09 Andenes Svolvaer
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RouteXpert Leon Bodegom
Last edit: 27-10-2024
Route Summary Your journey begins in Andenes, where you depart from Hotel Marena. You will cross the rugged Vesterålen, an area full of quiet roads and many bends, interspersed with green hills and a wide view over the water to other islands. Along the way there are numerous sights and beautiful places to stop and explore. You can also pick up this route from the ferry from Senja to Andenes, an ideal start after a visit to the North Cape. Remember to take into account the opening hours of the sights, as the tourist season is short and some places only open after Pentecost. This route ends in picturesque Svolvær, where you will stay at Scandic Hotel Svolvær.
The route offers you beautiful landscapes. For ferries and toll roads you can also use the AutoPASS, which allows you to pay afterwards and with a discount. In short, a route that you should not miss, full of adventure and natural beauty. Grab your tank bag and suitcases and let yourself be enchanted by the magic of this part of Norway!
This 5-star route offers a perfect mix of serene island landscapes and quiet, expansive surroundings.
Starting point: Andenes, Hotel Marena End point:
Svolvær, Scandic Hotel Svolvær
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Verdict
Duration
9h 38m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
237.51 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review After leaving Andenes where you could have made an unforgettable visit to the whale museum or done a whale safari you drive along the east side of Andoya. These routes are characterized by the fact that on one side of the road you are on the water and on the other side often grassland and hills. Crossing the islands in the middle is almost nowhere possible.
Along this part of the route you will still find authentic peat moss areas. Here you will find moss growth that holds water like a sponge.
At Dverberg there is a short stop to visit a special octagonal church building on the edge of the coast. On either side of the church the coastline has eroded but at the church the coast remains intact.
In many places along the route you will find vast wooden racks, the so-called "Stokken". Depending on the moment of the journey, these can still be full of cod or only the heads are still hanging there to dry. Only here on the Lofoten is the climate suitable for the characteristic drying of the fish and exporting it as Stockfish.
This dried fish has a long shelf life but should definitely not be missing from your menu when visiting here.
After 70 kilometers you will find the Friluftsenter Andøy on the left of the road, here it is recommended to have a cup of coffee with a delicious freshly baked Norwegian waffle. If this is still too early on the route, you can also drive a bit further to Sortland and have a coffee break there at the waterfront. This stop is not directly on the route, so you can also skip that point and drive directly left through Sortland after the large suspension bridge.
If you prefer the smaller roads, you can also drive through Sortland and drive around the island of Langoya to the left. This is a narrow road of barely a car wide. But it is completely paved. All other roads end at the (near) islands above Langoya.
After Sortland you will cross over a dam and bridge to Stokmarknes. Here between the islands you will regularly pass high and narrow bridges where the fishing boats can easily pass under.
Because of this, the bridges have relatively steep slopes and you have to watch out for oncoming traffic. The possibility of passing oncoming traffic on the bridges is sometimes limited to a widening on top. Given the skid marks on top, there are road users who are surprised by an oncoming traffic.
In Stokmarknes there is the Hurtigrute museum on the right side of the road. You may have already seen the boat in the museum from the road. Here a museum building has been built over the old Ferry and you can see how the history of the mail boat route came about.
This area is also known for its glass art and there is a gallery on the route for that. Also the opportunity to have a cup of coffee. You can also spend some time on the schedule for the Ferry that will be waiting for you a little later. Depending on the time of year, it can be so busy in high season that you may not be able to go straight away. From Fiskebol it is about 65 kilometers after the ferry to the end point in Svolvaer. In Svolvaer there is a last fuel stop on the route shortly before the destination.
For those who love camping, you can of course also use the campsites indicated near Svolvaer. Or choose wild camping off the beaten track, although the conditions on the Lofoten offer fewer opportunities for this.
The main roads are all provided with good asphalt, but as soon as you enter a parking lot or side road there is a big chance that it will be unpaved. Be aware of that and don't be surprised.
Tip:
A half hour boat ride from Svolvaer takes you to the island of Skrova. This ferry is free for drivers from outside Norway. From here, after a long walk, you have a magnificent view of the Lofoten.
In the revised state budget for 2022, the Norwegian government has earmarked NOK 59 million for free travel on ferry connections that had fewer than 100,000 passengers in 2019. This means that several ferry connections will become free from 1 July 2022. However, since it was up to the individual counties to distribute the funds to their own ferry connections, this means that some ferry connections will not become free despite the low number of passengers.
