Sea kayaking and hiking trips in the Lofoten Islands
In summary
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Sports
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Duration10 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationNorway / Lofoten Islands
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions118.69 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Explore the Lofoten Islands off the beaten track!
Embark on a unique sea kayaking journey, guided by a local expert who will lead you through a wild archipelago, far from the crowds. Between secret fjords, secluded beaches and breathtaking peaks, each paddle stroke takes you to pristine and spectacular landscapes: Selfjord, Skjelfjorden, Flakstadpollen… dominated by the imposing Hermannsdalstinden, the highest peak in Lofoten.
Over the course of several days, alternate between paddling and hiking along ridges offering breathtaking panoramas. Sea kayaking provides complete independence and access to secluded campsites, facing pristine landscapes where nature sets its own pace. A gentle yet comprehensive adventure, combining exploration, self-reliance, and wonder in one of Norway's most beautiful corners.
The highlights
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Sea kayaking: an unusual and immersive way to travel
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Secret bivouacs accessible only by sea
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Unforgettable hikes and sailing trips in the Lofoten Islands
Photos
Kaourantin - verified review - september 2024
Kaourantin - verified review - september 2024
Kaourantin - verified review - september 2024
Kaourantin - verified review - september 2024
Kaourantin - verified review - september 2024
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
Circuit characteristics
Each day includes 4 to 6 hours of activity combining kayaking and hiking. Conditions can be challenging: wind, rain, and changeable weather. The route is rated level 3 under favorable conditions, but can become level 4 in case of deteriorating weather. This nearly self-supported trek demands physical and mental commitment: endurance, exposure to the elements, and nights spent camping. A good capacity for adaptation is essential.
Recommended physical preparation
Excellent physical condition is essential. This trip is designed for athletes accustomed to prolonged exertion, days exceeding 6 hours, and hikes with 700 to 900 meters of elevation gain. Kayaking experience and a good level of outdoor fitness are strongly recommended, as well as specific training.
Health and safety
The areas traversed are isolated and rescue operations can be lengthy. The guide carries a first-aid kit. A medical consultation before departure is recommended.
Activities during the stay
Loaded kayaks require more skill. The route is gradual: sheltered areas at the start, then the more exposed coast of the Vestfjord. The trips, sometimes short, can involve significant elevation changes and technical sections.
Life in a bivouac
Life in a bivouac involves discomfort, dampness, and fatigue. The trip is participatory and relies on mutual support and group cohesion.
Accessible from age 16 for young people accustomed to strenuous activities.
In figures
Canoeing / Kayaking
- Average duration/day: 3h
- Average daily elevation gain: 125 m
- Average daily descent: 125 m
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 605 m
- Average daily descent: 605 m
Management
French
Based in the Lofoten Islands for many years, our agency offers you much more than just a trip: an active adventure, led by passionate guides and made possible by perfectly managed local logistics. Throughout your stay, you will be accompanied by a specialist guide, a true all-rounder of adventure: they will manage the group and prepare meals.
Versatile, available and passionate, our guides are here to help you experience the best of Norway, safely and in a good mood.
Program
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Heading towards Norway – Arrival in Bodø
- Accommodation Youth hostel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
The big departure begins!
We embark for northern Norway and land in Bodø in the late afternoon.
Once there, we met with the local team and the rest of the group: the first exchanges already sparked the spirit of the trip.
In the evening, we settled into our accommodation and spent our first night on Norwegian soil.
Day 1 -
Crossing to the Lofoten Islands – Kayaking initiation in the Selfjord
- Transportation Ferry - 03h15 - 100km
- Activity Canoeing / Kayaking
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Early in the morning, we take the ferry. From the deck, the view is breathtaking: the Lofoten archipelago rises like a wall of mountains plunging into the sea.
We meet up with our guide, familiarize ourselves with the equipment and prepare our pack: everything must fit in the kayaks, including food.
First paddle strokes in the sheltered Selfjord: a gentle introduction among rocky islets and golden beaches. Our passionate and expert guide gives us essential safety instructions and also takes advantage of this trip to reveal the secrets of the Lofoten Islands: Arctic flora, marine fauna, local traditions, and the geological history of the mountains that surround us.
At the end of the day, the camp is set up: bivouac tents, a convivial mess tent, and the experience of nomadic life begins.
Day 2 -
Hike to the summit of Ryten
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 560 m
- Negative elevation 560 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we're leaving the kayaks at home for a walking excursion. The trail climbs gently through moors and ridges, offering new views of the Selfjord and its countless islets at every step.
At the summit of Ryten, the reward is magnificent: a breathtaking panorama of the wild Kvalvika beach, an expanse of blond sand encircled by steep walls, and of the Moskenesøya mountain range.
