Planning an itinerary is always quite tough. It takes so much time to research all the possible activities and decide whether you are interested in them. Especially in a place like Lofoten, where the hiking choices are endless. Which are the best hikes? What places are a must and which can you skip? Don’t worry if you don’t have the time and energy. I did all the work for you and in this blog, I will share the best 12-day Lofoten itinerary!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE LOFOTEN ISLANDS
The Lofoten Islands are mostly known for their dramatic mountains, contrasting with the white sand beaches with clear blue waters, and beautiful hiking trails that will lead you to some of the most breathtaking viewpoints you can imagine. But these islands have many lesser-known facts.
- Did you know that the islands were named after a Lynx? “Lo” translates into lynx and “fot” translates into foot in English. This name originated from Vestvagoy Island, shaped like a lynx’s foot.
- The climate in Lofoten is quite mild for being located within the Arctic Circle. This “warmer weather” makes it a nice destination, especially during summer. But this is not the only advantage, the warmer waters are also very positive for fishing cod. If you visit the islands in Spring, you will see plenty of racks with fish hanging from them that are drying to create stockfish.
- Lofoten Islands, and in particular Unstad Beach is a common surfing destination. This is due to its high waves and strong winds.
THE BEST 12 DAY LOFOTEN ITINERARY
This 12-day Lofoten itinerary will help you plan your trip and find the best things to do in Lofoten during the summer. However, before I share it, I would like to clarify a few things.
- This itinerary is mostly focused on hiking because we love hiking! But you don’t need to hike as much as we did to have a great time in Lofoten. At the end of this blog, I will share some ideas of other activities you can do in Lofoten.
- We organized our trip to do one hike each day. We like to visit at a slower pace and enjoy the places we visit. However, if you’re in good shape, many hikes are not that long so it is possible to do two hikes on the same day.
- I would recommend staying in Lofoten at least for a week. This way, even if you get rainy days, you can still visit the most famous spots.
DAY 1: FLY TO BODO
Fly to Bodo
Route: From Bodo Airport to Hotel (Distance: 2,6 km, Time: 7 minutes)
Hotel: Radisson Blue Bodo
On our first day of the trip, it was all about getting to Bodo. In our case, we landed at Bodo at 16:30 and could have directly booked a ferry to Moskenes that same day since there was a ferry departing at 18:30. However, we decided to be safe and spent the night in Bodo. You never know if your flight is going to be delayed or what other issues might happen.
After landing in Bodo and picking up our bags, we immediately went to pick up our rental car. We always book our cars with Rentalcars for our trips. This is a search engine that compares the offers of the main rental car companies and allows you to find the car that best suits your needs.
Once we had our car, we drove to our hotel in Bodo, checked in, and spent the rest of the day exploring Bodo.
STOP 1: Explore Bodo
We got really lucky with the weather in Bodo, it was a beautiful clear day with blue skies. We visited the harbor and port, the city hall, and its cathedral with its detached steeple. If you find yourself not wanting to risk losing your connection, the town of Bodo has a lot of charm to spend half a day here.
DAY 2: REINEBRINGEN
Ferry from Bodo to Moskenes (3 hours and 10 minutes)
Route: From Moskenes to Reine, Sakrisoy, Hamnoy and back to Reine (Distance: 15,6 km, Time: 32 minutes)
Hiking: 5 km
Hotel: Lofoten Bed & Breakfast
STOP 1: Ferry to Moskenes
On our second day of the trip, we got up early to catch the first ferry to Moskenes. The ferry departs from Bodo at 7:00 but you have to be at the port 1 hour before departure to board. It was really early but we were so excited to get to Lofoten that we didn’t care about the early wake up call.
The ferry ride from Bodo to Moskenes takes a bit over 3 hours but the time goes by fast. We spent our time on the boat enjoying the views, especially during departure and arrival, eating the breakfast they had prepared for us at the hotel, and sleeping for a while.
STOP 2: Reinebringen Hike
Once we arrived in Lofoten, we headed directly to Reine, one of the most iconic places in Lofoten, parked our car at our accommodation and started the most famous hike in Lofoten, Reinebringen.
