Northern Norway Hiking Tour - Tromso, Senja, Lofoten

Hiking Norway’s Far North

Trail Adventures North of the Arctic Circle

Northern Norway Slide Show for iPad and iPhone

Norway’s far north holds a special place in our hearts. It was here that thirty years ago we set off on our exploration of the world’s mountains. Back then, we stayed in old fishing cabins, bought our seafood meals right off the dock and hiked under the midnight sun till well past eleven at night. Today, northern Norway is not quite as remote and “off the radar” as it was when we first visited three decades ago. Adventurers of all kinds are slowly but surely discovering this special region. And for good reason! All the quintessential elements of the Norwegian landscape can be found here: sheer cliffs rising abruptly from deep, twisting fjords; jagged mountain ranges; and colorful, picturesque seaside villages. Here, north of the Arctic Circle, the landscape is more open and less wooded than in the southern fjords giving the landscape a more emphatic, “above the timberline” feel. And surprisingly, along the northern Norwegian coastline you’ll encounter arcs of brilliant white sand and turquoise shallows which add a hint of the tropics to Arctic beaches!

Arrival Day
Arrive at Tromsø’s Langnes airport and transfer on your own to your city center hotel via taxi or the airport express bus service. Welcome to Norway’s far north!

View over the Sessøyfjord from Brosmetinden.

Day 1
Overnight in Tromsø
Lunch and dinner included
Travel by vehicle from Tromsø to the west coast of the large, mountainous island of Kvaløya (“Whale Island”). From the trailhead near the small settlement of Rekvik, a well-defined path ascends gently and steadily along the southern flanks of Brosmetinden to its summit. The west face of Brosmetinden drops away abruptly to the sea revealing a glorious vista over islands, fjords and mountain peaks. At the conclusion of the hike, return to Tromsø. If you desire an additional hike this afternoon, you can hike up Fløya mountain on the magnificent, newly built stone Sherpa Steps (“Sherpatrappa”) for an expansive view over Tromsø city and the surrounding mountains and fjords. Descend via an alternate route, or ride down from the top via the Fjellheisen (“mountain elevator”) cable car. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening.

View of Blåvatnet (“Blue Lake”).

Day 2
Overnight in Tromsø
Breakfast and lunch included
Depart Tromsø by vehicle this morning bound for the Lyngen Alps (Lyngsalpene, in Norwegian), a 56 mile long range of sharp-tipped mountains sandwiched between the Lyngenfjord to the east and the Ullsfjord to the west. Cross the Ullfjord by ferry and continue by vehicle to the trailhead for the hike to a viewpoint over Blåvatnet (“Blue Lake”), a stunning, turquoise gem tucked into a rocky basin and surrounded by the peaks of the Lyngen Alps. Sure-footed hikers can consider proceeding across rocky terrain to reach the shores of Blåvatnet. Return to Tromsø after the hikes.

The stunning waters of the Blåvatnet (“Blue Lake”).

The summit cairn on Nattmålsfjell.

Day 3
Overnight in Senja
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Travel by vehicle from Tromsø to Nattmålsfjell trailhead on Kvaløya (island). A short hike leads to the open top of Nattmålsfjell from where you can enjoy a lovely view over the Ersfjord to the west and the Kaldfjord to the north. These two fjords almost join each other save for the small isthmus at Ersfjordbotn. After the hike, continue by vehicle to the small island of Hillesøya known for its small, sparkling white sand beaches and turquoise waters! A short hike leads to the top of the island from where you can look south toward Senja island which is today’s final destination. After the hike on Hillesøya, travel to Senja island and the west coast town of Hamn, your home for the next three evenings.

Looking south to Senja island from Hillesøytoppen.

We especially enjoyed being in small towns with ‘real’ Norwegians. We found the food to be ‘home cooking’ good, and we actually started to look forward to herring at breakfast! We enjoyed every bite!

–PEGGY AND JIM HILTON

The peak of Segla (“the sail”) rises out of the Mefjord.

Day 4
Overnight in Senja
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
This morning, travel by vehicle to the small settlement of Fjordgård on the shores of the Ørnfjord. From here, you’ll embark on a hike toward the mountain peak of Hesten (“the horse”) from where you’ll enjoy one of the iconic views of northern Norway. The hike leads you through birch woodlands and open slopes to the ridge that separates the Ørnfjord from the Mefjord. From the saddle at the base of Hesten, the neighboring peak of Segla (“the sail”) appears as a sharp pinnacle rising as a natural exclamation point in a landscape of mountains and fjords! We think this panoramic view ranks among the finest in Scandinavia; see if you agree! If you’re in for more views of Segla from a different vantage point, you can add an “out-and-back” extension hike which will take you to the edge of the precipice that drops away to the Mefjord. From this viewpoint twelve hundred feet above the waters of the Mefjord, you can see the full extent of Segla’s rise from the fjord to its 2,100 foot summit. After the hike, return by vehicle to Hamn i Senja. If you’re in for more hiking enjoy an optional hike to Grytvatnet, a small lake tucked into a cirque in the flanks of Sukkertoppen (“Sugar Top”) peak. From this vantage point, survey the numerous islets and skerries that dot the waters of the Bergfjord. Spend another evening in Hamn i Senja.

The peak of Husfjell (right of center) rises above the island-studded waters of the Bergfjord.