In the afternoon, return to camp for free time. Depending on your preferences, you can go paddling again on the Norwegian Sea, or try your hand at fishing in the lively currents at the entrance to the fjord.
Day 3 -
By kayak from Fredvang to Skjelfjord
- Activity Canoeing / Kayaking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After a hearty breakfast, we pack up camp and load the kayaks.
Heading towards the Sundstraumen, a narrow and spectacular strait linking two of the most beautiful islands in the archipelago.
The west coast reveals beaches and turquoise waters, the east coast reveals a more mineral world, sheltered from the wind and animated by fishing villages with red rorbus.
We pass by the picturesque village of Sund before entering the Skjelfjord, the site of our bivouac for two nights.
Little by little, everyone finds their place: unloading, setting up tents, preparing meals… a true expedition life.
Day 4 -
Hiking to Volandstinden
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A short morning sail to reach the starting point of our hike.
The steady climb leads us to the summit of Volandstinden, whose three peaks offer an exceptional panorama of the fjords and the kayak route covered in recent days. At the end of the day, we take up the kayaks again to reach a new bivouac, accessible only by sea: a rare privilege to enjoy an isolated site, in complete tranquility.
Day 5 -
Heading towards Nusfjord
- Activity Canoeing / Kayaking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We are traveling along the east coast of Flakstadøya, an area conducive to encounters with seals and porpoises.
Today's objective: Nusfjord, one of the oldest fishing villages in Lofoten, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What a thrill to arrive at this setting of little houses on stilts… by kayak! Setting up camp and exploring the village.
Day 6 -
Nusfjord – Hiking in the Heights
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Day without kayaking: departure on foot from the camp for a panoramic hike. Here, the scenery is wild and mineral: little vegetation, rough stones sculpted by the elements.
The heights offer us an unobstructed view of the fjord, the village and the vast Vestfjord.
Maritime atmosphere, authenticity and tranquility: Nusfjord reveals its preserved soul.
Day 7 -
End of the raid – Back to comfort
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 25km
- Activity Canoeing / Kayaking
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Accommodation Apartment
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Last navigation through the meanders of Nusfjord before the shuttle that takes us back to Fredvang, the starting point of our journey.
Rinsing, packing up the gear… then the simple pleasure of returning to comfortable accommodation. Hot shower, cozy bed: after a week of adventure, the comfort takes on a whole new meaning.
Day 8 -
Ascent of Munkan – A spectacular finale
- Transportation Ferry - 03h15 - 100km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 860 m
- Negative elevation 860 m
- Accommodation Youth hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Our latest adventure takes us to Munkan (798 m), an iconic peak in the Lofoten Islands. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful hikes in the archipelago, but it's a challenge: the elevation gains are demanding, but the reward is well worth it.
At the summit, the plunging view encompasses all the islands, offering a true high mountain atmosphere lost in the middle of the sea.
At the end of the day, we take the ferry back to Bodø, our hearts still filled with these magnificent landscapes.
Day 9 -
Back to France
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Last morning overlooking the Norwegian coast. Transfer to the airport, return flight.
We leave Norway with intense images in our memories: raw nature, changing lights, powerful encounters and the rare feeling of total immersion.
Why not come back in winter? When hiking is done on snowshoes, when the fjords freeze under the snow and when the Northern Lights set the sky ablaze, Norway reveals a new magic.
Day 10
Note
This itinerary is provided as an indication: depending on weather and operational conditions, your tour guide may modify the day-by-day itinerary for your safety and that of the group or for organizational reasons.
For departures in June and from mid-August onwards, the number of ferries between the islands is reduced. Some days may therefore be adjusted to take this into account.
Things to know before you leave:
Light and seasons:
From late May to early August: midnight sun (the day hardly sets).
From the first days of August: night gradually returns. At this time, it is sometimes possible to observe the first northern lights, provided the sky is clear.
Accommodation
Access
Go to the starting point
Your flight with us
Your e-ticket will be available in your customer account 8 to 10 days before departure. Your login details and password will be sent to you upon registration.
To reach Norway, we mainly work with two regular airlines, via Oslo: SAS and Norwegian.
SAS: 1 checked bag of 23 kg + 1 hand bag included per person.
Norwegian: 1 checked bag of 20 kg + 1 hand bag included per person.
Note: Meals and drinks are not included on board and are available for purchase.
This information is provided for guidance purposes only and will be confirmed at the time of booking.
New legislation in progress
New Norwegian legislation strictly regulating passenger transport no longer allows our guides to drive the minibuses used for transfers. We therefore use external providers to ensure travel complies with local regulations and guarantees a high level of safety, albeit with less flexibility. These transfers will be carried out using 9- or 16-seater minibuses.
Price details
The price includes
- Flights Paris / Bodø / Paris
- Air taxes
- Airport transfers
- Travel and activities as described in the program
- The accommodation as described
- The meals mentioned as included in the program
- Loan of kayaking equipment (two-person kayak, paddle, drysuit...)