This hike consists of 1978 steps to the top of Reinebringen Mountain where you will get breathtaking aereal views of the small town of Reine. I’m not going to sugarcoat it, this hike is tough. It is not the most difficult hike in Lofoten due to the steps that allow you to reach the top but it is steep. However, if you take it slow it is feasible and once you get to the top, you will forget about everything else.
STOP 3: Reine
After the hike, we explored the iconic town of Reine. If you’ve seen some photos from Lofoten with the red fisherman’s houses and beautiful mountains in the back, they are probably from here. Reine is not very big, but it is definitely worth it taking some time to explore its many pictoresque spots.
If you’re feeling tired after your hike, it is also the perfect spot to get a drink and relax after the effort made.
STOP 4: Sakrisoy and Hamnoy
Our last stop of the day was the two small villages of Sakrisoy and Hamnoy. In both of them, everywhere you look you can find postcard views. Sakrisoy will surprise you because it has yellow Rorbruers, fisherman’s houses instead of red ones. Hamnoy, has many viewpoints where you will take a thousand photos.
STOP 5: Dinner at Gadus
We finished our first day in Lofoten by having dinner at Gadus Lofoten, a small restaurant in Hamnoy. This was, without a doubt, my favorite restaurant in Lofoten. We loved it so much, that we went there a second time on our last day in Lofoten. This restaurant serves fusion cuisine between Italian and Norwegian food and everything we had was delicious!
Tip: If you don’t want to wait to eat, I recommend booking a table in advance. It is possible to do so on their website.
DAY 3: Helvetestinden and Bunes Beach Hike
Boat from Reine to Vindstad and Return (20 minutes to get to Vindstad and 45 minutes to get back to Reine)
Hiking: 11,5 km
Hotel: Lofoten Bed & Breakfast
STOP 1: Boat to Vindstad
The activity for the day was to do a day hike to Helvetestind and Bunes Beach. To do this hike, you have to take a short boat ride (approximately 20 minutes) from Reine to Vindstad, where the trail begins.
The boat ride is a fantastic activity on its own, especially if you have a beautiful sunny day like we did. It is a nice way to get views of Reine from the water.
Tip: There is a limited number of tickets on the boat each day and they are offered on a first come, first served basis. However, not many people know that you can book your boat tickets in advance on the ReisNorland official website.
STOP 2: Helvetestinden Hike
The hike begins as soon as you get off the boat in Vindstad. For the first 2,5km, you walk along the fjord until you reach a viewpoint from which you can see Bunes Beach. From here, you can keep walking towards the beach or, turn to the right and start the ascent to Helvetestind.
We decided to summit Helvetestind first, so after a quick stop at the viewpoint to take some photos we took the trail on the right and started going uphill. The trail was not very well marked and we got off the trail a few times, which meant we had to scramble more than was necessary and made the hike more difficult than it was. By the time we made it to the first viewpoint from which you can see Kjerkfjorden, we had lost so much time that we decided to turn around to be sure not to miss the last boat back to Reine.
The trail kept going on a bit longer until you reached a second viewpoint from which you could see Bunes Beach from above. In the end, during the descent, we managed to follow the trail correctly and it was way easier than we thought, so we could have had enough time to complete the hike.
STOP 3: Bunes Beach
Before returning to the ferry, we hiked down to visit Bunes Beach, with its beautiful and crystal clear waters. The temperature was so warm and the water was so blue that it felt like we were in the Caribbean… At least, until you wet your feet in the water. It looked like the Caribbean water but it was quite cold!
We spent some time relaxing at the beach until it was time to return to Vindstad port to catch the last boat back to Reine.
STOP 4: Boat back to Reine
We took the last boat back to Reine. The return ride is a bit longer than the way out because the boat makes an additional stop at Kjerkfjord, which we had seen from Helvetestinden earlier in the day.
STOP 5: Dinner and evening walk in Reine
After a well-deserved shower and resting a bit at our accommodation, we went out for dinner in Reine. We had dinner at Tapperiet Bistro and enjoyed a short walk in town.
