Norway

Lofoten Islands Bike Tour

Eight nights; seven days of cycling in northern Norway, on quiet, paved coastal roads with options to hike and sea kayak. In June and July the sun never sets.

“Lodging was...amazing. Guides were the best... It will be hard to find another trip as perfect as this one - the bar has been set very high." - Mike and Joyce D.

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Itinerary

Start: Meet at Thon Hotel in Harstad,18:00, day one. Norweigan and SAS offer daily flights from Oslo; they also operate from Bodø back to Oslo at the end of the tour. From the Narvik/Harstad airport, the flybus has regular departures directly to the hotel. Please contact us to arrange alternate plans, if necessary.

Finish: Moskenes ferry terminal, 10:00, day nine. Please note that ferry departures vary; consult the summer ferry schedule for Moskenes to Bodø or contact us before booking your flight.

“Hands down the most beautiful place I've ever cycled--and I've cycled all over the world!." - Susan O.

Day 1

Arrival & Introductions

Your Lofoten adventure begins in Harstad, the home port of the oldest sailing schooner in the world, the Anna Rodge. Guests who arrive at Harstad early will have the opportunity to visit Trondenes Church; the world's northernmost surviving medieval building. Other activities for early arrivals include horseback riding, golf and hiking. D (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips. Self-guided trips include breakfast only).
Thon Hotel, or

Clarion Collections Hotel Arcticus; Harstad

Day 2

Harstad to Sortland 57.4km +576m/-580m or 90.6km +860m/-865m

Leaving Harstad you will begin your week of island hopping by riding from the island of Hinnøya to the island of Langøya via Gullesfjorden; a 35km long fjord that cuts deep into Hinnøya. A short ferry that runs every hour will help you with the first of many fjord crossings in the coming days. BLD
Vesterålen Sjøhus, or

Sortland Hotel; Sortland

Day 3

Sortland to Stokmarknes 62.7km +425m/-425m

Continue cycling along the Lofoten archipelago, you will bike along the edge of Eidsfjorden, a massive 25km long fjord that overlooks the Norwegian Sea. Large peaks dot the horizon to the north as you cycle through many small villages on your way to your lodging on the small island of Børøya. BLD
Vesterålen Kysthotell, or

Turistsenteret Hotel; Stokmarknes

Day 4

Stokmarknes to Svolvær 79.6km +381m/-383m

Leaving Børøya you will cross over to Hadseløya island and through the village of Stokmarknes. From here your ride will take you down the eastern coast of the island to the ferry terminal in Melbu where you will catch a 25 minute ferry across Hadselfjorden to the island of Austvågøya. Placid lakes reflect mountain scenes along this afternoons route into Svolvær. BLD
Anker Brygge, or

Scandic Svolvær; Svolvær

“Loved the trip. Loved the quiet roads...mountains on one side, the ocean on the other..." - Barbara B.

Day 5

Svolvær to Henningsvær 25.2km +392m/-392m or 50.4km +784m/-784m

The short ride finishes at the fishing village of Henningsvær. Located on a small archipelago off the southern coast of Austvågøy, the quaintness of this village is juxtaposed by a mountainous backdrop. This small community of winter fisheries thrived in the early 1800's and not much has changed to this day. Return to Svolvær by vehicle or bike. Time permitting, optional afternoon activities include kayaking, a boat cruise to nearby Trollfjord, or simply relaxing at your inn. B
Same lodging

Day 6

Vestvågøya to Ballstad 73.3km +663m/-669m

Begin today with a transfer to your starting point on Vestvågøya. From here continue along the southern coast, passing through many more seaside villages and coves. The ride finishes at Ballstad, a picturesque village that lies in the shadow of nearby Skottinden, a 700m peak that looms over head. BLD
Solsiden Brygge Rorbuer, or

Kræmmervika Havn; Ballstad

Day 7

Ballstad to Reine via Nusfjord 41.7km +650m/-662m

A mid-morning ferry takes you to the neighboring village of Nusfjord where you will start your ride to Reine; a village of 300 inhabitants situated near the southern tip of the Lofoten Archipelago. Reine is praised as the most beautiful fishing village in all of Norway and we are sure you will agree. A late afternoon or evening hike to a lofty perch atop Reinebringen is highly recommended. BLD

