Norway Explorer

After we meet you at Svolvær Airport, a two hour drive will take us to our hotel in Å (pronounced “aw”). Located at the southern tip of the Lofoten archipelago, this picturesque village is defined by its shoreline of red rorbuer (fishing huts) and cod-drying racks. In the afternoon you will have time to explore this little village which is very much frozen in time and visit the Lofoten Stockfish Museum if you wish. We will reconvene for dinner and discuss the plans for the week as we sample some of the local cod - it’s hard to imagine that up until WWII more than 700,000 cod would be hung out to dry here every season!

Waking up on the tip of Lofoten is a special moment. Today we will take this opportunity to warm our legs up along the gently rolling road from Å to Henningsvaer. Our adventure starts with the most breathtaking scenery as we cycle along the coastline and pass over a few bridges that can most simply be described as stepping stones from island to island. Upon arriving in Leknes we will enjoy lunch before heading to Henningsvær (option to end riding in Leknes or continue riding to Henningsvær), where we will be staying for the evening.

By now you will be becoming familiar with the spectacular landscape of the Lofoten archipelago and you’ll understand why these mountains that cascade into the turquoise waters are world famous and renowned as an adventure seeker's paradise. After a scrumptious breakfast, we’ll be on our bikes and travelling along the coast line towards Svolvær. On our way we will be sure to stop by Dan Graham's untitled reflective work, a beautiful reflective mirror and an outstanding photo opportunity. Upon arriving in Svolvær and checking into our hotel, where we will be staying for the next two nights, you’ll have the chance to explore this bustling little town before a delicious dinner!

Today's ride is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful rides on the Lofoten island, the out and back loop encompasses everything Lofoten has to offer. Spectacular scenery, beautiful beaches, fresh salty sea air and perfectly smooth and quiet roads. Be sure to charge your camera for this ride. We will return to Svolvear and enjoy this busy little port town for a second night.

In the morning we’ll take a beautiful ferry ride from Fiskebøl to Melbu. Upon arrival to the island we will get on our bikes and ride the Western side of Melbu island before continuing on towards tonights hotel destination in Sortland. If you feel like it you will also have the chance to climb Storheia summit, the Mt Ventoux of Norway… 3.5km with an average gradient of 11.8%. Once at the top we’ll enjoy the beautiful panoramic views before continuing on our journey to Sortland. We will enjoy a delicious dinner and prepare for our ride tomorrow.

Today's ride will be another beauty as we depart Sortland and head north to the village of Andenes, which is the northernmost settlement of the island of Andøya. Andøya, although sparsely populated is known for its breathtaking white sandy beaches and if you're going to see a whale on this trip then this is the spot. The surrounding nutrient-rich waters are popular with whales and marine life. We'll enjoy lunch by one of the beautiful beaches and relax as we ride along this stunning coastline. Our hotel is waiting for you after an amazing riding!

“Senja Island is the most beautiful island in Norway” - well that’s what the locals say and we tend to agree! After a ferry journey to Torsken we will start our ride along a mostly flat and spectacular coastline. We will follow the road anti clockwise around Senja to the ferry port of Botnhamn. Where we will catch the second ferry of the day to Sommaroy, where we will be staying for our penultimate night.

Our last ride will take us on a spectacular journey to our final destination, Tromsø, northern Norway’s most vibrant city which is located 400km north of the Arctic Circle at 69˚N! We will cycle along fjords and pass numerous craggy peaks before arriving at the arched bridge which is a defining feature of Tromsø. We will celebrate our final evening in Tromsø at one of our favourite restaurants and cheers to our wonderful cycling adventure in the Arctic Circle.

PS keep your eyes peeled for elk on your ride today!

All good things come to an end. Take the morning to explore this vibrant northern city - it has beautiful shops and cafes, and is the perfect place to purchase a souvenir ! In the early afternoon we will shuttle you back to Tromsø Airport. Exploring the Arctic Circle by road-bike …. A true Grand Tours Project.