From Nesland to Nusfjord
A coast walk on the outer side of Flakstadøya, from the end of the road at Nesland to the preserved fishing village of Nusfjord: a shoreline path marked with red T’s, one boulder field, one chained scramble, and two to three hours each way. Walk it out and back, or make a day of it — end at a window table in Nusfjord and get a lift home. It is the walk we save for bad weather. Nesland has a way of keeping better weather than everywhere else, especially when fog and rain sit on the rest of the islands — and on a day of north wind the whole walk lies in the lee of the island.
Ten minutes to the trailhead
Drive to the end of the road at Nesland and park by the trail sign, ten minutes from Casa Lofoten. Most people walk out and back the same way. If you would rather end the day with dinner in Nusfjord and not walk home afterwards, sort the return first: two cars, with one left in Nusfjord before you drive the walkers to Nesland — or a taxi back from Nusfjord to your car.
- From Casa Lofoten
- 10 min drive
- Parking
- Nesland trailhead — Google Maps ↗
Route map
Opens with the house and the whole route in one view — zoom in yourself, or use the buttons.
Use the two buttons to jump between the full view from Casa Lofoten and a closer look at the route.
Loading the 3D map … it needs an internet connection.
Dinner in Nusfjord,
and a lift home.
End at a window table at Restaurant Karoline, or with a pizza at Oriana Kro in the old whisky cellar — then walk back in the evening light, or let someone drive you the twenty minutes home. The sauna is waiting.
Check availability
The route, stop by stop
Østre Nesland
The walk starts by the old farm, home to Lofoten’s only restored water mill. A signed detour drops to the “Jettegryter”: round basins ground into the rock by the ice.
Vedvika
The path splits; one branch stays above the bay, the other crosses the beach. A bay the Nesland side comes to for a fire on the shore.
The ledge
A gravel path across a steep slope above the sea. Nothing technical — just walk it with care.
Hessura
A field of big boulders, well marked with red T’s, crossed stone to stone. Look down for seals in the bay and out to the skerries where the cormorants nest.
The chain
The path climbs to the high point of the walk, then drops steeply over rock and loose gravel with a chain to hold. Going our way, you come down it. Take your time.
Tennholmvika
A family once lived in this bay; the foundations of the house are still there. It was taken by an avalanche that came down the river valley.
Nusfjord
The path comes out at the village. Turn around and walk back — or stay for dinner and let someone else do the driving.
Photos from the trail
Into Nusfjord, the harbour at dusk, and the table at the far end
When to go
Nesland keeps its own weather — Almost always better here than anywhere else on the islands. When the rest of Lofoten is grey and the tops are lost in fog, Nesland is often dry and clear — and when the wind is from the north, this south-facing coast is the sheltered side of Flakstadøya. This is the walk we save for those days.
And on a clear day it is glorious — Sea on one side, mountain on the other, the outer coast opening up bay by bay. If the forecast is good, do not save it for later.
All year — Winter needs spikes and poles, and snowshoes if the snow is deep. The boulder field and the chain want daylight and a dry-ish day.
Time it for dinner — Two to three hours each way. Start after lunch and you walk into Nusfjord in time for a window table — and decide over dessert whether you walk back.
What to bring
- Shoes with grip — boulders and a chained rock step
- Gloves for the chain
- Wind and rain layers — this is the outer coast
- Water and something to eat — nothing until Nusfjord
- A headlamp outside summer
- If dinner is the plan and walking back is not: the second car parked, or the taxi number saved.
Questions we actually get
How hard is it?
Moderate. Two places ask for care: the boulder field at Hessura and the chained section. Everything else is a coast path.
Can we bring children?
Yes, if they are used to walking on rock. The chain and the boulders are the two places to hold a hand.
How do we get back?
Walk — it is the same path, and different light. If you have had dinner and would rather not: two cars, or a taxi from Nusfjord.
Can we walk it the other way?
Of course. We prefer ending at a table rather than starting from one.
Is there a fee in Nusfjord?
In high season the village may charge a small entrance fee. Ask at the restaurant.