Get outside

Whether you’re an adventure junkie or a certified couch potato, it’s easy to find a way to enjoy the great outdoors in Lofoten. Try a gentle stroll on Vestvågøya’s popular Unstad Beach (easily accessible by car), or, if you’re an experienced hiker, challenge yourself by climbing Moskenesøya’s Reinebringen for a truly spectacular view.

Lofoten offers activities including skiing, surfing, diving, boating, biking and horseback riding – and, of course, lots of fishing. Wildlife tours are offered on land and sea, and birdwatchers will be particularly impressed by the seabirds to be spotted in the Røst area, which even boasts its own annual puffin festival!

History and Culture

Evidence of human habitation in Lofoten dates all the way back to the Iron Age, so the region has a rich history to explore. Get hands-on with the islands’ Viking past at the Lofotr Viking Museum on Vestvågøya, home to a replica of the thousand-year-old Viking longhouse discovered on the site. If you’re feeling touristy, try their Viking Feast dinner. You can interact with performers in period costume, enjoy a meal and try traditional mead while learning about the islands’ history. And don’t worry – it’s in English!

The fishing trade has always been a vital part of life in Lofoten. Find out how locals lived in the past at the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum and the Lofoten Stockfish Museum, both in Å (yes, you read that right!) on Moskenesøya.

If you’re an art lover, make sure you check out Austvågøya’s Gallery Espolin. It’s dedicated to the work of celebrated painter Kaare Espolin Johnson (1907-1994) and his depictions of the people and landscapes of northern Norway in years gone by. It also features a range of excellent temporary exhibitions.

See Also: Should I Visit Norway?

Lofoten boasts some of the most well-stocked fishing grounds on the planet, so it won’t come as a surprise that its cuisine is all about delicious local seafood!

Make sure you try stockfish, a dried cod product that’s an important part of Norwegian history. A key export for hundreds of years, stockfish is even mentioned in Viking sagas. You’ll see wooden racks of stockfish drying outdoors in the fresh sea air – no preservatives necessary.

Enjoy a meal by the harbour in the picturesque village of Henningsvær at local institution Fiskekrogen, a traditional seafood restaurant renowned for its fresh fish soup. Rumour has it the Norwegian royal family are big fans. Sweet tooth? Try one of the legendary cinnamon buns from the bakery in the town of Å. Open since 1884, it operates as a demonstration bakery during the summer season, so you can see exactly how these tasty treats were made in days of old.

Where to stay

Tourism is an important part of Lofoten’s economy, so finding suitable accommodation isn’t difficult. Towns like Austvågøya’s Svolvær and Henningsvær can make a great base from which to explore the region! Check in to a comfortable hotel on the harbour, try a character-filled guest house or make yourself at home in an Airbnb. You’ll also find a range of hostels offering dormitory beds, private rooms and cabins at budget-friendly prices.

If you’re after something really unique, though, don’t miss your chance to stay in a rorbu – a traditional fisherman’s cabin. Built on the water’s edge, these cosy little buildings can be found all over the Lofoten archipelago. They’re mostly used for visitor accommodation these days and are fitted out in a variety of styles. Get back to basics in a clean, comfortable restored cabin, or go deluxe in a contemporary version.

With so much to see and do year-round, the striking archipelago is becoming increasingly popular, but it’s still far enough off the beaten track to provide a real once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Make sure you experience the islands’ stark beauty for yourself. Add a visit to Lofoten to your bucket list today!

Dreaming of Norway? Take a look at the most popular tours in Norway .

Amy Currie is a writer and performer based in Brisbane, Australia. She loves adventure, comedy and pretty much any pickled food. Check out what she's up to on Instagram and Twitter

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Visit Lofoten

– the world’s most beautiful islands

Welcome to our home

Lofoten is a place of contrasts. It’s a natural wonder with thriving local communities. It’s where mountains meet the sea, and where local businesses meet recreation. Lofoten’s distinctive magic lies in its ability to bring together everyday local life with a global interest in its natural beauty.

Lofoten’s untamed beauty

Leave only footprints

Where is lofoten, and how to travel here.

Lofoten Islands, in Northern Norway, have been voted by National Geographic as one of the most appealing destinations in the world. Located just above the Arctic Circle, at the 68th northern parallel, Lofoten basks in the ethereal Midnight Sun during summer and witnesses the magical Northern Lights from September to April.

Ferries and boats to Lofoten

Fly to Lofoten

Bus Connections in Lofoten

Drive to Lofoten with rental car or your own car

Things to see and do in Lofoten

Lofoten Northern Lights – Your guide to the Aurora Borealis

Ski touring in Lofoten

Fishing in Lofoten

Guides for planning various trips in Lofoten

When – Where – How To See The Northern Lights

Sauna in Lofoten? Here are some of Norway’s hottest saunas

Lofoten’s restaurants

The Legendary Lofoten Fishery

Rorbu in Lofoten – the perfect holiday

Tips for families

Lofoten with kids

The best family holiday in Norway

Family-friendly stays in Lofoten

Book Your Activities In Lofoten Here

Activities and experiences in Lofoten

Accommodation in Lofoten

The northern lights season is here.

Mountain safety

Lofoten is known for its majestic nature. And with it comes great responsibility. Learn more about safety in our mountains.

As a haven for epic summit adventures, we’re well-versed in traversing Lofoten’s majestic terrain on foot or skis. Sometimes, the allure of a mountain peak is almost irresistible. We understand the pull! But remember, it’s never too late to turn back. Safety should always come first in the pursuit of these tempting peaks.

Unique food experiences in Lofoten

Food experiences in Lofoten

Farm visits

Art & culture in lofoten.

Art and culture

Galleries in Lofoten

LOFOTEN ART GALLERIES

Dive into the past.

The fascinating museums of Lofoten

The History of Lofoten

Food Culture in Lofoten

Good to know.

Drone guide

Essential travel tips to Lofoten

How to be a “responsible guest” in Lofoten

Tourist Information in Lofoten

Norways Best Travel Destination

Lofoten’s four seasons.

Winter in Lofoten

Spring in Lofoten

Summer in Lofoten

Autumn in Lofoten

The Smooth Escape

Nature & adventure travel blog

The perfect Lofoten itinerary: 5 days on the Lofoten Islands

The Lofoten Islands in Northern Norway is a place of extraordinary natural beauty. It’s a wonderland of majestic mountains, deep blue fjords, white sand beaches and endless jaw-dropping views.

In this blog post, I’m sharing my 5-day Lofoten itinerary that showcases the most amazing natural attractions, hiking trails and charming fishing villages in the region. It’s one of the most beautiful road trips I’ve ever done and I’m convinced you’ll love it too!

At the end of this post, I’ve included a map where you can see the exact driving route for this Lofoten Islands itinerary and get a clear overview of where all the top sights are located. You’ll also find my recommendations on what to do if you have more than 5 days in Lofoten as well as my tips on how to get to Lofoten and the best time to visit the region.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links from which I may make a commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase.

Getting around the Lofoten Islands

The best way to get around Lofoten is by car. Although there is a public bus system, you’d waste a lot of time waiting for the buses and it would be difficult to reach the more remote parts of Lofoten. By having a rental car, you’ll have the freedom to explore more places and travel on your own schedule.

Driving in Lofoten is generally pretty easy and the mesmerizing views make it a fantastic experience in itself. The roads are well-maintained but some are quite narrow so you have to be a bit careful, especially in the summer when there’s more traffic. Lofoten’s main road E10 is a larger road, whereas the side roads are smaller.

For our Lofoten road trip, we rented a campervan in the city of Tromsø and also visited the spectacular lesser-known Senja Island on the way to Lofoten. We rented the van from a Norwegian company called Wecamp and were really happy with it. For more details about the van and what it was like to travel with this setup, read my post about traveling Norway by campervan .

If you plan to visit Lofoten in the summer like we did, book your rental car or van well in advance as they tend to get sold out pretty quickly.

Lofoten itinerary: How to spend 5 days in Lofoten

This Lofoten Islands itinerary starts in the town of Svolvær in the eastern part of Lofoten and continues southwest over 5 days. It takes you all the way until almost the end of the Lofoten archipelago and then ends back at Svolvær. The total driving distance is around 350km (217 mi).

Since we explored the Lofoten Islands with a campervan, we didn’t stay in any hotels but if camping is not your thing, I’ve also listed the best hotels for different budget levels for each of the days in this itinerary.

Day 1: Svolvær, Trollfjord & Torsketunga

Svolvær is the largest town on the Lofoten Islands and is known as the gateway to Lofoten. You can get there either by flying, taking the ferry or driving from the mainland. I will share more details about getting to Lofoten at the end of this blog post. 