- Loan of bivouac equipment
- The tour is led by a French-speaking tour guide who is a specialist in the destination.
The price does not include
- The contribution to carbon neutrality
- Pre-delivery to Paris
- Meals indicated as free in the day-by-day
- Airport transfers if the arrival or departure day differs from that of the rest of the group and the program
Options
- Additional night in Bodø in a double or twin room (price per person) : CHF107.95 / person
- Additional night in Bodø in a single room : CHF190.28 / person
- Additional night in Oslo in a double or twin room (price per person) : CHF80.50 / person
- Additional night in Oslo in a single room : CHF161.00 / person
- Single room supplement for several nights of your stay : CHF292.74 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
Passport
Passport or national identity card must be valid (check the expiry date now).
From January 15, 2017, a child travelling abroad without being accompanied by one of their parents must present the following 3 documents:
- Valid identity document for the minor: identity card or passport + possible visa depending on the requirements of the destination country (to be checked by consulting the country information sheets on the website diplomatie.gouv.fr)
- Photocopy of the valid identity document of the signing parent: identity card or passport
- Authorization form for leaving the territory signed by one of the parents holding parental authority.
Note: This authorization may be required by certain countries when a minor child is travelling with only one parent (for example: Algeria, Morocco, Switzerland: check by consulting the country information sheets on the diplomatie.gouv.fr website).
Visa
No visa required for European citizens.
Identity card
Valid identity card required (check expiry date now).
Important: Norwegian authorities do not recognize the extension of validity for expired national identity cards. Only cards that are strictly valid are accepted.
Health recommendations
The health requirements of each country change frequently; it is important and your responsibility to consult them up until the day of your departure on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the "Travel Advice" section.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
We will provide you with high-quality equipment that is impressively lightweight, so that you can have a pleasant stay without suffering any discomfort.
- Camping equipment (3-person tents for two people, mattresses, utensils, mess tent for communal meals...) excluding sleeping bags.
- Kayaking equipment (kayak, life jacket, paddle, drysuit, Crocs-type shoes, dry bag...(13L for personal belongings/ 22L shared between 2 for the sleeping bag)).
- Fishing equipment
Equipment to bring
- A pillowcase and a sleeping bag liner, as sometimes only blankets are provided in accommodations.
- A sleeping bag (comfortable from 0°C to +10°C) that can be compressed to the maximum
- A microfiber bath towel
- A personal first aid kit
- Mosquito repellent
- A biodegradable soap
- A biodegradable toothpaste
- Sunscreen (face and lips)
- A lip balm
- Toilet wipes
- A water bottle of at least 1 liter
- A Tupperware container, covered
- High-protection sunglasses
- A headlamp, with spare batteries (until May and from August onwards)
- Plastic bags to keep your belongings dry
- A rain cover for your backpack
- A specialty from your region to discover and share together
Optional:
- Walking poles: They are invaluable for saving your knees on the descent (up to 30% of your weight and that of your bag are supported by the poles) and for supporting your effort on the ascent (the arms help in addition to the legs).
- Earplugs
- A knife (to be put in checked baggage)
- An external battery (to be placed in carry-on luggage)
- A camera
- A sleep mask (constant daylight can disrupt sleep)
- A thermos
- An inflatable pillow
- Head mosquito net
Clothing to bring
- A pair of trekking shoes for hiking. They must have three qualities: sturdiness, good foot and ankle support (high-tops), and waterproofing (the terrain is sometimes wet). Choose shoes with non-slip soles and relatively rigid soles; they must grip the ground well.
- Pairs of hiking socks
- A waterproof mountain jacket (Gore-Tex type). The most effective jackets against wind and rain are made of Gore-Tex or Micropore, a "breathable" material that allows for the rapid evaporation of perspiration.
- Waterproof mountain trousers (Gore-Tex type)
- Hiking shorts
- Waterproof trekking over-trousers or a rain cape
- A down jacket, optional but very practical for midday picnic breaks.
- A fleece jacket. This has the advantage of being durable, warm, lightweight; it dries quickly and offers a soft feel.
- Technical base layers, top and bottom. This is your first layer of insulation, so make it worthwhile. Choose synthetic or natural fibers. Avoid cotton, which takes a very long time to dry; opt instead for several short-sleeved and long-sleeved t-shirts, and a pair of tights (breathable material). Be prepared for all situations.
- A swimsuit
- Clothes for trips around town
- Nightwear
- A pair of gloves
- A beanie
- A cap
- A Buff-style neck warmer
Please note that your clothes will be sorted to keep only the essentials and repackaged before departure.
- The climate in Norway is changeable. You can experience all four seasons in the same day.
They traveled with us
