World → Europe → Norway → Reinebringen, Lofoten
One of our top 10 day hikes in the world
Reinebringen, Lofoten
Reopened in 2019 with sherpa-built steps.
Now much safer and easier.
Likely the most popular photo op above the Arctic Circle.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

AT A GLANCE
Reinebringen is on the island of Moskenesøya , one of the Lofoten islands in Norway, north of the Arctic Circle
- infamous for wind and rainy weather
- famed for dramatic scenery, rugged peaks, open sea vistas past sheltered bays
- about 448 meters (1470 feet) above sea level
- over 1500 stone steps
- about 1.5 hours up
- It’s crowded. Over a thousand people a day in high season if the weather is good.
- permits not required

Why We Like This Hike
- up to 24 hours of daylight in the summer
- photographers come for the rugged geography and unique Arctic light
- Lofoten is popular with both mountaineers and rock climbers
- sherpas are building and improving other trails in Norway, as well
- there are many, many other great hikes nearby, some with vistas just as grand
Considerations
- very dangerous in wet or snowy conditions
- very dangerous in low visibility
- four people died over one seven-year period
- people fall
- people are hit by falling rock
- no water available
- early morning or later in the day will be less crowded
- be cautious when trying to get Instagram famous

- on the other hand, after 3 years of periodic closures and almost a million dollars of upgrades it’s much safer today than in the past
- wooden walkways over marshland have been improved
- some people feel Lofoten is getting overrun with tourists. If that’s a concern, go off-season.
- there are a few alternate trails ascending and descending, but are all steep and challenging
- you can legally camp near the top but it might be wet and windy
- winter climbs are risky

Cost
Norway is an expensive nation. Everything is costly.
Tenting is the easiest way to reduce your travel expenses. There are over 1000 campgrounds and free wild camping is allowed almost everywhere.
Trekking Guides
You don’t need a guide.
Logistics
- Lofoten can be accessed by ferry, airplane, or car
- Reine village is located 125 km west of the Svolvær Airport and 9 km east of Moskenes, the port of arrival for the ferry from Bodø on the mainland (which has a train station and hostels)
- Reinebringen is close to the bottom of this map
You can walk to the trailhead from the fishing village of Reine (pop. 314) which is accessible by bus. The climb starts near a tunnel (Ramsvikstunnelen).
Local Information
- lofoten.info
- lofoten.info – hiking

Best Trekking Guidebooks
No guidebook is need to climb Reinebringen. But if you want to do more hiking on the Lofoten Islands, guidebooks are available.
Best Travel Guidebooks
Best Web Pages
Best Trip Reports
- Earth Trekkers (August 2019)
Movies
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Questions? Suggestions? Leave a comment on this page. Our editors will reply.