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Arctic Coast Cycling

Group Bike
9 Days / 12 locations in Norway

Arctic Ocean is a paradise for you who would like an island adventure on a bicycle! Take a deep breath and fill your lungs with fresh sea air, before you with wind in your hair set off on a bike ride in an exciting and beautiful landscape made up of large and small islands.

From the lively city of Tromsø surrounded by mountains, fjords and islands the bike ride goes through a beautiful and varied nature of Kvaløya via Kattfjord, outwards to the south of the coast to the fishing location and island Sommarøy. After a short ferry trip the tour continues to Senja, Norway's second largest island. The road along the western coast of Senja Gryllefjord winds through the strong nature, uphill and down - in and out of fjords. The road passes Senja Troll.

Next island hopping goes to Andøya by ferry. New adventures from the bike seat are waiting for you. Andøya is a natural pearl close to the sea with its large and continuous marshes braking against steep mountains and sandy beaches. In Andenes there is possibility to sign up for exciting whale watching. Take time to explore the island before crossing the strait Risøysund to Sortland.

The second last day cycle to Stokmarknes. From here, you can choose whether to continue the bike ride towards Svolvaer, or take quick route. Both options give you great scenery. The tour ends in Svolvaer - "capital" of Lofoten.

About the midnight sun

The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon which means that the sun does not set during the summer months. In other words, given fair weather, you can see the sun for a continuous 24 hours.

The duration of the midnight sun depends on how far north you are. At the Arctic Circle in the county of Nordland, you can see the midnight sun from 12 June to 1 July, at the North Cape in Finnmark you can see the sun from 14 May to 29 July, and at the North Pole the sun does not set for six months.

Itinerary

 
Day 1     Tromso

Individual arrival in Tromso. Customization and delivery of rental bikes. Information about the trip. Accommodation in Tromsø. Check in to your hotel in Tromso.

 
Day 2     Sommaroya
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Cycle Tromsø - Sommarøy, 35 miles

We recommend a bike ride in Tromsø, before heading towards Sommarøy. You ride over to Kvaløya and along Kvaløysletta. It is flat and nice to cycle here, but a some steep ascent to Kattfjord, ca. 200 metres above sea level. From here it is easy and nice cycling before "rolling down" to Kattfjord, which is surrounded by majestic mountain peaks over 1,000 meters above sea level. If the weather is fine, we recommend a stop for a swim at a beautiful sandy beach. Sommarøy is a thriving coastal communitiy , living of fishing and tourism.

Dinner and overnight at Sommarøy. (sommarøy means Summer Island).

We recommend an evening stroll on Hillesøytoppen, with magnificent views of the ocean and down the island of Senja.

 
Day 3     Brennholmen - Mefjordvaer
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Cycle Sommarøy - Brensholmen - Mefjordvær - 30 miles

From Sommarøy there are some climbs, but also lots of nice downhills! Bike to Brennholmen, there is a ferry to Botnhamn on Senja. From Botnhamn you bike to Senjahopen, which is Senjas largest and most important fishing village. From here you cycle a detour to Mefjordvær.

Dinner and accomodation in Mefjordvær.

 
Day 4     Mefjordvaer - Ersfjorden - Tungeneset
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Cycle Mefjordvær - Ersfjorden - Steinsfjorden - Straumbotn - Hamn - 28 miles

Cycle back to Senjahopen, then continue up to and through Geitskards-tunnel. From here down to Ersjordsstranda and further along the Ersfjorden and Steinsfjord. By Tungeneset the stunning views north towards the famous mountain peaks "Okshornan". Today's trip ends with a steep climb up to Skalandstunellen before we roll down the "Senja Troll" and on to the Hamn at Senja Island.

Dinner and accomodation in Hamn.

 
Day 5     Senja - Gryllefjord - Andenes
Meals: Breakfast

Cycle Hamn, Senja - Gryllefjord - Andenes 10 miles

Today it is a short biking distance, but there are some climbs upward, and some downhills. We are up to 172 metres above sea level today and there we will have great views to Gryllefjord and the fishing village by the sea. From Gryllefjord we go by a summer-ferry over to the Island "Andøya". The ferry takes 1 hour and 40 min. and is an attraction in itself, both in nice weather and storms.

In Andenes, it is possible to sign up for whale watching in the afternoon.

Accomodation in Andenes.

Andenes has it's own Northern Lights Centre.

 
Day 6     Andenes - Bo
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Cycle Andenes - Bo 30 miles

Today, it is easy and pleasant to ride! The tour goes on the outside of Andøya, and you will experience a 2.5 km long sandy beach and is also a famous bird island! The road goes a little way ahead from the coast line, along a lake and then over some endless marshes before you cycle along the coast again and new sandy beaches. Along the way there are opportunities for light hiking.

Dinner and accomodation in Bo.

 
Day 7     Sortland
Meals: Breakfast

Cycle Bo - Risøyhamn - Sortland 39 miles

From Bo you will ride on to Risøyhamn, then across the steep bridge over Risøysund. For those wanting a longer ride today, we recommend a trip around the southern tip of Andøya (approx. 35 km) partly car-free gravel road.

The journey from Risøyhamn to Sortland is easy to ride, the only upgrades are 2 bridges to cross.

Accomodation in Sortland (the Blue City)

 
Day 8     Sortland - Svolvaer
Meals: Breakfast

Alternative options Sortland - Svolvaer:

1. Cycle Sortland - Stokmarknes 19 miles. Hurtigruten (Coastal Express), which departs at 15.15, arr. Svolvaer 18.30 (visit the famous and narrow fjord "Trollfjord").

Accomodation in Svolvaer. In Svolvær there is many very good restaurants!

2. Cycle Sortland - Stokmarknes - Melbu + car ferry to Fiskebøl. We recommend cycling the outside of the Austvågøya to Sildpollen. From Sildpollen it is 9 mles. to Svolvær, and you have to expect more traffic. Total 46 miles

From Stokmarknes to Melbu you cycle along the outer side of Hadseløya, an easy to cycle route with few and short hills.

Most of the trip Austågøy have not been surfacing, but we guarantee great scenery!

Accomodation in Svolvaer.

 
Day 9     Svolvaer
Meals: Breakfast

Arrangements end after breakfast.

Departure options:

1. Hurtigruten from Svolvær, depart 15.15 and southward to the appropriate destination.

2. Hurtigruten from Svolvær, depart 22.00 and northward, arr. Tromso next day at 14.30

3. Hurtigruten from Svolvær, depart 20.00, and southward, arr. Bodo 02.00. Flight from Bodo.

4. Flights from Svolvaer or bus to Evenes Airport and flight from there.

 

Notes

Minimum 2 People

Bike rental: $465 includes bike, 1 bag, transport back to Tromso.

Price Includes
Luggage Transport, 1 Bag Per Person
Map, 1 Per Couple
3 Dinners
7X Selfmade Lunch Box and Thermos Refills.
Daily Breakfast
Hotel Accommodation 3-4 Star
Price Does Not Include
 Air
 Bike Rental
 Ferries
NOB-1269
1.28.15.WP26