If you love exploring places with stunning landscapes, rugged beauty and wild weather then hiking in Lofoten would be on the top of your list. Lofoten is known for its distinctive scenery with dramatic mountains and peaks, sheltered bays, beaches and untouched lands. Just when we thought we couldn’t top a country like Iceland, Norway just took our breath away in so many ways.
The combination of the untamed ocean and stormy seas, jagged alpine mountains plunging into the water, tiny sheltered fishing villages and white beaches with crystal clear waters will never cease to amaze us. Lofoten is located at the 68th and 69th parallels north of the Arctic Circle in North Norway and an archipelago and a traditional district in the county of Nordland, Norway.
As you might have read in my latest blog- Hiking to Trolltunga we were already equipt with camping gear. We both felt we weren’t ready to end the Norwegian adventure just yet so decided to jump on a plane to Narvik, hire a car and start of hiking in Lofoten adventure. In this blog where share our favourites hikes through Lofoten, trail information, where we camped and more.
Best way to travel around Lofoten:
While Norway ranks as one of the world’s most expensive countries, it is actually quite possible to travel on a relatively tight budget if you are willing to make a few compromises like having a comfortable bed and getting a little wet. If you’re interested in the outdoors and willing to rough it from time to time, then the Lofoten Islands do not need to be an expensive travel destination. We would recommend taking a tent with you. As long as your prepared for some rainy nights you may never have to pay for a nights accommodation. We camped for most of this trip but after a few nights roughing it in the cold we did swap it for night of shelter, warmth and civilisation.
Car hire in Lofoten
We flew direct with Norwegian Airlines to Evenes Airport which is 150 km east of Lofoten. Harstad/Narvik airport is located somewhat in the middle of nowhere and requires a further 2 hour drive or bus ride to reach Svolvær in east Lofoten or 4.5 hours to Reine in west Lofoten. The connection by bus is not always convenient so the best option is to rent from the major car rental agencies like Avis, Hertz, Budget before continuing the journey to Lofoten. We had read before that hiring a car from an airport out of Lofotten would result in a cheaper price. We chose Sixt as our hire car company and had no issue booking through them.
Pro Tip- If you are a photographer you need a car. Lofoten Islands are spread out and we only had a short amount of time. A car is still useful for getting to and from trail heads in a timely manner. If you are staying in a Hostel/Rorbu/Hotel as a base location and traveling around, then get a car as you’ll be way more productive with your time.
There are plenty of camp ground sites located through Lofoten. Wild camping is one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoor experience of the Lofoten Islands, most especially in summer. While there is plenty of wild land available, it can often be a struggle to find a both flat and dry spot to pitch a tent as most flat ground tends to be either boggy or too rocky. We found pitching a tent on the beaches were the most comfortable, as they often have large flat areas of grassy turf compared to camping on the mountains.
Your guide to hiking in Lofoten starts now!
Senja- Husfjellet Hike
Hiking Husfjell is possibly Senja’s most rewarding one in Lofoten. The hike is moderate, with a gradual uphill climb but the views are simply stunning.
A trip to Husfjell is a great alternative to Segla if you want to avoid a steep and crowded trail but still want some of the classic Senja views. The only exposure is towards the top and it’s possible to keep a good distance from the edges.
This medium level hike is ideal for seasoned hikers as well as younger ones and offers excellent terrain for summer and winter adventures. From Sommardhaugen the trail follows the ridge up towards the summit of Husjellet. When you reach the top you will be rewarded with great views northwards of Steinjford, Tungeneset and Okshorn Mountians. While to the south west you can see all the islands in the bergsfjord and the old fishing village of Hamn.
Hiking Husfjell takes is 3-4 hours and is a 7.6 kilometers trail. We decided that we were going to take our tent and camp up the top. We packed enough food to last us two days and locked the rest into the car. Shortly after starting its started to sprinkle rain but we continued up. There is a small stream in Sommerdalen before the last climb to Husfjellet where we filled up our water bottles. Once we reached the top the views were incredible of the mountains and the ocean. The rain started getting heavier so we decided to set up camp in a small shelter hut built near the start if the trail. We met two other German guys who had the same idea. We put out rent up and cooked pasta on our webber cooker. In the morning we packed up out tent and left our bags in the cabin to go back up to the mountain. The weather had improved and the rain has stopped. We were able to fly our drone and take more photos.
Getting there:
Husfjell is located near Skaland and Bøvær, on Senja’s northwestern coast. Park at the Berg church in Skaland, right by the trailhead. The drive took about 3 hours from Evenes Airport.
Trail description:
The trailhead lies behind the picnic area next to Berg church in Skaland. The hike to Husfjell is a fairly gradual uphill climb. The trail is clear but not well-marked. There is a marshy area at the northern end of Sommerdalen before the climb up to Husfjell. A wooden boardwalk is in place to help you walk over the mud. Follow the trail across the boardwalk and then begin ascending Husfjell. The trail becomes more rocky and a little exposed, but it is still very easy going and you can walk a good distance from the cliff’s edge.
