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Vesterålen - The islands north of Lofoten

Price NOK:
15 300,-
Days: 8
7 x accommodation with breakfast and self-packed lunch / refill own thermos.
5 x 2 or 3-course dinners (not in Nyksund).
Boat transfer from Ringstad to Stokmarknes.
Tour description.
Electronic maps (bikemap.net).
Luggage transfer.
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This bicycle trip takes you on an exciting tour of the archipelago just north of Lofoten. In this hidden gem, you can relax and enjoy the silence as you ride your bicycle through the varied, beautiful and exciting nature. You bike along quiet fjords and sweeping oceans, along impressive peaks, colourful marshes and lush cultural landscape. Along the way, you will experience the old fishing village Nyksund. The abandoned ghost town by the open ocean has awakened with new life and become a unique destination for travellers in Vesterålen. Further on, you can shorten your bike ride with an exciting boat trip between the small islands south of Nyksund. Then you move on to Bø in Vesterålen. With its beautiful and diverse nature, Bø is often characterized as the pearl of Vesterålen.

We have added a couple of extra days, with time to explore more roads or go for a hike. In Nyksund you can walk Dronningruta (The Queen's Route), named after Queen Sonja of Norway who fell in love with the trail and the landscapes when she was here in 1994. The trip was voted Norway's most beautiful hike in 2012.

This is a self-guided adventure, cycling point to point, with a detailed map and guide book supplied and luggage transferred for you. You will be cycling 20-60 km each day and need a medium level of fitness for this vacation. Routes are quiet with little traffic. Bikes are not included in this vacation, but we can arrange bike rental for you.

The days are long and light in high summer, and from June to mid July you can enjoy cycling in the light of the midnight sun. If you have the energy, it’s possible to ride all night long, with the glowing sun to light your way.

Vesterålen is labelled as a sustainable destination with commitments to a more sustainable development of the environment, their unique culture, the local community, and last but not least - your well-being. 

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Program

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

    TOUR DATES 2023: Starts every Thursday from 15 June to 17 August

    NUMBER OF DAYS: 8, Thursday - next Thursday

    DISTANCE: 200 km + optional detours

    LEVEL: Moderate. People who are in generally good condition, and have previous cycling experience. Must be prepared for all kinds of weather. Daily stages approx. 20 - 50 km.
    Apart from the somewhat demanding climb towards the Ryggedal tunnel, day 4, the route in Vesterålen is relatively easy biking.

    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, Thursday: Individual arrival in Sortland

    How to travel to Sortland:
    - Flight to Bodø and Hurtigruten to Sortland, departure at 15:00. Arrive in Sortland at 02:45.
    - Flight to Bodø, continue with Widerøe flight to Stokmarknes. Airport bus from Stokmarknes to Sortland.
    - Flight to Narvik / Harstad and airport bus to Sortland.

    Accommodation at Sortland Hotel

  • Day 2, Friday: Bike Sortland - Nyksund, 57 km

    The tour goes through slightly hilly terrain, partly along the fjord and partly inland. Along the way, you cycle through the town of Myre, which is the administrative center in Øksnes municipality. The last 10 kilometres of today's stage are on a narrow dirt road that follows a strip of land between the ocean and the steep mountainsides.

    Accommodation at Holmvik Brygge in Nyksund

  • Day 3, Saturday: Discover Nyksund

    We recommend a hike along Dronningruta (The Queen's Route) between Nyksund and Stø. The route is named after Queen Sonja of Norway who fell in love with the trail and the landscapes when she was here in 1994. The route was voted Norway's most beautiful hike in 2012.

    Accommodation at Holmvik Brygge in Nyksund

  • Day 4, Sunday: Bike Nyksund - Kråkberget, 70/35 km

    This is a long and partly demanding stage. Most of the day, you cycle in slightly hilly terrain, except for a long climb towards the Ryggedal tunnel and a slight climb through the 1600 meter-long-tunnel. Fortunately, you are rewarded with an equally long downhill on the other side. To shorten today's stage, we recommend going by boat from Myre to Skjellfjord. Unfortunately, the boat will not take you past the tunnel. Unfortunately, the boat will not take you past the tunnel.