Surrounded by pointy mountains, the town of Svolvær has a lovely harborfront with restaurants, souvenir shops and various tour operators. The main reason I recommend going to Svolvær though is to do the Silent Cruise to Trollfjord.

On this 3.5-hour cruise, you’ll be sailing onboard a hybrid-electric catamaran past spectacular coastal landscapes before arriving at the postcard-perfect Trollfjord. For more photos and details on what to expect on this beautiful cruise, read my Silent Trollfjord Cruise blog post .

You can book the tickets for the cruise online at Brim Explorer (the company that runs the cruise). If you use my discount code ‘smoothescape’, you can get 5% off your booking.

If you prefer something a bit more adventurous, you might want to take this 2-hour Sea Eagle Safari tour on a RIB boat instead.

After visiting Svolvær, drive west along E10, the main road of Lofoten. Stop at Rørvik Beach to swim in its clear tropical-looking water, visit the quaint fishing village of Henningsvær and do the nearby Festvågtind-Torsketunga hike – one of my favorite hikes in Lofoten .

If you’re in Lofoten during the Midnight Sun period (approximately from May 27 to July 17), round off your day with a visit to Gimsøy Beach on the northern coast of Lofoten. As the beach faces north, it’s an excellent place for watching the Midnight Sun.

Where to stay

BUDGET: FURU Hostel & Café   A cozy lakeside hostel with both dorms and private rooms, a sauna and a cafe.

MID-RANGE: Tobiasbrygga Stylish seaside apartments with rustic charm in Henningsvær.

Day 2: Eggum Beach, Haukland Beach & Nusfjord

Start the second day of your Lofoten itinerary with a visit to the tiny coastal village of Eggum to see its gorgeous white sand beach and wander along the scenic coastline. 

Eggum Beach had the clearest water we saw anywhere in Lofoten. It’s a wonderful place for a refreshing morning dip if the weather allows it. Here you can also take a guided kayaking tour to explore the fjords and islets along the coast. For more details on Eggum, read my guide to the best beaches in Lofoten .

Next, drive to Haukland Beach, another stunningly beautiful beach in Lofoten. The water here is such a vibrant shade of blue and the sand so white that you could easily think you’re somewhere tropical.

Haukland Beach is also the starting point of the hiking trail to the peak of Mannen (400m/1312 ft), one of the most famous hikes in Lofoten . It takes just one hour to get to the peak, where you get a breathtaking view of the beach below.

Finish the day with a visit to Nusfjord, a well-preserved historical fishing village on the edge of a small fjord. With its traditional architecture and fishermen’s cabins known as rorbuer , this place is like an open-air museum. 

To enter the village of Nusfjord, you have to pay a fee of 100 NOK, unless you’re staying at a hotel in the village. If you don’t want to pay, you can still see Nusfjord from a free viewpoint above the village.

MID-RANGE: Ramberg Gjestegård Cozy cabins with a kitchenette and a sea view, located on the idyllic Ramberg Beach.

LUXURY: Nusfjord Arctic Resort A historic property with beautifully restored fishermen’s cabins, an onsite restaurant and a hot tub with views of the fjord.

Day 3: Surfing, Ramberg Beach & Reinebringen

Kick off the third day with some Arctic surfing – a once-in-a-lifetime experience! You can rent surf gear or join a surfing class at Lofoten Beach Camp on Skagsanden Beach. This beach is ideal for beginner surfers since there are no dangerous currents or rocks. They also have SUP boards and kayaks for rent.

We went surfing here during our visit in July and it was definitely one of the highlights of my Lofoten itinerary. If you’re worried about the cold water, you really shouldn’t be! The head-to-toe wetsuits will keep you totally warm.

After that, it’s time to continue your Lofoten road trip and head further south along the E10. Soon you’ll reach the beautiful Ramberg Beach with its long strip of white sand and turquoise sea. It’s worth making a stop here to go for a stroll along the beach or go for a swim in case you didn’t get enough of these Arctic waters yet.

In the afternoon, visit the village of Reine. Tucked between dramatic mountains and fjords, Reine is known as the most scenic village in Lofoten. Because of that, it also gets very crowded in the summer.

Another reason you should visit Reine is to hike the iconic Reinebringen trail – by far the most famous hike on the Lofoten Islands. This short but steep trail takes you to the summit of Reinebringen where you’ll be rewarded with an incredible view of Reinefjord and the pointy mountains around it. If you’re visiting in the summer, I recommend doing this hike in the evening to avoid crowds.

Be sure to read my detailed guide to hiking Reinebringen to know where to find the trailhead, what to expect and what to bring.

Spend the next two nights in or near the village of Reine.

MID-RANGE: Sakrisøy Gjestegård A charming renovated manor house from 1880; there’s a shared kitchen, a garden and rooms with views of the sea and the mountains.

LUXURY: Reine Rorbuer Stay in one of their traditional fishermen’s huts that has been converted into a cozy rustic cabin – a unique experience in Lofoten.

Day 4: Day trip to Værøy island

The 4th day of this Lofoten Islands road trip is all about exploring Værøy, one of the furthermost islands of the Lofoten archipelago. 

To get to this tiny remote island, you have to take a ferry from Moskenes port in the morning. The ferry is free of charge for both cars and pedestrians and the journey takes a bit over an hour. Check the ferry schedule and start queueing several hours before the departure if you’re visiting Lofoten in summer to be sure you get a spot.

A must-do activity on Værøy is the hike to the Håen viewpoint. It’s an easy 3.2km (2 mi) hike to the top of a mountain peak offering a surreal view of the otherworldly landscape of western Værøy. I’d even say that this was my favorite view in all of Lofoten.

Besides the hike, you can also take a boat to the beautiful secluded Puinn Sand Beach or do a boat tour to see puffins. I also recommend going for a drive along the eastern coast of the island all the way until you reach the end of the road and see an abandoned airstrip. It’s a very scenic drive with amazing views along the way.

In the evening, take the ferry back to Moskenes. If you’re visiting in the summer, get to the port at least two hours in advance to secure your spot. 

Note: Outside of the summer months you might not be able to visit Værøy on a day trip because there are fewer ferry departures.

Spend another night in the hotel you stayed at the night before. My recommendations are Sakrisøy Gjestegård and Reine Rorbuer .

Day 5: Kvalvika Beach & Ryten hike

On the final day of your Lofoten trip, do the hike to Kvalvika Beach. Hidden between steep granite mountains, this spectacular isolated beach is considered one of the best beaches in Lofoten .

To get to the trailhead, drive over the scenic Fredvangskrysset bridges to Innersand village. From there, the hike to the beach takes about 1.5 hours. For a fantastic birds-eye view of Kvalvika Beach, you should also do the detour to the peak of Ryten that towers over the beach. This adds another hour or two to the hike.

After that, it’s time to wrap up your 5-day Lofoten itinerary and start heading back towards Svolvær. The drive should take about two hours.

Lofoten Islands itinerary map

On the interactive map below, I’ve marked the exact driving route of this itinerary for Lofoten as well as the points of interest and hotels I mentioned in this post. Click on the top left corner of the map for more details.

Other places to add to your Lofoten itinerary

If you can spend more than 5 days in Lofoten or you’re simply looking to add other stops to your itinerary, here are some places and activities that might interest you:

• Visit Lofotr Viking Museum – In this museum , you can travel 1000 years back in time and see how the Vikings lived. It’s the perfect place to visit on a rainy day.
• Go horseback riding – Explore the beautiful coastline of Lofoten on this guided horse riding tour with Icelandic horses.
• Explore Å – Located on the southern end of the Lofoten archipelago, the village called Å is the furthest point you can drive to in Lofoten (without taking a ferry). Here you’ll find both the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum and the Stockfish Museum.
• Take a Midnight Sun kayaking tour – On this 3-hour kayak tour in Eggum, you can witness the Midnight Sun phenomenon from the water. 
• Go to a sauna – It’s the best way to warm up on a chilly day. You can find public saunas in many places in Lofoten. Some examples are Hamnøy Sauna, Hov Gård Sauna and LYST Lofoten Sauna .
• Chase the Northern Lights – Between September and early April you can see the stunning Aurora Borealis in Lofoten. For the best chances of seeing them take a Northern Lights tour with an experienced guide.

Best time to visit the Lofoten Islands

The best time to do this Lofoten road trip is from mid-June to the end of September. In this period, the weather is the best, days are long and hiking trails are free of snow. July and August are the warmest but also the busiest months.

The Midnight Sun period in Lofoten lasts from May 27 to July 17. In this period, the sun never sets and there’s 24 hours of daylight each day. It’s a mind-blowing experience!