DAY 4: Ryten Hike
From Reine to Ryten Trailhead and Vikten Beach and Return (Distance: 97,6 Km; Time: 2 hours)
Hiking: 7,5 km
Hotel: Lofoten Bed & Breakfast
STOP 1: Ryten Hike
Our first activity of the day was Ryten Hike. The hike is not so difficult although it is steep like most of the hikes in Lofoten. However, the good thing about this hike is that here, you don’t have to do any rock scrambling, which makes it easier. After getting to Ryten summit, you will be granted breathtaking views of Kvalvika Beach.
Halfway along the hike, you can turn left and descend to Kvalvika Beach, which will extend your hike for 5 km extra. We decided to skip this part because we planned to visit a second beach after this hike, so even though it was probably amazing, we wanted to rest our legs.
On the way back to the parking lot, you will be granted amazing views of the mountains and small mountain lakes.
STOP 2: Vikten Beach
After the hike, we spent the rest of the day relaxing at Vikten Beach. A small beach with crystal clear and really cold waters. However, the temperature was so nice and the sun was shining so it was a nice relaxing afternoon.
STOP 3: Dinner at Anita's Sjomat
To finish the day, we had dinner at Anita’s Sjomat where you can get the best fishburgers I’ve ever had. They were absolutely delicious! Plus, you get to eat them with the best views.
DAY 5: Volandstinden Hike
From Reine to Volanstinden Trailhead, Nusfjord and Leknes (Distance: 74,8 Km; Time: 1 hour 30 minutes)
Hiking: 5 km
Hotel: Scandic Leknes Lofoten
STOP 1: Volandstinden Hike
It’s a new day, and of course, we began our day with a new hike! The trail for the day was Volandstinden. In the beginning, the trail didn’t look very promising since you get nice views of the fjord but they are constantly blocked by electricity cables and poles. However, if you keep going, at some point you will get visibility of both fjords and it all will be worth it!
If i am being completely honest, this trail involves a lot of rock scrambling and it looked like it was going to rain, so we were tempted to turn around a few times. However, I am glad we decided to keep going and summit because the views up there were fantastic!
STOP 2: Storvatnet Lake
Once we completed the hike, we set the route towards Nusfjord. Along the road that brings you to this little fisherman’s village, there is a small lake with stunning mountains next to it. We couldn’t resist to stop and enjoy the view.
STOP 3: Nusfjord
Nusfjord is one of the best preserved fishing villages in Lofoten. It is full of Rorbu (fisherman’s cabins) and buildings where the fish was stocked and treated. Walking throught its streets really gives you an idea of how people used to live here.
Visiting Nusfjord does not take very long but it is well deserved the short detour from the E10 to visit. Plus, if like us, you are visiting on a grey colder day, it is the perfect place to make a pitstop and warm up with a warm chocolate and a little pastry.
Practical information: To visti Nusfjord, you will have to pay a small entrance fee of 100NOK per person (unless you have accommodation booked here). However, the small hut to pay is closed after 17:00 so if you arrive after this hour, you can visit the village for free.
STOP 4: Buksnes Church
After Nusfjord, we kept driving north and reached Buksnes Church in Gradval. The church architecture is typical of the Norwegian style and even though it is not possible to visit its interior, it is worth it to stop for a few minutes to admire its beauty.
It is painted in a bright red colour which makes a nice contrast with the trees surrounding it.
STOP 5: Dinner in Leknes
Finished our day with dinner in Leknes. The restaurant offer in this town is not the most varied one, but we did manage to get ourselves a table in Makalaus restuarant where had a delicious dinner. If you do visit this restaurant, make sure to try the chili burger!
DAY 6: Mannen Hike
From Leknes to Haukland Beach and Return (Distance: 47 Km; Time: 1 hour 16 minutes)
Hiking: 4,5 km
Hotel: Scandic Leknes Lofoten
STOP 1: Mannen Hike
Our first activity of the day was a hike to Mannen from where you can see Haukland and Vik Beach on one side and Uttakleiv Beach from above. The hike was not that difficult but I only recommend doing it if you are sure-footed and not afraid of heights. The hike takes place along the ridge of the mountain and, to make it even more interesting, it is quite windy.
However, if this is not a problem, this hike will reward you with epic views over these beaches.
