Norway - bike along the Arctic Coast

The bridge to Sommarøy. Photo: Knut Hansvold/nordnorge.com

Mefjorden, Foto Werner Harstad Statens vegvesen

Bergsfjorden. ©Foto: Jarle Wæhler, Statens vegvesen

Mot Gryllefjord, Foto: Frank Andreassen, www.nordnorge.com

Andenes. ©Foto: Steinar Skaar, Statens vegvesen

Stranda ved Bleik/The beach at Bleik. ©Foto: Jarle Wæhler, Statens vegvesen

Kleivodden. Arkitekt: Inge Dahlman, ©Foto: Roger Ellingsen, Statens vegvesen

Status:

This tour is on request, please contact us for information and booking

The Arctic Coast, from Tromsø to Svolvær in Northern Norway, is a paradise for those who want a real bicycle adventure. You'll discover dramatic coastlines, sandy beaches, and traditional fishing villages. Take a deep breath, and fill your lungs with fresh sea air as you set off into an exciting and beautiful landscape made up by mountain peaks, ocean, fjords and islands.
From the lively city of Tromsø, the route enters beautiful and varied nature along the fjords, before you meet the ocean at the idyllic island, Sommarøy.
After a short ferry trip, the tour continues to Senja, Norway's second largest island. The road along the west coast of Senja winds through magnificent and wild nature, uphill and downhill - in and out of fjords.

From Senja you go by ferry to the next island, Andøya, where new adventures are waiting for you. The island offers beautiful sceneries, with large and continuous marshes, steep mountains and sandy beaches. Take your time and explore the island before leaving for Vesterålen and Sortland.

The second last day you bike to Stokmarknes. From here, you can choose whether to continue by bike towards Svolvær, or go by the ship - Hurtigruten. Both options give you great sceneries. The tour ends in Svolvær - the "capital" of Lofoten.
The Arctic Coast Cycling, from Tromsø to Svolvær, has a total of about 350 km.

Parts of the tour follows Norwegian Scenic Routes S enja and Andøya.

Program

Program Print icon

This is a self-guided tour. This means going on your own and decide your own speed. You can take a break, shortcut or detour whenever you want. The tour includes luggage transfer.

