Norway’s Lofoten Islands Hiking Adventure

Welcome to northern Norway – the gateway to the Lofoten Islands! Meet as a group in the lobby of our waterfront hotel for evening introductions and to share an invigorating dinner. Your Explorer Chick guide and local Norwegian guide will review the upcoming week and kickstart the SHE-nanigans.

Jet lag doesn’t stand a chance.

Accommodation: Waterfront hotel
Meals: Welcome Dinner

Rise and shine Explorer Chicks – it’s island time! Grab packed breakfasts and lunches before a short walk to catch the ferry. Kick back for the 3-4 hour journey as we cruise across the Vestfjorden.

We’ll arrive in Moskenes ready to start our hiking adventure. Our objective? Reinebringen – one of the most iconic views in Lofoten. Thanks to a government funded project, the hike is a power stair climb with steps expertly constructed by Sherpas from Nepal. After freaking out over the summit view, we’ll kick back at the local cafe enjoying coffee or a beer.

Day 1 in Lofoten closes out with a drive to our first Rorbu – a traditional fishermen cabin that hugs the shores of the fjords beneath the mountains. (We won’t judge you for Instagramming the crap out of it.) Rorbu housed fishermen from all over Norway as far back as 1890. Don’t worry – they’ve been restored to the point of not smelling like cod.

Hiking: 2 miles, 1,476′ elevation gain/loss
Hiking Time: 4 hours

Accommodation: Rorbuer in Hamnøy (Night 1 of 2)
Meals: B-L-D

Pump up your paddling arms with a hearty breakfast. You’ll explore the secret inner-most curves of a fjord via kayak over the course of 4 hours. Peep mountaintops, birds of prey, and rugged beach shores from sea level while wondering how your life got so freaking good.

Come afternoon, return to the Rorbu for a traditional, locally sourced dinner.

Accommodation: Rorbuer in Hamnøy (Night 2 of 2)
Meals: B-L-D

It’s another iconic day in Lofoten . Enjoy a drive to Kvalvika beach for a 45-minute hike before the ascent to Ryten. This summit has everything Lofoten is famous for – ridiculous beaches, towering mountains, turquoise fjords, and a perfectly jutted rock you can hook your legs over for the Gram.

If your muscles are hatin’ on you from yesterday, no worries! You can chill on the beach and enjoy the crashing waves. JUST DON’T FORGET ABOUT US.

Next, we carry on to our new digs for two nights, where we finish out the day in a steamy hot tub. Rest up with a modern hotel experience with incredible waterfront views. Bonus – they alert us if and when the Northern Lights make an appearance.

Hiking – Distance: 5 miles, Elevation Gain/loss: 1,805′
Hiking Time: 5 hours

Accommodation: Rorbuer in Ballstad (Night 1 of 2)
Meals: B-L-D

Enjoy a slower morning with a relaxed breakfast. Lace up your boots for the second-to-last hiking adventure to the top of Mount Hoven. A direct path up and down gives us plenty of beach time. Grab your swimmie if you’re feeling bold to dip above the Arctic Circle! If you’d rather stay dry, sip on a coffee and soak up the scenery.

Dinner is super-special this evening with a 3-course Norwegian meal.

Hiking – Distance: 2.5 miles RT, Gain: 1,205′, Time: 4 hours

Accommodation: Rorbuer in Ballstad (Night 2 of 2)
Meals: B-L-D

Final gains day! Hike to the tippy-top of Festvågtind to enjoy a unique view of the small inhabited islands that make up Henningsvær.

After breakfast, take a 30 minute transfer to Henningsvær and the hiking adventure. Today is flexible – if the terrain is too tough or the weather blows, there is an optional viewpoint half way up the hike that feels close enough to a summit. The total hike, if possible, takes 5-6 hours. The viewpoint takes 2-2.5 hours (including time for photos at the top!). The terrain is rocky and steep, with a small amount of exposure to the summit. But the trail is well worn and easy to follow, given it is one of the most famous hikes in Lofoten.

Take the afternoon to explore Henningsvær, one of Lofoten’s most iconic towns with a population of just 500. Henningsvær is home to Norway’s iconic Klatreskole – the school hardcore Norwegians travel to for instruction on climbing, skiing and mountaineering. Of course, it’s also home to shops and bakeries, primed for a carb crawl.

After filling up on mind-blowing seafood, we’ll drive to another storybook Rorbu and final accommodation change in Kabelvåg. Evening dips in the ocean are encouraged!

Hiking – Distance: 2.5 miles RT, Gain: 1,775′, Time: 5-6 hours

Accommodation: Rorbuer in Kabelvåg (Night 1 of 2)
Meals: B-L-D

The reason people settled on these imposing islands in the first place isn’t the spectacular scenery. Nope it’s what lies below the surface of the bountiful water: THE FISH. After many days of hiking and exploring, we spend a few hours out at sea literally trying to catch our dinner. Wait, what? Yep! After our fishing expedition, we will learn to prepare the fish back at our cabins for the freshest lunch ever – sea to table, baby

We’ll round out our final day with a few blissful hours at a seaside sauna spa before heading to our final dinner together.

Accommodation: Rorbuer in Kabelvåg (Night 2 of 2)
Meals: B-L-D

All good things must unfortunately come to an end. During our 2.5 hour drive to Harstad/Narvik Airport, we’ll share our unforgettable memories and bad jokes from our untamed, wild paradise.

Plan departures after 10am.

Meals: B
Transportation: 2.5 hours to Harstad/Narvik Airport

Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, availability, or other unforeseen incidents.