The Lofoten Islands stretch some 200km into the Arctic Circle — mountains rising straight out of the ocean towards the sky, shaped and exposed by millennia of crashing waves, ice and snow. It is a fairytale landscape, and we can't think of a more extraordinary place for a trail running adventure.
Our home for the week is the sailing vessel Moondance — a durable 9-berth expedition ship. Each day we drop anchor in a different bay, make our way ashore and run a jaw-dropping trail from one fjord to the next, where Moondance will be waiting on the other side. No two days are the same. Destinations include Kjerringøy, Nordskot, Nusfjord, Henningsvær and the remote island of Værøy — only accessible by boat.
Daily trail distances are flexible — roughly 8–15km — and can be adapted to suit the group. This is a genuinely unique way to explore one of the world's most spectacular wilderness areas, combining two of the greatest freedoms there are: running and sailing.
A 56ft custom Dutch Koopmans expedition sailing ship — built for Arctic conditions and one-of-a-kind adventures. The design is based on Dick Koopmans' own "De Jager," winner of the Round of Britain 2006. Moondance is a true sailing boat with a spacious cockpit, roomy central lounge (3m high), hot shower, heating, ample storage and a shared guest cabin for up to 6 runners. Cosy, capable and perfectly suited for off-grid exploration.
Chat directly with Charlie — no pressure, no sales pitch. Just an honest conversation about whether Lofoten Trail & Sail is the right adventure for you.
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Fly to Bodø Airport, which is well connected via Oslo to airports across the world. We strongly recommend considering the Arctic Circle train from Trondheim to Bodø — it's a bucket-list journey in its own right. You can fly directly to Trondheim from the UK and take the train from there, with the full journey taking around 11 hours from London.
More information about the Nordlandsbanen train route is available at sj.no.
On arrival into Bodø you'll need to make your way to the harbour, which is a short 10-minute walk or a quick taxi ride from the airport. From here you'll board Moondance and your adventure begins.
At the end of the trip we disembark at the same spot, making it easy to get back to the airport for your onward journey.
British, American and Australian citizens can enter and remain in Norway for a maximum of 90 days in every 6-month period without a visa. A visa is not required for other EU passport holders either. We recommend checking the latest entry requirements for your nationality before booking.
We will send you a complete packing list well in advance of the trip so you are clear on exactly what to bring. If you have any questions in the meantime, just drop us a message at explore@pure-trails.com.
Experience in running is a must, but our trips are designed for a broad range of running levels. The best thing about this adventure is its flexibility — every trail can be adapted. Each location offers different trail options ranging from easy to challenging, and your guide will shape the route around the group's skill and fitness level.
Most importantly, our goal is not to run a race but for everybody to experience a beautiful journey.
Living on a sailing vessel is unlike any other type of holiday. We are dependent on the elements, which requires a flexible attitude towards the programme, the people and expectations. The captain guides all decisions and asks for input from the group — guests tend to feel most involved when they participate in everyday activities on board.
We always ask for a flexible and proactive attitude. The space can sometimes feel cosy, which is why we'll regularly check in with you to make sure everything is meeting your expectations. It's an expedition in every sense — and that's exactly what makes it special.