Adventure Hiking in the Lofoten Islands
A wild stomp past deep fjords, up jagged peaks and through white sand beaches and picture-postcard villages
What's Included?
Small ‘Like-minded’ Groups
Solo-friendly by design, our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
Lap up an epic week of hiking deep within the Arctic Circle, summiting mountains for sweeping vistas of the archipelago
Hop between the islands of Moskenesøya, Flakstadøya and Vestvågøya islands and brave a dip in the bracing Norwegian Sea
Pitch up on Lofoten's famous white sand beaches for wild campouts and bonfires beneath the midnight sun
Key Information
Day 1
First glimpses of Lofoten
Peer out over the archipelago as you touch down at Leknes Airport where your host is waiting to transfer you to your beach house. Settle in, grab a gentle stroll along the beach before sitting down for a welcome dinner with your guide and fellow adventurers to chat through the week ahead.
Day 2
The hike gets under way
Hiking
A short drive takes you to the trailhead near the village of Borgfjord, kicking things off with an easy stretch for your first hike in Lofoten. You'll hike up to a peak called Blatiden, part of a range that overlooks Vestfjord and crosses the island of Vestvagoya. You'll be rewarded with a magnificent 360º panorama view over the fjord to the south and the Arctic Ocean to the north which gives the peak its name - Blue Peak. Continue on to your first wild camp spot, keeping fingers crossed for a good sunset while you tuck into a dinner out in the wilds.
Day 3
Justadtinden peak and on to Flakstadøya Island
Hiking
Waking up beneath Lofoten skies, grab breakfast at camp before packing down and setting off for a long hike to the summit of Justadtinden, the highest peak on the eastern side of Vestvagoya and another cracking viewpoint as you eventually reach the summit. At the end of the hike in the afternoon you'll hop in the van, stock up on supplies in the town of Leknes and then drive over to Flakstadøya Island. Arriving at one of Lofoten's most beautiful beaches - Flakstad Beach - you'll set up your tent at a campground right on the fringe of the beach. Enjoy some beach time Arctic-style and take a short hike over to Ramberg. If you're feeling brave you can take a dip in the ocean before an al fresco dinner.
Day 4
Fredvang to Selfjord
Hiking
Prepare your backpack for two nights of wild beach camping as you take a short drive to Moskenesøya over the Fredvang bridge. Hit the trail with a steady ascent to Ryten with its stunning views of the famous Kvlavika Beach, before starting the 4km descent down to a memorable lunch spot on the beach. Continue hiking through the afternoon with a steady stretch to Selfjord and your wild camp spot on the shore surrounded by mountains.
Day 5
Selfjord to Horseidvika Beach
Hiking
Fuel up with breakfast on the beach before hiking away from Selfjord, navigating the trails through the coastal peaks as you weave your way along the north coast of Moskenesøya Island. 4 hours of spectacular hiking take you to Horseidvika Beach - an isolated and wild stretch of sand flanked by high mountain walls. Drink in this special place with lunch on the beach and set up camp in a sheltered spot amongst the sand dunes. Later in the afternoon, you'll tackle another 2-hour hike discovering a few peaks in the big mountains of Moskenesøya. You'll end the day with a bonfire, beach dinner and wild campout with edge-of-the-world vibes everpresent.
Day 6
Horsedvika to Reinebringen
Hiking
Bid farewell to the most epic of camp spots as you head away from Horsevdika Beach with a few hours of steady hiking to Kirkefjord where you'll board a ferry for the 30-minute crossing to Reine. Back in civilisation again, you can shake off your heavy pack and enjoy your final hike of the trip to Reinebringen - a popular peak and lookout spot with iconic views of Lofoten from the summit. The van is waiting in Reine to whisk you to the beach house for your final evening of dinner on the beach and some well-earned celebratory drinks.
Day 7
Last glimpses of Lofoten
Time to leave Lofoten with a sackful of happy memories as your host transfers you to Leknes Airport in time for your flight home.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4 – Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
During the hikes, the emphasis will be on lightweight meals prepared by the trip leader with some help from the group. The welcome and farewell dinner will be some local specialities such as Lofoten lamb and fresh fish. For the rest of the dinners expect soups, pasta with vegetables, sausages and freeze-dried meals. Breakfasts will consist of muesli, porridge, crispbread, some cheese and ham, tea and coffee. For packed lunches, you'll make sandwiches from various ingredients. Snack items include biscuits, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, fruits and energy bars.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Wild camping
You'll spend 3 nights wild camping in remote locations - surely the best way to experience the Lofoten Islands. Your first night of wild camping is at a sheltered spot near the high peak of Justadtinden (738m). The other two nights are spent camping on beaches at Selfjord and Horseidvika - two spectacular locations which make for some of the absolute highlights of the trip. You'll stay in twin-share tents and everyone mucks in alongside the guide to help set up and take down camp.
