Trip report by Rick McCharles

Part 2 of 3

1. Cycling / Hiking Lyngen Alps to Lofoten
2. Cycling / Hiking Arctic Norway ➙ Lofoten
3. Cycling Bodø to Trondheim + Kristiansund & Atlantic Road

Most of the photos you’ve seen of Norway were shot in the Lofoten archipelago.

Well above the Arctic Circle.

Distinctive scenery with dramatic peaks, fjords, sheltered bays & beaches.

Click PLAY or watch my HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO on YouTube. Shot over 2 weeks 2022 and 2023.

However, the BEST hiking video I’ve watched is from Harmen Hoek June 2023. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Day 6 — July 6th, 2023

I took yet another free ferry to get to Lofoten.

Welcome back. This was my 3rd visit to Lofoten.

As Lofoten is crowded with motor vehicles, I’d say cycling is the best way to travel here.

You can travel by bus — but many run only a few times a day.

Accommodation is booked long in advance. But with a bike you can set up your tent pretty much wherever you wish. And there are many good options.

Day 7 — July 7th, 2023

Weather was mixed. In any given hour you might get sun, rain, or mist.

Nobody complains about the scenery in Lofoten, however. It’s all marvellous.

In 2022, by far my favourite campsite was Uttakleiv Beach.

That’s a private campground that cost$ money. In 2023 I went instead to the free beach nearby called Haukland. Also good, but not as good.

As parking lots are rarely level, everyone carries these plastic wheel lifters for their vehicles.

Day 8 — July 8th, 2023

Low fog and misty rain. I decided to cycle to one of two hostels in Lofoten ➙ Lydersen Rorbuer.

Stayed 2 nights taking a break and getting some photos and video edited. Did laundry.

I had a great time in 2022. And enjoyed it just as much in 2023.

Here’s the view from the hostel. Low cloud, as you can see.

Nearby is a good store and cafe.

My most mellow day, so far.

Day 9 — July 9th, 2023

Weather was expected to improve today. Some headed up to the main hike from here ➙ Ryten.

As I’d done it in 2022, I headed instead to a lower hike called Ytresandheia – Røren. Excellent, though I’d not even heard about it. It’s the alternative to Ryten when the peak is socked in.

Later — having finished my video editing — I took an evening hike. This photo was shot at 9pm, for example. There is no night above the Arctic Circle in early July.

Day 10 — July 10th, 2023

Next morning I cleaned and organized my gear.

There’s an impressive looking peak called FLAKSTADTIND you see out the window of the hostel. Staff told me it’s actually quite easy and popular with locals.

With the good weather, it was fantastic.

Continuing on south, I stopped to fly the drone through one of the many fish drying racks. Typically cod is hung for about 16 weeks. Much is sold to Italy and Africa.

When I rolled through Reine, weather was perfect. I knew hundreds of people would have climbed 448m to the top of Reinebringen. It would be VERY crowded.

Having done the most popular photo op in Norway twice before, I gave it a miss this time.

But here’s the VIDEO as I can’t resist posting it again. 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Instead I cycled leisurely to the end of the line ➙ the quaint village of Å.

I’d hoped to hike and tent — but it’s not legal nor possible anywhere near Å. Lovely evening, however.

I had to backtrack to find a campsite. Even with this vista, I felt it was the least excellent so far in Norway.

Day 11 — July 11th, 2023

It seemed crazy to leave Lofoten with the weather so good — but I rolled on to the free ferry to Bodø.

Farewell Lofoten. One of the best hiking destinations in the world. Know that roads are actually quite crowded and narrow for bicycles. But most of the traffic is tourists, most sympathetic for cyclists.