Winters in Lofoten are cold and have only a few hours of daylight. During the Polar Night period, which lasts from early December to early January, the sun won’t rise above the horizon at all. It won’t be completely dark though during that time and in the middle of the day you can often see beautiful pastel colors of twilight in the sky. From September to mid-April, you can see the Northern Lights in Lofoten.

How to get to the Lofoten Islands

The best way to get to the Lofoten Islands is to fly to one of the airports in or around the archipelago. The two airports on the Lofoten Islands are Svolvær and Leknes. Other airports within a reasonable distance from Lofoten are Bodø, Narvik and Tromsø. 

From Bodø, you can take a 3.5-hour express boat to Svolvær ( see the schedule ) or a 3-hour ferry to Moskenes ( see the schedule ) in Lofoten. From the other destinations, you can drive to Lofoten. From Tromsø it’s about a 6-hour drive and from Narvik it’s a 3-hour drive.

If you’re looking to rent a campervan for this Lofoten itinerary like we did, I recommend flying to Tromsø, Narvik or Bodø as there aren’t many campervan rental options on the Lofoten Islands.

Related post: Tromsø itinerary for 4 days

Lofoten itinerary: Final thoughts

I hope that this Lofoten Islands itinerary gave you some ideas for planning your own trip to this fantastic corner of Norway. It’s a destination that should be on every nature lover’s bucket list!

If you have any questions about this itinerary or about traveling in Lofoten, let me know in the comments.

For more tips and inspiration for planning your trip, check out my other Norway travel guides:

• Silent Trollfjord Cruise in Lofoten
• Best hiking trails in Lofoten
• Visiting Senja, an off-the-beaten-path island
• The most beautiful beaches in Lofoten
• How to travel by campervan in Norway
• Tips for hiking Reinebringen, Lofoten’s most famous hike
• How to spend 4 days in Tromso

Pin this Lofoten itinerary!

Why you should take a Trollfjord cruise in Lofoten

Visiting Senja Island in Norway: A complete travel guide

Tromso itinerary for 4 days: The perfect Tromso winter trip

Reinebringen hike: The most famous view in Lofoten, Norway

Hiking in Lofoten: 10 epic hikes on Lofoten Islands

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Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten

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Fortunately, there are still roads which are not simply designed to get you from A to B as quickly as possible. Norwegian Scenic Routes are beautiful driving tours that are a little out of the ordinary. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has created these routes for you to explore. They offer spectacular viewpoints, facilities, car parking, outdoor furniture, paths and artwork. Bold innovative architecture set in magnificent landscapes is a hallmark of all the Norwegian Scenic Routes. Along the Scenic Route through Lofoten, these are some of the “attractions” you will encounter:

Last updated: 04/05/2024

Source: Destination Lofoten

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Lofoten National Tourist Route

You'll never forget your first approach to the Lofoten Islands. The islands' tall, craggy profiles stand against the sky like some spiky sea dragon. The beauty of this place is simply staggering.

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Lofotr Viking Museum

In 1981 at Borg, in the heart of Vestvågøy, a farmer's plough hit the ruins of the 83m-long dwelling of a powerful Viking chieftain, the largest building…

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Foto Galleri

Stunning photos of the Lofoten Islands in all their brooding glory, most of them for sale, are the work of photographer Anders Finsland. It's worth…

Norsk Fiskeværsmuseum

This museum takes in 14 of Å's 19th-century boathouses, storehouses, fishing cottages, farmhouses and commercial buildings. Highlights (pick up a pamphlet…

Housed appropriately in what was once a fish-freezing plant, this is the ultimate place to chill out (perhaps with something to warm the spirit). The 500…

Lofoten Glass

Given the view, it's little wonder owner Cathinka Mæhlum was inspired to set up a workshop and gallery beside Kabelvåg's pretty harbour. Drop in to admire…

Engelskmannsbrygga

Here at 'Englishman's Wharf' is the open studio and gallery of three talented local artists: potter Cecilie Haaland, wildlife photographer and guide John…

Kaviar Factory

This fabulous art gallery inhabits an arresting, restored 1950s factory with a changing cast of cutting-edge temporary art exhibitions. The design shop at…

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Lofoten Road Trip I The Perfect 7 Day Itinerary

For years we have been dreaming of a Lofoten road trip. The Lofoten Islands in Northern Norway are one of the biggest scenic highlights in Norway. As much as we appreciated Norway’s south on our southern Norway road trip , a Lofoten road trip is a completely different experience . The nature highlights you can experience at every corner are something you would definitely not expect north of the Arctic Circle. Here you can expect imposing mountains, strenuous hikes, picturesque wooden cabins and, of course, powdered sugar beaches that look like in the Caribbean .

The water is so clear that you can see several meters deep down to the bottom of the sea. Lofoten Islands are simply beautiful and unique in Norway. A road trip to the Lofoten has always been our dream since we been to Norway for the first time. Only the extremely long journey from germany has deterred us for a long time.

We are Sabrina and Andreas, two adventurous travelers who never miss an opportunity to discover the world. Whether by plane to distant countries or with our campervan Bruno, we just love to travel. We hope to give you helpful tips for your next trip on our blog.

Sabrina & Andreas Globetrotters, Travelers, Adventurers

Lofoten Itinerary Overview

Campervan or motorhome rental in lofoten.

If you don’t have your own motorhome or campervan, then you will probably want to rent one locally in Lofoten. This makes most sense in Tromsø, since there is also a large airport. From Tromsø you drive about 5 hours to the Lofoten, so you should plan one day for the journey. If you want to rent a camper in Lofoten, you should check out Arctic Camper .

Wild Camping in Lofoten

The best thing about camping in Norway and especially on the Lofoten Islands is the possibility of wild camping. Due to the right of roam in Norway it is possible to camp in the middle of nature with your camper. So you don’t necessarily have to go to a campsite in Lofoten, but you can choose a wonderfully secluded spot by a fjord or directly on the coast. You only need to follow a few rules, such as:

• do not camp on private property
• keep 150 meters distance from residential houses
• do not stay longer than 2 nights at a time
• do not leave garbage

In general, however, wild camping is seen quite casually in Norway, although strictly speaking, the right to roam does not apply to motorhomes and campervans. Most campers abide by the above rules and so also the locals accept the annually increasing number of campers.

There are really many free spots in Lofoten where you can wild camp. Unfortunately, there are also many tourists who travel with a camper and also look for sites in nature. So it can be quite difficult, especially in the southern part of Lofoten, to find a free place to stay overnight.

You should look for a place before 5 pm, especially in the high season, so that you can still find one. Otherwise it can be quite difficult. We used the app Park4Night during our Lofoten road trip. Here you can choose from an almost infinite number of parking spaces. Most of them have reviews and photos, so you can find the best place to stay in Lofoten.

How many Days for a Lofoten Road Trip? 7 or 14 Days Round Trip?

We think that (provided the weather is good) you can see the best things to do on the Lofoten in 7 days. But of course it is no problem to spend 2 weeks in Lofoten. There are so many beautiful hikes and beaches in Lofoten that you can easily fill 14 days or more. But if you travel from Germany with your own car, then you will hardly have more than a week for your Lofoten road trip. But this is not bad, because the archipelago of Lofoten is relatively small.

From Lødingen in the east of Lofoten to the town of Å  (yes, it’s really called that ) it’s only 240 km for which you need just under 5 hours. You could even cross the Lofoten in one day. But then you have not seen much and have not discovered the numerous side roads and branches.

The Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten

There are not many roads in the Lofoten, and therefore not many possibilities to plan your road trip across Lofoten. But there are a lot of side roads and byways, which also offer great things to do. A very good basis for a Lofoten road trip is the European Road E10, which forms a large part of the Norwegian Landscape Route Lofoten .

Norwegian scenic routes are particularly scenic roads that lead through special areas and are wonderful as a basis for planning a road trip. The Lofoten Scenic Route corresponds to the European Road E10 and leads from Å to Raftsundet with detours to Nusfjord , Uttakleiv and Eggum. If you follow this route you can’t go wrong and you will automatically pass the most beautiful Lofoten highlights.

Lofoten Round Trip or North/South Crossing

If you want to make a real round trip on your Lofoten road trip and leave the Lofoten Islands via the same ferry port that brought you to the archipelago, then it makes sense to take the “main road” E10 for one stretch and to use the numerous side roads for the return trip.

This way you will get the most comprehensive insight into the nature of Lofoten. Alternatively, you can also enter Lofoten via the northern ferry port in Lødingen and leave again in the south via Moskenes. Thus, you do not drive any road more than once.

We would recommend you to make a round trip out of your Lofoten road trip and to leave the archipelago from the same ferry port. Driving the lonely side roads is especially fun on the Lofoten Islands and offers special scenic views. Since there are also many must sees on the main route E10, you will not miss any of the places worth seeing.

