Norway adventure: The Lofoten Islands
8 Day Guided Trek
JuNe 16 - 23, 2024
$5,700 /person
Single (+350)
Group Size: 5-10
Returning Travelers Receive $300 off.
With Guides Mimi & Jonas Hill
Spaces Remaining: 1
VELKOMMEN
WELCOME
Above the Arctic Circle, the Lofoten Islands of Norway blur the line between imagined myth and reality. With landscapes and culture that feel as if they belong in your favorite folklore legend, something within you is bound to awaken in this numinous environment.
TRIP ESSENCE
If we had to describe the Lofoten Islands, we would use words like: majestic fjords, pointy mountains, quiet century-old fishing villages, ancient Viking history, rolling green hillsides, fluffy sheep, wildflowers galore, cozy corners, nice people in sweaters, fresh pastries, hot tea, muddy boots, and happy hearts.
This is a trekking focused trip with daily cultural experiences. Each day might look a little something like this:
Breakfast at our hotel/resort
A long hike in possibly the most beautiful landscape your eyes have ever seen
Picnic lunch with mountain views
An afternoon traditional sauna on the edge of a fjord
Downtime to walk around town and do self-care things
Local dinner shared with group
Watch the endless sunset of the arctic midnight sun
Cozy night of sleep in your very own rorbu (those cute little red fishing cabins)
ITINERARY
This adventure begins in the small fishing village of Henningsvær, Norway on the eastern side of the Lofoten Islands. Over the next 8 days, we will make our way west across all 5 of the major islands as we explore lush green peaks, shimmering blue fjords, and idyllic sandy beaches. We will stay in 3 of the most charming old fishing towns in Lofoten: Henningsvær, Nusfjord, and Reine. We will hike up to 6.5 miles per day with up to 3000ft of elevation gain.
DAY 1 - Arrival in Henningsvær
We will pick you up from the Svolvaer Airport and make the short drive to the beautiful town of Henningsvaer, where we will spend the next 2 nights. We will have a welcome dinner at our hotel and brief you on all the exciting adventures we have in store over the next week.
DAY 2 - Henningsvær
After a traditional Norwegian breakfast, we will head out for our first hike. Depending on the weather, we will choose a perfect warm-up hike near Henningsvaer as we start to experience the magic of the Lofoten Islands. In the afternoon, we will have some time to explore the charming town of Henningsvaer before a special evening at one of our favorite local hangouts, where we have booked a private yoga class, a seaside sauna, and wood-fired pizzas.
3.5 to 5 miles / 1,500 to 2,000ft ↑↓
DAY 3 - Henningsvær - Nusfjord
We begin our day with a beautiful drive to Haukland beach. Today’s hike will take us to two different beaches, as well as a dramatic summit with 360-degree views of the surrounding fjords. After a picnic lunch on the beach, we will make our way back to the trailhead. From here, we will make a short stop at a local farm before we head to the town of Nusfjord, where we will spend the next two nights. We’ll have time for a sauna before enjoying dinner together.
6 miles / 1700ft ↑↓
DAY 4 - Nusfjord
There are several incredible options for today’s hike near Nusfjord and we will choose the best one depending on the weather. You can expect stunning views, a picnic lunch, and maybe even a polar plunge for those brave enough to try. In the afternoon, there will be time to enjoy the resort spa and to book a massage or other spa services, before dinner as a group.
4 miles / 2000ft ↑↓
DAY 5 - Nusfjord
Today we will continue along our Lofoten road trip to the famous Ryten & Kvalvika Beach hike. This hike is spectacular and the views from the summit are among the most beautiful in all of Norway. We’ll then spend our final night in Nusfjord before we head further south.
6 miles / 3500ft ↑↓
DAY 6 - Vindstad
We’ll make the drive from Nusfjord to Reine in time to board a private boat that will take us across Reinefjorden to the hamlet of Vinstad, a town that is only accessible by boat. Our walk begins from the dock and leads to Bunes Beach. The scale of this place is hard to comprehend with 2000ft granite walls soaring straight out of the sand. After lunch on the remote beach, we will take the boat back to Reine. After dinner we have a special treat, an opportunity for a midnight hike to watch the glow of the midnight sun dance along the horizon.
6 miles / 2000ft ↑↓
DAY 7 - Munkebu
After a relaxing morning we will take a short drive to the town of Sørvågen where we’ll begin our hike. The trail will take us past crystal clear mountain lakes and towering jagged mountains to a small mountain hut. We’ll stop here for a picnic lunch as we enjoy the 360 degree views of this arctic paradise before retracing our steps back to the trailhead. As our adventure comes to a close we will celebrate a wonderful week with a banquet dinner at another one of our favorite restaurants.
6.5 miles / 2500ft ↑↓
DAY 8 - Departure Day
We’ll enjoy breakfast together before we head to the Leknes Airport. It will be a bittersweet farewell to the magic of Lofoten!
CHALLENGE LEVEL 3/4
Comfort Level 4/4
Important Note: We will do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however occasionally trips are subject to slight changes in the itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances like weather. Also, while the hiking distance each day is only between 3 - 6.5 miles, the trails often cover a lot of elevation over a short distance. Clients should feel comfortable on steep, rocky, and muddy terrain.
On this trip, we will be staying in traditional Norwegian Rorbuer and local seaside hotels. Historically, fishermen from all over Norway would come to the Lofoten Islands in the spring to fish for cod in the abundant waters near Lofoten. Rorbuer were the seaside cabins originally built to house these traveling fishermen and have now been beautifully renovated to host travelers like us!
Lodging
Our Lodging:
Towns:
Henningsvaer
Nusfjord
Reine
On this trip, we will set out on daily hikes to see the natural wonders of this landscape. Besides our daily mountain wandering, we plan to take a private ferry to a secluded beach, visit charming small towns, tour a local cheese farm, enjoy delicious meals, deeply relax in a private yoga class, and enjoy many sits in the traditional Norwegian sauna.
Activities
Activities
Lofoten Gårdsysteri Cheese Farm
Yoga at Trevarefabrikken
Boat to Bunes Beach
Sauna
WEATHER
The weather this far North can be quite unpredictable. Because of this, appropriate gear and positive attitudes are necessary! One moment it might be foggy and drizzling and the next moment the sun might shine through to reveal a rainbow. It is all a part of the experience of this beautifully unique climate above the arctic circle.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP?
✔ All lodging in traditional rorbuer and local hotels
✔ All meals: local & delicious
✔ All in-trip transportation
✔ All in-trip activities
✔ Private ferry to a secluded beach
✔ Local farm tour
✔ Private yoga class
✔ Private saunas
✔ Professional guides
✔ Trip Photographer - digital photo album delivered after the trip
INCLUDED:
✘ International travel
✘ Travel insurance
✘ Personal gear
✘ Alcoholic Beverages
Not Included:
BOOK HERE↴
Photos from our Norway Adventure 2023:
POLICIES:
A deposit of 30% of the total trip price will be due upon enrollment.
The remainder of the payment will be due 90 days prior to trip departure.
A minimum of 6 participants must enroll in order for the trip to operate.
See more trip policies here.