Lofoten - the drive

[JMarkW]

Thinking about a trip to the Lofoten Islands this summer.

Will have at least a month so thinking about taking the van but I'm not looking forward to actually driving there.

Anyone done it? How bad?

Cheers
Mark

[jmmoxon]

Viamichelin gives you a good idea of costs & times, based on your vehicle, but you seem to need to register to use it now. Obviously need to add rest breaks to the calculation.

[Mal Grey]

We drove from Cheshire to Roros/Rogen, which is only about half the way up Norway towards Lofoten. This took 3 days each way, basically, almost non-stop. We used the Harwich-Hook of Holland ferry, timed it so we could sleep on that, then drove across Holland/Germany/Denmark, ferry from Grenaa to Varberg (second nights' brief kip!), then up Sweden to Rogen, another day's drive. You'd need to add another day or two.

To be honest, it was fine on the way, with the excitement of the trip to come, but on the way back, it was pretty hellish! I'd probably think of breaking the journey for a day, or at least some proper nights sleep in hotels, as the "sleeping on the move" thing isn't the same at all. You might want to look at other ferry options, say from Kiel to Oslo, which would break the journey more. With a month to play with, maybe pick a couple of halfway destinations to enjoy each way, and stay there a couple of nights. There are plenty of spectacular places to stop at, that's for sure!

Other things. Driving some of the way in Sweden allows for some cheaper shopping! Speed limits are generally fairly low. Roads are easy, beautiful but you won't be moving at motorway pace much once in Norway.

On the way back we used the Bridge of Doom from Sweden to Copenhagen. So called because of how it feels when you're two hundred feet up in the sky for miles, in a gale, with 2 large canoes on the roof of the van, and the drivers knuckles turning white as he gripped the wheel to counteract the gusts...

We need the rumoured return of the Newcastle-Bergen ferry to happen!

[jmmoxon]

Unfortunately hasn't been even a rumour since 2015, cheap flights pretty much did for any profit they could make.

Mike

[JMarkW]

Thanks guys.

Though it doesn't inspire me....especially as I'll be doing the drive solo. At least I'll be in my van so sleep en-route easily enough.

I'll be going to Flatanger on the way back for a few weeks which will hopefully break the journey up a bit...

Just got the guide book to Lofoten. Wow.

thanks again
cheers
mark

[Allan Olesen]

On the way back we used the Bridge of Doom from Sweden to Copenhagen. So called because of how it feels when you're two hundred feet up in the sky for miles, in a gale, with 2 large canoes on the roof of the van, and the drivers knuckles turning white as he gripped the wheel to counteract the gusts...

Heh. I live in Denmark. A few years ago, a fellow paddler and I reached the conclusion that it wasn't our paddling skills which set the limitation for allowable wind speed for kayaking - it was our fear for driving over the Danish bridges in wind with a kayak on the roof.

[JB-NL]

On the way back we used the Bridge of Doom from Sweden to Copenhagen. So called because of how it feels when you're two hundred feet up in the sky for miles, in a gale, with 2 large canoes on the roof of the van, and the drivers knuckles turning white as he gripped the wheel to counteract the gusts...

Heh. I live in Denmark. A few years ago, a fellow paddler and I reached the conclusion that it wasn't our paddling skills which set the limitation for allowable wind speed for kayaking - it was our fear for driving over the Danish bridges in wind with a kayak on the roof.

As alternative you can take the ferry helsingbor-helsingor, no bridge but short brake....
JB

[Allan Olesen]

As alternative you can take the ferry helsingbor-helsingor, no bridge but short brake....
JB

I think I have a pretty good idea of the transportation options in my home country.

[JB-NL]

As alternative you can take the ferry helsingbor-helsingor, no bridge but short brake....
JB

I think I have a pretty good idea of the transportation options in my home country.

Allan, I am pretty sure you have a good idea of the possibilities in your area.
But my comment was meant for the TS. ;)

JB

[Allan Olesen]

But my comment was meant for the TS. ;)

Then I see no reason for quoting me in your comment.

[JB-NL]

But my comment was meant for the TS. ;)

Then I see no reason for quoting me in your comment.

.
JB

[UKRGB Moderator]

Then I see no reason for quoting me in your comment.

As a reader of the thread, I assumed the quote (from two paddlers who both found the winds on the bridge difficult) to be to add context to the reason for suggesting an alternative route.

[JMarkW]

Hey guys thanks everyone.

It's all going a bit scando noir!!!

Happy paddling.
Cheers mark

[Backwater]

You could contact Lisa &Duncan Greene of Greene Adventures (other excellent sea kayaking guides are available) who do the trip, although their level of van comfort may or may not be superior to yours. Have fun. Would love to do the trip sometime too. Touchy folk though over there. :)