Outdoors – Destinations Travel Blog

Lofoten: Nordic Paradise for Outdoor Adventures

Just when most people in Europe head south during the summer months I travelled north to the Lofoten islands. In search of the great outdoors, sunlight, fjords, hikes and kayaking.

Did you know there is a place above the Arctic circle where you can go on all kinds of outdoor adventures with warm weather and endless sunshine? Probably not, right?

While most people would expect (not entirely without reason) that the Northernmost parts of Scandinavia remain cold and a bit rainy during the summer. There is an archipelago of islands in Northern Norway, called Lofoten that is not quite like any other place with this latitude (68 Degrees north for those of you wondering!).

This geolocation makes the Lofoten Archipelago special for two main reasons. First of all, incredibly warm temperatures during the summer thanks to a strange phenomenon that makes the convergence of the Gulf Stream with two other currents. On the other hand, the extended levels of sunlight which literally means that the sun NEVER sets. So, there’s no reason to worry about darkness spoiling your outdoor adventures!

The many islands that make up the Lofoten Archipelago have all one thing in common. A dramatic landscape, characterised by white sand beaches, towering mountain peaks, breathtaking fjords and turquoise waters. All of which makes this place the perfect summer destination for those seeking outdoor adventures and friluftsliv. Here are some of the best outdoor activities you can expect when visiting this Nordic paradise in the summer.

1. Kayaking in Arctic waters exploring the fjords

I am not going to lie, this was was of the main reasons I was drawn to Lofoten. And it was beyond worth the effort to get there. Honestly, paddling in the midnight sun in the Norwegian fjords was one of the things I wanted to do since I started taking this sport more seriously.

If bringing your equipment isn’t an option, you can easily rent it at reineadventure in Reinefjord. There are levels for everyone, and you can either go on guided tours or rent it individually (You will need to show a certificate though, Norwegians like their safety).

2. Midnight sun hiking

There are many incredible hiking trails for any level in Lofoten. However, I highly recommend doing the Kvalvika Beach trail because the scenery is from another world.

The trail starts from Fredvang in the island of Moskenesøya and lasts about 2.5 hours until you descend to the beach. Another option is to do the Reinebringen trail which is far shorter but more challenging, it takes about 3 hours but you will be rewarded with amazing views afterwards.

3. Wild camping with a driftwood fire

In Norway, (and the rest of Scandinavia and Iceland too) you are allowed to roam, make a fire, forage and wild camp with very few restrictions. It is something Norwegians refer to as Allemannsrett. Although this is very common in the summer, you should be aware that camping on cultivated land isn’t permitted. Also, you are required to move after a couple of days, other than that you are good to go.

I headed to Bunes Beach taking a ferryboat from Reine towards the small village of Vindstad. This beach is very isolated, perfect for setting up camp and the hike is very mild, it only takes about 3 hours both ways. Make sure to bring everything you need with you, as there’s nowhere to buy supplies in Vindstad.

5. Swim in cold waters then relax in a hot tub

If there was one time I embraced the Scandinavian concept of friluftsliv was when I swam in the freezing cold sea in Lofoten. Actually, it was more of quick dip followed by a few screams, but I have to say I felt great and would do it again. A great place to combine a surf sesh and a hot tub is at UnstadSurfing which offers both cabins and board rentals.

6. See the white-tailed sea eagles hunting

Jump on a ferry boat excursion towards Trollfjord to get the best chances of spotting the white-tailed sea eagles diving for fish. There are a few companies that you can choose from to do this.

white-tale sea eagle lofoten Norway — Foto credit: Getty

7. Go fishing and learn more about Lofoten’s fishing community

Lofoten was basically shaped by the fishing culture since the Viking age until the modern days of the big fishing industry. You can learn more about facts such as the Arctic cod going to the islands once a year to spawn during the winter and many other interesting things in the Fishing Village Museum

8. Cycle between fishing villages and discover Lofotr the largest Viking longhouse ever found

Cycling is a great option to explore your surroundings and some places offer rentals. Also, if you are thinking about going to Lofoten you should definitely try to stop by Lofotr the largest ever found Viking house which was reconstructed into a museum. Every year in August there is a Viking festival with many cool activities.

Best time to go to Lofoten? Late Summer in August when the biggest crowds of June and July dissipate.

How to get there? There are few options depending on the budget and time you have got. You can either fly to the small Airport in Svolvær or take the ferry across from Bodø or drive (3h 30 min) from Narvik.

Where to stay? It can get fully booked very fast during the summer, so try to book at least 4 months in advance. I can recommend staying at a nice b&b called Catogården in Reine which is run by lovely Runhild.

Other things you should know:

There are tons of flies, especially in Reine Fjord where there’s plenty of stockfish. Also, bring mosquito repellent.
Sometimes the weather is fickle. Pack waterproof and warm clothing and a wetsuit if you want to “swim” in the sea.
For more detailed information about the Norwegian outdoors, trails and routes for hiking check out your new best friend the DNT Norwegian Trekking Association.
Food and alcohol: are very expensive and if you are vegetarian like me it is a real struggle, as it is very hard to find vegetarian/vegan options. Most popular foods tend to be any kind of fish and whale steak. Not cool, tell me about it!