At the top of the mountain, there are more exposed trails leading to small outcrops, but you don’t need to hike out there if you don’t want to. There are panoramic views of Ersfjorden, Steinfjorden and the Okshornan mountain range.
Henningsvær- Festågtind Hike
The next day we drove 4 hours to picturesque fishing town thirty minutes east of Svolvær called Henningsvær. Henningsvær is located on several small islands in the Lofoten archipelago in Norway.
Known as the Venice of Lofoten with a number of islets among the waters of Vjestford. Henningsvær has a number of quirky cafes, restaurant, the famous Hus gallery and the most well preserved architecture of the traditional Norwegian villages. Henningsvær’s dramatic setting is on par with Reine, with colourful buildings lining the harbour and the steep mountains of Austvågøya as a backdrop. This lively town was one of my favourites in Lofoten.
Henningsvær is famous for its hiking and mountain ranges. Although it only has a population of under 500 inhabitants it has gained global status over the years. With the increase in professional and consumer drone photography the Henningsvaer Fotballbanen (soccer field) has gained global attention. The European soccer organization, UEFA, filmed on and around the field for their We Play Strong video offered their support for the UEFA Champions League Final in 2018 with an art installation created by children kicking soccer balls covered in paint. The field is managed by Henningsvaer IL soccer club under the leadership Ole Johan Wiik, as of 2018.
Festvågtind looks like it rises directly from the sea. From the road, it looks impossibly steep, but the route to the summit wraps around the mountain. Located just north of Henningsvær, the easily accessible summit provides fantastic panoramic views over the islands of the village below. Somewhat reminiscent of Reinebringen, Festvågtind’s views make for a rewarding finish to this short hike.
The Trail:
We wanted to start hiking early morning and catch the sunrise so we set up camp near the road at the start of the trail. We woke up 4:45 and started to hike up. This hike is only a 1.5 kilometre hike and takes about 2-3 hours round trip.
Leaving the road, the trail heads into the bushes and towards a large boulder field. You will initially pass the foundation of an old building before heading across the rocks. Keep climbing up the large boulders up towards the centre of the mountain. Keep climbing up the mountain until you come to a split in the trail. Stay left and you will get closer to the cliffs on your left as you gain elevation up the mountain. Though it might look like you will have some cliffs to climb, the trail keeps winding its way up the mountain side until you finally reach the ridge and can look across to the sea on the other side.
Reaching the summit, you will have fantastic views over Henningsvær, as the village spreads out across the small, rocky islands. If the weather is clear, then also enjoy the views towards Stamsund on your right, and across the Vestfjord to the Norwegian mainland. The view is one of the best in Lofoten.
Kvalvika Beach – Hiking to the best beach in Lofoten!
Hiking through Lofoten you can expect to see breath taking scenery but nothing will prepare you for this hike! Kvalvika Beach would be one of the most spectacular beach we have come across while hiking in Lofoten and one of our favourites. Kvalvika is located in an isolated bay on the northern side of Moskenesøy and only reached by foot. Hiking there is an easy 3 kilometre round hike. It felt like we had just arrived on a movie set of jurassic park with clear turquoise water, golden sands and vertical cliffs that rise into the clouds. While quite popular as a day hike, Kvalvika is also a wonderful camping location. Most people leave in the late afternoon so you’ll have the place mostly to yourself.
If we could choose our favourite camp spot in Lofoten it would have been here. I mean have you ever woken up on a beach with mountain views? We camped here for the night and it was better than any expensive hotel we have ever stayed at.
Kvalvika beach is an excellent place for camping. When we arrived in the afternoon we could already see at least 12 tents all set up. The back of the beach consists of flat grassy turf with plenty of scenic areas so pitch a tent. We pitched our tent right next to a running stream so we had access to fresh water and un-interrupted views of the beach. We couldn’t have picked a better night, it was cold but there was no wind.
There is also a popular cliff that you can hike to from Kvalvika Beach called Ryten. Ryten stretches 542 meters above the sea, and has a panoramic view of Kvalvika beach. From the top of Ryten, you really get to enjoy the unbeatable Lofoten combination of sandy white beaches, turquoise oceans, and steep mountains. With a relatively minimal effort, as its only a short hike from Kvalvika.
Getting there:
Take off E10 and head towards Fredvang, follow the signs to Krystad and Selfjord. After driving past Fredvang and Bergland you will arrive Torsfjord and find a parking lot on the left side. If its busy there continue to drive up the road and there is a second parking bay.
The Trail:
Directly across from the parking area you will see a trail heading up the hill. The main trail entrance has a sign pointing to the beach. The beginning of the trail is moderately boggy as it heads through the mountain birch and up the hill but wooden planks are laid down for you to walk over the mud. After 10-15 minutes you will be mostly clear of the trees and head towards the center of the pass. Elevation gain is gentle here as the path takes you between the two mountains, where you will continue to climb over rocks..
