The endless days and magical light around the time of the midnight sun is the setting for this gentle paced road tour exploring Norway’s beautiful Lofoten Islands. This narrow chain of the Lofoten islands crams in more mountains per square mile than any other part of Norway. Jagged peaks sweep down to the sea leaving a narrow brim of coastal road with breathtaking views amid charming fishing villages, simply perfect for cycling.
Situated within the Arctic Circle and a short flight from Oslo, Bodø provides the perfect starting point for our tour. Following a visit to the Saltstraumen - the world’s largest whirlpool, we board the coastal steamer - the ‘Hurtigruten’ - and embark on a stunning journey across Vestfjorden to Stamsund where our cycling on the Lofoten Islands begins.
Highlights along the way include Melbu’s midnight hike, the narrow Trollfjord, Henningsvaer (the Venice of the North), the Viking Long House at Borg, picture postcard Nusfjord, and the former Viking powerbase of the north, Kabelvag, with its fine museums and galleries.
Our route, which follows a coastline of white sandy beaches, rolling hills and soaring peaks concludes below the jagged peaks of Reine from where we cycle to the end of the road (literally) at Å, before the final boat trip back to Bodø.
Accommodation in the Lofotens are the lovely quayside Rorbus - traditionally painted fishermen’s wood cabins perched on stilts. With some providing rowing boats, you may wish to try some fishing; or take a sauna and optional fjord dip for an invigorating experience, Scandinavian style.
Evening meals are taken either at the superb local restaurants renowned for their delicious seafood, or in the Rorbus themselves if you want to try your hand at cooking. Lunches en route are picnic style and breakfasts are all to the high quality you have come to expect from Skedaddle.
ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrive at Bodø Airport, following the scheduled flights from either Oslo, Bergen or Stavanger. (Confirmation of the flight times from the UK and internal Norwegian fights will be given upon booking). Once you collected your baggage and/or bikes you will be met by one of the Skedaddle guides, who will transport you to our hotel accommodation in the centre of Bodø. Once checked-in we will spend time sizing up bikes for those who are hiring or for those who have brought their own we will assist in re-assembling them.
The evening is spent enjoying a get-together dinner, during which there will be a briefing about the week’s schedule, and will be followed with a ride to the top of Mount Rønvik. This is Bodø’s Midnight Sun viewpoint providing a dramatic panorama of Bodø and the surrounding Borvasstindene Mountains and the distant islands of Lofoten, Væroy and Røst.
Day 2
Following breakfast, the morning is free to explore Bodø at your own pace. Perhaps you may wish to visit the Aviation Museum or alternatively join us on a visit to the sound connecting Saltenfjord and Skjerstadfjord & witness the Saltstraumen - the strongest Maelstrom (giant whirlpool) in the world. We depart from Bodø at 15.00 sailing on the Coastal Steamer ( Hurtigruten ). Named by many as the ‘best value cruise in the world’, this is a wonderful way to begin your journey. The scenery is magnificent throughout, with the ship sailing close to the mighty ‘Wall’ (the descriptive name given to this jagged range of steep mountains sweeping down to the sea) at Stamsund where we arrive at around 19.00.
Tonight will be our first in the Lofoten Rorbus, which are situated a short distance from the quayside, with the evening meal taken in the plush surrounding of Skjaerbrygga.
Optional Activities
Either a short ride in the local area or a night hike to one of the nearby peaks ( 308m and about two hours in duration ).
Day 3 - Distance 65kms / 40 miles
Today we begin our cycling in earnest. Today’s cycle of around 40 miles ( 65kms ) is a nice introductory ride on our first day of cycling as it skirts the coast on a flat, or at times gently undulating road. We will ride along the coast of Vestvaagoy until we reach Gimsøy Island. Lunch is served after 35kms/22 miles at the lovely setting of Gimsøy Church. Suitably reinvigorated we continue our ride for the "Venice of the North" – Henningsvær.
During this afternoons rides we might see the cod drying racks that the Lofoten is known for and keep your eyes peeled for sea eagles as this is a popular spot in which to view them. We'll also visit the one of the sculptures that appear sporadically during your time on the islands. Nicknamed 'the shower cubicle' by locals it is well worth a brief stop-off.