Where are the most beautiful places in Lofoten?

During our research for our Lofoten road trip, we spent a long time researching the best things to do in Lofoten and finding out which corner of Lofoten is actually the most beautiful. We can now clearly say that Lofoten becomes more and more spectacular the further south you go.

In the north of Lofoten (from the ferry port in Lodingen to Raftsund) the landscape is similar to the rest of (Northern) Norway and you would not even suspect that you are in Lofoten. By the way, the Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten also starts from Raftsund and here the landscape slowly starts to become really interesting and then also extremely beautiful.

The typical picture that most people have of Lofoten, you will find more in the deep south of Lofoten in small towns like Reine , Hamnoy and Å. Here it looks like on the postcards you might have received from friends. So if you have extremely little time in Lofoten, you should spend it in the south of Lofoten.

Our Lofoten Road Trip

In our Lofoten itinerary you cross the archipelago once from north to south and enter Lofoten at the small ferry port in Lodingen. You can also do the Lofoten road trip the other way around and if you want to spend more than one week in Lofoten, we have planned a few optional days for you.

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Day 1 | Ferry Port Lodingen to Laukvika

When you leave the ferry in Lodingen on the first day of your Lofoten road trip, you turn directly onto the European road E10. This road crosses Lofoten from north to south. After about half an hour, the Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten begins almost imperceptibly in Raftsund.

You continue to follow the E10 and turn off at Arnoya on the road 82 and then follow the road Midnattsolveien. This is much narrower and much less traveled than the main route E10, but offers some beautiful phot spots and landscapes.

If you want to see the Lofoten Islands from another perspective you can also do a cruise around the beautiful Trollfjord in this area *. In this way you can see the beautiful scenery from the sea. this is a total unique experience and definitely a must do on the Lofoten Islands.

Lofoten Island Trollfjord Cruise | Check Prices*

You will first pass the beautiful Hessand Beach, where are unfortunately only extremely few parking spaces. If you find a parking space, you can enjoy an almost untouched beach.

You drive closely along the coast and pass a rather unknown sight: Rolfs Bar . It is located right next to Grunnfør Bicycle Shelter, where you can also park your car. Rolfs Bar is not a real bar at all, it just looks like one, and a really rustic one at that. It’s an old, rickety wooden hut right by the sea, where visitors have placed numerous bottles of spirits and signed a guest book.

If you continue along the coastal road, you will pass the starting point for the hike to Mount Matmora (Google Maps ), which is a tough one with 1000 meters of elevation gain and a length of 17 km. Alternatively, you can also climb the Delpen, which is only 377 meters high. Today’s destination is the campsite (Bobilcamp) in Laukvika.

Overnight Tip

Location : Google Maps

Farmer Apartments Laukvik | Show Prices*

Day 2 | Drive to Henningsvær

Today we drive back to the European road E10 and there we pass the resting area Austnesfjorden (Google Maps ). It’s strange to recommend a resting area as a place of interest , but you should stop here and take a look at the view. From the parking lot, a short path leads to a hill that gives you a great view of the fjord and the surrounding mountains.

If you continue on the E10, you will pass the town of Svolvær, the capital of Lofoten . There is not much to see here. But you can take the opportunity to refuel and buy food.

Henningsvær

After a few more kilometers you will come to the first highlight of Lofoten, the mini village Henningsvær. The village has only 500 inhabitants and is spread over many small islands. Already the drive to Henningsvær is great, because you drive over some bridges high above the sea and the water is so incredibly clear that you can hardly believe it.

Shortly before the actual place there are already some parking lots, but you can drive past quietly to look for a free place in the city center. We parked directly in town on a small paid lot (Google Maps ), which you can pay very easily with the app EasyPark.

Henningsvær is a very cute little town with a nice pedestrian zone, a nice big harbor and many cute shops. Just park your car and walk a bit through the place to get an impression

The Soccer Field

But the real highlight – and the reason why most people come here – is the soccer field of Henningsvær. It’s actually a normal place where young people play soccer. But it is so spectacularly situated on a small rocky island that some people already call it the most beautiful soccer field in the world .

Of course, the field looks much more spectacular from a drone than from the ground, but you should still take a look at this sight from below.

Near Henningsvær there is Kabelvåg Feriehus and Camping. Here, as the name suggests, there are cottages and the possibility to camp. The sanitary facilities are new and clean and the site is beautifully situated.

Location : Google Maps Booking.com : Check prices*

Wooden Cabins

Henningsvær Rorbuer Wooden Cabins | View Prices*

Day 3 | Eggum, Haukland & Uttakleiv Beach

Today is a beach day and we first head to the secluded Eggum beach. Eggum is an extremely small village a bit off the E10 scenic route. To get to the beach (Eggum Picnic) you have to drive over a private road and pay 40 NOK into a mailbox. There is no possibility to pay with credit card here.

After a few kilometers you come to a parking lot from where it is only a few meters to the beach. The beach does not consist of powdered sugar sand as usual from the Lofoten, but of thousands of extremely large and round washed boulders. You can scramble around on the boulders.

Haukland & Uttakleiv Beach

From Eggum we continue to the famous Haukland Beach. Haukland Beach is probably one of the most famous beaches in Lofoten. It offers a true postcard motif with its powdered sugar sand and the mighty mountain massif in the background. Here you find the exactly 400 meter high Mountain Mannen, on which a relatively easy hiking trail leads.

From Hauklland you should take the hiking trail to Uttakleiv beach behind the Mountain Mannen. Here you can walk along the beautiful coast in about 1 hour to the other beach. The route is just under 4 km long and completely flat and is therefore suitable for everyone. The Uttakleiv beach is again a real Caribbean beach and spoils you with fine, golden sand and turquoise blue water. At Uttakleiv Beach you can also stay overnight with your camper.

At Uttakleiv beach you can also spend the night. You can simply choose a nice place for the night at the official parking lot. You can also pitch tents here. You pay 250 NOK per night and fall asleep with an amazing scenery in front of your eyes.

Beach Villa

Haukland Beach Panorama | View Prices*

Day 4 | Offersoykammen Hike

Today its time for the first hike and with Offersoykammen there is a relatively unknown mountain to climb. The Offersøykammen hike is nevertheless a very special one in Lofoten, because from the summit you have a spectacular 360 degree view of the numerous peaks of Lofoten and the Haukland Beach you visited the day before.

Offersoykammen is 436 meters high and can be climbed (including the way back) within 4 hours. The degree of difficulty can be classified as medium. Difficult is, however, that the hiking trail is not signposted at all and you should therefore be very careful that you take the right path and do not get lost.

You should therefore stick to the GPX route, which you can find in our travelogue for the hike . The view from up here is really fantastic and we couldn’t get enough of it. Especially because the mountain is not as crowded as some other hikes in Lofoten (e.g. the hike up Reinebringen ), we could really enjoy the panorama.

Wild camping at Myrland Beach

Just 15 minutes away, on a super quiet coastal road, there are several places for wild camping. These are located directly on the road, but this is hardly traveled. You walk in a few seconds to the beach and are at the beautiful sea. The view is also fantastic! What more could you ask for?

Wooden cabins Offersøy | show prices*

Day 5 | Nusfjord, Lofoten Road & Ramberg Beach

On this day you continue to the oldest museum town in Lofoten. Nusfjord was the leading fishing village in Lofoten until 1989 and was economically extremely successful. Even today stockfish is still produced here and exported to the world. But the main source of income is of course tourism. Today Nusfjord is developed as an open-air museum and can be visited as such.

You can expect Nusfjord to be a historical place, which is (in parts) also beautifully laid out. But it is no longer a lively fishing village with real life, but in the best and worst sense… a museum.

The Lofoten Road

On the way there you will pass an Instragam photo spot , the so-called Lofoten Road. You should definitely stop here and take a photo, because here the road runs straight towards the imposing mountains in the background and creates a spectacular panorama (which was unfortunately very cloudy in our case). If you also want to have such a photo then you should park your car here (Google Maps ) and then walk a few meters further to take a  (typical Instagram ) photo there.

Ramberg Beach

Less than 20 minutes along the E10, you’ll come to what we consider the most beautiful beach in Lofoten . This slightly curved beach is almost 900 meters long and you can walk along it and enjoy the atmosphere. The beach Rambergstranda is located in the small town of Ramberg and the atmosphere here is somewhat different and more urban than on the other beaches of Lofoten.

However, we did not find that negative at all, but felt right at home here. The only thing missing here was a cool beach bar to feel like on a surfer beach in South Africa. But of course there is nothing like that here in Lofoten, it is too pristine for that.

