Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
A Gourmet Road Trip in Northern Norway From the Fjords of Helgeland to the Lofoten Islands
Norway – Helgeland – Lofoten Islands
Climb behind the wheel in Trondheim, where the road to idyllic Inderoy stretches out before you. This coastal corner is known for its culinary heritage and serves as the starting point for the Golden Road, which is brimming with cheesemakers, bakers and restaurateurs (a fitting start, if we do say so ourselves).
Having acquired a taste for local specialities, head north to Bronnoysund for some serious scenery and more gourmet bites before continuing to Mo i Rana. Even more delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners are on the agenda here, providing the perfect fuel for crossing the Arctic Circle to Bodo next.
Then, it’s a hop, skip and a ferry ride to the Lofoten Islands, where cod, Arctic char, wolffish, salmon, crustaceans, pollack and seagull eggs are bound to crop up on the menus. Between stays in Sorvagen and Ballstad, you can immerse yourselves in island life before journeying to Kvitnes, in the neighbouring Vesteralen archipelago.
When you’re not filling your plate with next-level Norwegian specialities, there’ll be plenty of ways to engage your other senses. We’re talking hilltop hikes, beach walks, strolls around fishing villages and, of course, those mesmerising stints on Norway’s landmark-littered roads. Need we say more?
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Passports at the ready and palates cleansed – your gourmet road trip through northern Norway starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and slip away to the lounge for some complimentary nibbles (very on theme) before take-off. Flights to Trondheim, the former Viking capital, take just two hours and 20 minutes, so you’ll be on Norwegian soil in no time.
When you arrive, collect your hire car and hit the road for the two-hour drive to Inderoy, where you’ll check in for the first two nights of your trip. Downstairs, the on-site restaurant serves seasonal Norwegian cuisine, so once you’ve settled in, pull up a chair and tuck into some hearty bites.
Opt for a lighter breakfast this morning, because today is dedicated to the Golden Road. This scenic route links around 20 gourmet destinations on the peninsula, all of which meet strict requirements for product quality and cultural richness.
At each step of the way, meet some of the country's most innovative aquavit (a Scandinavian spirit) producers, cheese farmers, bakers and restaurateurs. One of our favourite snacks to sample en route is inderoysodd, a traditional meatball soup that’s bound to warm the cockles of your heart – and stomach. You can also stop in a selection of pretty shops to fill your car boot with winning local products.
Hunger and curiosity sated (for now...), return to your hotel this evening for some downtime, another meal and a good night’s sleep.
Bid farewell to Inderoy today as you journey to Bronnoysund via the Helgelandskysten, the longest of Norway’s 18 scenic routes. For five hours, follow the jagged coasts of fjords, mountains, glaciers and archipelagos to reveal a series of captivating and contrasting landscapes, with a few ferry crossings factored in for convenience.
En route, don’t miss the Seven Sisters, an iconic mountain range that looms over the surrounding islands. Other worthwhile stops include Engenbreen (a section of the Svartisen Glacier, the second largest in Norway) and Ureddplassen, a natural terrace boasting breathtaking views. There’s also Gildeskal, home to The Forgotten Town, a sculpture honouring ancestral cultures, particularly the Sami.
When you arrive in Bronnoysund later on, check in for a one-night stay at a restaurant-turned-B&B. Then, this evening, head to the property’s current restaurant, which serves up five-course feasts using ingredients produced in their own herb garden.
After tucking into a delicious breakfast this morning (it would be rude not to), load up the car for the three-and-a-half-hour drive to Mo i Rana, a small town located just below the Arctic Circle. It’s time to dial up the road trip tunes and delve into Norway’s northernmost regions.
Pull into your next hotel this afternoon and settle in for a two-night stay in another culinary crowd-pleaser. After taking some time to relax and stretch your legs, you can enjoy a ‘pasture to table’ concept over a two-course dinner tonight. Prepare to bite into an array of high-quality, fresh, seasonal ingredients, grown or caught in the surrounding area, as well as meat from pasture-raised animals. It doesn’t come much better than this... until you add legendary local wine pairings, that is.