From August 16, 2023, more ferry connections will be free.
The hyperlinks include a link to the website where all the connections are located.
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Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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Nordland
About this region
Nordland (Norwegian pronunciation: [ˈnûːrlɑn] (listen); Lule Sami: Nordlánnda, Southern Sami: Nordlaante, Northern Sami: Nordlánda, English: Northland) is a county in Norway in the Northern Norway region, bordering Troms og Finnmark in the north, Trøndelag in the south, Norrbotten County in Sweden to the east, Västerbotten County to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean (Norwegian Sea) to the west. The county was formerly known as Nordlandene amt. The county administration is in the town of Bodø. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen has been administered from Nordland since 1995. In the southern part of the county is Vega, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
Read more on Wikipedia
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Route Collections in this region In 12 Days from Oslo to the North Cape
This is a route collection of a motorcycle tour from Oslo to the North Cape, based on a journey by Thomas Falck Østli. A total of twelve routes have been described, but the tour can be extended to more days, more information about this in the reviews.
The routes run through the beautiful landscapes of Norway, including the Lofoten, with many lakes, fjords, rivers, beautiful bridges, beautiful green forests and rugged mountains. During the trip there are also many ferry crossings, keep this in mind in your planning.
You drive longer distances in Norway without encountering a gas station or a restaurant, keep this in mind before you drive. Make sure your tank is full and bring food and drinks. Bring a few bottles of water or Camel bag and fill it up when you stop to refuel. Along the way, breaks are planned for refueling, eating and drinking.
The total trip of almost 3700 kilometers is broken down as follows;
• Day 1 is a 434 kilometer drive from Oslo to Geiranger
• Day 2 is a 238 kilometer drive from Geiranger to Kristiansund
• Day 3 is a 298 kilometer drive from Kristiansund via Trondheim to Verdal
• Day 4 is a 333 kilometer drive from Verdal to Brønnøysund
• Day 5 is a 267 kilometer drive from Brønnøysund to Furøy
• Day 6 is a 296 kilometer drive from Furøy Lofoten to Reine
• Day 7 is a 218 kilometer drive from Reine to Ørsvågvær
• Day 8 is a 274 kilometer drive from Ørsvågvær to Straumsjøen
• Day 9 is a 327 kilometer drive from Straumsjøen to Senjahopen
• Day 10 is a 321 kilometer drive from Senjahopen to Tromsø
• Day 11 is a 420 kilometer drive from Tromsø to Alta
• Day 12 is a 239 km drive from Alta via the North Cape to Skarsvåg
You have the choice to stay overnight at campsites or in hotels. Hotel prices in Norway are not particularly high and breakfast is usually included.
Camping is free almost everywhere, except on private property or where camping is prohibited, indicated by prohibition signs.
If you don't want to camp, there are often cabins for rent on the campsites. For a trip through Norway it is always advisable to bring a tent and other camping gear.
Information about hotels and campsites is included in the directions
Have fun reading, planning and driving this scenic journey to the northernmost tip of Europe.
The routes run through the beautiful landscapes of Norway, including the Lofoten, with many lakes, fjords, rivers, beautiful bridges, beautiful green forests and rugged mountains. During the trip there are also many ferry crossings, keep this in mind in your planning.
You drive longer distances in Norway without encountering a gas station or a restaurant, keep this in mind before you drive. Make sure your tank is full and bring food and drinks. Bring a few bottles of water or Camel bag and fill it up when you stop to refuel. Along the way, breaks are planned for refueling, eating and drinking.
The total trip of almost 3700 kilometers is broken down as follows;
• Day 1 is a 434 kilometer drive from Oslo to Geiranger
• Day 2 is a 238 kilometer drive from Geiranger to Kristiansund
• Day 3 is a 298 kilometer drive from Kristiansund via Trondheim to Verdal
• Day 4 is a 333 kilometer drive from Verdal to Brønnøysund
• Day 5 is a 267 kilometer drive from Brønnøysund to Furøy
• Day 6 is a 296 kilometer drive from Furøy Lofoten to Reine
• Day 7 is a 218 kilometer drive from Reine to Ørsvågvær
• Day 8 is a 274 kilometer drive from Ørsvågvær to Straumsjøen
• Day 9 is a 327 kilometer drive from Straumsjøen to Senjahopen
• Day 10 is a 321 kilometer drive from Senjahopen to Tromsø
• Day 11 is a 420 kilometer drive from Tromsø to Alta
• Day 12 is a 239 km drive from Alta via the North Cape to Skarsvåg
You have the choice to stay overnight at campsites or in hotels. Hotel prices in Norway are not particularly high and breakfast is usually included.