Lofoten Beach Camp

Nusfjord Wooden Cabins | Show Prices*

Day 6 | Ryten Hike & Kvalvika Beach

The hike up Ryten mountain is one of the most beautiful hiking highlights in Lofoten . The ascent of Ryten is truly a classic in northern Norway and is therefore also a very popular hike. Due to a new starting point of the hike (with a large parking lot), you can combine Ryten very well with the hike to one of the most beautiful beaches in Lofoten: Kvalvika Beach.

Mount Ryten is 543 meters high and is located in the southern Lofoten not far from the museum village of Nusfjord . The hike up this imposing mountain is one of the most popular and also most beautiful in all of Lofoten. Accordingly, you will meet many other tourists on this tour. But that’s not so bad, if you start very early and secondly, the view from the top is just spectacular.

From a viewpoint you look down to Kvalvika beach, which you can hike to, but you don’t have to. If you don’t visit the beach then you will need about 4 hours for the 8 km. Everything about the hike you can read in our travelogue:

Ryten Hike + Kvalvika Beach I Tips for Lofoten Highlights

Camping at Ryten Parking Lot

Double Room with Sea View

Double Room with Sea View | Show Prices*

Day 7 | Fishing Villages Hamnoy, Reine, A

Today you will go to the deep south of Lofoten and visit the most beautiful fishing villages of Lofoten . Following the E10 you will first pass the small village Hamnoy.

Hamnoy is located in Lofoten on the island of Moskenes and is a tiny village with only a few inhabitants, but a picture book scenery that is unique in Lofoten. Here you just have to stop to take one or preferably several photos.

The typical red Rorbuer wooden huts can be found here and are extremely picturesque against a great mountain backdrop. More than stopping to take the obligatory photos is not possible in Hamnoy. This place does not have much more to offer.

Directly on the other side of the fjord is the somewhat larger town of Reine. Reine is one of the most visited and most photographed places on the Lofoten archipelago. Reine is one of the most famous fishing villages in Lofoten and exists since 1743.

Here you can capture one of the typical Lofoten photo spots and take photos from one of the most popular Lofoten viewpoints. You could say that Reine is typical Lofoten. This is also where one of the most beautiful hikes in Lofoten starts, the hike up Reinebringen . Since this takes several hours, we save it for the next day.

Å is not only the last letter in the Norwegian alphabet, but also the last (or most southern) place on Lofoten. Å is really very small and you can walk through it quickly. The highlight of this fishing village is the viewpoint in the south of the town. From the free parking lot ( Google Maps ) you walk only a few minutes through the green until you reach a large flat rock.

This is the southernmost point in Lofoten that you can officially reach. If the weather is good, you can see for miles towards the offshore islands of Væroy and Mosken and have a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean and watch the seagulls gathering food.

By the way, from the parking lot you can also get directly to the small town itself in a few minutes. But you don’t have to spend too much time here, because you should rest for the strenuous hike tomorrow.

Moskenes Camping

Here you are at a beautiful campsite right by the sea and are also super fast at the ferry to the mainland, if you have to leave early the next day.

Wooden Cabins by the Sea

Rorbuer Cabins | Check Prices*

Day 8 | Reinebringen Hike

Today another very great hike is on the schedule on your Lofoten road trip. The Reinebringen is probably the Lofoten hike with the most amazing view . The panorama you will have from the 460 meter high mountain to the town of Reine and the mountain ranges of Lofoten is incomparable and unique in Lofoten.

You should definitely do this hike. Over 1500 steps were carved into the rock a few years ago by Nepalese Sherpas to lead you as safely as possible up the mountain.

At the top of the mountain there are several viewpoints depending on whether you go left or right at the end of the stairs. From everywhere you have a wonderful panoramic view of Reine and the rest of Lofoten. For us an absolute must-do! Learn more about the Reinebringen hike in our travel report:  Reinebringen Hike I The most beautiful viewpoint in Lofoten

You can take the ferry from Moskenes to Bodo to get back to the mainland. But if you want to go back to Lodingen, because you have more time or you want to return your rental car in Tromso, you can cross the Lofoten in another direction and take some other roads.

(O ptional Round Trip)  Day 9 – x

You can head north again if you skipped some Lofoten must sees on your previous Lofoten road trip, perhaps because it rained or you just want to do some more hiking. What you should do in any case is to shift your Lofoten itinerary more to the smaller roads and also just drive along a smaller road without knowing exactly what is coming up.

The best thing about such a road trip is to enjoy the unexpected things and also to let the beautiful landscape pass by without necessarily rushing from one highlight to the next. We have a few suggestions for side roads in Lofoten that you should drive along.

Fv804 near Napp

Take a little detour along the coast here. Unfortunately, you can not go completely around the small peninsula, so you have to drive along 2 spur roads and then in between back to the E10.

The two routes lead along the coast past Vikten Beach and Myrland Beach, among others, and are extremely sparsely traveled. Enjoy the seclusion here and perhaps look for a nice campsite on one of the beaches on the route.

• Google Maps Route

Road 815 between Hag and Sundklakkbrua

This route is actually not a detour at all, as it runs almost parallel to the E10. It is relatively easy to drive and also runs directly along the coast for the most part. A very good and scenic alternative to the busy main route E10.

Fv862 on Gimsøy

Around the small Lofoten island Gimsøy a narrow road leads you past several lonely beaches. You will also pass the Butterfly House (Google Maps ), which is covered with colorful graffiti. Just enjoy the impressive landscape and the creative street art here.

Midnattsolveien

This road is located on the island Austvagsoya and leads wonderfully along the coast and through beautiful, almost untouched landscapes. If you have already stayed at the Laukvika campsite on the outward journey, then you already know the route. If not, then you should definitely plan this detour. The route is wonderfully pristine and offers many nature highlights with very little traffic.

Vesteralen & Senja

Do you have more time available and want to go to islands that are much less visited than Lofoten? Then we have 2 tips for you. The first one is the archipelago of Vesteralen. These islands are really a little insider tip and are much less visited than the Lofoten, although they are located directly north of it and are at least as beautiful. Particularly noteworthy here is the island of Andøya.

The second tip is the island of Senja. It is located a few hours north of Lofoten and is also still totally unspoiled and scenically beautiful. Unfortunately, we did not manage to visit these islands, but if you still have at least a week available, then you should head for these destinations.

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Road Trip in Northern Norway with Lofoten & Helgeland

5 Days Road Trip in Northern Norway

Northern Norway in 5 days or 1 286 kilometers – (PART 1 Google Map Route) & (PART 2 Google Map Route) is maybe not the best way to see Northern Norway. We managed to squeeze in many beautiful places that we now know we will like to discover more in the future.

We went exploring the National Tourist Route of the coast of Helgeland and then further on to Lofoten . This Road Trip includes 2 of the 18 scenic National Tourist Route in Norway that consists of scenic lookout points, visitor centers, bridges, and public toilets. It is all about the stops along the road and the journey when being on a road trip. Let’s not forget the cinnamon rolls! We had long days in the cars with 5 hours driving almost every day, sometimes even a bit more because the ferries do take their time on these two National Tourist Routes in Northern Norway.

5 DAYS IN NORTHERN NORWAY

Time needed:  5 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes

5 Days Road Trip in Northern Norway (If you can, add more days)

Ferry Number 1 from Holm to Vennesund Visiting Torghatten in Brønnøysind Ferry Number 2 from Horn to Vega

Vega Island Exploring The Farmers Bakery at Sandmo Ferry Number 3 from Vega to Tjøtta Yttervik Camping

Hellågå the Scenic Place for Picnic & Fishing Ferry Number 4 from Jektvik to Kilboghamn Ferry Number 5 from Ågskardet to Forøy Braset View Point of Svartisen Norway’s Second Grandest Glacier Storvika Picnic Place with a Beach View Saltstraumen; World’s Strongest Tidal Current Bodøy: The largest city in the county of Nordland

Ferry Number 6 from Bodø to Moskenes Å Bakery in Lofoten with Cinnamon Rolls Iconic Reine in Lofoten Sakris Island and the Old Fishermen’s Cabins

Nusfjord Authentic Fishing Village

Lunch break at Henningsvær – The “Venice of Lofoten

25 Pictures of Natural Beauty Norway’s Greatest Assets

It doesn’t come as a surprise that natural beauty is one of Norway’s greatest assets. That is why the family and I went on a Road trip vacation to Northern Norway and exploring the art of nature tourism! We pretty much cruised along with scenic landscapes from Trøndelag and past around 20 000 islands of Helgeland to Salstraumen at Bodø. Medieval churches, deep fjords, crystal clear blue water and sandy beaches, mountains that look like troll and sea eagles. Then six ferry crossings! When being on the ferries, we were indulging in eating svele, drinking coffee, and being very Norwegian

Northern Norway is Summer with Its Endless Day!

