Welcome to island hopping inside the Arctic Circle.
Cycling through the Lofoten Islands feels like riding at the edge of the world, where quiet roads trace the rhythm of the coast and each corner reveals jagged peaks rising from glassy seas. Light lingers, winds whisper, and each turn reveals a scene so vivid it feels almost imagined—this is truly a unique and unforgettable landscape.
Tour Difficulty Rating:
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The Route: 350km, five stages over eight days of the most dramatic coastal riding that you’ll ever do, period. It’s so good that on the rest days, you’ll have a hard time deciding if that hike to a remote pristine beach is actually better than another island loop on the bike! We really can’t overstate how pristine and stunning Lofoten really is. Granite spires rising out of placid fjords of crystal clear blues and greens. Sweeping, architectural bridges connecting islands dotted with the bright reds and yellows of ancient fishing villages. We fell in love with the simple, stark beauty of these islands on our first visit and we’re certain you’ll fall under their spell as well.
The Culture: The Lofoten Islands have been inhabited for over 6,000 years, with early evidence of fishing and settlement tied to abundant cod stocks. During the Viking Age, chieftains established thriving communities, trading dried fish across Europe. With modernization and the arrival of tourism, the Lofoten are now a land of contrasts – modern tech and architecture alongside a relatively unchanged centuries-old fishing industry.
The Cuisine: Ten years ago, a visit to the Lofoten meant a traditional diet centred around fish, but today you can enjoy everything from Italian to sushi, and even a French brasserie, all of the highest quality, in upscale, stylish restaurants. For those craving salt cod, don’t worry, this staple is always available!
1. What does a typical day look like?
7:30am to 9:00am – Breakfast in our hotel.
9:30am – Ride departure. Routes vary between 42 – 80km with 300 -700m of climbing.
12:00 – 1:00pm – Lunch stop at a local cafe.
2:00 – 3:00pm – Arrive at the hotel mid-afternoon: enjoy a post-ride drink with your group and have the rest of the day to yourself to explore or relax by the sea.
7:00 Group dinner either at our hotel or a nearby restaurant.
2. Where does the tour start and finish?
Plan on flying into Evenes airport (EVE) near Narvik on August 15, where we’ll pick you up at the airport and shuttle you to the hotel.
The last day of the tour is August 24, when we take the 3-hour ferry from the Lofoten Islands to Bodø. You can either book a later flight out of Bodø, or book a hotel there and fly out the next morning.
3. What is the terrain like?
Most of the riding will be along seaside roads, but you can still expect the odd climb and descent as we sometimes go up and over the spine of one of the islands. Ride distances vary between 40 – 80km, so you’ll be easily able to ride at a relaxed, photo-rich pace.
4. What are the accommodations like?
The Lofoten Islands offer an amazing array of high-quality lodgings and most of our nights will be spent in very well-appointed lodges and hotels with all modern amenities.
5. I’m not the biggest fan of fish and seafood. Will this be a problem?
No. The Lofoten has undergone a surge of tourism in the last decade and with that came a wonderful array of restaurants of many different cuisines and menu choices.
Day 1: We pick you up at Evenes Airport (EVE) near Narvik, where we’ll gather for a welcome dinner where you’ll meet your guides, fellow guests, and be briefed on the week ahead.