Practical information: To park at Haukland Beach, you will have to pay a small fee (it was 40 NOK when we visited in 2024 for a day), that is used to preserve the area. There are also a few paying toilets at the parking.
STOP 2: Haukland Beach and Vik Beach
After the hike, it was time to relax at Haukland Beach and Vik Beach. Since we had paid the parking for the whole day, we decided to spend some time at the beach and enjoy the nice weather. There were even a few brave people going for a swim in the sea.
From Haukland Beach, you can walk along the coast until you reach Vik Beach, which is also quite nice and a bit less busy than Haukland Beach. If you don’t feel like walking, you can also drive your car and park there.
STOP 3: Uttakleiv Beach
On the other side of Mannen Mountain, you can find Uttakleiv Beach. To reach Uttakleiv, you’ll have to drive through a really long tunnel and park your car there. Alternatively, you can hike around the mountain to reach the beach. You can choose the best option for you depending on how tired you are.
Practical Information: The parking at Uttakleiv is also a paying parking (60 NOK for 3 hours in 2024).
STOP 4: Dinner in Ballstad
We finished our day by having dinner in the small town of Ballstad, in a beautiful Rorbuer next to the sea.
DAY 7: Offersoykammen
From Leknes to Svolvaer (Distance: 107 Km; Time: 2 hour 10 minutes)
Hiking: 4 km
Hotel: Villa Svolvaer
STOP 1: Offersoykammen Hike
Offersoykammen was my favorite hike in the Lofoten. Of course, I loved all our hikes, but if I had to choose my favorite it would be this one. The hike was a steep ascent directly from the start and there was almost no flat part so after 7 days of hiking, we had to make quite a few stops to rest our tired legs. However, when we reached the top, we were rewarded with beautiful 360-degree views of the surrounding area. We loved it so much that we stayed at the top for quite a while soaking it all in.
The most iconic view at the top is the view of Haukland and Vik Beach, but all the other directions are just as beautiful.
STOP 2: Gimsoy Kirke
After the hike, we drove north towards Svolvaer but we made a few stops along the way. The first stop was to visit Gimsoy Church, a small church in the most idyllic location. It is located next to the sea on one side and mountains on the other side. It was worth the small detour we took to visit it.
STOP 3: Henningsvaer
Our last stop before reaching Svolvaer was the small fisherman’s village of Henningsvaer, where we had a coffee break and explored its streets and quaint little corners. This village is mostly famous for its football field on an island (you’ve probably seen some photos of it). Although I have to admit, that if you don’t have a drone, it is not that special.
Photo by Jan Jirásek on Unsplash
DAY 8: Trollfjord and Floya
Hiking: 4 km
Hotel: Villa Svolvaer
STOP 1: Cruise to the Trollfjord
On our first day in Svolvaer, we decided to switch the itinerary a little bit and began our day by taking a cruise to visit the Trollfjord. This fjord is a 2,5 km fjord, surrounded by over 1000 meters high mountains. It is impossible to reach the fjord by car, you need to join a cruise.
The name Trollfjord comes from a legend of two trolls (Vagakallen and Hinnoygubben) who argued about the pasture for their cows in this area. During one of their fights, Hinnoygubben fell and hit with his ax the ridge of a mountain, creating the fjord.
The cruise we joined was quite good and we had a fantastic morning spotting white tail eagles and admiring the beauty of the area. The only pity is that the day was cloudy which made the experience a bit less impressive.
There are several options to book to visit this fjord:
- Silent Cruise to the Trollfjord: This is the option we booked and we were really satisfied with it. The boat ride was comfortable and the guides gave detailed explanations of what we were seeing.
- RIB Safari to the Trollfjord: If you’re looking for a more adventurous ride, then you can book this RIB experience.
STOP 2: Svolvaer
On the way back, we got to see The Fisherman’s Wife statue located in a small islet, right outside the port of Svolvaer waving goodbye to every boat that leaves.
After the cruise, we explored a little bit the city of Svolvaer.
