Most travellers landing at Evenes - Harstad/Narvik Airport head straight for the famous spots they’ve seen on Instagram. However, it is in the quiet corners between the icons that the true magic of the Arctic is found.
If you’re collecting your WeCamp campervan from the airport at Evenes, you’re in the perfect position to explore the archipelago from north to south. Here are 10 hidden gems you can combine with an itinerary for Lofoten, and that won't be at the top of every TripAdvisor list:
1. The fishing village of Digermulen - A perfect view of Trollfjord
After driving approximately 2 hours from Evenes, take a detour off the E10 to the first hidden gem, the fishing village Digermulen. This is where Kaiser Wilhelm II used to holiday. Hike up to Digermulkollen for a stunning view of the Trollfjord.
By veering away from the standard Lofoten Scenic Route, you trade the usual tourist crowds for the quiet majesty of the Raftsundet strait. The atmosphere here is one of untouched solitude, making it the perfect first stop.
The view of Trollfjord from the peak and across Raftsundet, is nothing short of legendary; you'll see the narrow mouth of the fjord slicing deep into the jagged mountains like a silver blade. From this height, even the large cruise ships navigating the 100-meter-wide entrance look like tiny toys against the sheer, 1,000-meter rock walls. It’s a perspective most travelers only see from the water, but standing above it offers a true sense of the scale and drama that defines the Arctic north.
Wecamp Tip: This area is one of the best places in Norway to spot white-tailed eagles.
2. Delp and the Matmora Hike
Head north from Digermulen, and back to the E10. Before hitting the main tourist trail, stop at Delp and do the Matmora hike. The hike offers 360-degree views of the Vesterålen islands and the Lofoten Wall, without the 'conga line' of hikers you’ll find at Reinebringen. The trail follows a spectacular ridgeline that makes you feel like you’re walking a tightrope between the sky and the surf.
For the Matmora hike, your logistics will depend on whether you want a quick summit or the full experience. Here is how to handle the parking and the return to your van if you park at Delp:
The Out-and-Back (Simple): Most hikers simply summit and return the way they came. It’s the easiest way to ensure you walk straight back to your van door without any extra logistics.
The Full Ridge Traverse (The Adventure): If you decide to hike the full ridge from north to south, you will end up at the southern trailhead near Sandsletta/Rangeldalen.
To get back to your van at Delp:
- The Road Walk: It is roughly a 6km (1.5-hour) walk back along the coastal road (Fv888). It’s flat and scenic, but after a steep mountain hike, those extra kilometers on asphalt can feel long.
- Hitchhiking: This is a common practice in Lofoten. The road is quiet, but locals and fellow hikers are usually happy to give you a lift back to the Delp parking lot.
- The Taxi Gamble: You can call a local taxi from Svolvær, but be warned: it is expensive (often 1000 NOK+) and availability is never guaranteed in this remote corner.
- The Odd Bus: There is a bus route between Delp and Sandsletta, but it runs only a couple of times per day. Check here (enter Delp and Sandsletta in the "From-To" fields) to see if it corresponds with your hiking plans.
3. Gimsøy's 'Lonely' Church
Most people drive past Gimsøy, but this island is a van-lifer's paradise. The small wooden church perched on the edge of the Atlantic is hauntingly beautiful, and the nearby Gimsøyhovden hike is short and easy with incredible views.
Gimsøy also has one of the most beautiful 18 hole golf courses in the world - pop by for a round if you're a golfer!
4. Henningsvær seen from Festvågtind
The iconic fishing village Henningsvær is a must see, and the best view is from the mountain Festvågtind. To get there, park your campervan just before the first bridge when you approach Henningsvær. From there it's a steep but rewarding hike to the top.
Standing at 541 meters above sea level, the summit offers a breathtaking, bird's-eye view of the "Venice of the North." From the peak, you can look straight down at the cluster of islands that make up Henningsvær, connected by its narrow bridges and surrounded by the deep blue of the Vestfjord. On a clear day, the view stretches all the way across the sea to the mainland mountains of Norway.
Wecamp Tip: Not up for the steep walk to the top? How about a shorter climb then? Less than halfway up Festvågtind, you’ll pass the crystal-clear lake Heiavatnet. The view to Henningsvær is great also from here, and if you’re brave enough, it’s a refreshing place for a dip.