Just before Henningsvær there is a wonderful beach at Rørvika from where you'll be able to take an invigorating dip in the clear waters. From here it's just 8kms/5miles to reach Henningsvær. This is one of the best places in Norway to climb, so make sure you check out the rock faces for climbers as you cycle along.
Henningsvær is a great place to visit, and with this in mind, the afternoon is allocated some ‘down-time’. Soak up the atmosphere of the major fishing port in the Lofoten Islands and spend time in some of the interesting museums and small art galleries, whose highlights include the wonderful paintings and slide show at the Lofoten House.
Due to Rorbus in Henningsvær being very spread out throughout the town, we will stay at a more basic accommodation than other nights. Although rooms are twin share, not all have en-suite facilities, though there is a large lounge and eating area, the place is extremely friendly and depending on group size we should have it all to ourselves. Tonights evening meal will be taken either in the famous Fiskekrogen restaurant, (with seafood undoubtedly the order of the day) or for those in search more relaxed surroundings - Klatrekafeen ( the Climbers Bar ) offer delicious food at very reasonable prices.
Optional Activities
For those looking to increase the days cycling distance there is a possibility of a further 15kms/9 miles around the Gimsøy headland prior to lunch.
Day 4 - Distance - 25miles / 16miles
Today we have a short days ride of approx. 25miles/16miles, that starts with a little back-tracking to the beach at Rørvika. Once here we turn northwards once again and head for Kabelvåg. Mid-way there is the option of cycling over the mountain pass for those looking to sample an easy off road section and once at the top of the short climb there are some wonderful views back to Henningsvær and beyond.
Lunch today is at the beautiful beach at Kalle, where you'll have time to explore the rock pools and relax in this sheltered location. From here we head to Kabelvåg and Northern Norway's power base in Viking times. Kabelvåg has a relaxing feel to it and is now home to some lovely art galleries and museums at Storvågen, which we will have time to visit. Amongst the highlights are the sea-front Lofoten Aquarium, Rural Museum and one of Norway’s most worthwhile galleries – Gallery Espolin. The gallery features artist Kaare Espolin-Johnson’s works, which reveal in haunting monochrome, the lives and hardships of the Lofoten’s fisherfolk. Accommodation tonight is at Nyvågår rorbuer, a modern Rorbu, boasting a great restaurant, sauna and optional quayside dip!
Optional Activities
After your arrival at Nyvågår you may wish to ride into Svolvær ( roundtrip 10kms/6miles ) or in the evening hike to Glamtinden - 419mtrs. This hike will take approx. 3hrs in total and offers amazing views from its lofty peak.
Day 5 - Distance 60kms / 37 miles
We start the day from Nyvågår by riding into Svolvær and then continuing on to Austvagoya. Lunch is taken at the tiny fishing hamlet of Laukvika, from where we continue until we reach Fiskebøl on the edge of Austvagøy - the most northern of the Lofoten Islands. From here, we take the brief ferry journey across to the neighbouring Vesterålen Islands’ little fishing port of Melbu. For those in need of further exercise, join us on a lovely late evening walk to the nearby Husbykollen to marvel in its stupendous views, which is for many one of the highlights of the trip. Accommodation tonight is a short distance from the port at a basic hotel, where we will also eat for the evening. Room are twin share with en suite facilities.
Optional Activities
Evening bike ride and then hike to Husbykollen. The ride is approx. 30 minutes to the base of Husbykollen and then a one hour easy walk to the viewpoint, so 3 hours in total.
