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One of Norway’s most popular destinations, the Lofoten Islands feature outdoor experiences across jagged mountains, white sandy beaches, and crystal clear waters. Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten leads through the highlights of this breathtaking archipelago and this guide features 10 of the best adventures along the way.
The 230 kilometer scenic route begins in Å at the western end of Moskenesøya Island and travels over a total of six islands along road E10. The route finishes at Raftsundet on Hinnøya Island. There are several recommended short detours to coastal settlements including Nusfjord, Vikten, Uttakleiv, Unstad, Eggum, and Henningsvær.
The route can easily be connected with other scenic routes for a longer road trip. To the south, Helgelandskysten finishes near Bodø where a ferry departs to Lofoten. To the north, it’s easy to reach Andøya and from there, Senja.
Ferries
There are several car ferries that connect to destinations around the Lofoten Islands. These can save considerable time compared to driving from the mainland.
From Bodø, there is a daily ferry service to Moskenes, near the western end of the scenic route. The journey takes just over 3 hours. It costs 100 kroner extra to book a place in advance. 60% of capacity is kept available if you just want to show up. Note that ferries are cancelled in bad weather. Check departure times on Entur (Bodø ferjekai, Bodø to Moskenes ferjekai, Moskenes).
Further north along the coast there are ferries to Svolvær and Lødingen. Svolvær can be reached from Skutvik in 1 hour and 15 minutes. Check departure times on Entur (Skutvik ferjekai, Hamarøy to Svolvær ferjekai, Vågan).
The ferry from Bognes to Lødingen takes 1 hour. Check departure times on Entur (Bognes ferjekai, Tysfjord to Lødingen ferjekai, Lødingen).
To the north there is a 30 minute ferry from Fiskebøl to Melbu on Hadseløya Island. Check departure times on Entur (Fiskebøl ferjekai, Hadsel to Melbu ferjekai, Hadsel).
Tips
- The roads can be narrow and windy. During the summer, the roads get busy with large buses and campervans. For visits in the wintertime you should have experience driving on icy roads.
- It’s possible to experience a large part of the scenic route by bus. The Lofotenekspressen bus line runs the length of the islands from Å to Narvik along route E10. Learn more about traveling by public transport on Lofoten.
- Many of the beaches are popular camping spots, with grassy areas to pitch tents. Alternatively, the classic fisherman cabins known as “rorbuer” are a popular choice.
- Kayaking, fishing trips, and other water-based activities are available around the islands and offer a different perspective of the mountainous landscape.