5. Eggum's 'Old Radar' Walk
Perched on the edge of the Norwegian Sea, the Borga radar station at Eggum is a haunting WWII relic reimagined as a canvas for contemporary art. The site features "The Head" by Swiss artist Markus Raetz, a focal point of the Artscape Nordland collection.
This mirrored sculpture plays with perspective—as you walk around it, the silhouette shifts and flips, mirroring the blurred horizons where the Arctic sky meets the sea. It’s a surreal, meditative stop that transforms a military ruin into a masterclass in hidden beauty.
6. Myrland Beach
Tucked away behind a tunnel is the rugged, boulder-strewn beach of Myrland. It’s one of the best places in Lofoten to photograph the midnight sun because nothing but the open sea lies between you and the horizon. Myrland is also one of Lofotens popular surf spots.
Keep an eye out for the small, traditional fishing cabins nestled against the cliffs; they provide a perfect sense of scale against the sheer power of the Atlantic. It’s the kind of place where you can set up a tripod, brew a fresh pot of coffee in your campervan kitchen, and have a front-row seat to the Arctic’s greatest light show without another soul in sight.
7. The village of Napp
Just across the bridge from Leknes, Napp is a working fisherman’s village that embodies the true, salt-crusted spirit of the islands. While most travelers speed through the Nappstraum Tunnel, those who pull over are rewarded with a harbor full of brightly colored boats and some of the most impressive "drying racks" (hjell) in the region. It’s also the gateway to the spectacular Storsandøya beach, a hidden stretch of white sand and turquoise water that rivals the tropics—if you don't mind the Arctic breeze.
8. Skagsanden's 'Quiet Side' (Flakstad)
Skagsanden is famous for surfing, but if you walk towards the eastern end of the beach (away from the main car park), you'll find empty tide pools and rock formations, even in July. It’s a favorite for "surf-and-turf" photographers because of the way the glass-like water reflects the surrounding Flakstadtind mountains. Because of its wide-open northern exposure, Skagsanden is also one of the premier spots for Northern Lights hunting in the winter and Midnight Sun gazing in the summer.
9. Sund: The Blacksmith's Harbour
In the tiny village of Sund, you’ll find one of Lofoten’s most legendary characters: the Blacksmith. Stepping into the Sund Fiskerimuseum feels like entering a time portal where the air is thick with the smell of coal smoke and the rhythmic clink-clink of the anvil.
The original blacksmith, Hans Gjertsen, became a local icon for his hand-forged iron cormorants (skarv). In a legendary marketing stunt in 1963, he even bypassed security to hand-deliver one of these iron birds to King Olav V. Today, his protégé, Tor-Vegard Mørkved, keeps the tradition alive. You can watch him transform a glowing rod of iron into a graceful bird in a matter of minutes—a masterclass in traditional craftsmanship that has remained unchanged for decades.
10. The unnamed pull-offs on road 812
As you drive towards the end of the islands towards the fishing village named Å (yes, the name is that short), keep an eye out for the small, paved lay-bys on the side roads. These are often the best places to park your Wecamp van for a coffee break and enjoy the view.
That image of the traditional fishing vessel at the top?
In case you were wondering (and bonus hidden gem) - the featured image is from the fishing village called Nusfjord. If you want to see what Lofoten looked like before the rest of the world found it, add this to your itinerary (between Skagsanden and Sund).
Nusfjord on Flakstadøya is one of Norway’s oldest and best-preserved fishing villages—effectively a living museum where the golden-yellow and deep-red rorbuer (fishermen's cabins) still cling to the rocky shoreline.
In 1975, the village was chosen by UNESCO as a pilot project for the preservation of traditional Norwegian architecture, and walking across the weathered wooden wharves, you can see why. Everything here feels intentional and historic. Be sure to pop by the old general store (Landhandelen) dating back to 1907—where you can still buy traditional licorice, freshly baked cinnamon buns, and warm waffles.
Pro tip for your Wecamp adventure:
Starting from our office at Harstad/Narvik Airport - Evenes gives you the chance to stock up on groceries at the large supermarkets in Harstad or Sortland before prices rise and selection narrows the further into the islands you go.
Ready to explore Lofoten? Head over to our reservation page to find your campervan!