Traveling in June means a ton of light! It never gets dark. It excites your energy level. Sun shines golden, and the mountains are dancing in the sun sparkles, and the locals go crazy after finally seeing the light again with a winter that brings no lights. The locals make you forget to go to bed.

Knut Hamsun’s Pan  (1894):

The night was coming on again; the sun just dipped into the sea and rose again, red, refreshed, as if it had been down to drink. I could feel more strangely on those nights than anyone would believe”..

The Midnight Sun in Northern Norway

Northern lights are unique so are The Midnight Sun that never goes down! Midnight sun only occurs above the arctic circle. The further north you go, the more midnight sun you will have.

Where and when to experience the midnight sun:

• Arctic Circle: 12 June – 1 July
• Bodø: 4 June – 8 July
• Lofoten Islands: 28 May – 14 July
• Tromsø: 20 May – 22 July
• North Cape: 14 May – 29 July
• Svalbard: 20 April – 22 August

The best part of the experience is a midnight hike or enjoy the hours in front of the fisherman’s cabin by the sea. We were incredibly lucky with the weather! Having the sun every day and 20 degrees plus is a rare event. We appreciate it greatly. Severe weather will not break your trip to Northern Norway, but for Norwegian’s, we do love it when the sun shines down the mountains and reflects into the fjord. At the same time, we Norwegian’s do live by the concept: There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.

National Tourist Route 17 – Helgeland

Day 1 – trondheim to vega.

Starting Point at Trondheim or Brønnøysund?

Choose your starting point! Flying into Trondheim is cheaper than flying into Brønnøysund. The point of departure is more about time and money. National Route of Helgeland starts in Holm and Godøystraumen and past Brønnøysund, Sandnessjøen, Mo i Rana, and Bodø. National Route of Helgeland has 433 kilometers and is the longest tourist route and even contains six ferries (Remember to calculate ferry fees and time schedules).

Ferry Number 1 from Holm to Vennesund

Starting the trip with the ferry from Holm-Vennesund ( Check Ferrie Times! ) At Vennesund starting to drive on Road E17, crossing scenic landscape and continue to you reach Brønnøysund.

Visiting Torghatten in Brønnøysind

In Brønnøysund comes the first stop on the Road Trip! That will give dramatic scenery with Torghatten, a Granite Mountain, which is known for its characteristic hole or natural tunnel that goes out to the other side of the mountain. A perfect 15-30 minutes hike of exploring and panorama view over Helgeland. It is highly recommended to be completed.

Decisions, should I Stay or Go? Vega Island a UNESCO World Heritage Area

Staying or going depends on time and money. Maybe you would like to spend a night at Brønnøysund or continue a bit further along the road? We decided to explore Vega Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Area. The island has a beautiful landscape with an edge of the hard sea coming in and creating the landscape Mustique.

Vega Island demonstrates how generations of fishermen and farmers over the past 1,500 years have maintained a sustainable way of life in hard conditions close to the Arctic Circle, a way of life-based on the now unique tradition of eider farming. The status also recognizes the women’s contribution to the down processing work.

Ferry Number 2 from Horn to Vega

Second ferry of the day. The ferry from Horn to Vega only takes 45 minutes, a beautiful ride along the fjord.

Day 2 – Vega Island to Yttervik Camping

Vega Island Exploring

We decided to take the ferry over to Vega Island, which should be considered maybe not to do if only having five days. It was a bit too much on the schedule. We loved exploring one Island on our Road Trip. The thing that must be considered is the ferry times are few, and it is limited space for cars. People were showing up 1 hour and 30 minutes in advance for the ferry, and they did not make the ferry. That sucks since it was four-hour for the next ferry.

The Farmers Bakery at Sandmo

What can you do in Vega? In Vega, there can be some beautiful hiking in the mountains, visiting E-Huset for an introduction to the unique tradition of eider farming. Our favorite was the Farmers Bakery at Sandmo. Here we enjoyed a Norwegian temptation of Pizza bottom with a dough mix of potato and flavor. For our dessert, we had Lefse, which is the best! Our favorite was potato lefse with sugar and butter, what can go wrong? Not buying enough!

Ferry Number 3 from Vega to Tjøtta

Being on the ferries is a “free” fjord cruise, which we said to ourselves. We enjoyed sitting outside on the deck and enjoying the natural beauty of Norway and the sun. If you would like to look like a local, buy some coffee and Svele! Everyone should taste a svele. If not, they haven’t been on a Norwegian ferry. Svele & Coffee is the tradition of ferry crossings.

Yttervik Camping

After finally getting off Vega Island, the time was already late in the afternoon. Most of our day disappeared in waiting for the ferry. Vega Island was not the wrong place for being or waiting for the ferry. I did not calculate for 2 hours and 30 minutes waiting on the ferry, and then the ferry was 1 hour and 19 minutes long.

After that, we skipped the next ferry and went some kilometers at E6 – the easy way, not the scenic way. We decided to go camping outside Mo i Rana. Here we discovered Yttervik Camping, which was an undiscovered beauty for us. Mo i Rana was fully booked that night. Our family had the pleasure of spending the evening at Scenic Yttervik. A pearl by Ran fjord that has excellent opportunities for fishing!

Day 3 – Yttervik to Bodø

Hellågå the Scenic Place for Picnic & Fishing

We rested well in the beautiful cabin at Yttervik Camping. Our family (mum, step-dad, sister, the dog, and I) was ready to hit the road again. Our first stop on the day was Hellågå Picnic place, which for me, was the most scenic stop along the National Tourist Route of Helgeland. Scenic surrounded by the fjord, mountains, and the magic stairs down to the sea level. Here we spent an hour fishing and having our lunch. We were all in euphoria over the prettiness of Hellågå and the Sjona fjord

Ferry Number 4 from Jektvik to Kilboghamn

We are by now appreciating the ferry rides. It is a break to stretch legs and enjoy fjord cruises and, of course, eating svele and drinking coffee or sometimes even ice cream. It is vacation time; we have to enjoy our Road Trip in Northern Norway. The ferry from Jektvik to Kilboghamn takes 1 hour and 10 minutes. Continuing along the beautiful road for another 30 minutes before catching the next ferry.

Ferry Number 5 from Ågskardet to Forøy

On this ferry, you should be on the top deck! At the end of the boat journey, you will see an arm of Svartisen – literally translated into Black Ice. Svartisen is Norway’s second biggest glacier covering 370 kilometers.

Braset View Point of Svartisen Norway’s Second Grandest Glacier

At Braset viewpoint, take a picture of Engabreen, the outlet of the glaciers of Svartisen . Engabreen ends at the lowest point of any glacier on the European mainland, at 20 meters above sea level. If driving a bit further, you will see the parking place for taking the boat over to the glacier, where you can either hike to the foot of the glacier or even go walking on the glacier. Again, it all depends on time and budget.

Storvika Picnic Place with a Beach View in Northern Norway

After driving one hour in an untouched natural landscape, it is time for a lunch break. Storvika is the spot! In Storivka, you can enjoy a picnic and maybe even go for a swim if you want to be a real Norwegian Viking? I’m Norweigan. I did not swim in the 14-degree Arctic ocean. I did walk along the excellent beach.

Saltstraumen; World’s Strongest Tidal Current in Northern Norway

Saltstraumen   is one of the strongest tidal currents in the world. It is about 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) southeast of the town of Bodø. Saltstraunmen is why we stopped her and walked around to look at the Tidal Current and, of course, talk with the people trying their fishing luck. The Tidal current is fascinating where it is crossing around in the fjord.

Bodøy: The largest city in the county of Nordland

A starting point for the true north and the end of the coastal route kystriksveien (rv17).

Finally, arriving Bodøy in maybe our longest day in the car. We only had an evening in Bodø, which is not much time to explore the largest city in the county of Nordland. It was time for dining and walking the harbor of Bodø. In this period, we did not see any sea eagles soar across the horizon but plenty of happy people from Bodøy enjoying the Northern Norway summer.

National Tourist Route 10 Lofoten

Day 4 – Bodø to Lofoten

Lofoten, the highlight of the trip, is coming alive! I have never been to Northern Norway. The Road Trip to Northern Norway has made a dream come true. I will see Lofoten, and that was the last missing part of Norway! Now I will understand this staggering beauty of Lofoten! I will say Visit Norway has made Lofoten very exotic even for Norwegians!

