{"id":36272,"date":"2026-04-28T17:12:49","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T15:12:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/niet-gecategoriseerd\/the-lofoten-islands-in-the-spring-a-pleasant-surprise\/"},"modified":"2026-06-21T09:54:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T07:54:25","slug":"the-lofoten-islands-in-the-spring-a-pleasant-surprise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/norway\/the-lofoten-islands-in-the-spring-a-pleasant-surprise\/","title":{"rendered":"The Lofoten Islands in the spring: a pleasant surprise"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Lofoten Islands in the spring: fishing, hiking, and Slow travel away from the crowds<\/h1>\n\n

I\u2019d heard a lot about the Lofoten Islands. But people always talk about winter or summer, the Northern Lights or the midnight sun. What nobody tells you is that spring is actually the best season. Peaceful, bright, and all to yourself. <\/p>\n\n

I took the trip in April. The roads were empty. The fishing villages seemed to breathe. And I quickly understood why people have been living here for thousands of years. Because there\u2019s so much to see, around every bend. <\/p>\n\n

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\"Lofoten<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Lofoten<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n
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“The Lofoten in the spring are just as they’ve always been. It’s just that there are fewer people around to see them.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Our complete slow travel tour of Lofoten and Vesteralen<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Why April and not August?<\/h2>\n\n

Summer in the Lofoten Islands is beautiful, but it\u2019s also crowded. Really crowded. In August, the E10\u2014the only main road\u2014is regularly backed up with RVs and trailers. The roads are narrow. The parking lots at the popular spots are already packed before you even get there. <\/p>\n\n

In addition, during the winter there are people who aren’t used to driving in the snow. That also causes delays. <\/p>\n\n

Spring and fall are a lull for the archipelago. I was pleasantly surprised to experience it during that very lull. That said, the weather is unpredictable at this latitude. The week after I got home, there was another heavy snowfall. I was lucky, and the light is beautiful. But even the rain is beautiful here; it makes the mountains look even more dramatic. <\/p>\n\n

Svolvaer: Start here, but don’t stay<\/h2>\n\n

I started my trip in Svolvaer. It\u2019s the logistical gateway to the archipelago. It\u2019s easily accessible by plane (Wider\u00f8e), by bus from Evenes, or by ferry from Bod\u00f8 to Moskenes. It\u2019s a tourist spot with large hotels. Use it as a starting point, not as a final destination. <\/p>\n\n

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\"Lofoten<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Lofoten<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Lofoten<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n

Anker Brygge<\/a> is a lovely place to stay by the water, with the restaurant Kj\u00f8kkenet, which is known for its fresh fish. A great choice for the first night. <\/p>\n\n

Stay<\/strong><\/td>Anker Brygge: charming, on the waterfront<\/td><\/tr>
Accessibility<\/strong><\/td>Airplane (Wider\u00f8e), Bod\u00f8\u2013Moskenes ferry, bus from Evenes<\/td><\/tr>
Tip<\/strong><\/td>Go grocery shopping in Svolvaer. Stores become fewer and farther between the further west you drive. <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n

Reine: a lively fishing village<\/h2>\n\n

From Svolvaer, I drove to Reine in about 2.5 hours. Please note: The tunnel between Leknes and Napp is occasionally closed until December 2027 due to construction. We were lucky and were able to drive through it without any problems that evening. <\/p>\n\n

Reine has about 300 residents who still make their living mainly from fishing; and you notice that as soon as you arrive. You can smell it. The skrei (a type of cod) hangs for months to dry on large wooden structures, preserved by the cold, salty sea air. No salt, no preservatives. A method that has worked for centuries. <\/p>\n\n

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\"Lofoten<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Reine<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Lofoten<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n

Most fishermen’s cottages are red because that used to be the cheapest paint. Artisans lived in yellow houses. The wealthiest lived in white ones. You can still see that color code reflected in the village today. <\/p>\n\n