Camping is free almost everywhere, except on private property or where camping is prohibited, indicated by prohibition signs.
If you don't want to camp, there are often cabins for rent on the campsites. For a trip through Norway it is always advisable to bring a tent and other camping gear.
Information about hotels and campsites is included in the directions
Have fun reading, planning and driving this scenic journey to the northernmost tip of Europe.
View Route Collection
6500 kilometers through Scandinavia with the highlights of the Lofoten and the North Cape
The Arctic Challenge Tour, on which this 26-part tour is partly based, is not a speed race. It's a tour. It comes down to agility, good navigation and anticipation. The participants are obliged to adhere to the speed limit of the country concerned. The participants must find the ideal route with the shortest possible distance by complying 100% with the locally applicable traffic rules. Of course, also take maximum speeds into account. The organization checks for violations of the speed limit. In case of gross or repeated exceeding of the maximum speed, disqualification for the relevant stage and for the final classification will follow. Control of the route and speeds is done by means of a track and trace system. This equipment is installed in every vehicle. You can then follow each team accurately in the Back Office. Those staying at home, interested parties and participants can also see the performances of the teams, because you can be followed live via the Internet. The Back Office takes action when a team gets into trouble. (source: website The Arctic Challenge)
That's quite a luxury, having a back office behind you that keeps an eye on you. Most of us will not have that and are on our own or the fellow traveler(s). The only agreement you have with the participants is that you also have to abide by the rules. Fortunately, you don't have to complete this tour in 9 days, like the participants, but you can take it a little longer.
The highlight of the Arctic Challenge in 2020 was the Lofoten, an island group northwest of Norway. The Lofoten archipelago is located in the middle of the wild Norwegian Sea, well above the Arctic Circle. This special region offers a beautiful landscape with imposing mountains, deep fjords and long, wild sandy beaches where the sound of the seabird colonies can always be heard.
The archipelago is best known for its rich fishing tradition. The Lofoten makes a prosperous impression despite their isolated location. The entire economy revolves above all around fishing. The image of the Lofoten is mainly dominated by wooden racks with cod, which hangs to dry. Lofoten fishing has been a household name for centuries. In the middle of winter, the ships set out to catch the fish in just a few months. The rich fishing grounds are due to the North Atlantic Warm Gulf Stream around the islands, in which the fish have their spawning grounds. Oil drilling is not permitted around Lofoten and the cod spawning grounds there.
The next destination for the participants was Sirkka, also known as Levi, a winter sports resort in Finnish Lapland. They stayed there for a few days to go ice-karting and to enjoy the snow by going on a snowmobile or skiing trip. This tour also takes you to Sirkka, but instead of staying there for a few days, you have the option to continue to the North Cape, the second highlight of this trip.
Imagine a place in the far north, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean. This place is the North Cape in Western Finnmark in Northern Norway. From here, only the archipelago of Spitsbergen lies between you and the North Pole and the sun shines for 2.5 months at a time; from mid-May to the end of July. Many visitors admire the midnight sun or the sunset over the Barents Sea from the North Cape plateau.
With each route you will find a review with a description of the route, where you pass and what to see along the way. It is also briefly described how the participants in the Arctic Challenge in 2020 had to drive it anyway, from which point to which point. Along the way, markings (route points) have been included that indicate the end points of the stages that the participants had to complete. As mentioned, they covered the distance in 9 days, stages of more than 1000 kilometers were no exception.
Each route ends at a hotel. It is of course not an obligation to use these hotels, you can always find another place to stay in the area, that decision is up to you. My experience, however, is that they are all simple but good hotels for a very reasonable price. They are known and can be booked at booking.com.