Beach campsite
You'll spend one night camping at a campground on Flakstadoy Island on one of the best beaches in all of Lofoten - Flakstad beach. There are toilets and shower facilities here. You'll stay in twin-share tents unless you have requested a private room and tent upgrade.
Beach house
Your first and last night of the adventure are spent at a private guesthouse on the beach a short drive from the town of Leknes. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with a shared bathroom and kitchen. Double rooms are available if requested.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Leknes Airport
Anytime on Day 1
Ends
Leknes Airport
Anytime on Day 7
Transfers
Your host will meet you on arrival at Leknes Airport and transfer you over to the beach house for your arrival night. On Day 7 your host will transfer you back to the airport in time for your onward flight. Transfers are included on the arrival and departure days, you'll just need to let your host know your flight arrival and departure times.
If you are looking to save some money, flights into Evenes (EVE) are significantly lower in price than Leknes. If you fly into Evenes you can take a 4hr bus journey to reach Leknes. Head to the Nordland website for the timetable; there are 2 buses per day that depart from Evenes airport; at 11:05 and 17:05. You can catch the bus all the way from Evenes airport and get off at the stop: Bøstad skole (Vestvågøy). Your host will pick you up from there. A one way ticket will cost you 450NOK (£36/€40/$44).
Travel options
Leknes Airport is accessible by various flights from the UK, Europe and North America via Oslo or Bergen. Some routes may also touch down in Bodø in between Oslo or Bergen on their way to Leknes. It looks long-winded on paper, but the transits are short and the scenery is stunning as you reach the far north of Norway. Travel time from London to Leknes can be as low as 6hr 20mins including both transits. If you overnight in Oslo or Bergen rather than connect through the same day, you can take the direct flight in the morning to Leknes, avoiding the short touchdown in Bodø.
Flights to Evenes (EVE) involve just one stop in Oslo en route from various major hubs in the UK, Europe and North America.
With extra time and cash on your hands, it is possible to catch the train to the Lofoten Islands. From Oslo, you can take a train via Trondheim and Fauske to Bodø which takes approximately 10 hours. Once in Bodø, you can take a ferry or speedboat to Lofoten.
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What's included?
Twin-share expedition tent
What's available to hire?
Sleeping bag Sleeping mat
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
Trekking backpack 50-75 litres
Waterproof liner for backpack
CLOTHES
Hiking boots (worn-in)
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Lightweight down/synthetic fill jacket
Breathable wicking layers
Fleece jacket or similar
Buff or neck scarf
Lightweight gloves
Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
T-shirts, underwear & socks
Swimwear (for the ocean and lakes during the hikes)
Sunglasses
Sunhat
Something to sleep in
Sandals/jelly shoes/beach shoes for crossing rivers
SLEEPING
Season 3 sleeping bag, with a comfort level of 5°C / 41°F
Lightweight and packable sleeping mat, such as a Thermarest
Sleeping bag liner
Small travel pillow
OTHER
Eye mask (nearly 24hrs of daylight on certain trips)
Universal travel plug adapter
Power bank or solar charger
Passports (and visas)
Travel Insurance documents
Earplugs
Insect repellant
Suncream
Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
Toilet kit (toilet paper, biodegradable bags to carry paper out to dispose of)
Quick-dry towel
Alcohol hand-gel
Headtorch or torch
Reusable water bottle (x1 litre)
Biodegradable wet-wipes
Energy bars and snacks
Sleeping bag and mat hire
Payable Before Departure
Sleeping bag and mat hire
…
Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade (for all nights)
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade (for all nights)
… Per Person
Optional Private Room Upgrade (for cabin and lodge nights only)
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade (for cabin and lodge nights only)
… Per Person
Optional Private Tent Upgrade (for nights in tents only)
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Tent Upgrade (for nights in tents only)
… Per Person
Optional Private Tent Upgrade + Sleeping Bag and Sleeping Mat Hire
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Tent Upgrade + Sleeping Bag and Sleeping Mat Hire
… Per Person
Overall, this trip was incredible and the group I was with was a great dynamic. The highlight was definitely reaching Ryten peak with blue sunny skies.
The only thing was this said moderate difficulty however I would class it as difficult in rating. The weather conditions can make some of the hikes treacherous and also with some of the steep inclines and declines on peaks are a lot harder than your average treks. Having said this, our guide and some amazing people in the group helped everyone through the tough moments and scrambled together when things seemed too hard to overcome.
Will definitely be back to explore more of this area of the world as it is honestly stunning and 5 days just wasn’t enough!
