Activity: Hurtigruten Cruise into Trollfjord, from Svolvær
Provided by:
Arctic Route by Best Arctic
Welcome to Hurtigruten Cruise into Trollfjord, from Svolvær in Lofoten. Here you will find the different points and stories, which will guide you through your day. Following along, by listening to the points in the listed order. Enjoy your adventure at the Arctic Route Sightseeing bus, the ferry, the Hurtigruten museum, the village of Stokmarknes and your sailing trip on the iconic Hurtigruten Ship, back to Svolvær.
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Points of interest
#1
Departure from Svolvær
Be on time at the starting point at 07:25 (am) at Hurtigruten Terminal or at 07:30 (am) at Svinvøya Rorbuer. Welcome to this round trip to Trollfjord by bus and Hurtigruten ship, starting in Svolvær! Congratulations on choosing this awesome and spectacular activity! Today we will explore the hometown of Hurtigruten, the brand-new museum and the village of Stokmarknes by foot or bike before sailing into the amazing Trollfjord. My name is Ragnar. I will be your guide on today’s adventure. The adventure will last about 13 hours. We will travel from Svolvær to Stokmarknes, to Trollfjord and then back to Svolvær. The bus, The Arctic Route, is a hop-on/hop-off service that operates daily between Svolvær and Tromsø. We will make various stops along the way until we reach Stokmarknes, where you will hop off. We start by heading to Fiskebøl for a ferry crossing to Melbu, which is included in this package. You don't need to show anything when boarding on the ferry. The driver takes care of this. The ticket for the Hurtigruten Museum and voyage on the Hurtigruten ship are also included. Follow the route, and I will guide you throughout this unique day in the Arctic. I hope you are ready for an adventure that will offer life-long memories. I wish you a wonderful day!
#2
Fiskebøl Ferry
Fiskebøl Ferry is a ferry service that operates between the towns of Fiskebøl and Melbu in Northern Norway. The ferry is an important transport link for locals and tourists alike, providing a convenient and scenic way to travel between the two towns. The ferry journey takes around 25 minutes and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, fjords and islands. Along the way, passengers can often spot a variety of wildlife, including seals, porpoises and eagles. The Fiskebøl Ferry operates year-round, with multiple departures each day. During the summer months, the ferry is especially popular among tourists, who come to explore the natural beauty of Northern Norway. In addition to providing transportation, the Fiskebøl Ferry also offers a variety of onboard amenities. Passengers can enjoy a meal or a snack in the onboard café or relax in the comfortable seating areas while taking in the views. The Fiskebøl Ferry is a convenient and enjoyable way to travel between Fiskebøl and Melbu and is a must-do experience for anyone visiting Northern Norway.
#3
On our way to the ferry
Departure ferry: 08:30 (am) - duration: 25 minutes. Welcome back! We have now left Lofoten and arrived in the Vesterålen region. I hope you are having a great trip. We will soon drive onto the ferry for a scenic voyage across to the magical island of Hadseløya. The crossing will take about 25-35 minutes. You are welcome to stay on the bus during the crossing, but I recommend getting off and enjoying the experience. Find a comfortable spot in the spacious lounge or head out on the deck and enjoy the views. Watch as the majestic mountains in Lofoten disappear behind you and are soon replaced by the mountain plateau on Hadseløya. Look out for the highest point, Lamlitinden, which is 656 m above the sea. Keep an eye out for eagles, falcons and seals! If you are hungry, the kiosk on board serves pastries, hot and cold drinks and other snacks. When you hear an announcement that the ferry will dock soon, please return to the bus.
#4
Hurtigruten Museum
Arctic Route bus stop: To the left of the entrance to the Hurtigruten Museum. The museum opens at 10:00 am. Head up to the Quality Hotel to buy a coffee or tea and begin your visit to Stokmarknes. Duration of museum visit: Allow a minimum of 90 minutes. Visit the fascinating Hurtigruten Museum in Stokmarknes, where this remarkable story began. The Hurtigruten ships have been an important means of transport and a cultural institution in Norway for over a century. They have played an important role in connecting southern and northern Norway. In 1999, the former Express Route ship MS Finnmarken docked at the Hurtigruten Museum in Stokmarknes in Nordland, and today it graces the landscape as one of the largest museum artefacts in the world. The solution to preserve the monument to Norwegian coastal history is a 3,600 square metre building enclosing the ship, constructed primarily of steel and glass. The shape of the building is inspired by the ship's side openings, which slope forward at both the stern and the bow. The MS Finnmarken was the first ship with this type of opening, which gave the impression of a fast-moving ship. The design is inspired by this design concept and supports it in both volume and plan. The existing building, together with the Hurtigruten Museum's conservation and protection building, will house the exhibition telling the story of the coastal high-speed line. Feeling hungry? Enjoy lunch in the Finnmarken ship's original restaurant.
#5
Time to explore Stokmarknes and Hadseløya
I really hope you had a great time at the museum! Was it educational and fascinating? So, are you ready to explore Stokmarknes area? I will guide you through the next two hours until it’s time to check in at the Hurtigruten ship for the voyage into the Trollfjord. Now it is time to explore Stokmarknes on foot. We have a couple of points in the area that are accessible by foot. Let me guide you to viewpoints, art and local bars. Second option Bike rental: Not possible anymore to prebook. Interested in bike rental: please make your way to the “Corner Sport” sports shop. This is a 5-minute walk from the Hurtigruten museum.
