The Reinebringen hike is one of the most iconic hikes in Norway’s Lofoten Islands, with 1,978 stone steps leading to an unforgettable view. We started hiking at 10:30 PM to reach the top during Norway’s midnight sun, turning an already bucket-list hike into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Reinebringen Hike in Lofoten
Reinebringen is one of the most famous hikes in the Lofoten Islands, known for its incredible views!
Unlike a typical mountain trail, much of the hike follows a massive stone staircase built into the mountainside.
There are 1,978 stone steps, which means you’ll be climbing almost constantly from the moment you start.
The hike is a little over 3 miles, but don’t let the relatively short distance fool you.
The steep climb is what makes Reinebringen challenging.
We decided to make our experience even more unique by hiking during Norway’s midnight sun!
We started at 10:30 PM so we could reach the top around midnight.
Starting the Reinebringen Hike
One of the best decisions we made was hiking Reinebringen late at night.
Since we visited Lofoten during the midnight sun, we didn’t have to worry about racing against sunset or hiking back in the dark.
We started around 10:30 PM, with the goal of reaching the top around midnight.
There was something so strange and exciting about starting a mountain hike that late while it was still completely light outside.
Instead of watching the sky turn dark as we climbed, we had hours of Arctic daylight ahead of us.
Climbing the 1,978 Stone Steps
Reinebringen isn’t your typical hike.
Rather than following a gradual dirt trail up the mountain, much of the route consists of 1,978 stone steps climbing straight up the mountainside.
And they feel pretty endless.
The distance itself isn’t what makes this hike difficult. It’s the fact that you are constantly climbing uphill.
There aren’t many sections where your legs get much of a break, so we took our time and kept working our way up one section at a time.
Before we knew it, we had finally reached the top of the stone stairs.
But we weren’t quite done yet.
The Final Climb After the Stone Stairs
One thing I didn’t fully realize before hiking Reinebringen was that reaching the top of the stairs doesn’t necessarily mean your climb has to end.
We decided to keep going toward the higher viewpoint.
This final section was completely different from the stone staircase.
Instead of neatly built steps, we were hiking over rocks and dirt as we continued higher.
It felt much more like a traditional mountain trail and required more attention to where we were stepping.
Once we reached the top, though, the view made the entire climb worth it.
The View From Reinebringen
This is the view you hike Reinebringen for.
From high above the Lofoten Islands, we could see tiny fishing villages scattered between towering mountains and the sea.
The islands stretched out below us, connected by winding roads and bridges, while jagged mountains surrounded the water in every direction.
It’s one of those views that photographs beautifully but is even more impressive when you’re actually standing there.
After climbing nearly 2,000 stairs, finally sitting down and taking it all in was an incredible feeling.
Hiking Reinebringen During the Midnight Sun
Experiencing Reinebringen during the midnight sun made an already iconic hike even more memorable.
We were standing high above the Lofoten Islands around midnight, yet the landscape was still completely visible beneath the Arctic light.
There was no sunset deadline hanging over us and no rush to get back before dark.
It felt completely surreal knowing what time it was while looking out at a landscape that was still glowing in daylight.
If you’re visiting Lofoten during the midnight sun season and conditions are safe, I highly recommend considering a late-night hike.
For us, hiking Reinebringen at night turned one of Lofoten’s most famous hikes into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Don’t Underestimate the Heat!
One thing that really surprised me was how hot we were.
We were hiking above the Arctic Circle late at night, so I definitely wasn’t expecting heat to be one of our biggest challenges.
But climbing almost 2,000 stairs is a workout, and we quickly warmed up.
Weather in Lofoten can change quickly, so layers are still important. But don’t assume you’ll automatically be cold just because you’re hiking in the Arctic.
Bring plenty of water, especially when hiking on a warmer day.
Bring Bug Spray!
If there is one thing I wish we had been more prepared for, it was the bugs.
They were unbearable during parts of our hike.
Honestly, they were so annoying that they almost motivated me to keep moving because I didn’t want to stand still long enough for them to swarm around us.
How Difficult Is the Reinebringen Hike?
I would not judge Reinebringen by mileage alone.
A hike that is only a little over 3 miles might not sound intimidating, but the nearly constant uphill climb makes it much harder than the distance suggests.
The stone stairs also mean you’re repeating the same climbing motion again and again, which can become tiring pretty quickly.
The good thing is that you can take breaks along the way and move at your own pace.
If you continue beyond the main staircase as we did, keep in mind that the terrain changes to rocks and dirt and can feel more like a traditional mountain hike.
Your experience can also vary greatly depending on the weather, so always check current trail and weather conditions before heading out.
What to Bring on the Reinebringen Hike
You don’t need a huge amount of gear for a short hike like Reinebringen, but there are a few things I would definitely bring:
- Plenty of water, especially on warmer days
- Bug spray during the summer
- Good hiking shoes with solid traction
- Layers, since Lofoten weather can change quickly
- A light rain jacket
- Snacks for the summit
- A camera or phone because you will absolutely want photos from the top
Watch My Hike
Want to see what it’s really like to climb 1,978 stone steps at 10:30 PM in the Arctic?
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