This trip was incredible. The scenery was incredible and ever changing and the overcast / rainy weather actually made the landscapes more vibrant! It was truly spectacular and I would book the same trip again to experience camping along the remote beaches again and taking in all the natural beauty. The guide was so wonderful and I felt in great hands with him. If you're looking to explore Lofoten, this is hands down the way to do it.
Lofoten : A stunning place in this world with amazing beaches and great mountains. It has been a well organised hiking trip with a fantastic group through an amazing landscape. The itinerary was great including a lot of stunning views and other highlights (cruising with a speed boat through a fjord, swimming in the arctic ocean and lakes …). Even though the tourism is increasing in Lofoten, we didn’t see a lot of people on this trek which also has some great spots for wild camping. Although we did not have the best weather conditions, the group still made the best of it. The rain made the terrain more challenging and sketchier at some parts, but this made the trip even more adventurous! In addition, we got some dramatic! views with all the clouds. A big thank you to our guide Marcin but also to Carlos and Krisztina for the organisation. I can only recommend this trip!
Lots of great things along the way. Views with dramatic clouds were awesome. We got lucky we had rain and dramatic clouds. Some people only see boring sunny skies and the peaks:) The combination of oceans, lakes, clouds, snow and mountains was pretty unique. I haven't seen it anywhere else. Trip was sustainable, and the guides were personable. A folding chair for everyone would be nice, as the ground was cold and wet many times. Fortunately, I had one with me, but many others were complaining about the wet ground. HSE was good all in. Some parts of the route were sketch as there was a scramble around the ocean wall, but the guides managed it with proper safety and got us through.
A good trip, well organised and friendly hosts . The weather could be challenging a bit .
Lofoten islands blew my mind — absolutely stunning, such diverse landscapes, amazing beaches and glacial lakes. I loved the hiking although maybe it was a little more strenuous than what I had expected (more uphill and more scrambling). We also had a great group which makes such a difference. Highly recommend this trip.
This trip exceed all expectations. The itinerary was brilliant, great food and great guides. The camping spots were really beautiful. Couldn’t recommend it enough.
The most amazing week in a very special place. The guides were incredible and managed to show us the islands at their absolute best. The hiking was tough but you were rewarded with views for miles and multiple options for wild swimming. We went to some pretty wild and remote places providing a great opportunity to fully switch off.The group worked brilliantly together. Couldn’t recommend it highly enough.
Marcin, Carlos, Christina and Nacho were all amazing and made for the best, most memorable, beautiful trip. It was a difficult trek, we earned every view, but it was so worth it. It was really the adventure of a lifetime!
I had a wonderful time on this trip. The scenery was stunning. Carlos, Krisztina, Nacho and Marcin made us all feel so welcome and truly looked after us. The guesthouse was warm/cozy and the tents were excellent. The whole experience really helped me switch off and I highly recommend it.
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 75kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
You'll need to have good fitness levels to tackle the bigger hiking days on this trip, where you'll be on the move for up to 8 hours. The shorter days involve around 4 hours of hiking and there's plenty of time on these days to enjoy the stunning beaches and famous Lofoten scenery. The routes aren't overly technical and don't reach high elevations, so beginner hikers will be fine - providing you have good fitness levels and a decent pair of broken-in hiking boots. You won't need any experience for the abseil on Day 2 as your guide will navigate you through what is required to safely reach the bottom of that section.
Yes! This is a multi-day hiking and wild camping trip with no porters, so you'll need to carry your own pack throughout (except for the final hike to the lookout spot at Reinebringen on Day 6, when you can just take a daypack). However, you only need to carry enough for three days at a time as there will be an opportunity to swap clothes/repack when you meet the host's van in the afternoon of Day 3. You'll carry your own tent and sleeping bag, plus clothes and other essentials including some of the group food. You can expect to carry a minimum of 10kg while walking. We recommend having a good 50-65 litre hiking backpack and getting some practice hours with the pack loaded up before joining the trip.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion and your host will help with advice on how much to tip your guides should you wish to do so.
Tap water in the Lofoten Islands is safe to drink. Your host will provide fresh water to fill up your bottles at various points during the hike, with some sections benefiting from small rivers to refill from.
The Lofoten Islands is the kind of place where you need to prepare for all-weathers. In the summer you'll find 25-degree scorchers to chilly overnight campouts, blazing sunshine to windswept downpours. The months with the lowest rainfall are April, May and June, followed closely by July and August. Average temperatures in June and September see lows of 6°C / 43°F and highs of 12°C / 54°F. For July and August can expect lows of 7°C / 45°F and highs of 16°C / 61°F. The average water temperature in summer is 11°C / 52°F.
Yes, you can store excess luggage at your host's office base at the start of the trip.
We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.
For current advice about travelling in Norway, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/norway/entry-requirements
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.
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