Midnight sun over the fjords: 5 peaks without a flashlight
The best thing about the northern summer? No more electricity bills! From late May to mid-July, the sun doesn't just rise and set – it glides over the peaks, transforming the water and rocks into a beautiful amber glow. Climbing on such a night is the best thing ever! You get to enjoy two "golden hours" in a row, and you get to return to camp while the others are still brewing their morning coffee.
We handpicked five peaks with easy trails, 270° views of the fjord, and a distance that allows you to walk there and back without a flashlight. Every location is hand-picked and is either right next to or within easy reach of stunning routes through our beautiful Norwegian national parks. They add to the already amazing collection of the best national park hikes in Norway, which is simply unbeatable!
1. Reinebringen, Lofoten Islands
Length/elevation: 3 km/+450 m (1,700 stone steps).
Light window: 22:30–02:00 (5 June–7 July).
What makes it unique: the Reinefjord zigzags beneath your feet; boats leave trails of light on the mirror-like water.
Life hack: the wind dies down after midnight — trekking poles will help, but a jacket will be lighter than a windbreaker.
2. Segla, Senja
Length/elevation: 5 km/+640 m.
Light window: 22:00–01:30 (31 May–15 July).
What makes it unique: a vertical granite "sail" falls into Mefjord, emphasising the "layered" light — from copper near the water to lilac at the top.
Life hack: Fjordgård park has a toilet and a tap with drinking water; leave a bottle to cool down on the descent.
3. Ryten + Kvalvika Beach, Lofoten
Length/elevation: 7 km/+540 m.
Light window: 23:00–02:30 (3 June–10 July).
What makes it unique: the golden edge of the surf curves around the turquoise Kvalvika Bay; from above, you can see the waves diving as the sun rolls across the water.
Life hack: go down to the beach barefoot — the sparkling sand glows longer than the stone.
4. Tromsdalstinden, Tromsø
Length/set: 14 km / +1,000 m (well-maintained trail, marked by DNT).
Light window: 23:30–02:00 (25 May–20 July).
What makes it unique: from the summit, you can see the Kvalsund and Ullsfjord fjords, and the city lights up like stars.
Life hack: the top 400 m is a scattering of slate; work gloves will save your hands if the rock is wet.
5. Rødøyløva, Helgeland coast
Length/elevation: 4 km / +440 m.
Light window: 23:30–01:00 (29 May–13 July).
What makes it unique: the panorama of thousands of Helgeland islands is hidden under a "lion's mane" — a rocky dome that catches the direct light and contrasts with the aquamarine skerries.
Life hack: the Rødøy → Jektvik ferry runs until 21:00; spend the night in a camp loft at the pier and start at 22:00 — the trail is fully lit.
❄️ Safety and Preparation
| Factor | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Temperature | After midnight +6…+10 °C; a membrane + thin down jacket is sufficient. |
| Navigation | Reflectors on sticks + GPX in offline map: “polar twilight” can hide markings. |
| Flora | Moss is slippery after dew; choose boots with “Michelin-style” soles. |
| Wild birds | Arctic terns protect nests in June; watch out for diving birds and avoid colonies. |
| Lighting for photos | ISO 100 / F 4 / 1⁄80 — basic exposure; no filters needed, soft glare. |
🚍 Synchronise Transport
| Region | Night Bus / Boat | Start of the Trail |
|---|---|---|
| Lofoten | #18-742 (Leknes ↔ Reine) – last at 21:10 | Yttersand / Reine car park |
| Senja | Troms County 100 (Finnsnes → Gryllefjord) 20:45 | Fjordgård |
| Tromsø | City Bus 24 to Fjellheisen every 30 minutes | Fjellheisen station |
| Hellesund | Hurtigbåt Bodø → Rødøy 18:00 | Rødøy Harbour |
Mini-guide "without a lantern"
- Water: 1 litre/4 hours is sufficient; springs do not freeze, so fill your bottle from running water.
- Snacks: fast carbohydrates (chocolate, fruit) — cold slows down metabolism.
- Ecology: light is free — don't light fires, polar moss takes decades to regenerate.
The midnight sun transforms the fjord into a gigantic mirror: you rise in a blaze of red light, walk through amber and descend under a golden glow. Your torch remains unused, your watch confuses morning with night, and your camera takes pictures that look filtered — but it's just nature working in "24-hour mode".
Wow, you totally conquered one of the peaks! Share your awesome tracks, photos and life hacks on "How not to fall asleep before the start" — together, we will add to the outdoor adventures Norway catalogue so that every ridge of the northern lights is marked and ready for your next step.