STOP 3: Floya and Djevelporte Hike
In the afternoon, we decided to try the Floya and Djevelporte Hike. At the end of this hike will grant you the best views of Svolvaer. In addition, you will get to see the Djevelporte, a small rock hanging between the Floya and Frosken peaks.
Unfortunately, it started raining halfway through our hike and since it was getting slippery, we decided to turn around and not finish the hike. I would have loved to make it, but sometimes you have to think about your safety first. Nevertheless, even though we didn’t reach Floya summit, the views we got from Svolvaer, were still quite impressive.
DAY 9: Delpsheia and Matmora
From Svolvaer to Matmora trailhead and return (Distance: 70,5 Km; Time: 1 hour 16 minutes)
Hiking: 13 km
Hotel: Villa Svolvaer
STOP 1: Delpsheia and Matmora
Delpsheia and Matmora was another epic trail we did in Lofoten. The views from Delpsheia were amazing! Although the trail was quite muddy and slippery, the effort to complete this hike was so worth it!
From the Delpsheia plateau, you can continue your hike until you summit Matmora. There, you can decide to either descend and make the hike a circular route or return the same way you came.
STOP 2: Sildpollnes Kirke
After the hike, we visited Sildpollness Kirke, another cute little church located next to the sea that was supposed to have a pretty backdrop. However, the day we visited was cloudy, making it less special.
STOP 3: Vagan Church
The last stop of the day was Vagan Church in Kavelbag, the old capital of the Lofoten Islands. This church is also known as the Lofoten Cathedral since it’s the biggest church in northern Norway and can host up to 2000 people.
Practical information: It is possible to visit the Vagan Church for a fee of 50 NOK (price in August 2024)
DAY 10: Festvagtind Hike
From Svolvaer to A (Distance: 158 Km; Time: 3 hours 2 minutes)
Hiking: 3,5 km
Hotel: A Hamna Rorbuer
STOP 1: Festvagtind Hike
On the tenth day of our Lofoten Itinerary, we began with another hike, this time to Festvagtinden, a mountain that gives you impressive views over Henningsvaer. The hike was really steep and at some points it was more climbing than hiking. There is an incline of 42% so I recommend only doing this hike if you are in very good shape.
We struggled a lot with this hike and decided to only go halfway to the lake. From there if, instead of following the trail, you turn right, you will also get fantastic views of Henningsvaer.
STOP 2: Rorvik Beach
After our “defeat” at Festvagtinden, we decided to do some more relaxed activities that day. Not far from Festvagtinden trailhead, we found Rorvik Beach which had one of the clearest waters I have ever seen. We spent some time there, relaxing and enjoying the beautiful weather.
STOP 3: Unstad Beach
For lunch, we drove to Unstad Beach, famous among surfers for its waves. In fact, it is a very common activity among people visiting the Lofoten to get some surfing lessons here. We just chilled and enjoyed a nice picnic at the beach.
After lunch, we stopped at Unstad Arctic Surf, to get some coffee and try the best cinnamon roll in the Lofoten. This is just my opinion, but we did try quite a few cinnamon buns during this trip and the only one that lived up to its hype was this one. The other ones were quite dry for my taste.
STOP 4: A
The rest of the day, we drove south to the small village of A and spent it enjoying the Rorbuer we had rented. We stopped at the supermarket and got some food to have a nice snack and dinner in our little hut. Spending a night in one of this fisherman’s huts is an experience I recommend in Lofoten. I was surprised at how spacious and well-equipped they were.
In the evening, we went for a little walk in the village and enjoyed the sunset from the pier.
DAY 11: Horseid Beach
Boat from Reine to Kirkefjord and Return (35 minutes to get to Kirkefjord and 30 minutes to get back to Reine)
From A to Reine and Hamnoy and return (Distance: 45 Km; Time: 1 hour 13 minutes)
Hiking: 10 km
Hotel: A Hamna Rorbuer
STOP 1: Boat to Kirkefjord
Day 11 was our last day in Lofoten and we decided to end our stay in these beautiful islands with a day hike to Horseid Beach. To do this hike, you have to get a boat ride from Reine to Kirkefjord. This is the same boat we took the day we did our hike to Helvetestinden and Bunes Beach but instead of getting off the boat at Vindstad, you do so at Kirkefjord (the second stop).
