Cycling the Arctic Sea coast - Tromsø to Lofoten via Senja and Andøya

This ride runs the length of the Arctic Sea coast, following the Nasjonal Turistveg and EuroVelo 1 from Tromsø, at almost 70 degrees north, south-westward to Svolvær in Lofoten. The route island-hops the whole way, across Kvaløya, the sharp outer coast of Senja, the open marshland of Andøya with its whales and sea eagles, and the inner sounds of Vesterålen before it reaches the working harbour town of Svolvær.

The cycling is rated challenging, though not for its climbs. The days are long, several of them past 60 kilometres, the wind off the open ocean is a real factor, and there are several long road tunnels that come with cycling this coast. The standout riding is Senja's outer coast, around Tungeneset and the Okshornan ridge, and the beach and bird cliffs at Bleik on Andøya. We arrange it self-guided through a long-standing Norwegian partner, with luggage moved between the seven hotels and the route loaded into a navigation app; the last day gives you the option of joining a Hurtigruten vessel through the Raftsundet and into Trollfjorden.

One for cyclists who have ridden a Snowdonia week and want the same scale of mountain stretched out along an open coast, with the midnight sun keeping the evenings light well past any reasonable finishing time.