TOUR DATES 2021: The tour starts every Friday from 11 June to 20 August

NUMBER OF DAYS: 8, Friday - next Friday

DISTANCE: 305 km + possible detours

LEVEL: Demanding. People who are in very good condition, and have previous experience in cycling long distances and many days in a row. Daily stages approx. 30 - 70 km.
In bad weather with rain and/or wind, the trips become more strenuous.
For safety reasons, we recommend that at least two people ride together.
Day 1, Friday: Individual arrival in Tromsø
Tromsø is the capital of Northern-Norway, located at almost 70 degrees north.
You can experience the Midnight Sun in Tromsø from 19. May to 27. July.
Accommodation in Tromsø
Day 2, Saturday: Tromsø - Sommarøy, 62 km
Pick up the rental bikes.
Start following the waterfront around the south tip of Tromsøya Island. Then cross the longest bridge in Northern Norway (1.2 km long and approx. 45 m high) and continue south-west on the Kvaløya Island. Nice and easy biking along the fjords, but some steep accent leading up to the pass, Kattfjordeidet, 150 m.a.s.l. Enjoy some great views of the majestic peaks reaching up to 1040 meters high before some nice downhill and easy biking along the fjord to Sommarøy, a thriving coastal community, living of fishing and tourism.
We recommend an evening hike to Hillesøytoppen, with magnificent views of the ocean and the Senja Island.
Dinner and accommodation at Sommarøy
Day 3, Sunday: Sommarøy - Brensholmen - Mefjordvær, 41 km
Bike to the ferry quay at Brensholmen, approx. 7 km. From there is a ferry to Botnhamn in Senja. Senja is Norway's second largest island located at 69 degrees north. After arriving with the ferry, you’ll have some hilly terrain as you cross a mountain pass up to 120 m.a.s.l. Then nice and easy biking along the fjord to Mefjordvær. As you go, you’ll get a breath-taking sight of the steep mountains plunging deep into the ocean. You follow the Norwegian Scenic route Senja. The road is narrow here and there as it twists and turns along the fjord.
Dinner and accommodation in Mefjordvær
Day 4, Monday: Mefjordvær - Hamn, 46 km
Start going back to the main road at Senjahopen, and then continue to the Geitskards Tunnel. From here you bike down to the beach at Ersfjorden and further along the fjord to the rest area at Tungeneset, where you a have stunning view of the mountain Oksen, also called the Devil's Teeth. The last challenge today is a steep climb up to Skaland Tunnel. Halfway up you can take a rest at a 44-metre long platform and enjoy the grand vista of the fjord and the surrounding peaks. After the tunnel, it’s easy biking all the way to Hamn in Senja.
Dinner and accommodation in Hamn
Day 5, Tuesday: Hamn - Gryllefjord - Andenes - Bø, 59 km
On the road from Hamn to the ferry quay in Gryllefjord, you pass through the Ballesvikskar Tunnel or you can make a detour across the mountain pass. The tour is 11 or 17 km, depending on wether you go over the pass or not. From Gryllefjord you go by ferry to the Island, Andøya. The ferry ride takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.
From Andenes, you bike to Bø on Andøye, 48 km. This is an easy and pleasant ride if the wind is not against you. The tour follows the outer coast of Andøya, and you will experience, among other things, the 2.5 km long sandy beach at Bleik. Sometimes the road follows the foot of steep mountainsides and then you go across some endless open marshes before returning to the mountains. You pass some nice rest areas along the Norwegian Scenic route Andøy.
Dinner and accommodation in Bø
Day 6, Wednesday: Bø - Sortland, 63 km
From Bø, you pass Risøyhamn and bike the steep bridge across Risøysund. You continue along the fjord to Sortland on flat and easy roads. There is some more traffic than before.
Accommodation in Sortland
Day 7, Thursday: Sortland - Svolvær, alternative routes
1. Bike from Sortland to Stokmarknes 28 km. Go by the Coastal line, Hurtigruten, from Stokmarknes to Svolvær. On this tour, the ship enters the famous and narrow Trollfjorden.
2. Bike all the way from Sortland to Svolvær, 76 km. You must expect quite some traffic when you approach Svolvær along road E10.
Recomended detour on the ocean side of Austvågøya (approx. 46 kilometres/3 hours extra) to avoid some of the traffic. (Still 16 km on road E10).
Return rental bikes in Svolvær.
Accommodation in Svolvær
Day 8, Friday: Departure - or continue biking our tour in Lofoten.
How to travel from Svolvær:
1. Southbound Hurtigruten from Svolvær. Departure 20.30
2. Northbound Hurtigruten from Svolvær. Departure 22.00
4. Bus to Evenes Airport and flight from there.
5. Flight from Svolvær

Departures and prices

Tourdates 2021: The tour starts every Friday from 11 June to 20 August
Number of days: 8 (Friday - next Friday)
Number of participants: A minimum of 4 persons to complete the tour. (A lower number may be arranged at an additional cost).

Price per person 2021:
Per person in double room: NOK 14 550.-
Single room supplement: NOK 3 780.-

NB! Book early discount before 1 June: NOK 250.- per adult

Price includes:
7 x accommodation with breakfast
6 x self-packed lunch / refill own thermos.
4 x 3-course dinners.
Map and tour description (1 set per. booking)
Luggage transfer

Ferries are not included (approx. 500.- pr. person).

Bike rental 2021:
Touring/Trekking bike, 7 days: NOK 1 860.-
E-Bike 7 days: NOK 3 650.- + deposit NOK 3 000.- per bike, to be paid upon delivery.
Pannier / Handlebar bag: NOK 145.- each
Return of rental bike and equipment, from Svolvær to Tromsø: NOK 800.-

Bike rental, extra day:
Touring/Trekking bike: NOK 200.-
E-bike: NOK 390.-
Pannier / handlebar bag: NOK 15.- each

Included in the bike rental:
Helmet, bicycle look, tool set with patch kit, necessary keys for adjustments, replacement tube, pump, lights mounted on the helmet and reflective vest.

Extra for the E-Bikes:
Krank mounted engine, Shimano STEP electrical system. The battery is 400VA and ranks 90 - 120 km by normal use. It follows IMED charger and it is intended to fill it in the room at the hotels. No extra battery.

Note:
The tour starts in Tromsø and ends in Svolvær. You can combine this trip with a cruise on the coastal ship Hurtigruten. It is possible to go back to Tromsø by Hurtigruten, arriving in Tromsø Wednesday. Or you can continue to Bodø and go southwards with Hurtigruten. Ask for prices.
It is also possible to continue biking on our Lofoten tour, starting in Svolvær Fridays, ending in Reien next Friday.

We can 'tailor make' the trip for groups of min. 8-10 people, both with and without luggage transfer.

Parts of the tour follows the Norwegian Scenic Routes: Senja and Andøya

Other tours in Northern Norway:
Bike the Amazing Lofoten
Senja - Cycling roundtrip
Bike Helgeland - Island jumping
Vesterålen - The islands north of Lofoten