Wake up bright and early to make the most of your time in Mo i Rana this morning. With a full day free to do as you please, you can take the opportunity to embark on the Kjolen hike, which weaves through the majestic Helgeland mountains, whose crest looks like the hull of an overturned boat – cameras at the ready.
For an adventure further afield, you could also ride the ferry out to Tomma Island. Here, another beautiful walk winds towards Rorvikstranda Beach, known for its Arctic waters framed by steep mountains – there’s nothing like sinking your feet into soft sand at the end of a long walk.
Or, if you want to indulge in pure R&R today, simply kick back and enjoy the facilities at your hotel in the lead-up to dinner tonight. We hope you’ve worked up a healthy appetite, because eight expertly crafted courses await.
Another day, another scenic stint on the road. Leap out of bed bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning to set off towards Bodo, a three-hour drive north.
On the way, don't hesitate to make a sweet treat stop at the award-winning Craig Alibone patisserie. On display here, you’ll find creative cakes combining flavours such as cherry and bergamot, sesame and passion fruit and rosemary and roasted almonds. Pair your mouth-watering morsel with coffee or wine for an even more satisfactory experience.
This evening, check in for a night’s stay in beautiful Bodo. Then, drop your bags and prepare for the grand finale of another excellent day of eating by heading to the hotel’s restaurant. Renowned for its contemporary Nordic cuisine and enviable wine cellar, it’s safe to say you’ll be in good hands.
Hear that? The legendary Lofoten Islands are calling. Pack up and check out this morning for the three-hour-and-15-minute ferry crossing to Moskenes in the Lofoten archipelago, followed by a short drive to Sorvagen.
When you arrive at your next hotel, check in for three nights, unpack and freshen up. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to unwind however you fancy, whether that means nursing a pre-dinner cocktail or cosying up in a plush chair with a holiday read.
It’s another flavourful affair this evening, as we’ve reserved a table for you in the on-site restaurant, which showcases authentic Norwegian cuisine and uses all natural ingredients. Food comas pending...
After indulging in a bountiful breakfast this morning, it’s time to head outside to experience life in the Lofoten Islands buzzing all around you.
Today, you can venture out to A, one of the best-preserved traditional fishing villages in the country. Then, continue to the equally endearing village of Reine, the starting point for one of Norway’s most beautiful hikes: the Reinebringen. While the climb is a little steep, the view from the top makes for a satisfying reward.
Refuel with a lovely lunch this afternoon. The local classics include fresh or salted cod, pollack, stockfish, fresh or smoked salmon, Arctic char, seagull eggs, shellfish and crustaceans.
Fit to burst, return to your hotel to spend the rest of the day relaxing before – if you have room for it – sitting down to another meal tonight. Of course, you could just opt for a few crafty cocktails instead.
Today is yours to play with – and there’s so much to see and do. Fuel up with some satiating smorrebrod (a traditional, open-faced sandwich) before heading out for a day of archipelago adventures.
If you’re after beach bliss, set your sights on Kvalvika, which is located on the north coast of Moskenesoya Island and is lauded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the area. On this vast strip of white sand, surrounded by mountains, the rest of the world melts away.
To the right of this beach stands Mount Ryten, which makes for a beautiful hiking spot. From the 1,772ft summit, you can enjoy sweeping views over the beach and the rushing waters of the Norwegian Sea – now that’s what you call photo-wall-worthy.
Return to Sorvagen this evening to make your reservation at one of the best restaurants in the Lofoten Islands. Here, the menu changes with the catch of the day, but the quality, which is nothing short of excellent, stays consistent.
Delve even deeper into the northernmost corner of Norway today by buckling up for the one-hour-and-20-minute drive to Ballstad. And if your road trip tunes are in need of a refresh, why not check out our destination-specific playlist?