Ferry Number 6 from Bodø to Moskenes

The ferry includes yet another fjord cruise in the rare and unique Northern Norway landscape. I wish you great weather when taking this ferry because it is 3 hours and 20 minutes long crossing. The landscape is on another level. If raining, it’s not so great to be outside and enjoying this scenic view because it will be freezing. If raining, they have the most excellent Café, with course Svele, Coffee, and even dinner. The ferry from Bodøto Lofoten is the longest ferry ride on the entire road trip in Northern Norway.

Northern Norway and its Staggering Beauty

 the starting point for national tourist route king olav v’s raod e10 and is 230 kilometers long, with no ferry. .

Lofoten with small beautiful islands, excellent fishing, grand nature filled with northern lights, or midnight sun depending on the season. The most important, small fishing village of the beaten track telling an important part of Norwegian history and traditions. Did I mention a staggering landscape? Rare wilderness with majestic mountains, deep fjords, and sea eagles soaring in the sky.

Å Bakery in Lofoten with Cinnamon Rolls!

When the majority is driving off the ferry’ and taking a right turn, you turn left and explore Å in Lofoten. Once upon a time, it was a famous fishing village, but now it’s more a place for tourists to enjoy Lofoten’s beginning. My recommendation is to hit the local bakery straight away and capture the last Cinnamon Rolls! Before they are sold out!

Best Cinnamon Buns in Northern Norway?

When you see the line outside the door, start making determined speed and getting in the line. Her people worldwide will be waiting to get served Cinnamon Rolls straight from the hot stone oven. Yes, I did manage to get four hot, sweet cinnamon rolls with pearl sugar in my hands. The whole family used around 20 seconds to finish them all, and I was in line for 20 minutes. Well, that is the pleasure of freshly baked Cinnamon Rolls.

Iconic Reine and Sakris Island

If you did not know, this is the diamonds in Lofoten and Northern Norway. Out of this world beautiful. We had to capture the iconic Lofoten picture and create some love on Instagram. I’m almost speechless; this beauty is rare and only in Northern Norway. Fjord, Norway, is beautiful but in another way. Northern Norway has its uniqueness.

As a girl from Fjord Norway, it requires a lot to get the wow-factor from my side! Since I now have seen the entire coast of Norway, I can say the places not to miss when being on vacation in Norway are Northern Norway and Fjord Norway . This is the cornerstone of Norway and our Natural Beauty.

Sakris Island and the Old Fishermen’s Cabins

After taking the ferry from Bodø, visiting Å, and taking the Iconic photos of Reine, we discovered Sakris Island and decided this was our accommodation for the night. We got the last cabin! What a piece of luck. When being in high season, I would recommend booking in advance; our family was a bit slow on that part. We went without any accommodation and just winged it every day. We had tents in case of bad luck, not finding cabins.

The freedom of choosing every night made us spot: Sakris Island. Sakris is the pearl of Lofoten. In my eyes, the most beautified scene in Lofoten. Crystal clear blue water and fantastic visibility and charming fishing villages and delicious bacalao with a significant amount of the Clipfish from Northern Norway. The Bacalao and the refreshing Lofotpils were served from the lovely restaurant Underhuset .

If you are thinking about staying at Sakris Island, I would recommend to order in advanced, we were only lucky to get cabin that night.

Old Fishermen’s Cabins in Northern Norway

When staying in Lofoten, you have to stay in an old fishermen’s cabins (Norwegian: Rorbuer)! That is the soul of the small fishing villages; her fishers baited their longlines, mended their nets, cooked their food, ate, and slept. Today the cabins have been restored and turned into modern accommodation for travelers.

Camping in Northern Norway

If you are going camping in tents, bring enough warm clothes. As we experience our first night camping in Vega was that it was freezing. We had good sleeping bags and everything, but still cold.

Day 5 – Sakris Island to Nusfjord

Nusfjord Authentic Fishing Village in Lofoten

The Authentic Nusfjord is one of the oldest and best-preserved fishing villages in Northern Norway. Nusfjord has long fishery traditions. In Nusfjord, we found one open hut out of 50 charming fishing huts for the night. We enjoyed Nusfjord for what it was; Charming!

Recommend staying at: Nusfjord Arctic Resort

Explore Nusfjord

What should you do in Nusfjord? Enjoy outdoor activity, fishing, and hiking. Exploring the cozy store on the second floor at the harbor is a must-do. The store is a living museum, and nothing has been changed, and they have preserved all the great years and boxes from the glorious days of Nusfjord. Entering the store is like going back in time.

In Nusfjord, there is the experience of calmness and tranquility by idyllic fishing ground and the respectful sea with dramatics and charm. Spending our last night in Lofoten at Nusfjord was not a bad choice. They do have an excellent restaurant on the site! It is on the higher price end, but probably well worth it for Lofoten’s pure taste. We had a great restaurant meal at Sakris Island by this went cooking in our cabin at Nusfjord (Eating out in Norway is expensive even for Norwegians).

Last Day Nusfjord to Evenes Airport

On our last day, we are cruising along the final part of the National Tourist Route 10. The goal is to reach the Evenes Airport before my departure in the evening and return to Oslo.

Henningsvær The “Venice of Lofoten.”

Henningsvær is one of the most well-preserved architectures of the traditional Norwegian villages. We did not have much time in Henningsvær. It was only a photo-stop and hunting down cinnamon rolls! Lysstøperiet, is the best place for cinnamon buns and what a crowd. Lysstøperiet is a favorite place in Henningsvær. The town has a different vibe than the other fishing villages. In Henningsvær, everything is popping a bit more. Galleries, Pottery shops, Gift shops, Café places, and even an own Coffee House. In Henningsvær, there are more people!

3 Tips for Road Trip in Northern Norway

1. check ferry times.

The first and most important tips are to check ferry times! Plan to be a bit before departure, due to the high season there can be an advantage of showing up 30 minutes to on 1 hour in advance. Many Camper Vans do take more space than regular sized cars.

2. Chilly Summer Nights in Northern Norway

Even do it is summer in Norway and Northern Europe does not mean high temperatures. It means the chance of the weather changing whenever it wants to change. Bring warm clothes! Especially if camping! Pack clothing for four seasons.

3. Plan your time & budget

Get together and agree on what you want to explore and discover. If being on a road trip together, everyone should get to do something they like.

Road Trip in Northern Norway, Have You Been or G oing ?

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The mountains are truly amazing in Norway, and everything is very lush and green!What’s not to love?

The mountains in Norway are amazing!! If you go into the mountain most of the time you will be alone 🙂

Wow the mountains in Norway look amazing! It is so green there, looks great to a desert rat like me!

Det er helt sikkert 🙂

Vi bor i et utrolig vakkert land, det er det i hvert fall ingen tvil om!

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paulinetravels

A Norwegian Travel Voice & Trying to Impact the World by Nudging People to Choose More Sustainable Travel.

Most Scenic Routes in Norway

If there is one country that has some of the best scenic routes, Norway is it! Norway is an incredibly beautiful country that needs no introduction.

Between its fjord-filled coastline, stunning mountain ranges, and endless forests, it is a hard place to beat and we think the best way of seeing is by following Norway’s scenic routes.

Join me as I take you through Norway’s top twelve scenic routes that span pretty much every part of the country from the south to the north. Choose your favorite route, rent a bike or a car and enjoy the amazing views along the way.

Atlanterhavsvegen (The Atlantic Road)

Atlanterhavsvegen, also known as the Atlantic Road or The Atlantic Ocean Road is a Norwegian scenic route of note, especially if you want endless views across the sea as you go.

The Atlantic Road begins in north-western Norway in Møre og Romsdal county, starting in Kristiansund it winds its way between islands and skerries, with many bridges, and takes you to Vevang and down to Bud.

The Atlantershavsvegan is recognized as one of the most scenic routes in Norway and you won’t find a scenic route that puts you closer to the ocean. On stormy days, the waves and wind blow the sea onto the road while on calm days, the views across the ocean and into the archipelago are mind-blowing!

You can travel down this scenic route by car or bicycle, and there is even a pedestrian-only footway along the side of it if you would prefer to walk. Along the way, you can stop to do some kayaking, diving, and join the locals fishing on the footway.

Aurlandsfjellet (The Snow Road)

The Norwegian scenic route Aurlandsfjellet also referred to as the snow road, sits in Sogn og Fjordane county in southwest Norway.

The reason this scenic route is known as the snow road is that the road is surrounded by steep mountains on each side that have snow on them most of the year.

What makes this one of the more special scenic routes is the diversity of the landscapes you’ll see on the way. It features everything from fjords to glaciers, blue lakes, mountains, and never-ending pine forests.

One of the highlights along the way is the Stegastein viewpoint, a modern platform that sits 650 meters above Aurlandsfjord and offers one of the most magical views in the area.

You will also go via the village of Flam which sits at the bottom of the fjord and is home to hundreds of ships that bring tourists on cruises into the area.