I stayed at Reine Rorbuer: authentic fishermen’s cottages of various sizes and levels of luxury, right on the water. It has a wonderful restaurant and a friendly hostess. <\/p>\n\n

Reinebringen: The Steps That Are Worth It<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

We went on the hike to Reinebringen. From Reine Rorbuer, it\u2019s about a kilometer\u2019s walk to the trailhead. Then it\u2019s uphill: about 2,000 steps, built by Nepalese stonemasons as sherpa steps. The climb takes about 1.5 hours. And it was well worth it. <\/p>\n\n

\"Lofoten<\/figure>\n\n

Standing at the top, you\u2019re left speechless. Fjords, islands, white beaches\u2014and on a clear day, the view stretches all the way to the horizon. Here, you understand why people don\u2019t want to leave this landscape. <\/p>\n\n

Kayaking in Reine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

We went on a wonderful kayaking trip among the fjords near Reine. I spotted an eagle. The weather was beautiful, and you get a completely different view of the mountains and the village from the water. <\/p>\n\n

Stay<\/strong><\/td>Reine Rorbuer: Authentic Fishermen’s Cottages by the Water<\/td><\/tr>
Hike<\/strong><\/td>Reinebringen: starting point within walking distance of Reine Rorbuer, about a 1.5-hour hike uphill<\/td><\/tr>
Kayak<\/strong><\/td>On-site at Reine Rorbuer. Please make a reservation in advance <\/td><\/tr>
Please note<\/strong><\/td>Leknes\u2013Napp Tunnel: Check closure times before departure (through Dec. 2027)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n
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\"Lofoten<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Lofoten<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Lofoten<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n

Henningsvaer: From Decline to Creative Hub<\/h2>\n\n

In the 1980s, Henningsv\u00e6r was a fishing village in decline. Now, the abandoned buildings have been converted into galleries, restaurants, and creative workshops by Norwegians and adventurers from all over the world. It has a population of about 500. <\/p>\n\n

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\"Lofoten<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Lofoten<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Lofoten<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n

It gets crowded in the summer. I was there in mid-April; just a handful of tourists, the galleries were open, and it was wonderful to wander around the little shops. And the famous soccer field on a rocky islet, with no one else in sight. That\u2019s the difference a season makes. <\/p>\n\n

Lofoten Wool: The Sweater You Wash in the Snow<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Nearby, in Stamsund (about a 10-minute drive from Leknes), you\u2019ll find Lofoten Wool. It\u2019s a small shop that sells sheep\u2019s wool dyed with natural plants. Workshops on plant-based wool dyeing and knitting are available upon request. The shop is open year-round. Note: There is also a Lofoten Wool shop in Henningsvaer. <\/p>\n\n

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\"Lofoten<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Lofoten<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Lofoten<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n

And here’s the tip I was given: put your wool sweater in the snow instead of in the washing machine. That way, it’ll stay in good shape the longest. And it really works. <\/p>\n\n

Villa Lofoten in Kvalnes: Step into the Movie<\/h2>\n\n

Villa Lofoten in Kvalnes is not what its name suggests. It\u2019s not a villa. Rather, it\u2019s a cluster of carefully restored fishermen\u2019s cottages, restored with an eye for detail; preserved memories of the fishermen who once lived here, transformed into unique living spaces. <\/p>\n\n

Upon arrival, we\u2019re welcomed outside by a campfire and a light beer. The owner, Aaslaug\u2014a well-known figure in the Norwegian cultural sector\u2014tells us about the place and the surrounding area. Later that evening, we\u2019re treated to an impressive Norwegian film about the history of the location where we\u2019re spending the night. Afterward, the authenticity of the place becomes palpable in a way that no text can match. <\/p>\n\n

I stayed at the farmhouse next to the Soleng farm. The view was spectacular. Together with Aaslaug, we went in search of truffle seaweed near Villa Lofoten. The restaurant serves local dishes (by reservation), prepared by Tor Edvin, who also happens to be an Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker. That\u2019s the kind of surprise you get here. <\/p>\n\n

Four buildings, four stories<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n