Lofoten Handbook

Reinebringen hike

A short, steep climb on stone Sherpa steps to a viewpoint above Reine and Reinefjorden in Moskenes. Visit Lofoten lists it as a May–September hike and advises strongly against it in winter; Moskenes municipality closes the stairs for the snow season.

Last verified 16 September 2026

Reine

Trail

  • Trailhead. Reinebringen trailhead, Ramsvik tunnel, 8390 Reine; parking at Ytre Havn, Reine
  • Distance. 2 km round trip from the trailhead (Visit Lofoten); 5.8 km round trip from Ytre Havn parking (Reinebringen AS)
  • Time. about 1–2 hours
  • Season. May–September
  • Difficulty. Medium and demanding
  • Steps. Visit Lofoten: 1,974 steps as of January 2024. Reinebringen AS: 1,560 steps, completed in 2019, with the last hundred metres to the top without stairs.

Why do it

The view from the top takes in Reine and the surrounding fjords and peaks, reached by a built stairway rather than an open mountain path for almost the whole way.

Where

Visit Lofoten gives the starting point as the Reinebringen trailhead by the Ramsvik tunnel (8390 Reine). Park at the Ytre Havn (outer harbour) car park in Reine, walk through Reine to Reinehalsen, then along the E10 towards Å and follow the old road outside the tunnel on the left, outside the road fence; Visit Lofoten puts this walk at about 30 minutes (1.9 km). Nearest bus stop: 'Reine kryss'.

Best time

May–September (Visit Lofoten). Reinebringen AS suggests early morning or late evening in summer to avoid crowds; Visit Lofoten mentions the midnight sun season. The stairs are closed for winter: Lofot-Tidende reported the closure on 14 November 2025, citing Moskenes municipality, and Lofotposten reported on 5 May 2026 that the chain closing the stairs had been removed.

How long it takes

Visit Lofoten guide: about 1–2 hours; 2 km round trip from the trailhead; 484 m above sea level (Visit Lofoten's 10 popular hikes page and reinebringen.no give 448 m). Reinebringen AS gives 5.8 km round trip from the Ytre Havn car park with 484 m of elevation gain.

Who it suits

Not suitable for small children or dogs (Visit Lofoten; Reinebringen AS), and Reinebringen AS advises against child carriers because of congestion. Steep, exposed and airy in places; people with knee or heart problems or low fitness should think carefully (Reinebringen AS).

Practical information

  • Wind over 10 m/s makes the hike particularly dangerous, especially at the top; avoid strong wind, fog and rain (Reinebringen AS).
  • No water or toilets on the trail; use the toilet before starting and carry water (Visit Lofoten; Reinebringen AS).
  • No bins on the route; carry all rubbish down (Reinebringen AS).
  • Wear hiking boots with good grip; running shoes with poor grip are a common cause of falls (Reinebringen AS).
  • Reinebringen AS's Plan your hike page tells hikers they are 'one of 300,000 visitors to Reinebringen this year'.

Rules and closures

  • Winter closure of the stairs by Moskenes municipality (closed 14 Nov 2025; reopened by 5 May 2026 per local press). The municipality said snow, slippery steps and the risk of slides were the reason.
  • Not recommended in winter conditions: avalanche risk along the route and icy or snow-covered steps, and ice can form early in autumn (Reinebringen AS; Visit Lofoten).
  • Camping on Reinebringen is not permitted (Visit Lofoten FAQ).
  • Parking only in designated places; parking along the main road, in passing places or in nature is prohibited and enforced by the municipality (Reinebringen AS).
  • Drones are not prohibited, but Reinebringen AS asks hikers to consider carefully whether to fly one in crowded areas.
  • The path may be closed at times for work on the steps; check the Reinebringen website or Facebook page or the tourist information (Visit Lofoten).

Where sources differ

  • Summit height 484 m (Visit Lofoten guide) vs 448 m (Visit Lofoten 10 popular hikes, reinebringen.no About). Reinebringen AS's Plan your hike page gives 484 m as elevation gain from Ytre Havn parking, not as summit height.
  • Step count 1,974 (Visit Lofoten, Jan 2024) vs 1,560 (reinebringen.no).
  • Duration 1–2 h (Visit Lofoten guide) vs 1–1.5 h (Visit Lofoten 10 popular hikes).

Where to stay in Reine

  • Andøy Vest Rorbuer

    Rorbu in Reine

    Five self-catering rorbu cabins and cottages at Andøy on the edge of Reine, sleeping four to eight, each with a fireplace, a kitchen and a private terrace.

    • Sea view
    • Northern lights
    • Couples
    • Families
    Price
    Check current price

  • Lofoten Bed & Breakfast

    Guesthouse in Reine

    A bed and breakfast in Reine village in a converted 1948 power-company office, with single, twin and family rooms and a three-bedroom apartment, breakfast included.

    • Families
    Price
    Check current price

  • May's

    Apartment in Reine

    Family-run modern apartments in Reine village, with studios for one or two and two-storey units with two bedrooms, plus Maybua, a two-bedroom cabin at the water's edge with a wood stove.

    • Couples
    • Families
    • Kitchen
    Price
    Check current price

Itineraries that include it

Questions

How long does the Reinebringen hike take?
Visit Lofoten gives about 1–2 hours for the 2 km round trip from the trailhead to the 484-metre summit (Visit Lofoten's 10 popular hikes page and Reinebringen AS give 448 m), graded medium to demanding. Allow extra time if you park in Reine's outer harbour, as the walk to the trailhead is about 30 minutes each way.
Can you hike Reinebringen in winter?
Visit Lofoten strongly advises against it. The hiking season is May to September, and for safety reasons it is strictly not recommended in the winter season; with snow in the mountains, the page asks hikers to watch its safety video first. In summer it is steep but follows stone steps, and Visit Lofoten warns of crowds, especially in July.
Where do you park for Reinebringen?
At the designated Ytre Havn car park in Reine: follow the road into Reine and turn right at the Circle K. Parking along the E10, in passing places or in private driveways is not allowed.
Is Reinebringen suitable for children or dogs?
Local guidance advises against bringing small children or dogs: the steps are steep and crowded and the summit area is small.
How many steps are there on Reinebringen?
Visit Lofoten says the stone path built by Sherpas had 1,974 steps as of January 2024 (Reinebringen AS gives 1,560), with benches for resting along the way. Work on the steps has closed the path at times, so check the Reinebringen website or Facebook page, or the tourist information in Reine, before you go.
Is Reinebringen suitable for children, dogs or people afraid of heights?
Visit Lofoten says Reinebringen is not suitable for small children or dogs. The path is very steep, with exposed sections, although most of it follows built steps. Older children used to steep mountain hiking can manage it, but the summit area is small and gets crowded on sunny days.
Where is Reinebringen and where do you park?
Reinebringen (484 m) rises above Reine on Moskenesøya. The trailhead is by the Ramsvik tunnel; park at the Reinebringen car park in Reine's outer harbour and walk about 30 minutes, 1.9 km, through Reine and along the old road outside the tunnel. The nearest bus stop is Reine kryss.
Can you camp on top of Reinebringen?
No. Camping on Reinebringen is not allowed under Lofoten's outdoor regulations, because the summit has very little space and tents would block access for the roughly 45,000 people who visit each year. Visit Lofoten's tourist map shows where you can pitch a tent instead.

Sources

Details last verified 16 September 2026.