The scenic roads, high mountains, and views make this one of the best national scenic routes in the country.

Lofoten National Tourist Route

The Lofoten National Tourist Route takes you through one of the most beautiful parts of Norway, the Lofoten Islands.

The Lofoten Islands sit in northern Norway inside the Arctic Circle and they are incredibly magical. Imagine tall mountains falling into turquoise blue water and fjords with one fishing village after the next to explore along with sandy beaches .

This is an amazing part of Norway to see the Northern Lights, kayak, go fishing, surf, see the midnight sun, walk the sandy beaches, and lots more.

This Norwegian scenic route takes you from the bottom of the Lofoten islands up to the top. Follow the E10 road across all the islands and enjoy the incredible scenery as you go from one island to the next.

To really enjoy this route, take a few days to complete it as you are in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, and you will not want to be leaving in a hurry.

The Norwegian scenic route Hardanger, also known as the Hardanger National Tourist Route is located in the area of Norway simply known as Fjord.

The route follows the second deepest and second longest fjord in Norway called Hardangerfjord. The scenic Hardangerfjord is full of impressive landscapes that feature everything from glaciers to waterfalls and stunning mountains too. ‍ You can drive most of this route all year round and it is a long main road that goes on for 158 kilometers. You think this is a bit long for a scenic route but Hardangerfjord is actually 180 km long so you aren’t actually going to drive the whole thing.

‍One of the most spectacular parts of this route is when you cross the Hardangervidda mountain plateau as it provides you with some incredible views. This part of the road can be closed in the winter due to bad weather, so keep an eye on the forecast in the colder months.

Sognefjellet

The Norwegian scenic route Sognefjellet can only be driven in summer as the road is closed in winter due to snowfall.

Sognefjellet is the highest mountain pass in northern Europe as it connects the west coast of Norway with the eastern inland areas by cutting through the Jotunheimen mountains which sit 1,434 meters above sea level.

It is a very important road in regards to Norway’s historical development as it allowed for the transport of fish and salt from the west to east, and goods like butter from east to west.

The route is 108 kilometers long and starts in Lom and ends in Gaupne as you go you will see some of the highest peaks in the country, be able to see a natural stone amphitheater at Mefjellet, and magical views across the mountains as you go.

Depending on the time of year, you will either be driving through snow-covered mountains between banks of snow (Spring & Fall) or with open greenery in summer.

The Norwegian scenic route Ryfylke is one of the longer national tourist routes at 260 km long. It starts next to Lysefjord in the village of Oanes and runs all the way to Hårå in Røldal.

What makes this route so special is the mix of history, culture, and nature that can be found along the way. There are stunning villages, towns, old buildings, and things like abandoned zinc mines that date back to the 1800s which you will find in Allmannajuvet

Other highlights along the way include stunning waterfalls in Ryfylke, smelting plants in Sauda, and more.

Svandalsfossen waterfall is a must-stop along the way where you will find paths that allow you to see it from many angles. The mountains along the way are hard to beat too.

Being a long road, you are going to want to break this down into a few days and stay at some of the picturesque villages along the way.

Image courtesy of Geir A Granviken

The Norwegian scenic route Jæren sits in the south of Norway along the north sea coast and runs through the main agricultural part of the country.

This route begins in Ogna and runs to bore. Along the way, you will see beautiful coastal landscapes with sandy beaches, pebble beaches, sand dunes, and more. Stop along the way for long beach strolls, picnics, and views across the ocean.

The route is just 41 km long with the coast on one side and ancient dry stone walls on the other. If you like to surf, head to Orrestranda beach where you can also hire gear and get surfing lessons too.

You should also stop at Kvassheim lighthouse along the way. It is open to tourists and dates back to the early 1900s when it was used to help ships navigate through the tricky waters in the area.

Helgelandskysten

The longest of Norway’s scenic routes is Helgelandskysten which is a total of 433 km that also requires six ferries to complete. You may think that you have to drive this one but the route runs along very flat roads so it is a great one to bike on too.

What makes this one of the top Norwegian scenic routes is that it crosses the Arctic Circle, takes you past tall mountain peaks, deep fjords, the biggest tidal maelstrom in the world, the second biggest glacier in Norway, and into a UNESCO World Heritage Site archipelago.

The route starts in Holm, a small village, and follows Route 17 north to Bodo and into the Arctic. The ferry rides give you incredible views of thousands of islands under tall mountains, the sand beach and stone-vault bridge at Storvika Bay are magical, and the Svartisen glacier is hard to beat.

This is not a route that you want to rush and you’ll want to take your time to complete it so you can take it all in as you go.

Geiranger-Trollstigen

The Geiranger-Trollstigen tourist route takes you around the Geirangerfjord, one of the most famous fjords in Norway. It is so stunning that it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and while the scenery is mind-blowing, that is not all it has to offer.

The road of Trollstigen that drops down into the port town of Geiranger is home to eleven hairpin bends, an iconic Norwegian sight. It continues along the fjord and it is worth stopping at Ørnesvingen and Flydalsjuvet, two amazing viewpoints with the best views of Geirangerfjord.

Other notable places that you must stop off at include Gudbrandsjuvet gorge which is packed full of drama and the Juvet Landscape Hotel.

Between the drama of the surrounding mountains, the amazing views, incredible landscapes, fjord views, and the lovely quaint town of Geiranger , this is one of the top scenic routes in Norway that simply can not be missed.

Image courtesy of Richard Droker

The Norwegian scenic route Senja runs across the island of Senja in northern Norway. It is the second biggest island in Norway and the route covers a total of 102 km when the 12 km detour is included.

It starts at Gryllefjord, takes you to Botnhamn, and if you want to include the detour, follow the road via Mefjordvær and Husøya,

You should spend a few days doing this route so you can enjoy everything the island of Senja has to offer. The island is covered in mountains that plummet into the sea, home to awesome hiking trails, magical views, and lots of quaint seaside villages.

Enjoy walking on sandy beaches, kayaking, fishing, going on boat tours, and lots more. This is also an excellent route to start a trip with as you can head down to the Lofoten islands and Andoya easily afterward.

Gaularfjellet

Gaularfjellet is another awesome scenic route and is one most tourists don’t know much about which makes it a little more peaceful to explore.

The route is 84 km long and begins at the charming town of Balestrand and follows Sognefjord, the longest Fjord in the world and the deepest fjord in Norway, and then goes up into the mountains and ends in Moskog.

This route is home to magical views and you have to stop at the dangling Utsikten viewpoint. You will also follow a river that changes into waterfalls, rapids, and lakes. Skirting along the fjords is pretty incredible and the river offers some of the best trout fishing opportunities in Norway.

Be aware that this road is open during the summer, and most of it will be in winter too except for the section between Mjell and Mel which opens in April.

Andøya is an island in the north of Norway and one of the most western points of the country. Rumor has it that Andøya is home to the most beautiful beaches in Norway and following the Andøya tourist route will have you seeing the best of them.

Sitting at the end tip of the Vesterålen archipelago, Andøya is often compared to the Lofoten island but is much less busy and touristic. The route follows the west coast of the island offering views into the Atlantic, opportunities for swimming and kayaking, long beach walks, and lots more.

It is also a great place to see Norwegian nature at its best as you will have the chance to see whales, puffins, seals, and sea eagles.

About the Author Roger Timbrook

Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!

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Eggum Tourist Route Lofoten landscapes

Introduction

The Eggum Tourist route is one of 18 National Norwegian Tourist Routes, commissioned and managed by the Public Roads Administration to allow travelers to enjoy the countryside's spectacular vistas with amenities such as service buildings, hiking trails and public art. The Eggum project consists of a service building within an amphitheatre, a hiking trail, car park and stairs built in gabion walls, situated in the midst of the dramatic landscape of Lofoten.

The terrain determined the location of areas for camper vans, car parking and the building, all sited in an excavated hill. The car park was designed so that every parked vehicle will have a view of the sea. Gabion walls were used to define the car park and to create a unifying effect for the designed spaces. The construction materials used in the project were largely local to the site. All gabions were filled with stone from the site excavation, and the building's wooden walls were built from driftlogs found on the nearby beach. The emphasis has been on using rough, natural materials with consistent detailing.

Technical details

Norwegian Public Roads Administrator

The service building springs out of Kvalhausen. The remains of a World War II German radar station is situated on top of the adjacent hill.

The building has two main volumes - a concrete volume fitted into the terrain with spaces for toilet facilities, and a wooden volume with a multi-purpose room and a small kitchen.

The terrain is supported by a concrete wall and tiered walls of Gabion.

The building is situated in a dramatic landscape, where the ocean meets the mountains in a small area of Norway's breathtaking cultural landscape.

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