- Date: 23rd of February – 2nd of March 2024
The radiance of Lofoten is almost magnetic: imposing mountains rising from fjords, deep snow-covered flanks and slopes, quiet bays and fishing villages with the typical red and white wooden houses, called Rorbuer. No one can escape the spirit and magic of this landscape. Anyone who has been here once will come back again.
For centuries, the inhabitants of the island chain lived from fishing. By the way, their name “Lofoten” comes from the Norwegian word for lynx foot. Located about 200 km north of the Arctic Circle at 68° North, nature fans from all over the world celebrate these islands as a touring mecca in winter, while the locals still pursue fishing.
From mid-February to mid-March, the sun, low on the horizon, bathes the landscape in a golden light in the late afternoon. When the sky is clear, we also regularly observe northern lights. Snowshoeing Norway’s Lofoten Islands is a dream come true!
The planned itinerary of the trip in the short program
- Day 1 We meet at Harstad/Narvik airport. There we will spend the night in a hotel near the airport.
- Day 2 We will travel by rental car to our accommodation in Svolvaer. On the way we will do a first hike.
- Day 3-7 The available selection of tours is enough for at least three weeks. Depending on the current weather and snow conditions, our mountain guide will choose the best daily tour. We go on daily tours from 400 to 600 meters of altitude. And – that’s why we are here: It is often worthwhile to cross a small massif on a proper round trip. This is often near the coast with a wonderful view to the open sea.
- Day 8 After breakfast we travel back to Harstad/Narvik airport by bus and fly home.
Your plus points
- Charming round trips and easy summit destinations
- Own accommodation for the group
- Atmospheric restaurant with good food
- Coherent hikes close to the coast
- Good touring possibilities even in bad weather
- Ideal season for northern lights observation
Detailed itinerary for Snowshoeing Norway’s Lofoten islands
Day 1 We will meet at Zurich Airport and fly to Evenes Airport, which is located between Harstad and Narvik. There we will spend the night in a hotel near the airport.
Flight according to flight schedule
Day 2 After breakfast we load our luggage into our rental vehicle and travel to our accommodation near Svolvaer. This drive takes about 2.5 hours. On the way we will have a first hike to get to know the wild island world.
Driving time approx. 2.5 hours, walking time 3-4 hours.
Day 3-7 In the morning we start our vacation with a rich, freshly served breakfast buffet in the restaurant of the lodge. Well strengthened we will discover new tour highlights and return in the late afternoon. Dinner is again served in the atmospheric restaurant. The restaurant is located in one of the oldest buildings in Svolvaer.
Ascent/descent up to 600 m, walking time without breaks 4-6 hours.
Day 8 After breakfast we travel back to Harstad/Narvik airport by bus and fly home.
Travel time approx. 2.5 hrs., flight according to flight schedule
Tour destinations around Svolvaer
The island world of Lofoten has a lot to offer. Depending on the current weather and snow conditions, our mountain guide will choose the most suitable daily tour. We go on daily tours from 400 to 600 meters of altitude. And – that’s why we are here: We are mobile! Towards the west the peaks are a bit lower, but the landscape is very maritime. Varied we reach hidden bays via pass crossings. With our bus we can easily reach the partly remote starting points of our snowshoe hikes. The routes are always varied, there is a lot to see. Additionally it is possible to reach the two islands Hadseloya and Skrova by ferry. This, of course, only when the sea is calm.
Price
CHF 2’780.00 per person
Included in the price:
- Organisation and guiding
- 6 fantastic tour days on the Lofoten under the guidance of a certified hiking guide
- All trips with own rental bus from/to Harstad/Narvik airport
- 1 overnight stay in a hotel in Evenes in a double room with shower/WC, breakfast included
- 6 nights in a double room in a traditional rorbu by the sea
- 6x breakfast and 7x dinner at the lodge, snacks and tea for the tour
- CO/2 compensation of the flight with “myclimate
Not included in the price:
- Travel to and back from Zürich airport
- Costs flight from CHF 500.-
- Dinner day 1
- Drinks
- Personal insurances, annulation, accident etc.
Weather and touring conditions
The weather can be very changeable. This means that on the same day fog, snowfall and sunshine alternate. The touring program will be adapted to the conditions.
Requirements
You have some snowshoeing and hiking experience. The ascents are between 400 and 600 meters of altitude, for some tours a little more. We expect temperatures comparable to those in alpine altitudes of our latitudes between 1500 and 2500 meters in the month of February.
Equipment
Complete snowshoe equipment with warm winter or trekking boots, casual leisure wear and comfortable shoes for the evenings in the restaurant and in the cottage. For the sauna swimsuit and towel.
Stay in the lodge
We stay in a beautiful rorbu suite on an island offshore from Svolvaer. The small cottages offer everything we need to relax: 2 to 4 double rooms with one or two bathrooms for common use. Also available in the apartments are a fully equipped kitchen and a cozy and spacious living room, as well as WLAN.
Packing advice
The luggage may be 23 kg, the hand luggage (tour backpack) with the usual dimensions 8 kg. So that we can stow everything well in the vehicles, we ask you not to use hard shell suitcases. Semi-soft rolling suitcases and panniers are ideal. Snow shoes and telescopic poles should be packed in your flight luggage.
Money
In Norway, even small amounts are paid by credit card. This also applies to drinks in the restaurant in the evening.
Equipment list for snowshoeing Norways Lofoten islands
Clothing
Gore Tex jacket
Ski touring or ski pants
Soft shell or fleece jacket
Thin, windproof finger gloves
Warm finger or mitten gloves
Hat, possibly headband or buff
Functional socks (1 spare pair)
Functional underwear short/long
Separate luggage (for hotel stay)
Backpack with hip belt (25-35l)
Sunglasses and ski goggles
Sun and lip lotion, sun hat
Drinking bottle, with advantage thermos bottle
Pocket knife
Sticking plaster and Compeed
Poss. camera, binoculars
Passport (for automatic check-in)
Technical equipment for Snowshoeing Norways Lofoten Islands
Sturdy trekking or mountain boots for snowshoes
Snowshoes (sturdy model with side-mounted snow claws)
Avalanche transceiver (LVS): digital 3-antenna device
Avalanche shovel and probe
Ski or telescopic poles (large plates)
Overnight stay in hotel
Basic clothing for the hotel stay
Swimsuit
Comfortable shoes for the hotel stay
Shower towel for sauna
Earplugs
Toiletries
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