Bike the Best of Northern Norway

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 at Quality Saga Hotel, Tromsø

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 southwest 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 based on fishing and tourism.

We recommend an evening hike to Hillesøytoppen, with magnificent views of the ocean and Senja Island.

Accommodation and dinner at Sommarøy Arctic Hotel

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 breathtaking 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.

Accommodation and dinner at Mefjord Brygge

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.

Accommodation and dinner at Hamn in Senja

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 whether you go over the pass or not.

From Gryllefjord you go by ferry to the Island of 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.

Accommodation and dinner at Marmelkroken, Bø (no vegan meal option)

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 and dinner at Thon Partner Hotel Sortland

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 at Thon Hotel Lofoten (Superior room)

- Make a boat trip from Svolvær to see the famous Troll Fjord, do some fishing and spot Sea eagles.
- Visit the fishing village Kabelvåg and the Lofoten Cathedral.
- Bike trip to the picturesque Fishing Village, Henningsvær (48 km round trip).
- Visit the museums in Storvågan (not September).
- Hike one of the peaks close to Svolvær.
- Bike the northern part of Austvågøy (97 km round trip)

Accommodation at Thon Hotel Lofoten (superior room) 

Easy day trip with some traffic. A tunel just before the exit to Henningsvær.
Possible detours along the way:
- Henningsvær (Picturesque Fishing Village) - 18 km
- Brenna (Bike along the fjord/ocean front) - 23 km

Accommodation and dinner at Lofoten Links

This is the only night you stay at the west coast, so you might see the midnight sun. It is a nice midnight sun activity to hike the top of Hoven (362 m), with a wonderful view of the area you have been cycling today. From here you can also see the islands of Vesterålen. While here you can also play golf, at the world-class golf course (tee time must be pre-booked).

Longer day trip in relatively flat terrain.
Possible detours along the way:
- Stamsund and Steine (Fishing Villages) - 14 km
- Sennesvika and Ramsvika (Great views) - 12 km

Accommodation at Scandic Leknes Lofoten (basic hotel)

Some suggestions:
- Bike to Uttakleiv the most photographed beach in Lofoten. With the horizon open to the west and north, Uttakleiv is a good location to see the Midnight sun (27 km round trip).
- Bike to Unstad beach, Lofoten’s most popular surfing destinations (42 km round trip).
- Visit the Lofoten Viking Museum in Borg featuring a copy of the largest Viking-era house ever found (28 km round trip).
- Bike to Eggum and visit the rocky coastline past the village (50 km round trip).

Accommodation at Scandic Leknes Lofoten (basic hotel)

- Bike Leknes - Kremmervika, 12 km / about 1 hour.
- Bicycle ferry from Kremmervika, departure at 10:00 or 12:00 (earlyest bookings will be on the first departure, as the boat has limited capacity). We recommend spending some time in Nusfjord. This is one of the oldest and best-preserved fishing villages in Lofoten, located in scenic surroundings encircled by steep mountains.
- Bike Nusfjord - Reine, 41 km. You bike most of the distance on E10, with some traffic. There are a few tunnels, but you can bike on the old road outside the tunnels.

Accommodation and dinner at Reine Rorbuer (Rorbu Cabins, shared bathroom - 2 bedrooms/1 bathroom)

Some suggestions:
- Make a day trip to the small village of Å, at the end of the road E10 (20 km round trip).
- Take a fjord cruise in Kjerkfjorden, walking over to the wonderful beach, Bunesstranda. It is also possible to hike the summit of Helvetestinden (the mountain of Hell), (513 m).
- You can also join adventures like sea rafting, sea fishing or kayak trips in Reine.

Return rental bikes.

Accommodation and dinner at Reine Rorbuer (Rorbu Cabins, shared bathroom - 2 bedrooms/1 bathroom)

How to travel from Reine (not included):
- Bus from Reine to Moskenes. Ferry from Moskenes to Bodø.
- Bus to Leknes or Svolvær and flight from Leknes airport or Svolvær airport.