Chalky white sand, iridescent green fields and turquoise seas beneath the wild mountains of the Lofoten Islands. Come on a hike, and enjoy the spectacular views.
Chalky white sand, iridescent green fields and turquoise seas beneath the wild mountains of the Lofoten Islands. Come on a hike, and enjoy the spectacular views.
This tour takes you to two of Lofoten’s best beaches: Hauklandstranda, which Lonely Planet has named the finest beach in Europe, and Uttakleiva, which many consider Norway’s most romantic beach with its combination of fine sand and large rocks.
The hike follows an old forest road and well-maintained gravel paths for most of the route, with a few short sections on the way down that are slightly more uneven. Dress according to the weather, wear suitable hiking shoes, and bring something to drink.
This excursion takes you to two of Lofoten's best beaches: Haukland, voted Europe's finest beach by Lonely Planet, and Uttakleiv, considered by many to be Norway's most romantic beach, with its mix of fine sand and large boulders.
Haukland has a recently built visitor centre with a café and facilities for guests. Please note that the visitor centre will be closed during our visit. Both beaches face the open sea, in tiny communities with only a handful of residents. The drive from Svolvær is about 70 kilometres and takes roughly 1 hour and 10 minutes through the Lofoten landscape, before you continue on foot over a low mountain pass between the two beaches. The walk between the beaches follows a clear path and takes about 30–40 minutes at a relaxed pace. From here you'll see the sea on both sides and mountains rising straight up from the beaches — among the most photographed viewpoints in Norway.
The sand is chalk-white and the water turquoise. But with the Norwegian Sea right offshore, the water temperature is low, and only the hardiest visitors go for a swim.
Early and late in the season, it may start to get dark towards the end of the excursion. The weather in Lofoten can change quickly, and the excursion takes place in variable conditions, including wind, rain, fog, and cooler temperatures. Even on days with sunshine at sea level, it can be significantly colder and windier higher up, and conversely, conditions higher up can sometimes be more stable than down by the coast. The terrain can be wet, muddy, rocky, and slippery, so we recommend practical, comfortable clothing suited for hiking. Wind- and waterproof outer layers are recommended. As we say in Norway: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing."
Southbound
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