Bodø - Narvik through the wilderness

From Bodø to Narvik – Through the Wilderness

When someone says, "I'm heading north of the Arctic Circle," most of us probably imagine snow, freezing temperatures, endless darkness, and maybe even polar bears. What else could the far north possibly have to offer? Fortunately, the reality is a little less extreme. Bodø and Narvik are two Norwegian cities located well above the 51st parallel, and they are also the destinations of our upcoming adventure. So, what is it really like up there? We'll find stunning, steep mountain peaks rising sharply from the northern ocean, wild beaches, waterfalls, and places where no trail exists. Untouched nature, or whatever remains of it, will be our home for the next few days of hiking.

The Beginning

The plan is to start in Bodø and first explore the surrounding mountains, where we'll have the chance to enjoy the ocean and its beaches. From there, we'll head into the wilderness, with Rago National Park serving as our gateway to the Swedish plateau. Here, we'll reconnect with a marked trail and make our way back towards the Norwegian mountains. We'll spend the rest of the trip travelling towards Narvik, where a flight back home awaits us.

Let's get started.

Day 01

Our first day, and we wake up dry inside a small shelter just outside the city. Today, we'll follow a mountain ridge with views of the ocean and the wild peaks surrounding Bodø. Eventually, we'll descend all the elevation we've worked so hard to gain and set up camp on a wild sandy beach, or somewhere nearby, depending on how much our legs will let us push on. It's a relatively easy warm-up to get us in the mood for Norwegian nature and the trail ahead.

Total distance and elevation:

• 24 km
• 800 m ascent
• 850 m descent

Day 02

I hope you've all had a chance to warm up by now. Today, we're in for a wilder hike with views of Sjunkhatten National Park. The more technically challenging route can also be bypassed by taking the road. But we're here to enjoy the adventure, including the little ridge waiting for us up top. Of course, this option is only on the table if the weather is stable :) and it can be skipped entirely.

Eventually, we'll hop on a bus and head towards Rago National Park.

Total distance and elevation:

• 18 km
• 850 m ascent
• 900 m descent

Another night sleeping warm inside a shelter.

Day 03

The day we enter Rago National Park. A national park that makes us feel as though we've somehow ended up in Alaska or Canada. A deep valley lined with waterfalls, cut through by a wild, azure-blue river. For us, this is the gateway to the Swedish wilderness and the trails that quite literally don't exist here. Welcome to Padjelanta National Park.

Total distance and elevation:

• 22 km
• 1,000 m ascent
• 400 m descent

On top of that, we have five days completely cut off from civilisation ahead of us, with absolutely no way to restock our food or sweets.

Day 04–05

Right in the middle of the wilderness, travelling through terrain without any markings, beaten paths, bridges — just proper, unfiltered wilderness. That's what days four and five are all about. We'll certainly encounter a few river crossings where we'll get wet, and we'll definitely experience that feeling of silence, stillness, and being lost among the hills, with only reindeer and the relentless wind for company. This is the kind of adventure you're unlikely to forget anytime soon.

Total distance and elevation:

• 40 km through wild terrain
• 15 km back on the trail
• 1,000 m ascent
• 900 m descent

Day 06–07

After that, we'll get to enjoy the Swedish wilderness a little longer before making our way off this vast plateau and back towards the jagged peaks of the Norwegian coast.

Total distance and elevation:

• 50 km
• 300 m ascent
• 1,100 m descent

On day seven, a boat will pick us up in the mountains. We'll finally get the chance to buy some extra snacks, while we let the untouched wilderness slowly fade into our memories.

Day 08–09

We'll hop on a bus and head towards Narvik, perhaps making a few stops along the way and squeezing in some day hikes. Even though there's no sensible route through this stretch, it would be a shame to miss it entirely. Eventually, we'll arrive in Narvik, where our journey comes to an end. All that remains is a flight to take us back home.