Day 2: After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll ensure everyone’s bike is properly fitted and serviced before we throw a leg over and begin our journey. Quickly, we leave the Norwegian mainland, crossing the Tjeldsund Bridge onto Hinnøya Island. Forty beautiful kilometres of seaside riding brings us to Lodingen, where we’ll check into Hotel Brygge, a beautiful contemporary hotel that has hosted travellers for over a hundred years. For those hoping to explore more, we ride to the Neskia peninsula with it’s WWII gun batteries and sweeping views of the immense Vest Fjord, separating the Lofoten from the mainland. 42km/290m
Day 3: Today, we complete our crossing of Hinnøya, starting with two minor climbs over the spine of the island, before descending to Gulles Fjord, which we follow for 15km, passing waterfalls and birch forests. Turning west, we climb past a pristine alpine lake before reaching the west coast of Hinnøya and Sortland Strait, key fishing grounds for the cod fishery. Fifteen more kilometres of sweeping coastal views takes us into Sortland and the sleek, waterfront Scandic Hotel. 68km/600m
Day 4: A hearty Scandinavian breakfast and strong coffee overlooking the strait is a great start to an even better day. Eighty breathtaking kilometres of coastal riding awaits with sweeping ocean views to your left and rolling, moss-blanketed mountains to your right. We ride the length of Langøya Island before crossing the bridge to Hadseløya Island and lunch in postcard-perfect Stokmarknes. A quick 14km takes us to the island’s southern tip, where we board the ferry to the village of Fiskebøl (“Fishing Boat”) on Austvågøya Island. After a short crossing, we ride 30km along deep fjords beneath Lofoten’s highest peaks into Svolaer, capital of the Lofoten and our home for two nights. 76km/500m
Day 5: Although we’re not on the bikes today, there’s no shortage of activity! For those looking for exercise, we’ll take on the 2-hour hike of the Svolværgeita, or “Svolvær Goat” owing to the mountain’s horn-shaped summit blocks. Feeling like a relaxed morning? Explore town and we’ll pick you up for lunch, before we drive to visit Henningsvaer – the “Venice of Lofoten” and one of the most picturesque villages in the archipelago. For seafarers, we recommend the three hour charter cruise up the iconic Trollfjord.
Day 6: Today’s ride is in one word, dramatic. Rounded mountains make way for granite spires, open fjords become dotted with rocky islands, and memory cards fill with photos. Departing Svolvær, we ride around the tip of Austvågøya before crossing the bridge to Gimsøya, offering expansive views of Vest Fjord, before we cross another bridge onto Vestãgøy. Here, we follow a quiet, single-lane coastal road for 40km of the most memorable riding you may ever do before arriving in Leknes and a spectacular lunch at Makalaus. Enjoy that Lofoten Pilsner with lunch, as it’s only 10km to our hotel and the van is always available 😉 We finish our ride at Hattvika Lodge, a converted cannery and fishing huts that are now one of Norway’s finest hotels. 80km/700m
Day 7: Hattvika is just too special to stay only one night, so we’re spending a second night here, offering the opportunity to ride or hike today. Those looking for more miles on the bike can enjoy a 40km ride out to Haukland Beach, a pristine white-sand bay with a fantastic hike up to a 360 degree viewpoint. Hikers will visit jaw-dropping Kvalvika Beach, accessed by a 3.5km hike which rewards you with one of the most spectacular beach views you’ll ever experience. Imagine a sweeping sandy beach hemmed in by an amphitheatre of 600m high granite walls. We finish a perfect day with a gourmet dinner at Hattvika.
Day 8: Every great tour finishes with the most compelling riding on the final days and our Lofoten tour stays true to this adage. Leaving Hattvika, we make a short shuttle through the Nappastraum tunnel, emerging on Flakstadøya, a rugged island of granite spires and deep turquoise fjords. Riding through deep green valleys beneath towering walls, we arrive at the picturesque hamlet of Nusfjord for coffee before continuing around the entire island, crossing the Kåkersundet bridge onto the southmost island of Moskenesøya. Here, we traverse the east coast of the island arriving at the fishing village of Hamnøy , where we stop for lunch at the iconic Anita’s Seafood Cafe, and the best bowl of chowder of your life. Have a beer and kick back, as our beautiful seaside chalets are across the street. 55km/450m
Day 9: Our final day of activities presents many options. Hike the gruelling climb to the 360 degree viewpoint of Reinebringen (its 1987 granite steps were built by Nepali sherpas!), sea kayak Reine Fjord, or hop on the bike for the 40km out-and-back to the end of the road in Å, the southernmost village of the Lofoten archipelago. Whatever you decide, work up an appetite, as our farewell dinner at Gadus, an Italian- Norwegian fusion joint, will leave you for want of not! Day 10: All good things must come to an end. Following breakfast, we shuttle you to the Moskenes ferry for the 3-hour crossing of Vestfjord to Bodø, where you can fly to most European hubs.