Don’t miss the opportunity to stop in UNESCO-listed Nusfjord en route. One of the most beautiful fishing villages in Norway, it’s nestled at the end of a fjord on the island of Flakstadoy. Colourful and pristinely preserved, this beautiful little spot is also a foodie mecca, home to the famous skolebrod – cardamom brioches filled with custard, prepared by a traditional bakery.
Later on, arrive in Ballstad, where you’ll settle in for two nights in a characterful hotel surrounded by more lovely Lofoten scenery. Take some time to kick back and unwind before freshening up for dinner, which is crafted using a mix of modern and traditional techniques, including smoking, fermentation and drying.
The name of the game today: soaking up Lofoten living. Feast like a king at breakfast, then join forces with an expert guide for an introduction to local seaweed production. Head to a site that makes both food and cosmetics from seaweed to try your hand at harvesting it and learn more about its use in local cuisine.
The rest of the day is free for you to spend as you like. Keen hikers can scale the summit of Nonstinden for views of the port of Ballstad and the Vestvagoya and Flakstadoya islands. Or, for a quieter day, simply stroll around the village.
Hiked out, return to your room to simmer down (sorry) before dinner tonight. You know the drill: a reserved table in a renowned restaurant. This one even has its own quay – meaning fresh catches are guaranteed. But if you’ve had your fill of seafood for one trip, the menu also features elk, reindeer and Lofoten lamb.
Today marks the final drive – and final full day – of your gourmet gallivanting. So, hit the ground running with a quintessentially Norwegian breakfast. Then, load up the car and drive to Kvitnes, three hours and 15 minutes away.
Some of the highlights en route are the two goat’s cheese dairies. Near Laukvik, you can also taste artisanal ice creams made from the milk of farm cows. And on the island of Austvagoy, restless legs can stroll in Henningsvaer, a charming port famous for its colourful rorbuer, dried cod and the paintings of Karl Erik Harr.
Kvitnes is where you’ll spend the last night of your trip, deep in the Arctic Circle. To make dinner extra special this evening, visit the on-site vegetable garden with an expert guide. Walk between rows of carrots, beetroots and kale to learn about sustainable production in this extreme northern setting before tucking in to these very same flavours tonight.
Sadly, your time in northern Norway comes to an end today. Eke out as much edible enjoyment as possible by luxuriating in a lovely meal this morning, then pack your bags and strap in for the two-hour-and-20-minute drive to Evenes.
Here, return your hire car and board a two-hour flight to Oslo, where you’ll switch onto an international flight home. This second flight takes two hours and 30 minutes, landing you back in the UK in time for dinner – we hope you picked up some foodie souvenirs to sweeten the post-holiday blues.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
CRUISE THROUGH THE SALTSTRAUMEN
Located at the entrance to the Saltfjorden, between the islands of Straumoya and Knaplundsoya, the Saltsraumen is known for having one of the most powerful tidal currents in the world. From time to time, these currents create a maelstrom, or marine whirlpool. To observe this more closely (and safely), set off from Bodo in a semi-rigid boat, helmed by an expert guide. If you’re lucky, you might even see some sea eagles flying overhead while you’re on the water.SAMPLE COD LIVER OIL
For even more eats in the Lofoten Islands, visit a local cod liver oil producer in Ballstad for a guided tour. Formerly used as a heating oil and later as an Omega-3 supplement, cod liver oil is a staple of daily life and can even be found in the paintings and walls of traditional fishermen's houses – talk about an all-rounder.WITH A FEW EXTRA DAYS... VEGA
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the beautiful island of Vega – in the archipelago of the same name – sits just south of the Arctic Circle. Extend your trip here to explore the dozen islands that surround Vega, immersing yourselves in a quiet way of life based on fishing and trading in local eider (duck) down. A few fishing villages, lighthouses and miles of raw nature are the defining elements of this charming corner of the country.
Why visit Norway with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Norway
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
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