Lofotodden National Park
Lofotodden National Park is located entirely along the outer side (west side) of Moskenesøya. The national park is Norway’s youngest national park (protected in 2018), and is with its 99 square kilometers Norway’s fourth smallest national park.
Lofotodden houses some of the most dramatic landscape we have in Lofoten. Pointed and weathering peaks are surrounded by open sea and narrow fjords. The white sandy beaches and azure sea along the outer side form powerful contrasts to the magnificent mountain landscape.
Why is Lofotodden a national park?
Lofotodden National Park protects a larger continuous natural area due to its natural qualities. The park boasts distinctive and unique landscapes with narrow, high peaks surrounded by open sea areas and deep fjords that you won’t find in other Norwegian protected areas.
White-tailed eagles, golden eagles and several endangered seabird species thrive in this important habitat. Several marine mammals live along the coast. Despite a nutrient-poor and uniform bedrock, interesting flora grows in areas associated with the beach surface and areas with earlier settlements. Human activity has characterized Lofotodden since the Stone Age, as evidenced by cave paintings and ancient settlements.
Photo: The picture shows the flower Issoleie (Ranunculus glacialis), which is one of many species found in the national park. No other mountain plant in Norway grows any higher.
Advice for visiting the national park
The right to roam applies in Lofotodden National Park. You can travel freely and set up tents wherever you want. However, with the right to roam come some duties. When you visit the national park, you are nature’s guest. Be considerate so that animals and plants are not damaged or disturbed, and leave the park as you found it.
- It is not allowed to use a drone. Read our drone guide here.
- Take all the garbage out with you. Toilet waste should be handled so that it is not a nuisance to other hikers.
- Avoid wear and tear and follow the path. It is only allowed to cycle on certain accessible trails.
- Due to its vulnerable nature, it is not allowed to cycle on the trail between Torsfjorden and Kvalvika and the trail between Bunesfjorden and Bunessanden.
- If you are going to make a fire, use fixed fire pits or the sandy beach itself. Do not fire directly at vegetation or rocks.
- Remember general leash-related laws for dogs in Norway from April 1 to August 20. In areas with livestock, the period pertaining to laws for keeping your dog on a leash may vary.
Read all the advice on the website of Lofotodden National Park here.
Photo: Jon Olav Larsen. Here you can see hikers with Kvalvika in the background. Your dog is of course allowed to accompany you, but must be kept on a leash when there are sheep in the area and during the breeding season.
Lofotodden National Park Visitor Center
Want to learn more about Lofotodden National Park? Feel free to stop by the visitor center, centrally located in Reine. Here you will find an exhibition that takes you on a journey into Lofotodden National Park.
Adress: Kirkeveien 52, 8390 Reine
The visitor center is open all year round, but opening hours change depending on the season:
- 20.June – 31.August: monday – sunday 09.00 – 20.00
- 01.September – 19.Juni: monday – sunday 10.00 – 17.00
black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)
The black-legged kittiwake is a medium-sized gull that nests in a colony
in rock walls. The kittiwake is listed in the Norwegian Red List as endangered (EN).
Lofotodden administrative authority
Lofotodden National Park Board is the management authority in the national park. A national park manager is employed by the National Park Board and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the national park.
Lofotodden administrative authority.
What does the “law” say about the protection?
More about Norways nation parks.
Hiking with kvalvika in the background
Photo: Jon Olav Larsen)
