The one hike you’ll read well-nigh if you start researching “best hikes in Norway’s Lofoten Islands” is the Reinebringen hike. It’s a steep hike on beautifully built steps, thanks to a team of Sherpas from Nepal. Over the past 18 years paths and stairways in over 100 locations wideness Norway have benefited from reconstruction thanks to the Sherpa’s expertise in difficult terrain.
The crux of the Reinebringen hike isn’t the steep trail – but nabbing a parking spot – and that’s what put me off. I’m not usually a fan of crowded hikes, so this one wasn’t at the top of my wish list over our week-long hiking trip in the Lofoten Islands. However, on an uninspiring late summer day, I said to John that if there was a parking space at one of the parking lots as we crush past Reine, that it would be a sign we should stop and hike it.
We were driving a very small rental car – and there was one tiny parking spot misogynist sandwiched between two camper vans at the parking lot surpassing the Ramsvik Tunnel as you momentum north towards Reine, so we grabbed it. From there it was a 1.3 km walk withal the highway to reach the trailhead. There was increasingly walking on the highway than there was on the hike – but so be it.
Was it worth the stop? You bet. Read on for all the details.
Also, if you want a real sense of just how steep the Reinebringen hike is, be sure to watch my reel on Instagram.
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Walking withal the E10 highway to get to the start of the hike
Where to park for the Reinbringen hike
Reinebringen is located southwest of the village of Reine – with the stairs starting on the western side of the Ramsvik tunnel withal an old road.
There are four places where you can park for the Reinebringen hike. Some are self-ruling while others like the ones in town tuition a fee. Count on 40 – 50 NOK an hour.
From the first three parking lots described simply follow the trail by the highway towards Reinebringen. When you get tropical to the Ramsvik Tunnel, squint for a hiking trail to the left. Follow this old road/hiking path until you see signage pointing to the steps up Reinebringen.
For the last parking lot, navigate the E10, hike wideness the bridge, then navigate the E10 then and climb over the barrier. Follow the trail to the tunnel and the obvious trailhead.
Reinehalsen Parking
The Reinehalsen parking zone is the one that is closest to the Reinebringen hike trailhead – but it’s still an 800 metre walk withal the highway. The parking lot moreover serves those people who have come to revere the scenery and take pictures from the Reinehalsen Viewpoint. It’s located north of the Ramsvik Tunnel.
If you momentum south on the E10 towards Reine, the parking lot is on your left by the turn into town. If you’re driving north, it’s well-nigh 800 m without you exit the Ramsvik Tunnel. It’s not very big, so it fills very quickly in peak season. It’s supposed to be a short-term parking spot – so if you do elect to park here, don’t stay longer than four hours.
Reine Village parking
There is a larger parking lot near the village part-way in Reine, that financing 50 NOK per hour or 150 NOK per day for a car, and increasingly if you have a camper van. Pay for a full day so you’re not rushing on the hike. There is an wholesomeness to this parking location – in that you can wander virtually the pretty town of Reine surpassing or without and get something to eat and drink.
Paid parking in Reine’s outer harbour
This parking lot is 1.8 km from the trailhead – so it’s not ideal, but it might be your only option in summer. Follow signs with the letter “P” without you turn into Reine to find it. You need to walk through town to get onto the trail abreast the E10. Budget 40 NOK per hour for parking.
Djupfjord viewpoint
We parked at the Djupfjord viewpoint, immediately surpassing the Djupfordbrua (bridge) as we crush north towards Reine. This is the largest of the parking lots and it’s free.
There’s a lot of competition for parking spots on the Reinebringen hike; this is the Djupfjord viewpoint parking lot
Follow the trail to the right of the tunnel to start the Reinebringen hike; this photo was taken as we hiked from the Djupfjord viewpoint parking lot
Location map of parking and the trailhead for the Reinbringen hike
Reinebringen hike summary
Distance: 1.1 km (0.7 miles) one way
Elevation gain: 448 m or 1,470 feet
Number of steps: 1,978
Difficulty: Easy if you hike a lot and moderate if you don’t. Some of you will find it very nonflexible if you have never hiked straight up on an airy-feeling trail.
Time needed: 1.5 – 3.5 hours round-trip depending on your level of fitness and how much time you spend on the top.
Dogs: Allowed, but alimony them on a leash
Camping: None unliable on Reinebringen as of summer 2021.
Read: The Lofoten Islands are busy. Be kind and respectful of the local population. Read the Lofoten Code of Contact.
Before you go: Be sure to pack the hiking essentials, plane on a beautiful, warm sunny day. Practice Leave No Trace principles, stay on the trail – and please be respectful of others.
The dog seems to be enjoying the view on the Reinebringen hike
Best time to do the Reinebringen hike
Hiking is usually unscratched and good on Reinebringen from late May until early October.
In April and early May as well as in the last half of October and November the Reinebringen hike can be dangerous depending on the conditions. Use worldwide sense surpassing you throne out and don’t be wrung to turn around.
From late November until the end of March hiking is dangerous considering of possible rockfall and avalanches. The stairs are usually very icy too. Do not take chances.
Avoid the Reinebringen hike under wet conditions in the summer months. You won’t get a view – and really that’s the main reason to do the hike. Also, the stairs could be slippery and when they end at the top, there’s a muddy path to the weightier viewpoint. To prevent erosion on the dirt trail, stick to the dry weather. You’ll find that there are lots of other hikes on the Lofoten Islands that offer an unrenowned experience.