Day 5
Overnight in Senja
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Today, ascend open ridges to reach one of Senja’s best vantage points, the peak of Husfjell (“house mountain”). From the trailhead in the community of Skaland, the path ascends gradually to reach the rounded promontory called Sommardalhaugen (“summer valley hill”). Enjoy the fine views extending south over the island-studded waters of the Bergfjord. To reach Husfjell’s actual summit, continue the steady ascent to gain the summit ridge where views northward open up before you. Follow the ridge to Husfjell’s summit where you’ll preside over the fabulous views across the seemingly endless sea of Senja’s peaks. Under your feet, the east face of the mountain falls abruptly to the waters of the Steinfjord while to the north, the craggy peaks of the Oks Peninsula guard the entrance to the Ersfjord. Retrace your steps to the trailhead and return to your accommodations in Hamn for a third evening.

En route to Reine i Lofoten.

Day 6
Overnight in Lofoten
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
After breakfast, settle in for a long but highly scenic journey by vehicle through the rugged landscapes of the Vesterålen and Lofoten archipelagos which jut into the Norwegian Sea in a southwesterly direction from the Norwegian mainland. Arrive in the late afternoon at your overnight accommodations in the small seaside village of Reine on the island of Moskenesøya in the heart of Lofoten. The chain of fjord-indented islands that make up the Lofoten archipelago boasts a rugged topography packed with skyscraping peaks. Especially when seen from the sea, the line of jagged Lofoten peaks rising straight out of the ocean appear as an imposing barrier resulting in the name, “the Lofoten Wall.” Imagine, if you will, the peaks of Wyoming’s Teton Range rising above a flooded Jackson Hole and you’ll get an impression of the majesty of the Lofoten landscape!

Lofoten fishing village.

The village of Reine, your home for four days!

Day 7
Overnight in Lofoten
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
After breakfast, start the day off with a boat ride to a fjord-side settlement. Follow an old farm track to a low pass that provides access to the Bunes Beach, a crescent of pale sand facing the open Atlantic and hemmed in by the towering granite cliffs of Helvetestinden. Hardy hikers used to off-trail travel can make a steep climb to an airy perch atop one of Lofoten’s high ridges for a never-to-be-forgotten vista over a stunning landscape of mountains, fjords, and lakes. Return to Reine and overnight.

On the ridges above Bunes.

The beach at Bunes with the wall of Helvetestinden on the right.

Your choices of activities were excellent. In talking to other Norway visitors, our group seemed to be seeing more of the country and having a greater variety of experiences.

–ROSALIE GITTINGS

Trolldalsvatnet.

Day 8
Overnight in Lofoten
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
After breakfast, head south along the twisting coastal road toward the small village of Å (also spelled Aa). The village was named either after the last letter of the Norwegian alphabet (since it’s located at the end of the Lofoten highway), or after a small stream (“å” in Norwegian) that empties into the ocean near the village. Just outside the village, set off on the hike to Trolldalsvatnet (“the troll valley lake”) which fills a narrow, glacially-carved valley. The scene is straight out of a Scandinavian fairy tale, and you may be tempted to think that trolls do actually live here! Following the hike to Trolldalsvatnet, enjoy a 1.5 mile loop walk through the village of Å and across the open, grassy peninsula south of town for sweeping views down the roadless coast of Moskenesøya (island) and out toward the far-flung islands of Mosken and Vaerøy, the last outposts of the Lofoten archipelago. Between the islands of Moskenesøya and Mosken lies the legendary Moskenstraumen, a system of powerful tidal eddies and whirlpools known in literature as the Maelstrom. It was featured by Edgar Allan Poe in his work, Descent into the Maelstrom, and by Jules Verne in his work, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.

View from the village of Å looking down the coast of Moskenesøya toward the legendary Moskenstraumen.

The incomparable view from Reinebringen.

The ascent of Ryten.

Day 9
Overnight in Lofoten
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Today, travel by vehicle to the northern end of Moskenesøy island where you’ll set off on an “out-and-back” hike to the broad, grassy summit of Ryten. The trail steadily ascends the eastern slopes of Ryten passing a couple of small lakes. The views become more expansive as altitude is gained. The grand view from Ryten looking south toward Kvalvika Beach and the peaks beyond is considered by many to be one of the finest in all of Lofoten. See if you agree! For a longer hike, you can first hike to Kvalvika (“whale bay”)—another of Lofoten’s spectacular sandy beaches sandwiched between towering mountain peaks—before making a steep ascent over moorlands directly to the main ridge of Ryten and its summit. Return to Reine after the hikes. A farewell dinner this evening caps off your North Norway adventure!

View over Kvalvika from Ryten.

Departure Day
Breakfast included
Following breakfast, we will provide one complimentary transfer from the hotel to Leknes Airport continuing to Svolvaer airport. Planned departure time from the hotel is 9:00 AM with arrival at Leknes Airport at about 10:15 AM and Svolvaer Airport at about 12:00 noon.

Reinebringen steps.

Other Resources

Exploring nature may be Norway’s unofficial national pastime. More than 200,000 Norwegians are members of the national hiking club (Den Norske Turistforening). Read more about the Norwegian passion for hiking.
Make a virtual visit to the Tromsø Arctic-Alpine Garden, part of the University of Tromsø Museum. The museum’s “outdoors only” displays are open 24/7. In summertime, a cafe operates in the gardens from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Plan to see it for yourself when you are in Tromsø!
The Norway Online Information Service in the United States provides a good way to keep up to date on what’s happening in Norway and in the Norwegian American community. There’s also a section that provides useful travel information.

I’m feeling a bit nostalgic these days, thinking over my wonderful Norwegian adventure…I hold “my” trip very special.