I hope my suggestions for this Nordic paradise have inspired you to go exploring, reconnecting with nature and embracing the great outdoors like Scandinavians (and in particular Norwegians) like to do. Let me know in the comments section what your favourite outdoor activity is.

Happy exploring!

Best Croatian Natural Wonders

While its coastal towns are soaring in popularity most of Croatia’s natural heritage is surprisingly less known. From majestic mountains, river canyons and caves to charming lakes and waterfalls. This guide is packed with inspiration for your next retreat in nature.

Croatia is so naturally beautiful that it is almost unfair to compare it to another European country. Surely, I’m leaving aside all the impressive man-made constructions and a whole lot of historical places (worth visiting too) out of the question but bear with me. The purpose of this article is to highlight the less known raw natural wonders of Croatia.

Something that struck me during my Croatian reconnection-with-nature quest is that you don’t need to search too much to find it. If you shift your gaze from the ground chances are you will spot a majestic mountain, go further inland and you are greeted by river canyons, caves, picturesque lakes and waterfalls. And as if that’s not enough, you still got incredible coastal towns with waters that invite you to swim under the Adriatic sun.

I could go on… but in all honesty, if you are interested in not-so-touristy places where you can disconnect and capture picture-perfect landscapes combined with a few cultural options then you seriously need to consider what Croatia’s natural wonders have to offer. Whether you are up for doing some outdoor sports, like hiking, kayaking, climbing or chilling by the seaside I’ve got you covered with some of the best, unspoiled and less visited Croatian natural wonders.

Krka National Park

A true natural jaw-dropping paradise with its vistas over the mountains and along the Krka River. It is a great spot for nature lovers and anyone seeking a good hike, there are well-defined trails for this purpose, or simply for enjoying wonderful views and the cultural heritage of Croatia. It is also important to mention that Krka is one of the few national parks where you can actually swim close to the waterfalls.

The many waterfalls and pedestrian-only zones such as the Orthodox Monastery, Skradinski Buk and Visovac island are some of the places that add uniqueness to this natural heritage.

Main natural wonders to visit:

Skradinski Buk the longest waterfall in the park and the 19th-century watermills
Visovac Island and the Franciscan Monastery are one of Croatia’s most valuable sites
Manojlovac slap waterfall with its 59 m is considered the largest and loveliest waterfall in the park
Archaeological site Burnum a gem of ancient Roman history
Roski slap waterfall and its beautiful Necklaces (barrier of small cascades)

Other interesting sites:

Krka Monastery a spiritual centre of Orthodox faith located in a bay on the river
Hydropower plant which provided electricity to the area before most European cities had done so

Location and access: Krka is located in the central part of the eastern Adriatic coast. The nearest railway station to the park is Sibenik station. However, the best way to access it is by car (A1 Motorway), as you are more in control of the time you dedicate to each area and also because it is quite extensive.

Opening Hours: is open all year round. From April to October, all entrances are open 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. For more info check the official site

Brijuni Islands National Park

Also known as Brioni in Italian, is a beautiful archipelago consisting of two main islands and 12 islets off the coast of the Istrian Peninsula. While most people head south to the popular Dalmatian coast this archipelago is somewhat less known and remains very protected. So much so, that you can only access it by visiting the largest island Veliki Brijuni and from there you can organise other boat excursions to the rest of the islets.

These islands became President Tito’s summer residence from 1945 when they officially became part of Yugoslavia. But above their interesting history, you can expect clear blue waters perfect for kayaking, a calm atmosphere with very few tourists, great snorkelling, a charming little train that will take you along the shore on largest island Veliki Brijuni.

Location and access: The closest cities from which you can get to the Brijuni islands are Pula and Rovinj. There are daily boat trips departing from a town called Fazana which is only about 8 km from Pula that will take to the main island. For more info check Brijuni official site

Paklenica National Park

It’s the absolute heaven for climbers and people who enjoy trekking and mountaineering. The wonderful vistas of the canyons, its flora and vegetation make it a top spot for adventurers and outdoorsy types.

Paklenica Croatia natural wonder — photo credit: Danijel Dujmovic

Interesting fact: while I was there I learnt that the name Paklenica is believed to derive from black pine sap named paklina used by the locals for its medicinal properties.

The park has many hiking and mountaineering trails and routes with different levels of difficulty for everyone, so don’t worry if you are not a pro. There’s also amenities and viewpoints for taking great photographs.

Location and access: this natural wonder is located in northern Dalmatia not far from Zadar. The quickest way to get here is by car taking the motorway A1. There are also good connections by bus from Zadar to Paklenica, it will take about 45 minutes to get there. For info about opening times click here

Plitvice Lakes National Park

The Croatian wonderland of water. With its interlinked pools and waterfalls, it is by far the country’s first national park, and one of Europe’s premier natural wonders. Plitvice Lakes extend over 5 miles creating a pool in one and from there flowing into small streams, springs and waterfalls. It has many wooden footpaths that allow visitors to explore the lakes without disturbing the fragile environment. Veliki slap (big waterfall) is the biggest fall dropping 78 meters into a canyon.