The routes of these collections:
R01 - Puttgarden to Angelholm, 280km
R02 - Angelholm to Alingsas, 281km
R03 - Alingsas to Mysen, 261km
R04 - Mysen to Rena, 312km
R05 - Rena to Orkanger, 306km
R06 - Orkanger to Grong, 292km
R07 - Grong to Mo i Rana, 290km
R08 - Mo i Rana to Bodo, 231km
R09 - Roundtour Bodo to Lofoten part 1, 314km
R10 - Roundtour Bodo to Lofoten part 2, 250km
R11 - Roundtour Bodo to Lofoten part 3, 291km
R12 - Bodo to Arjeplog, 295km
R13 - Arjeplog to Jokkmokk, 244km
R14 - Jokkmokk to Pajala, 239km
R15 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 1, 257km
R16 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 2, 300km
R17 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 3, 244km
R18 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 4, 275km
R19 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 5, 332km
R20 - Sirkka to Kemi, 299km
R21 - Kemi to Ylivieska, 251km
R22 - Ylivieska to Jalasjarvi, 236km
R23 - Jalasjarvi to Turku, 279km
R24 - Stockholm to Askersund, 271km
R25 - Askersund to Varnamo, 224
R26 - Varnamo to Trelleborg, 259km
Have fun driving these routes!
That's quite a luxury, having a back office behind you that keeps an eye on you. Most of us will not have that and are on our own or the fellow traveler(s). The only agreement you have with the participants is that you also have to abide by the rules. Fortunately, you don't have to complete this tour in 9 days, like the participants, but you can take it a little longer.
The highlight of the Arctic Challenge in 2020 was the Lofoten, an island group northwest of Norway. The Lofoten archipelago is located in the middle of the wild Norwegian Sea, well above the Arctic Circle. This special region offers a beautiful landscape with imposing mountains, deep fjords and long, wild sandy beaches where the sound of the seabird colonies can always be heard.
The archipelago is best known for its rich fishing tradition. The Lofoten makes a prosperous impression despite their isolated location. The entire economy revolves above all around fishing. The image of the Lofoten is mainly dominated by wooden racks with cod, which hangs to dry. Lofoten fishing has been a household name for centuries. In the middle of winter, the ships set out to catch the fish in just a few months. The rich fishing grounds are due to the North Atlantic Warm Gulf Stream around the islands, in which the fish have their spawning grounds. Oil drilling is not permitted around Lofoten and the cod spawning grounds there.
The next destination for the participants was Sirkka, also known as Levi, a winter sports resort in Finnish Lapland. They stayed there for a few days to go ice-karting and to enjoy the snow by going on a snowmobile or skiing trip. This tour also takes you to Sirkka, but instead of staying there for a few days, you have the option to continue to the North Cape, the second highlight of this trip.
Imagine a place in the far north, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean. This place is the North Cape in Western Finnmark in Northern Norway. From here, only the archipelago of Spitsbergen lies between you and the North Pole and the sun shines for 2.5 months at a time; from mid-May to the end of July. Many visitors admire the midnight sun or the sunset over the Barents Sea from the North Cape plateau.
With each route you will find a review with a description of the route, where you pass and what to see along the way. It is also briefly described how the participants in the Arctic Challenge in 2020 had to drive it anyway, from which point to which point. Along the way, markings (route points) have been included that indicate the end points of the stages that the participants had to complete. As mentioned, they covered the distance in 9 days, stages of more than 1000 kilometers were no exception.
Each route ends at a hotel. It is of course not an obligation to use these hotels, you can always find another place to stay in the area, that decision is up to you. My experience, however, is that they are all simple but good hotels for a very reasonable price. They are known and can be booked at booking.com.
The routes of these collections:
R01 - Puttgarden to Angelholm, 280km
R02 - Angelholm to Alingsas, 281km
R03 - Alingsas to Mysen, 261km
R04 - Mysen to Rena, 312km
R05 - Rena to Orkanger, 306km
R06 - Orkanger to Grong, 292km
R07 - Grong to Mo i Rana, 290km
R08 - Mo i Rana to Bodo, 231km
R09 - Roundtour Bodo to Lofoten part 1, 314km
R10 - Roundtour Bodo to Lofoten part 2, 250km
R11 - Roundtour Bodo to Lofoten part 3, 291km
R12 - Bodo to Arjeplog, 295km
R13 - Arjeplog to Jokkmokk, 244km
R14 - Jokkmokk to Pajala, 239km
R15 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 1, 257km
R16 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 2, 300km
R17 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 3, 244km
R18 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 4, 275km
R19 - Roundtour Sirkka to North Cape part 5, 332km
R20 - Sirkka to Kemi, 299km
R21 - Kemi to Ylivieska, 251km
R22 - Ylivieska to Jalasjarvi, 236km
R23 - Jalasjarvi to Turku, 279km
R24 - Stockholm to Askersund, 271km
R25 - Askersund to Varnamo, 224
R26 - Varnamo to Trelleborg, 259km
Have fun driving these routes!
View Route Collection