On the Lofoten Islands, a group of picturesque islands off the coast of northern Norway, you can find some of the best hiking opportunities in a breathtaking landscape. These islands are famous for their high mountains that sink their roots into the ocean, white sandy beaches and beautiful landscapes. In this article, I will guide you through the 5 most beautiful hikes on the Lofoten Islands, immersing you in the beauty of this fairytale corner in the north of Norway.
Reinebringen
If you seek for best hikes in Lofoten Islands, Reinebringen is probably the most popular hiking destination.
A short yet steep trail leads up the mountainside to a ridge overlooking the village of Reine. Due to the trail’s incredible popularity, erosion has caused significant landscape damage. In 2016, a project was initiated to create steps along the mountainside.
These steps almost reach the summit, but the peak still needs to be secured. The hiking route to Reinebringen is beautiful, offering a spectacular view of Reine Bay with its stunning red Rorbu cabins. Once you’ve completed the steps, you can decide whether to stop or continue a few more meters to reach the summit.
From this point, a dirt trail begins, which can become quite slippery and muddy in bad weather. Here, you’ll be completely exposed as you’ll be walking along the mountain ridge, so it’s crucial to be cautious and wear good hiking boots.
How to reach Reinebringen
Drive on the E10 until you reach Reine. Once you arrive, do not enter the town but look for parking before heading down the road to Reine.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Distance: 0.9 km
- Duration: 2:00 hrs
- Elevation Gain: 420 m
- Google Maps
Where to Park
Please avoid parking on the roadside as it’s not safe. There are two official parking areas provided by the municipality. The trail is about 1 kilometer from Reine. If you’re staying in Reine, you can easily reach it on foot.
The best place to park is at Reine Harbor. Follow the signs to Reine, turn right at the gas station, pass the large drying racks, and park in the designated area. Parking costs 50 NOK per day (cash). From here, it’s a one-kilometer walk to the start of the trail.
From Reine, exit the village and head south along the E10 road, with Reinebringen on your right. Do not enter the tunnel but follow the trail on the left. Follow the white arrows painted on the ground, leading to the trailhead among the bushes, just before the trail reaches the E10 on the other side of the tunnel (Ramsvikstunnelen).
Mannen
Although the peak itself is rather small, at 400 meters above sea level, Mannen offers an incredible view not only of the beaches but also of the ocean and the surrounding islands. For this reason, Mannen is one of the best Lofoten Island hikes.
If you’re lucky enough to find a clear blue sky, you can admire the light blue waters of Haukland and Vik, with their white sands leading into vibrant green fields. It might seem a scene from the Pacific’s tropical islands more than an Arctic landscape.
The summit provides an excellent 360-degree view, perfect for landscape photography. It was on this peak that Giulio Cobianchi captured his panoramic photo with the Milky Way and the Northern Lights, which gained significant recognition and was featured in NASA APOD, The Guardian, Der Spiegel, NRK.
You can also see how to create a panorama here:
How to Reach Mannen
The trail starts from Haukland Beach, about a 15- minute drive from Leknes. The turn-off from the E10 road is part of the Norwegian Scenic Route of Lofoten. Coming from Leknes, drive on E10 towards Å. After 6 kilometers, turn right onto Offersøyveien, following signs for Haukland.
Continue for 2.4 kilometers, then turn left onto Voieveien. After approximately 5 kilometers, you’ll reach the beach area, where there’s a big parking.
From the Haukland parking lot, you’ll notice another narrow road on the right, closed to car traffic. That’s where you can start your hike.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Distance: 1.9 km
- Duration: 1:00 h
- Elevation Gain: 390 m
- Google Maps
Ryten
The excursion to Ryten viewpoint shows everything the Lofoten Islands have to offer: sweeping views of mountains and fjords, the ocean with its deep blue waters and the white sandy beach. This excursion is truly amazing and not to be missed when visiting this region.
The route to the top of the mountain is a bit challenging, but the wonderful views all around help you forget your fatigue. Along the way, the landscapes change constantly, making the journey more fascinating, and once you reach the top, you can enjoy a breathtaking view.
How to reach Ryten
Take the E10 towards the village of Fredvang and cross the two bridges.
After crossing the two bridges, follow the signs for ‘Yttersand’. After passing the turnoff for Fredvang, continue straight ahead. After a few hundred metres, look for a marked parking area on the left-hand side of the road. You can park here.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Distance: 3.5 km
- Duration: 2:00 hrs
- Elevation Gain: 543 mt
- Google Maps
Horseid Beach
Horseid Beach (Horseidstranda) is located on the island of Moskenesøy in the southernmost part of the Lofoten Islands and is one of the many beautiful white beaches in this fascinating archipelago. This beach is one of the few beaches in the Lofoten Islands that has remained truly wild. This is the reason why Horseid Beach is one of the most attractive and suggestive hikes in Lofoten Islands.
This excursion is quite easy and can be done even when the weather is not perfect, but to reach the beach you need to take a ferry from Reine.
How to get to Horseid beach
To get to Horseid beach you can take the ferry from Reine towards Kjerkfjorden: it takes less than an hour and runs at least a couple of times a day. Alternatively, if you are in the innermost part of the fjord you can get a ride on a fishing boat near the Vindstad pier.
Once you reach the small pier in Kjerkfjord, walk to the right and go through the village. When you have passed the last few rows of houses, you will see a sign indicating a small path to the left.
Proceed along the path towards the pass between the two mountains in front of you.
Once you get to the top of the pass, you will already see the beach in the distance, but you will have to walk a couple of kilometres to get to the sand, through a valley that can be swampy in case of recent rains.
If you have your sleeping bag and tent with you, don’t miss the chance to spend the night on the beach. It will be a truly unforgettable experience.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Distance: 4.5 km
- Duration: 2:00 hrs
- Elevation Gain: 200 mt
- Google Maps
Festvagtind
Festvågtind is a beautiful excursion that rises directly out of the sea near Henningsvær, a beautiful town with the most scenic stadium in the world. Despite being a small town with a population of 510, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Lofoten Islands due to its festive atmosphere and cafés.
This hike it is not exactly a walk in the park. In fact, the first part of the climb includes a few small passages on rock: nothing difficult, but tiring nonetheless. The climb continues steeply: about halfway up, there is a chance to stop at a viewpoint.
Continuing to climb, the path continues to be really steep.
From the top, there is a breathtaking view southwards over the town of Henningsvær and the surrounding islands that is very reminiscent of Reinebringen.
How to reach Festvagtind
The trailhead is located on route 816, just 2 kilometers north of Henningsvaer. As you are driving towards Henningsvaer, there is a large parking lot next to building.
This parking lot is located before the first bridge on the way to Henningsvaer. Park here.
To get to the trailhead, walk 200 meters down the road towards Henninsgsvaer.
The trail heads off into a grove of short trees and then starts climbing uphill towards the summit.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Distance: 1.5 km
- Duration: 1:30 / 2:00 hrs
- Elevation Gain: 541 mt
- Google Maps
Conclusion
Concluding this guide dedicated to the most beautiful hikes in Lofoten Islands, the Lofoten Islands have an amazing variety of hiking options for people of all skill levels and the views from these trails are absolutely breathtaking, letting hikers, nature lovers and landscape photographers fully enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the area.