Reine Rorbuer, or

Sakrisøy Rorbuer, Reine

Day 8

Short bike ride & optional hiking to waterfalls and Djupfjordheia Peak

Ride 7.3km +169m/-165m to Sørvågen, where you will park your bicycle and hike to the Lofoten Waterfalls. The water draining from Stuvdalsvatnet lake on Moskenesøya cascades down the slopes toward Tindsvatnet lake and then the sea. Continue climbing from the falls past the lakes of Tridalsvatnat and Fjerddalsvatnet on your way to the summit of Djupfjordheia. This hike is moderately challenging and includes some elevation gain. The spectacular views will reward your efforts. Depending on ferry schedules, you may have the chance to visit Vinstad and the beautifully secluded Bunes beach. Return to Reine for a final evening of Lofoten hospitality. BLD
Same lodging

Day 9

After breakfast you will be transferred to Moskenes ferry terminal where your Freewheeling Adventure officially concludes. From Moskenes, there is a 3 hour ferry crossing (walk on passengers are not able/required to reserve tickets) to Bodø where Norweigan and SAS offer daily flights to Oslo and other locations throughout Norway and Scandinavia. B

Description

Note about the route:

22-85km/day (14-52mi.) on mainly paved, quiet coastal roads; some rolling hills and lots of level riding. The riding ease is often wind-dependent, but we endeavour to ride downwind in most cases. This is a remote area and happily not focused on tourism. Dinners are predominantly seafood. Past guests have said that it is an ideal venue for cycling. Come prepared to enjoy anything.

North of the Arctic Circle, lying between the 68th and 69th parallel, the Lofoten Islands is the furthest north Freewheeling has ever adventured. What lies upon this archipelago of craggy, often snow-capped peaks jutting into the Norwegian Sea is one of the best kept secrets in the cycling world. Long fjords, narrow waterways, and picturesque fishing communities dot the landscape and make the beauty of these islands staggering.

With the aid of ferries, your ride will take you across all four of the main islands; Austvågøy, Vestvågøy, Flakstadøy and Moskenesøy. Your route follows quiet, paved coastal roads that link one fishing village to the next, and although mountains loom overhead, the route is relatively flat. Despite being so far north, the warm currents of the Gulf Stream, prevailing tailwinds, and the long days of summer create an ideal climate for cycling. Accommodations each evening reflect the charm and humility of the Norwegian people, and are often in the form of a fisherman's cabin set on stilts at the end of a wharf.

We recommend catching a flight from Oslo to the Narvik/Harstad airport. Harstad is a small town and a pleasant place to acclimatize following your travels; if you decide to arrive early, please ask for help securing lodging. At the end of your bike tour, you will want to arrange a flight from Bodø back to Oslo; both routes are operated by Norweigan and SAS.

Map & Elevations

Click here for the elevation profile

Day #		Daily distance
1		Introductions
2		~Up to 88 km
3		~64 km
4		~76 km
5		~26 km or 52 km
6		~56 km
7		~41 km
8		~7 km
9		Farewell

"...we enjoyed our two days of train travel from Bodo back to Olso. We purchased our tickets online well in advance which made the trip relatively inexpensive for Norway. Our experience of Norwegian rail travel was very good and the scenery was spectacular from beginning to end. It was a nice way to extend, and at the same time, wind down the trip." - Richard & Barb

"We chose an extra day in Harstad and a day in Reine at the beginning and end... Excellent choice, but both our days were Sundays, and everything closes! We would do it again. We also stayed in Oslo. Walked through Vigeland Sculpture Park (easy train/trolley ride from airport hotel); Norwegian Folk Museum, and Oslo Opera House." - Mike & Joyce D.

Consider extending your Scandinavian adventure by joining one of Freewheeling's Iceland tours.

An extra day of activity in Reine at the end of your trip is recommended before catching the ferry to Bodø.

Norweigan and SAS offer daily flights from Oslo to Harstad/Narvik airport at the begining of your trip and flights from Bodø to Oslo at the end.

Costs

US 5245 C 6295
per person, double occupancy, includes 9 days, 8 nights, 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners, full time vehicle and guide support, maps and route instructions, taxes

US 4395 C 5295
per person, double occupancy, includes 9 days, 8 nights, 8 breakfasts, inn to inn luggage transfers, maps and route instructions, emergency on-call support, taxes

Single
Occupancy

US 955 C 1145

Bicycle
Rental

Hybrid: US 295 C 355
Aluminum Road/Racing: US 435 C 525
Electric Assist: US 565 C 675

All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.

Norway

Lofoten Islands Bike Tour

Eight nights; seven days of cycling in northern Norway, on quiet, paved coastal roads with options to hike and sea kayak. In June and July the sun never sets.