Norway
05.25.2022
Let’s face it, there’s way more than 12 scenic stops in this gorgeous region of Norway above the Arctic Circle, but I whittled it down to a dozen to help you start mapping your epic route. Some of these stops involve a hike to see but many are right along the road side! From north to south, here is a list of some of the most picturesque views encountered when doing a road trip from Tromsø to Senja to Lofoten.
Arctic Cathedral
Whether you are looking at this church from the Tromsø bridge at sunset, from the Fjellstua cable car at sunrise, or at it’s front doors in the middle of the day, there isn’t a bad angle. The stunning white architecture matches its picturesque surroundings in the heart of Tromsø, the city that boasts the “farthest north” of many things, including northernmost Protestant cathedral in the world.
Ornfloya
Gaze down into the tiny pockets of aqua water and white sand as you stand at this overlook, the towns of Sommarøy and Bresholmen in front of you, and a mountain of windmills behind you. After this short hike from the road, drive across the bridges into Sommarøy or take the Bresholmen ferry across to Botnhamn to continue your Senja road trip!
Segla
The fjord coast across from the tiny town of Mefjordvær is like a vertical wall. If you take the effort to hike to the very edge of this wall, you are greeted with the monolithic sight of Segla protruding straight up, towering overhead. The best view of Segla is from the Hesten Trail terminus but you can also climb to the top of Segla itself for a grand view of the Norway fjord coastline beneath you.
Tungeneset
An amazing stop along the Senja Scenic Highway, this “Devil’s Teeth” rock formation comes straight up out of the ocean and is best viewed from across the fjord at the Tungeneset photo point. A wooden bridge – with matching public restroom – takes you out onto the rocks which I highly recommend exploring. The rocks underfoot are beautiful as they are marbled from the sea and contour in different layers as you walk along the point. Another great view of Tungeneset is right down the road on Ersfjordstranda, especially during the midnight sun.
Husfjellet
When you need more classic Senja views, take the gradual uphill hike to Husfjellet. We heard about this hike from a local and while it was still too snowy at the top for us to make it all the way to the trail terminus, the views were still amazing. Looking over the many tiny towns that pop up in the bays across the Senja region never gets old. Some even say the view from Husfjellet rivals the view from Segla.
Bergsbotn Platform
This quick pit stop along the Senja Scenic Highway offers grand views of the town and fjord below. Its thoughtful design is what you make of it but, odds are, if you’re in the area you will pull over and get your photo taken here. I call it a gem and we enjoyed it so much, we stopped twice.
Svolvær
If you’re looking for a practical home base during your visit to the Lofoten Islands that still has amazing views, this place is it. Apart from being able to enjoy the many amenities available in this town, such as grocery stores, it’s also just as beautiful as the smaller fishing villages further down the road. The trailhead to Svolvær Floya is on the outskirts of town and takes you up to the iconic Svolværgeita and Djevelporten rock formations – the Djevelporten is pictured above. You can also continue up to the top of this trail for a great aerial view of Svolvær.
Henningsvær
A detour off the main road to Henningsvær is a must for all visits to the Lofoten Islands. Strolling through this compact town has all the vibes. It’s up to you how long you want to stay there, but I would recommend at least a half a day. Visiting the artisan shops and quaint cafes that line the picturesque canal is a must. You can also visit the Kaviar Factory and iconic soccer field and, if your legs are up for a vertical climb, the Festvågtind hike will provide you with a grand view from above. No matter how long you choose to stay or the activities you engage in, the road to Henningsvær is a treat in itself, as long as you’re not the one behind the wheel!
Rambergstranda
There’s a lot to love about this particular beach even though you have so many to choose from in the Lofoten Islands. First, its convenient location. It’s right off the main road so there’s no hike to get to it, you just have to nab a designated parking spot. Second, its colors are stunning. From the white powder sand to the turquoise waters, to the bright cabins that dot the shoreline, this place is vivid with color. Lastly, its size is just right. Enjoy a stroll from one end of the beach to the other after sitting in the car for a while or enjoy a picnic lunch with an amazing view. There should be plenty of room to spread out from the crowd.
Hamnoy
Known as the postcard picture of the Lofoten Islands, the Hamnoy bridge view of the red rorbus (fishing cabins) gets its own shout out. Park in a designated parking area at either end of the bridge and walk out on the sidewalk to view the iconic sight, soak in all the fishy smells, and watch the waves crash against the rocks. The bridge itself is too narrow for two-way traffic, so traffic flow is controlled by stoplights at either end, which is common all across Lofoten. Hint – you can also see this iconic view anytime by using Google Maps Streetview (but it’s obviously way better in person)!
Reine
This picturesque fishing village has a beautiful view no matter what direction you are looking. To get the iconic view from above, I highly recommend checking into the Reinbringen Hike. If you are visiting this area in the spring, Reine is a great place to get up close (but probably not too close) to the wooden pyramid-shaped racks called hjell, which will be full of drying stockfish. Lastly, stop on Sakrisøy and pop into Anita’s Sjømat for a cup of coffee and souvenir.
Å
This tiny town is iconic because it marks the very end of the road on the Lofoten Islands. Reaching this terminus also means you have soaked in every mile of scenic highway of the Lofoten Island and are sad that it has ended. The good news is that, unless you are taking the ferry from here to Bodo, your picturesque E10 drive is only half way over, it’s time to turn around and enjoy the views from the opposite lane! For those of you traveling in camper vans, I couldn’t imagine a better place to spend a night of your life. At the end, the road makes a loop which contains a good number of parking stalls.
That’s it for sights above the Arctic Circle. If you are looking for more details about any of these sights, feel free to reach out or comment below. Also, don’t forget to check out my Norway 12 Day Itinerary which includes all these sights and more located in southern Norway.
