Highlights
Northern Norway is a land of epic landscapes, picturesque towns and turbulent weather. There is a reason it’s on most traveler’s bucket list.
Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago, lies closer to the North Pole—about 400 miles—than to mainland Norway, roughly 580 miles away. Its remoteness lends itself naturally to adventure. The main attractions are the stark Arctic landscapes and the chance to see wildlife, including reindeer, seals, walrus, Arctic foxes, puffins, and the biggest draw of all, polar bears.
For more on Norway see the Scandinavia page.
Itinerary
On this month long itinerary along Norway’s northern coast I divided the trip into 4 parts – Runde to see and photograph puffins, road trips along the Kystrikveien and through the Lofoten Islands, and a photography tour around Svalbard.
Runde – If you want to see puffins up close, Runde island is the place to visit. I spent 2 nights on the island, flying into Alesund, renting a car and driving to Runde. On the return I flew from Alesund to Steinkjer, the start of the Kystrikveien.
Kystrikveien is a scenic, coastal country road that travels 650km (400 miles) in northern Norway from Steinkjer to Bodø. It is generally route 17 and includes 6 ferry crossings, but there are variations on the route and ferry crossings depending on what you want to see and do and how much time you have. Although the ferry crossings add time, you can drive it in as few as 2 days. I spent 6 days hoping for good weather and a chance to hike and visit some of the islands, sleeping in Brønnøysund, Sandnessjøen and Glomfjord.
The breathtaking landscapes and sleepy fishing villages of the Lofoten Islands in northern Norway have become a popular tourist destination thanks to social media. It is an extremely photogenic destination.
The islands are reachable by a ferry from Bodø to Moskenes in the south of the archipelago or by car to Svolvær in the north. You can drive between the two in 2 and half hours, but the region is best enjoyed by a longer visit to explore the many hiking trails, back roads, beaches and villages. I stayed 9 nights with home bases in Hamnøy, Ballstad and Kabelvåg. Departing the islands I flew from Harstad/Narvik Airport to Longyearbyen via Oslo.
Departing from Longyearbyen, I spent 10 days with Arctic Wildlife Tours (AWT) on a wildlife photography tour aboard the 12-passenger MS Origo. Our route included both Svalbard islands as well as the sea ice north of the archipelago.
Date of Trip: June 16 to July 16, 2024
Links to Posts
Runde – 2 Nights
Puffin Viewing on Runde
If you want to see puffins up close, Runde island is the place to visit.
Kystrikveien – 6 Nights
Steinkjer to Sandnessjøen
Post includes the sights in Brønnøysund and a detour to Vega Island.
Part 2 – Sandnessjøen
My day in Sandnessjøen was the only spectacularly clear day during the six days I spent on the Kystriksveien. I made good use of it with a hike in the Seven Sisters mountain range and visits to the islands of Herøy and Dønna.
Part 3 – Sandnessjøen to Bodø
With the stunning scenery once again masked by gloomy weather, I fittingly stopped in Glomfjord on the final push to Bodø. Post also includes an overnight in Bodø before the ferry to Moskenes in the Lofoten Islands.
Lofoten Islands – 9 Nights
Part 1 – Hamnøy
Staying in the southern region of the Lofoten Islands affords easy access to the iconic hikes on the Reinebringen trail with views overlooking Reine and the trails to Kvalvika beach. Hamnøy, is also the backdrop for numerous stunning Instagram images. The area can be crowded, but with 24 hours of sunlight in summer you can easily time visits and hikes for when few others are around.
Part 2 – Ballstad
Ballstad located on the east coast has a central location within the Lofoten Islands and makes an ideal base if you have less time and want to explore the islands from one spot.
Part 3 – Kabelvåg
The northern region of the Lofoten Islands has all the dramatic scenery and hiking opportunities of the areas further south.
Svalbard, Norway Photography Tour with Arctic Wildlife Tours – 10 Nights
Part 1 – Days 1 to 4
The first days featured epic landscapes and frequent polar bear sightings.
Part 2 – Days 5 to 7
Part 2 is all about the drift ice north of the archipelago.
Part 3 – Days 6-10
Highlights in Part 3 include sightings of a rare rust colored bearded seal and one last polar bear.