Moskenesøya

Island profile

Moskenesøya is a rugged, mountain-heavy island at the southwestern end of Lofoten. It is about 184.5 square kilometres in area, with Hermannsdalstinden rising to 1,029 metres. Glaciers carved the sharp ridges, cirques and lakes; the result is an island where the mountains sit close to the water.

The northern tip lies in Flakstad municipality, while most of the island lies in Moskenes municipality. Settlements concentrate along the indented north and east coasts. The west coast is steep, exposed and largely uninhabited.

Follow the east coast

The E10 is the island’s practical spine. It crosses from Flakstadøya over the bridge at Sundstraumen, follows the eastern shore and finishes at Å. This is a compact sequence rather than a single town.

• Hamnøy and Sakrisøy: linked islets around Reinefjord, known for waterside rorbuer and steep mountain backdrops.
• Reine: the main service point on this part of the island and a working fishing village spread across small islands and bridges.
• Sørvågen and Å: continue southwest for the road’s final section. Å marks the end of the E10 and preserves the fabric of an old fishing settlement.

Do not rush this stretch as a through-road. The bridges, harbour edges and short viewpoints are the point of the journey.

Landscape and walking

For a wider view of Reinefjord and the surrounding peaks, Reinebringen is the island’s best-known climb. The route uses steep stone steps and is generally a summer-to-autumn outing; it is not a winter walk.

The southern and western parts of Moskenesøya hold more remote mountain and coastal terrain, including Lofotodden National Park. Bunes beach is reached by boat or on foot, not by road. Choose routes that fit the season, weather and your experience; exposed terrain changes quickly in wind, rain, snow and low cloud.

Getting here and moving around

Drive the E10 from the rest of Lofoten, or arrive by ferry at Moskenes and continue by road. The island is also served by bus connections along the E10 corridor, but a car gives much more flexibility between villages and trailheads.

Distances look short on a map, yet narrow roads, bridges, stops and weather make progress slow. Cyclists should expect traffic on the main road in the busy season.

Local ground rules

Reine and the neighbouring villages are living fishing communities, not open-air sets. Keep clear of working quays and private cabins, and do not touch stockfish hung to dry. Use marked public parking rather than passing places, road shoulders or private land. In winter, darkness and slippery conditions make reflective clothing and suitable footwear useful even for short walks.