    Accommodation in huts at Fjordcamp, Kråkberget

  • Day 5, Monday: Bike Kråkberget - Ringstad, 19/43 km

    Short and easy day trip, but we recommend a detour to Nykvåg on Langøya island, 12 km each way. If you continue all the way to Hovden, the detour will be 17 km each way.

    Accommodation at Ringstad Resort

  • Day 6, Tuesday: Discover Bø in Vesterålen

    We recommend a bike tour, via Vinje, 35 km. In Vinje there is a small center and a village museum. At the far end of the headland outside the museum is one of the region's finest sculptures - the 4.3 meters high 'The Man from the Sea'.
    Other Activities:
    - Combine bicycle and hiking in what is now called 'hiker's paradise'
    - Fjord and bird safari with RIB boat
    - Day trips with kayak and guide

    Accommodation at Ringstad Resort

  • Day 7, Wednesday: Boat to Stokmarknes + bike to Sortland 27/70 km

    - RIB boat from Ringstad to Stokmarknes
    - Optional bicycle tour around the island, Hadseløya, 43 kilometres
    - Bike from Stokmarknes to Sortland, 27 km
    - Return rental bikes in Sortland

    Accommodation at Sortland Hotel

  • Day 8, Thursday: Breakfast and departure

    How to travel from Sortland:
    - Hurtigruten from Sortland at 13:00. Arrive in Bodø at 02.30. Fight from Bodø.
    - Airport bus from Sortland to Stokmarknes. Widerøe flight to Bodø and new flight from there.
    - Airport bus to Harstad/Narvik airport and flights from there.
    - Bus to Svolvær and continue on our bicycle tour in Lofoten

Departures and prices

Tour dates 2023: Starts every Thursday from 15 June to 17 August
Number of days: 8 (Thursday - next Thursday)

Price per person 2023:
Per person in double room: NOK 15 300.-
Single room supplement: NOK 2 800.-

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

Price includes:
7 x accommodation with breakfast and self-packed lunch / refill own thermos.
5 x 2 or 3-course dinners (not in Nyksund)
Boat transfer from Ringstad to Stokmarknes
Tour description
Electronic maps (bikemap.net)
Luggage transfer      

Extra:
Topographic road map: NOK 330.-

Not included:
Travel and cancellation insurance
Alcoholic drinks, soda drinks and snacks  

Bike rental 2023:
Touring/trekking bike 7 days: NOK 2 450.- 
E-bike: NOK 3 400,-
Front pannier: NOK 150.-

Included in the bike rental: 
Helmet, pannier, bicycle look, tool set with patch kit, replacement tube, pump, light, bottle holder and reflective vest.


Note: 
The tour starts and ends in Sortland. You can combine it with a cruise on the coastal ship Hurtigruten. Ask for prices.
It is also possible to continue biking on our tour in Lofoten, starting in Svolvær Fridays and ending in Reine the next Friday.  

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

See more self-guided bicycle tours in Norway on www.discover-norway.no/bike

Map

Book your trip

outBoundDestinationSpots leftFrom price
6/7Bicycling in Vesterålen 6 - 13 July 2023415 300,-Book
13/7Bicycling in Vesterålen 13 - 20 July 2023415 300,-Book
20/7Bicycling in Vesterålen 20 - 27 July 2023615 300,-Book
27/7Bicycling in Vesterålen 27 July - 3 August 2023415 300,-Book
3/8Bicycling in Vesterålen 3 - 10 August 2023Full15 300,-Full
10/8Bicycling in Vesterålen 10 - 17 August 2023615 300,-Book
17/8Bicycling in Vesterålen 17 - 24 August 2023615 300,-Book