Lofoten, Værøy and Røst

We meet at Evenes Airport at 4.00 PM. From here we drive all the way to Skårungen, our accommodation for the first two nights. This idyllic place is located just south of Svolvær so we have a two and a half-hour drive ahead of us. Upon arrival, we check into our rooms before getting ready for tonight's dinner. We enjoy a tasty 3-course meal as we go through the days ahead. If we really want to kickstart our trip we can take a refreshing evening swim in the sea, directly from Skårungen's private beach.

After breakfast, it's time to do the first activity of the day. From Skårungen we paddle away among islets and reefs in our kayaks. After approx. four hours on the water we pack up and travel further south to the historic fishing village Henningsvær. The village is spread over several small islands that are sandwiched between the impressive mountain Vågakallen and the West Fjord. The combination of an active, living environment and the well-preserved architecture makes Henningsvær something completely unique. In the afternoon we travel back to Skårungen. A well-deserved dinner awaits before we can finish up in the wood-fired hot-tub/sauna in the evening if the group desires.  

After checking out from our accommodation we drive south, crossing the island of Flakstad, before continuing from Moskenesøy to Fredvang. Today's destination is the beach at Kvalvika and the nearby mountain Ryten. An absolutely fantastic area where green plains and steep mountains embrace each other. If we have time, we can also make a small discovery trip to Inge Wegge and Jørn Ranum's cabin at Kvalvika. This 14 square meter cabin was built as part of their winter project where they spent a full nine months on this beach to live hand in hand with nature. After the trip, we travel to our next accommodation, The Tide, even further south. In the evening, we are served a 3-course dinner at the property's restaurant.

Today we take the morning ferry for an hour and a half from Moskenes to Værøy. The island is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts and can offer everything from chalk-white beaches to mountain peaks with beautiful views. Our goal today is Håen (438 meters) or the NATO mountain as it is also called. The mountain is located in the middle of the island and is easy to get to. After the hike, we travel to Nordland, a small town with 150 inhabitants, where we stay at our accommodation for the next two nights. Here we also have the midnight sun opposite which will give us a fantastic backdrop throughout the evening! Værøy gives its visitors a sense of authenticity, and peace and quiet since we now are far away from the already trodden tourist trails. We live in the old, venerable Prestegården - a well-maintained guesthouse with a warm atmosphere and lovely food.

Which route we choose to hike today will depend on the weather forecast and the group's own preferences. An alternative could be Nordlandsnupen, the highest mountain on the island. From the top - if the weather is on our side - it will be possible to see the entire Lofoten Wall stretching out, with rock formations as far as the eye can see. The other option is Måhornet, a hike that runs along the coast, through beautiful flower meadows and abandoned villages. After spending the whole day exploring the island, we travel back to Prestegården for a well-deserved dinner and a relaxing last night at this wonderful place.

Today we go even further south to Røst, the outermost outpost in Lofoten. And the contrasts could not have been greater! Where Værøy is hilly with sharp rock formations, Røst is the exact opposite. This archipelago consists mostly of small islands and islets that just protrude above sea level. Upon arrival, we check-in at our accommodation before we are transported by boat by one of the locals to one of two possible mountains to climb on Røst. We of course go for the highest, Storfjellet at 260 meters above sea level. The trip is relatively easy, it can be steep at times, but it is not very long. If the weather is on our side, we can guarantee an absolutely fantastic view from the top. Blue sea as far as the eye can see, Værøy and the Lofoten Wall on the horizon, and if we are lucky we may be able to see all the way to the mainland and the Helgeland Coast. After the trip, we are transported back to the main islands. Here we enjoy our last dinner together before we take one last hike to check out the main islands by foot. The midnight sun will hopefully pave the way for a beautiful evening!

Unfortunately, we have come to the final day of the trip. However, we have managed to squeeze in one more activity before we leave Røst. We are going to have a guided tour to learn more about stockfish. The inhabitants of Røst naturally use the sea's resources for income so stockfish is, as in the rest of Lofoten "big business" here too. We get a brief overview of the history of the stockfish at Røst, and at the same time learn more about the entire production process. After finishing the guided tour, we take the boat back to Bodø. The estimated arrival time in Bodø is 4.45 PM. We say goodbye to each other at the quay and wish each other a safe trip home after a fantastic week in Lofoten.