#6
The Centre of Stokmarknes - places to visit
You will find a small red building called Rødbrygga on your right beside the Hurtigruten Museum. Well, at least it’s small in comparison with the museum. This historic pier from 1906 is the place to meet people, eat well or just pop in for some good vibes. If you’re into football, beer and pizza, this is the place to visit! You can dine indoors or sit outside and enjoy the view and your lunch or dinner at the same time. This is a unique place! The bartenders are so friendly and service-minded that everyone feels welcome! If you didn’t have lunch at the Hurtigruten Museum, then this is the place to eat! In the centre of Stokmarknes, you can find a sculpture called Båtspantet (The Boat Rib). The sculpture is inspired by a discovery of the rib of a boat during excavation work before industrial buildings were built on the island of Børøya. The rib dates from around 350 AD and is preserved at the Arctic University Museum in Tromsø. The sculpture symbolises Hadsel’s long maritime history, which stretches more than 1,750 years. Go ahead and start to explore.
#7
Art sculpture 'Days and Nights'
To reach this point, you need to cross the bridge from Stokmarkness to the island of Børøya. It’s a 10-minute walk from the museum, which you will not regret. You can have a rest in the gapahuk on Børøya. This is a typical Norwegian rustic shelter against storms with two walls and a sloping roof from the ground up. Did you find the unique sculpture “Days and Nights”? Its shape comes from the houses you often see in children’s drawings. “Days and Nights” are two granite houses, one made from dark granite and the other from light granite. It’s situated in a landscape characterised by the fjord and the buildings on the other side. The artist Sarkis Zabunyan says that the sculpture's house form also refers to thoughts about outside and inside, the safe and the threatening, and nature and culture. The play of light on these stone surfaces, combined with the reflection of the houses in the water surface of the fjord, creates an ever-changing scene. You can take wonderful photos, including a reflection of yourself while admiring the sculpture.
#8
Sailing with Hurtigruten Ship
Check-in at 14:45 (2.45pm), and keep your ID-card ready. We will travel on the impressive Hurtigruten ship into the iconic Trollfjord before heading back to Svolvær! Feel, breath and relax as we explore one of Norway’s most beautiful spots. It’s important to arrive on time! The voyage to Svolvær takes about three hours. Get your camera ready, go out onto one of the decks and capture some memories to treasure for life! If you’re lucky, you may spot an eagle, a seal or beautiful landscapes... who knows? If you prefer to stay inside and relax after an active day, find a comfortable seat by one of the large panoramic windows so you don’t miss the view. As the Hurtigruten approaches the port, it makes a signal like “TUUT TUUT”, so the locals know the Hurtigruten is arriving. It’s the only ship in Norway that makes this signal. When the ships arrive and depart, the passengers go out on the deck and wave to the locals! Welcome to an icon of Norway! The Hurtigruten will pass an islet before it sails under the Raftsund Bridge. Can you see what the islet looks like? Do you think it looks like a troll? Have you heard about trolls before?
#9
Trolls and Trollfjord
Soon you will sail under the Raftsund bridge. You can also try to spot the small islet in the water that looks like a troll face. If you don’t see it immediately, just wait until it appears. Have you heard about trolls? There is a strong link between Norway and trolls. Many fairy tales have been written about trolls. Some have even been turned into movies. Trolls apparently date back to the Viking Age. According to legend, they live in the dark underground because they cannot stand sunlight. Trolls are often described as being gigantic, mean, scary and ugly monster-like creates, while others are small dwarf-like creatures. Common features are that all trolls are anti-social, act in the dead of night and have no specific gender. Further south on the Hurtigruten route is the famous Trollfjord. This beautiful yet narrow fjord is surrounded by high mountain peaks up to 1,100 m above sea level, glaciers and beautiful waterfalls. Get ready for a breath-taking adventure. Keep your camera ready!
#10
Back to Svolvær
You will soon be back in Svolvær at 18:30, where this adventure started. I hope you have had a wonderful trip. Let’s take a moment to sum up: We have had a ferry crossing from Fiskebøl to Melbu, travelled along a Norwegian Scenic Route through landscapes, visited the Hurtigruten Museum, explored Stokmarknes on foot or by bike, sailed on the Hurtigruten and explored Norway’s most iconic northern fjord: Trollfjord. If you’re ready for dinner, you can enjoy a tasty meal onboard! Check the restaurant to see when dinner is being served. This southbound Hurtigruten ship will continue to its southern hub of Bergen, where it turns and heads north again! There are 13 ports of call between Svolvær and Bergen! The next port is Stamsund. We have an expression in Norwegian to describe the feeling of really looking forward to something. The rough English translation is “I'm so excited, I have butterflies in my stomach”! I hope you felt butterflies in your stomach today! Now it’s time for me to wish you all a pleasant evening! It has been an honour to guide you today! If you are looking for more exciting adventures in Lofoten, please check out our other activities.