Day 6 - Distance 20kms / 12miles
Our cycle today will take to Stokmarknes. On leaving Melbu our initial ride along the coastline is flat until we reach the beautiful sandy beaches of Sanden with their wonderful views back to the Lofotens. In true Scandinavian style, there is of course the option of a ‘refreshing’ dip in the sea – apparently it's good for you! Five gently rolling miles later, and we reach Stokmarknes. Plenty of time to visit the Hurtigrutmuseet (Coastal Express Museum) before we depart mid afternoon on Coastal Steamer. Today we head through the Raftsund Sound and into the impressively narrow Troll Fjord, considered by many to be the highlight of this coastal voyage, then along the coast to Svolvær, the largest town in the Lofoten Islands, with a mere 4000 inhabitants. Our accommodation are some wonderful Rorbus close to the 'town' centre, with great views of the famous Goats Rock and the evening meal is taken at one of the many fine restaurants that exist here.
Optional Activities
A quick stroll to the see at close quarters the statue guarding the entrance to Svolvær followed by a beer on the terracing, at the Brygga takes some beating!
Day 7 - Distance 60kms / 37 miles
Initially we will transfer from Svolvær by bus to the Viking museum at Borg, where we will visit the restored long house of the Vikings. Following this we continue for a short distance on the E10 before heading to Vikspollen and an amazing lunch-stop. This huge horse-shoe shaped beach, surrounded by towering mountains and the clearest sea imaginable.........it doesn't get much better!!!
After lunch we set our sights on Nusfjord. The ride on the island of Flakstaoya is a delight, and for many, the most dramatic section of the entire cycling route. On the way we ride to Vikten and Glasshytta the home to Glassblower Asvar Tangrand. This amazing house is now a small cafe and well worth a quick visit. From here on in, the mountains continue to rise steeply all around and as we reach Nusfjord the Storvatnet Lake completes the picture.
Nusfjord is a well-preserved fishing village nestling amidst dramatic mountain scenery and we stay right on the quayside again in a Rorbu. With this one, however, there’s a difference, as we have the use of a rowing boat for a spot of fishing should we desire. Needless to stay, there is a good restaurant in the village should we fail to catch anything!
Optional Activities
Short evening walk to the small Nusfjord lighthouse for some great views back to Nusfjord and to the mainland way in the distance.
Day 8 - Distance 45kms / 28 miles
Retracing our steps of yesterday for a short time we head off to Ramberg on the Northern Coast of Flaktadoya. Prior to arrival here is Flakstad Kirke. Built in 1780 from Siberian driftwood, this red-onion domed church is well worth a visit.
Lunchtime is at Ramberg itself - a place that is without doubt stunning. A vast arch of white sand along a sparkling green / blue bay, with a backdrop of Arctic peaks…surely enough to tempt you into those icy arctic waters?!? Suitably dried off, a rolling 25kms/15miles later we arrive at Reine. The picture-postcard fishing town at the arrow neck of the Reine fjord and flanked by sheer mountains on three sides. Tonight is our farewell meal on the Lofoten will be in Reine at a great restaurant, as we near the end of our journey.
Day 9 - Distance 20kms / 12 miles
Following an early breakfast a 15km/9.5 mile relatively flat cycle ride, along the coast, past a string of picturesque fishing hamlets with the characteristic red or ochre fishermen's shanties perching on poles on the rocky foreshore. Our final destination is Å. An entire fishing village preserved as a museum – at the very end of the road (its name is appropriately enough the last letter of the Norwegian alphabet) Time to visit the cod-liver oil factory, yummy bakery and the Stock Fish Museum, before a brief ride along the coast to the ferry. We depart at 16:15 from Moskenes to Bodø, a journey of incredible views across to the remote islands of Værøy and Røst as we bid farewell to the Lofoten Islands. We arrive in Bodø at 20:15 and once checked into our centrally based hotel, all that is left to do is to enjoy a farewell meal and relax and reflect!
Day 10
Depart for the airport for your scheduled flights (Mid morning or lunchtime depending on your particular routing ).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour dates:
13 June 08
27 June 08
25 July 08
12 June 09
26 June 09
Bike hire: £120
Although flights are not included in the price, assistance can be provided in obtaining flights to Norway.
Price Includes:
Place to place tour,
3 nights hotel,
6 nights Rorbu,
Breakfast and Lunch provided,
7 days biking,
1 day cruise,
Guided and Vehicle support,
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Norway
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Bicycle Touring
Island Vacation
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