This day, the weather wasn’t as sunny as the first time but it was still a very pleasant boat ride! In addition, most people got off in Vindstad so we did the second part of the trip almost alone.
STOP 2: Hike to Horseid Beach
As soon as you step off the boat, the hike begins. To reach Horseid Beach, you need to hike up a small mountain and then, descend on the other side until you reach the beach. The hike is not technically difficult but it’s a bit mentally frustrating. When you reach the top part of the hill, you can already see the beach in the distance but it is further than it looks.
Tip: If you have an extra day, book a night in one of the huts in Kirkefjord. Alternatively, you can bring your tent and camp at Horseid Beach. It is possible to do this as a day trip like we did. However, I have to admit we were a bit stressed about not missing the return ferry and didn’t enjoy the beach as much as we should.
STOP 3: Dinner at Gadus Lofoten
To finish our stay in Lofoten we decided to have dinner again at Gadus Lofoten. We had been to this family-owned restaurant at the beginning of our trip and we liked it so much that we decided to eat here one last time.
DAY 12: Return Home
Ferry from Moskenes to Bodo (3 hours and 10 minutes)
Route: From A to Moskenes and from Bodo to Saltstraume and Bodo Airport (Distance: 65,7 km, Time: 1h 13 minutes)
STOP 1: Ferry to Bodo
On Day 12, it was time to leave Lofoten so we took the first ferry of the day back to Bodo. To make sure that we were getting a spot on this ferry, we booked our tickets in advance at the Torghatten Nord website.
The ferry ride took a bit over 3 hours to get to Bodo. However, since it was a rainy morning and we were tired from all the hiking we had done during the last 10 days, we just found some comfortable seats and slept all the way.
STOP 2: Saltstraumen Whirpools
Since we had some time before our flight back home, we drove a bit south of Bodo to see the Saltstraumen Whirpools. These are some natural vortices or maelstroms that form due to the forces created by the tides. They can get as big as 10 meters in diameter. When we visited they were not that big, but it was still interesting to see.
It is also possible to go on a RIB boat ride to see the whirlpools from up close. However, we didn’t have much time so we just drove to the Saltstraument Bridge to see them. You can book your RIB Saltstraumen Tour here.
STOP 3: Fly home
After Saltstraumen, we drove directly to the airport, returned our rental car, and got our return flight. In our case, we didn’t fly back to Belgium directly since we wanted to visit Oslo before we left Norway. However, this blog is about our Lofoten itinerary so I will write a separate blog post about Oslo.
OTHER ACTIVITIES TO DO IN LOFOTEN
As mentioned at the beginning of this blog, we love hiking so the main thing we did in Lofoten was that. If you are a hiking enthusiast like us, Lofoten will be your dream come true. However, hiking is not the only activity you can do here. There are many other activities that you can include in your Lofoten Itinerary.
Here are some examples:
- Kayaking: In most towns in Lofoten, you will find small local businesses that either have kayaks for rent or offer you the possibility to join a guided kayaking tour. For example, you can book this kayaking tour near Svolvaer.
- Kayaking during the midnight sun: Are you visiting Lofoten during June and July? Then chances are you will be able to enjoy the midnight sun. Why not join a midnight sun kayaking tour?
- Fishing trip in Lofoten: Lofoten is full of cute fisherman villages so it is only normal that you can join a fishing trip and experience what it feels like to catch your own fish.
- Horse Riding: Another beautiful experience you can enjoy in Lofoten is horse riding along the coast. There is no better way to enjoy the beautiful Lofoten coastline.
- Watch the Northern Lights. If you’re visiting during the winter months, watching the Northern Lights is a must-do activity in Lofoten.
- Relax in a Norwegian Sauna: Many accomodations in Lofoten, offer a sauna to their guests. Experiencing the Nordic sauna is the best way to relax after a long hike.
MAP WITH ALL LOCATIONS
INFOGRAPHIC
No time to read the complete blog? No problem! Here is an infographic with our 12 day Lofoten itinerary.
And that’s it for this week’s blog. I hope you liked it and found it useful. Let me know what you think in the comments!
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