Plitvice lakes are perfect to visit all year round. In the summer they offer a great escape from the heat while in winter time natural stalactites formations can be found. Just bear in mind that swimming is not allowed there due to its UNESCO Heritage Listing but that doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy this stunning natural wonder.

Location and access: located in central Croatia about an hour away from Zadar. Easily accessed by car or bus from either Zadar or Zagreb. Park is open all year round from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm for more info check here

Highlights of some of my favourite Croatian Natural Wonders

Let me know in the comments section below which of these natural wonders you are most excited to visit next. Do you have any other favourites that I left out?

The Best of Croatia’s Natural Wonders

Croatia is so naturally beautiful that it is almost unfair when compared to another European country. Surely, I’m leaving aside all the impressive man-made constructions and a whole lot of historical places (worth visiting) out of the package but it is done kind of on purpose. The focus here are the natural wonders of the country which are surprisingly less known.

Something that struck me during my Croatian quest for nature is that you don’t need to search too much to find it. If you shift your gaze from the ground chances are you will spot a majestic mountain, go further inland and you are greeted by river canyons, caves, picturesque lakes and a gazillion waterfalls, and as if that’s not enough, you still got incredible coastal towns with waters that invite you to swim under the Adriatic sun.

I could go on… but in all honesty if you are interested in not-so touristy places (except for Plitvice which is a well known UNESCO World Heritage site) where you can disconnect, breathe-in the fresh air, capture picture-perfect landscapes combined with a few cultural options then you seriously need to consider what Croatia’s natural heritage has to offer. Whether you are up for an active holiday doing some outdoor sports, like hiking, kayaking, climbing and such or a more chilled one, I’ve got you covered with some of the best, unspoiled and less visited Croatian natural wonders that without a doubt will give you a few ideas for your next retreat.

Krka National Park

A true natural paradise that makes your jaw drop with its vistas over the mountains along the Krka River. The many waterfalls and pedestrian-only zones such as the Orthodox Monastery, Skradinski buk and Visovac island are a definite must.

Krka is a great spot for nature lovers and anyone looking for a good hike as there are well defined trails for this purpose, or simply for enjoying wonderful views and the cultural heritage of Croatia. It is also important to mention that Krka is one of the few national parks where you can actually swim close to the waterfalls. There’s also bicycle trails and boat excursions to some interesting sites within the park, such as the Franciscan Monastery and Roski Slap waterfall.

Main points of interest:

Skradinski Buk the longest waterfall in the park and the 19th century watermills
Hydropower plant which provided electricity to the area before most European cities had done so
Visovac Island and the Franciscan Monastery are one of Croatia’s most valuable cultural and natural sites
Roski slap waterfall and its beautiful Necklaces (barrier of small cascades)
Krka Monastery a spiritual centre of Orthodox faith located in a bay on the river
Manojlovac slap waterfall with its 59 m is considered the largest and loveliest waterfall in the park
Archaelogical site Burnum a gem of ancient Roman history

Opening Hours: is open all year round. From April to October all entrances are open 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. For more info click here

Brijuni Islands National Park

Or Brioni in Italian is a beautiful archipelago consisting of two main islands and 12 islets off the coast of the Istrian Peninsula. While most people head south to the popular Dalmatian coast this archipelago is somewhat less known and remains very protected. So much so, that you can only access it by visiting the largest island Veliki Brijuni and from there you can organise other boat excursions to the rest of the islets.

These islands became President Tito’s summer residence from 1945 when they officially became part of Yugoslavia. But above their interesting history you can expect clear blue waters, calm atmosphere with very few tourists, great snorkeling, a zoo, a charming little train that will take you along the shore, among other things on the largest island Veliki Brijuni.

Paklenica National Park

It’s the absolute heaven for climbers and people who enjoy trekking and mountaineering. The wonderful vistas over the canyons, its flora and vegetation make it a top spot for anyone looking for an adventure, a passion for outdoor sports but it is fair to say that the only way to really see its beauty is by being active in the mountains, so if you don’t feel like working out this natural wonder might not be for you.

An interesting fact I learnt while I was there is that the name Paklenica is believed to derive from black pine sap named paklina used by the locals for its medicinal properties.

Location and access: the park is located in northern Dalmatia not far from Zadar. The quickest way to get here is by car taking the motorway A1. There’s also good connections by bus from Zadar to Paklenica, it will take about 45 minutes to get there. For info about opening times click here

Plitvice Lakes National Park

The Croatian wonderland of water. With its interlinked pools, waterfalls and forests it is by far the country’s first national park and one of Europe’s premier natural wonders. Plitvice Lakes extend over 5 miles creating a pool in one and from there flowing into small streams, springs and waterfalls. It has many wooden footpaths that allow visitors to explore the lakes without disturbing the fragile environment. Veliki slap (big waterfall) is the biggest fall dropping 78 meters into a canyon.

Plitvice lakes are perfect to visit all year round and in the summer they offer a great escape from the heat while in winter time you can see natural stalactites formations from frozen water in the lakes. Just bear in mind that swimming is not allowed here due to its UNESCO Heritage Listing but that doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy the visit.