Lødingen - Fauske
186 km
Lødingen is located on the southeastern corner of the island of Hinnøya, and is part of the traditional district of Ofoten.
Lødingen has the nickname "Biketown" because it hosts several annual bicycle races, including "Lofoten Insomnia" and Vestbygd-rittet. You'll see a few different types of two-wheeled vehicles in this area, as the spectacular Lofoten Archipelago is just to the west of here.
The terrain in this region is unspoilt and is mountainous, with several small islands and fjords, and Møysalen National Park is located in the northern part of the municipality, named after the Møysalen mountain on the municipal border between Lødingen and Sortland.
Lødingen is an important ferry harbor, the car ferry to/from Bognes in Tysfjord leaves 12 times per day and takes 60 minutes.
Take a few days in this region and explore the spectacular and jaw-dropping Lofoten Archipelago. Lofoten has been designated certification as a Sustainable Destination, meaning it has made a commitment to work systematically to reduce the negative effects of tourism, while strengthening its positive effects.
Lofoten has a vibrant art scene, and in almost every little village, you will find a gallery or an artisan, experimenting with the colours and shapes that Lofoten inspires. Whether it is glassblowing at Glasshytta Vikten, or some of the many other crafts, you should take the time to get to know the first skilled craftsmen that settled in Lofoten.
Travel back in time at the Lofotr Viking Museum in Borg, where you also can experience the largest Viking longhouse ever found and excavated. Immerse yourself in the world of the Vikings, visit the Archaeological exhibition and discover how they lived, and see examples of their architecture, arts and crafts. If that's still not enough for you, you can sail out into the fjord in a Viking Longboat, smell the tar and smoke at a Viking Feast, but remember to draw the line at invading and raiding other people's countries!
Named after the Norse word for old wood, Fauske is one of the main towns of Salten, famous for its mining industry and marble deposits. On the shores of Skjerstad Fjord in Nordland, Fauske nestles between fjords, mountains and national parks providing endless outdoor adventures and rewarding cultural experiences. Visit Fauske Church from 1867, and Fauske Folk Museum with traditional rural grass-roof houses.
Sulitjema Gruvemuseum has over a century of mining heritage from 1887 to 1991, and an exhibition of equipment recovered from the machine rooms, carpentry workshops and smelting works of the former mine. At Sulitjelma Besøksgruve you can ride a train deep inside the mountain.
Afterwards, ride your motorcycle through Sjunkhatten National Park, Rago National Park and Saltfjellet. 53km west is Bodø, gateway to the Lofoten islands and the 630km Kystriksveien Coastal Route.