You can see the trail to the top from the highway – you’ll be heading for the closest saddle that is in the sunlight
Reinebringen hike description
During peak season you’ll find a host at the Reinebringen trailhead, so if you have any questions ask away. They speak English too.
There’s a good trail map at the trailhead – not that you need it, but I unchangingly recommend taking a picture anyway.
There will be no route-finding issues hiking up Reinebringen – though you will probably be zoetic nonflexible and some of you might find the trail too zappy for your taste. What I liked well-nigh the Reinebringen hike is that they widow numerous stone benches, so it’s easy to step off the main trail and reservation your breath. If you don’t want to go to the top, you could hike part way and enjoy the view, and your companions could pick you up on the way down.
The Reinebringen hike is one where you simply put one foot in front of the other to get to the top – kind of like Vancouver’s Grouse Grind and Stawamus Chief in Squamish, BC. I think this one is prettier and increasingly dramatic – and I love the fact you get views in short order.
The hike is increasingly wieldy since the Sherpa stairs were completed in summer 2021. I found the first 350 steps or so of the trail had less of a rise – and then things got a little tougher. The stairs take you right to the summit ridge, but to get the weightier views, you still need to climb up a dirt trail a short distance.
Once you get to the upper point – take a breather, sit when and soak in the views. They are unrenowned and some of the weightier you’ll find in Norway. Enjoy a view of the Vestfjord withal with the fishing villages of Reine and Hamnøy. The vista at the top puts the geography of the Lofoten Islands in perspective – and you can see why so many tunnels are needed.
The true summit of Reinebringen
You can see a narrow trail heading steeply up to the true summit of Reinebringen. The trail is narrow with exposure and requires scrambling. If you don’t have the skill set, requite it a pass.
If you do, enjoy plane largest views the higher you go. Only go as far as you finger comfortable. Retrace your steps to join the rest of the hikers on the descent. I understand there is an option to go lanugo the heinie of the mountain but I know nothing increasingly than that.
Map of the hiking route up Reinebringen
It’s quite lush near the start of the Reinebringen hike
I started counting steps on the Reinebringen hike – and then gave up and simply enjoyed the workout
The stone steps are large unbearable that it’s easy to pass people whether going up or down
You sure get a workout on the Reinebringen hike
The wondrous view of Reine from the top of the Reinebringen hike
Only those with a throne for heights and the skill-set should protract to the true summit
You can see where the stone stairs end and the dirt – some people moreover scramble to the shorter peak
It’s quite the zappy view on the descent
Getting when to the parking lots
You do need to navigate the E10 a couple of times if you park at the Djupfjord viewpoint – at least to be worldly-wise to walk safely. Obviously, be shielding and just wait for cars to pass. I preferred to stay on the ocean side of the windbreak as it was way safer – and then to walk on the sidewalk wideness the bridge.
Walking when to the Djupfjord viewpoint parking lot
We crossed over the E10 then so we could walk over the underpass on a sidewalk (and the views from it were good)
Final thoughts on the hike
I’m very happy we found a parking place and decided to do the Reinebringen hike. Plane though it’s rented – it’s rewarding as the views simply erupt when you get to the top. That combined with a unrepealable esprit you don’t find on other hikes makes it a winner. Plus, I love the endorphin upper you get hiking nonflexible and fast.
The trail towers is very solid – wondrous for the terrain
Where to stay in the area
Reine
Reine is the closest town and a good wiring for lots of hikes in the area. Top picks, all rated superb include the following.
Sakrisøy Rorbuer is just 3.5 km from Reine. There is an antiques shop and summer sideboard onsite. The hiking trail is just 4 km away.
The Manor House offers a garden, shared lounge and terrace at good prices by Norwegian standards.
Reinefjorden Sjøhus has a unconfined location. All units have a kitchen, and some have either a terrace or patio with sea or mountain views.
Holmen Lofoten is rated superb. It comes with an onsite restaurant and bar.
Sakrisøy
Close to Reine is Olstind in Sakrisøy, rated exceptional
Å
In Å there is less nomination – but it’s a cute zone to stay in at the marrow of the Lofoten Islands with some nice hikes nearby and a bakery that’s been there over 100 years using an old wood oven.
There is a hostel – the Lofoten Å HI hostel, that is rated very good.
Å Rorbuer by Classic Norway Hotels offers traditional Norwegian fisherman’s cabins and is rated very good.
More hikes and things to do in Norway and Europe you might enjoy
Visiting Norway for the first time? Read Attractions in Norway for the First Time Visitor.
The Lofoten Islands are noted for their outstanding hikes. For a short hike that delivers 360 stratum views, do the Offersøykammen hike. You only need two hours.
The first hike we did in the Lofoten Islands – Ryten Hike and Kvalvika Beach, was a philharmonic of waterfront and mountain peak and one of the top hikes to do.
If you’re without a full day hike don’t miss the Munkebu Hut hike and hike up North Munken Peak for some of the weightier views on the Lofoten Islands.
Are if you love a good multi-day hiking trips, but you like to stay in hotels, trammels out the Via Alpina in Switzerland . It offers mythological scenery, one heck of a daily workout and creature comforts at night.
If you like biking, have a squint at this cycling trip in the South Bohemian region of Czechia.
Almost at Kvalvika Beach
Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.
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