Vesterålen – The Islands North of Lofoten

Embark on a cycling round trip in Vesterålen, the stunning islands located just north of Lofoten. Immerse yourself in tranquility as you traverse breathtaking Norwegian landscapes. We have allotted extra time for you to explore additional roads or embark on thrilling hikes. In Nyksund, you have the opportunity to traverse Dronningruta (The Queen’s Route), which earned its name after Queen Sonja of Norway, who was captivated by the trail and its landscapes during her visit in 1994. This journey was acclaimed as Norway’s most stunning hike in 2012.

This bicycle trip takes you on a 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 landscapes. 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.

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. This is a self-guided adventure, cycling point to point, with a detailed map and guidebook 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.

The tour is not available for last minute bookings. It must be booked minimum 60 days prior to departure.

This tour can be combined with the Arctic Coast from Tromsø to Svolvær Cycling tour.

Day 1 - Arrival to Sortland - the Blue City

Thon Partner Hotel Sortland

Dinner

You arrive to Sortland, also known as "The Blue City," gained national and international attention during the festivities surrounding the millennium. The city's idea was to paint the entire town blue, sparking a vibrant process involving local artists and the community. Take a poetic stroll through the city center, where you can enjoy "Writings on a Field of Blue."

Furthermore, the city boasts art exhibitions, a church dating back to 1901, and fantastic hiking trails. Sortland offers plenty of shopping opportunities and is renowned for having the highest annual turnover per capita in all of Northern Norway. It's also celebrated as one of the best music scenes in Norway, with the Sortland Jazz Festival taking place every autumn.

Day 2 - Nyksund - from Ghost town to Creative Hub

Holmvik Brygge

Breakfast and self-packed lunch

57 km

289 m

289 m

Today you cycle towards Nyksund. 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.

About a century ago, Nyksund was one of Vesterålen's largest and most vital fishing villages. Its strategic location near fishing grounds made it a bustling hub during the skrei (Atlantic cod) season in winter, attracting hundreds of additional residents. But the village faced challenges accommodating the booming fishing industry. Today, remnants of the bustling docks, once towering up to two or three floors high for fish processing, stand as a testament to Nyksund's prosperous past. Fifty years after the fishing village became a ghost town, Nyksund today appears hip and even urban.

Day 3 - Hike along Dronningruta (The Queen's Route)

Holmvik Brygge

Breakfast and self-packed lunch

1010 m

Today 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.

Dronningruta is a marked hiking trail (15 km) between the historical fisherman’s villages Nyksund and Stø in the Vesterålen archipelago. The route is a round trip which winds its way along the coastline, the white sand beach Skipssanden, and over mountain tops 400 meters above sea level with an incredible view of the Atlantic ocean. At Enge you will find old house ruins and a barbecue hut/gapahuk.

Day 4 - Cycling in hilly terrain

Fjordcamp

Breakfast, self-packed lunch and dinner

70 km

496 m

494 m

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. Then you will cycle 35 km.

Fjordcamp is situated in the beautiful countryside and with views to the sea, mountains and fjords.

Day 5 - Lovely Archipelago - between Islets and Reefs

Hotel Regine

Breakfast, self-packed lunch and dinner

49 km

137 m

134 m

Today you will cycle a short and easy day trip, but we recommend a detour to Nykvåg on Langøya island, 12 km each way. Nykvåg is a beautiful coastal village in Norway. Enjoy the stunning views of the fjords and mountains, as well as the peaceful atmosphere of the village.

If you continue all the way to Hovden, the detour will be 17 km each way. In Sandvika you will find a beautiful white beach where one can rest and enjoy the view. We highly recommend visiting Hovden for an authentic Norwegian fishing village.

Day 6 - Bike tour to the fishing village Vinje

Hotel Regine

Breakfast, self-packed lunch and dinner

30 km

162 m

162 m

Today we recommend a bike tour, via Vinje, 30 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" made by Killi Olsen. The site of the sculpture near the fjord focuses on the man's tribute to the sea. The local community with its built-up milieu is seen in the background. The materialized memories of the community are gathered in the local museum which is near the site of the sculpture. Myth and memory, the given and the acquired conditions for living, meet in this site.

You can also combine bicycle and hiking in what is now called "hiker's paradise". Or maybe do a day trip with kayak and guide.

Day 7 - Discover Sortland

Thon Partner Hotel Sortland

Breakfast, self-packed lunch and dinner

37 km (RIB boat Ringstad-Stokmarknes)

Bike to Ringstad (10 km).
RIB boat tour from Ringstad to Stokmarknes.
Bike tour from Stokmarknes to Sortland (27 km).

In Stokmarknes you can visit the new Hurtigruten Museum. If you want a longer bike ride, we recommend a ride around Hadseløya or a longer route between Stokmarknes and Sortland. The shortest route from Stokmarknes to Sortland mostly follows a pedestrian and cycle path along the main road. Sections without pedestrian and cycle paths have some traffic. You return your rental bike in Sortland.

Day 8 - Departure from Sortland

Breakfast

After breakfast, it's time to depart back to your hometown. We hope you have many great memories with you home, and that you got to experience really wonderful cycling in Vesterålen's fantastic nature.

How to travel from Sortland:
- Hurtigruten from Sortland at 01:00 PM. Arrive in Bodø at 02.30 AM. Flight 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 with a bicycle tour in Lofoten.