Cycling in the Lofoten Islands: Solo Self-Guided Adventure

In June 2025 – Cynthia (Cynde) approached Magnetic North Travel on the search for adventure on two wheels. Paired up with our Travel Specialist Annie, originally from Northern Norway, was a match made in heaven. A few months later, Cynde could be found cycling in the Lofoten Islands, on a solo self-guided trip. Here is what she had to say about her experience. These are all of Cynde’s own images.

From Svolvaer to Reine and on to Å, each day of cycling in the Lofoten Islands was another “best day ever.”  Don’t let missing a travel buddy keep you from missing out, statistics show solo travel is on the rise and more and more women are pulling out their passports and going alone. This eight-day cycling trip, inside the Arctic Circle, was a perfect way to travel solo to a faraway place but not feel like I was falling off the map.

Why Lofoten Is Perfect for a Solo Cycling Trip

The beauty of this trip is, other riders are cycling to the same destination each day. You quickly get to know one another and have three fabulous dinners together as a group.  If you want company, there is always someone to join at breakfast. You also have fellow riders to ooh and ahh with on the bike ferry from Ballstad to Nusfjord. On one bad weather day, while not riding together as a group, we did keep an eye out for each other.

Also, people are always curious about me as a solo traveler on a bike and I was often offered travel tips along with coffee and biscuits by the many van travelers I met.

The Joy of Self-Guided Cycling in Norway vs Guided

Self-guided travel is liberating as you aren’t under pressure to keep up with a guide. You choose your pace and side trips. If you enjoy photography, you have the luxury of waiting in a beautiful spot to capture the perfect moment. I love travelling by bicycle and came to Lofoten to ride and hike when possible. The daily itineraries suggested by Magnetic North Travel were perfect. Not bound to a group schedule I was able to squeeze every minute out of each day.

Just Say Yes!

You got yourself to an extraordinary part of the world, so just say yes. Say yes to the many saunas and Arctic plunges on offer. Say yes to the 1,978 steps up to the Reinebringen summit ridge for a view you will never forget. Say yes to the delicious baked goods in Nusfjord, stop at both Landhandleriet Café and Hansines Bakeri to grab one for the road.  Say yes to a stop at Anita’s Seafood in Sakrisøy, outside of Reine. Try one of their world-famous fish burgers and take in the incredible landscape, let the light and clouds entertain you. See yes to the ride to Haukland Beach, if you hike up you will find yourself staring at the perfect shade of blue when the sun hits the water. Say yes to a last ride, to the ‘end of land’ outside the beautiful fishing village Å.

Just say yes. It really is that beautiful, the food really is that delicious and the Arctic water really is that cold.

P.S. Say hello to Captain Sverre on the ferry from Ballstad to Nusfjord.

Many thanks to Cynde for putting her thoughts on her trip, and we hope it will inspire you to not wait for a travel pal, grab your passport and take the leap. Our specialists are here to help with any solo traveller enquires with first hand experience and recommendations. 

If cycling in the Lofoten Islands sounds like something you would like to explore, take a look at Cynde’s itinerary and plan your own adventure on two wheels!