After about 30-40 minutes you will reach the top of the pass and begin the descend to the beach. Here the trail gets steep and rocky. Continue down towards the beach if you can see it, or towards the sound of waves. After leaving the car park the whole hike to the beach will take about 1 hour bfore arriving at the flat, grassy dunes at the back of the beach.
HAMNØY – Eliassen Rorbuer
Hamnøy is a small fishing village in the municipality of Moskenes in Nordland county and is the oldest fishing village in Lofoten. Many Rorbuer cabins dates back to the 1890 and are located on the eastern side of Moskenesøya, about 1.5 kilometres northeast of Reine, along the Vestfjorden. Hamnøy was previously connected to Reine by ferry, but this was replaced by bridges on the European route E10 highway as part of the Lofoten Mainland Connection.
Even though Hamnoy is small but unbelievably beautiful, its considered to be one of the most picturesque villages in the municipality of Moskenes, which is also a popular tourist destination due to its scenic and unspoiled nature.
What brings most tourists to Hamnoy is the cute little fisherman cottages lined along the water. Theres a famous spot near the bridge that is one of the most photographed in all of Lofoten. We decide to book a night in one of the Rorbuer cabins in hamnøy at Eliassen Roubuer. It was a cosy little cabin with a bathroom, kitchen and lounge area. Perfect for us to be able to have a shower, wash our clothes and relax in a comfortable bed. We thought we would spill ourselves for a nice cosy cabin for the night and give the legs a rest.
Eliassen Rorbuer is a holiday resort with fishermen’s cabins, enjoying the longest tradition in the tourist industry in Lofoten. We eat at Krambua Restaurant which is cosy restaurant with bar. They use fresh local ingredients to ensure high quality of the food and serve the most amazing seafood dishes. Its defenitly worth a visit especially if you have been eating soup and packet pasta like us.
Reine
Just a short 10 minute drive from Hamnoy is another popular fishing town called Reine. Alike Hamnoy, Reine is known for its red and white fishermen’s huts dotting the shoreline and it surrounding peaks of granite shooting out of the Reinefjorden. The village has earned a reputation as “the most beautiful place in the world.”
There are a few popular hikes within a short distance of Reine. For kayaking, biking, and skiing in the winter, outfitter Reine Adventure has its office in town. We wanted to hike Reinebringen which is one of the most famous of all mountains in Lofoten. Unfortunately the trail was shut due to sherpers from Nepal rebuilding the trail.
We just passed through with the car as we were going to be camping at a beach 61 kilometres away.
Uttakleiv Beach – Vestvågøy
Uttakleiv is possibly the most photographed beach in Lofoten. The scenic rocky shoreline on the left side of the beach provides near limitless photographic possibilities, while the sandy middle section allows for even more areas to explore. When we arrived there was only one tent already set up but it was crowded with about 15 sheep. There are a few farmers houses scattered around and the sheep must be free to roam where they wish. There is no hiking required for Uttakleive beach. The parking bay is only located 20 meters from the beach.
Getting there:
The parking is on the left side of the beach, a short drive past the village. This is also a popular place for camping on the grassy dunes behind the beach. To camp for the day and over night we had to pay 160 krona which worked out to be around 26 australian. The cheapest accomadation in Norway! There will be a person working at the gate which will tell you how to buy a ticket, so make sure you do to save yourself getting a fine. Once we parked up we went and scoped the best area for us to camp. There is grassy dunes all along the beach with some spots already been made up with big rocs to sit on and a fire place. What i loved about this beach was there were concrete table and benches made for campers to use. Along with portable toilets and a wash sink.
By this time it was 4pm and their wasn’t much wind. We were trying to find spot that was sheltered between the dunes from the wind. Once the sun had set the wind picked up and we moved the tent to a different spot. The wind wasn’t as wild as Trolltunga but our little tent did get a thrashing. We woke up at 8 am and decided to pack the tent up and have breakfast from inside the car. The wind was to much for our gas cooker to even light up.
Gullesfjord
For our last night on our hiking in Lofoten adventure we decided to spend the night in a cabin before making our way to the airport for our flight the next day.
We came across this beautiful camp ground surrounded by mountains and lakes. We decided to treat ourselves to staying in a small cabin for the night.
Gullesfjord Camping is a campsite in Våtvoll, Troms located by the sea, a river and by a lake. The campsite has tents sites with and without shade. Gullesfjord Camping is located close to a sandy beach and a pebble beach. It is possible to rent hikers’ cabins and bungalows.
You don’t always have to cook, as the camp site has a self service restaurant and restaurant (with snack menu). The camp site also supplies fresh bread. You can also use the internet, as the camp site has one or more computers with an internet connection, there is a WiFi point and you can access the internet with your own laptop in 80% of the camp site
The price for a 1 bed cabin was around 75 euros. The warm bed, stove tops, cutlery and a sink was worth it. The showers and toilets are shared. You can also buy a fishing permit and fish in the lake if you have rods with you.
To book online CLICK HERE
We hope you have enjoyed reading our guide to hiking Lofoten and we hope this information helps you plan your next trip to Lofoten. If you would like to read more about hikes, check out our guide to hiking Trolltunga here.
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