E10 Lofoten Islands Road
Norway, europe
170 km
60 m
easy
June to August
# The E10 Through Lofoten: Norway's Most Stunning Island Hop
Picture this: a 170-kilometer ribbon of road weaving through one of the world's most dramatic island chains. The E10 kicks off at the mainland town of Bjerkvik and winds all the way out to the charming fishing village of A, sitting at the southwestern edge of the Lofoten Islands—and trust me, the journey is absolutely worth every kilometer.
What makes this drive so special? The road doesn't just connect the dots; it *dances* between islands via an impressive network of bridges, tunnels, and causeways. You're constantly surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery: jagged granite peaks that plunge straight into the Norwegian Sea, cozy harbors tucked between mountains, and genuinely gorgeous white sand beaches that seem to belong somewhere tropical—not above the Arctic Circle.
Here's the wild part: Lofoten is technically in the Arctic, but thanks to the Gulf Stream, it actually has a surprisingly mild climate. As you drive, you'll pass through postcard-perfect villages where traditional bright-red wooden fishing cabins (rorbuer) cluster around the water's edge, and where cod-drying racks (hjell) get loaded up with fresh catch each spring. Several undersea tunnels pepper the route, and every bridge crossing feels like a moment to pull over and just breathe in the views.
Timing matters here. Summer means the midnight sun hanging in the sky 24/7, turning everything golden. Winter? That's when the northern lights put on a show. The final stretch to village A is especially magical—home to a preserved cod-liver oil factory and a stockfish museum that'll transport you straight back to fishing's golden age.
Where is it?
E10 Lofoten Islands Road is located in Nordland, Norway (europe). Coordinates: 68.2301, 14.5672
Driving Tips
# Road Trip Tips for Norway's North
Head up there in late June if you want to experience the midnight sun—it's pretty magical. Or if you're more into the winter vibe, February is when you'll catch the northern lights dancing across the sky.
When it comes to places to stay, rorbuer (those traditional fishing cabins) are amazing and super popular, so book those early. Don't wait until the last minute or you might miss out.
The road stays open year-round, which is great, but heads up: if you're driving in winter, you'll need studded tires. It's not optional—just part of the deal for staying safe on snowy roads.
And definitely stop in Reine. Seriously, the views there are some of the most stunning you'll find in Norway. It's worth taking your time to soak it in.
Road Surface
Paved asphalt
Road Details
- Country
- Norway
- Continent
- europe
- Region
- Nordland
- Length
- 170 km
- Max Elevation
- 60 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Surface
- Paved asphalt
- Best Season
- June to August
- Coordinates
- 68.2301, 14.5672
Related Roads in europe
hardDriving the challenging steep road to Passo Muazz in Ticino
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Passo Muazz Ready for a Swiss mountain adventure? Passo Muazz sits at 1,700m (5,567ft) in Ticino's Blenio district, right near the Grisons border in the southern part of the region. Starting from the charming town of Ghirone at 1,252m, this 6.1 km (3.79 miles) route is definitely not for the faint of heart. You'll tackle 13 wickedly sharp hairpin turns while climbing 448 meters—that's an average gradient of 7.34%. The road's mostly paved, though you'll hit some gravel sections toward the end. The real magic? You'll pass Lago di Luzzone, a stunning high mountain lake at 1,606m that's home to the world's highest artificial climbing wall on its dam. Then things get serious: the road gets narrow, twists get tighter, and you'll enter the famously claustrophobic Carassina (or Luzzone) Tunnel. Built way back in 1963, it's probably the narrowest tunnel you'll ever drive through on a public road—pretty wild! After emerging from the tunnel, a final 500m of gravel road with a gentle climb gets you to Passo Muazz itself. Park up and soak in the views, or continue on to Lago di Carassino and the Capanna Adula mountain refuge if you're feeling the adventure vibes.
moderateA Wild Road to Cote Verbier-Les Savoleyres in Valais
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Côté Verbier-Les Savoleyres: A High-Alpine Adventure Ready for a proper mountain challenge? Côté Verbier-Les Savoleyres sits pretty at 2,374m (7,788ft) in Switzerland's Valais canton, just east of Martigny in the southwestern corner of the country. Here's the thing—this isn't your typical scenic drive. The road is completely unpaved and doubles as a chairlift service route, which means you'll absolutely need a sturdy 4x4 to tackle it. Starting from Col de la Croix de Coeur, you're looking at just 1.9 km (1.18 miles) of climbing, but don't let that fool you. You'll gain 202m of elevation with an impressive average gradient of 10.63%, so it's definitely steep. Nestled high in the Swiss Pennine Alps, this route dishes up some seriously stunning alpine scenery—but there's a catch. The road is only accessible from July through September, with weather conditions potentially extending or shortening that window. Come October, snow and ice lock it down until June rolls around again. If you're after that true high-altitude, off-the-beaten-path experience and you've got the right vehicle and skills to match, this peak is calling your name.
moderateIs the road to Bucanski Kamen in Serbia paved?
🌍 Serbia
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Serbian countryside, heading towards Bučanski Kamen. This mountain peak, sitting pretty at 1,143 meters, is nestled in the Tupižnica range in eastern Serbia. The road's mostly paved, though let's be real, it's seen better days – so brace yourself for a bit of a bumpy ride. The last stretch, just before the summit, turns to dirt, adding a touch of off-road adventure! Why make the trek? Well, the summit boasts a TV relay station overlooking Bučje, but more importantly, it's a paragliding paradise! The climb starts near Manjinac on Road 422 at 564 meters. It's a 7-kilometer push to the top, gaining 579 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of 8.27%, so your engine will definitely get a workout! Get ready for some incredible views and a truly memorable drive.
extremeColle di Sant'Anna di Vinadio
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: Colle di Sant'Anna di Vinadio, a seriously epic mountain pass straddling the French-Italian border in the Maritime Alps. We're talking 2,301 meters (7,549 feet) above sea level! Getting to the top, also called Pas de Saint-Anne, is an adventure in itself. The road? Well, "road" might be a generous term. Think gravel, rocks, bumps, and tilts – you get the picture. Winter? Forget about it, totally snowed in. This is strictly for experienced off-roaders; if you're not comfortable on rough, unpaved mountain tracks, maybe skip this one. Seriously, a 4x4 is a must. Oh, and heights? Yeah, there are some pretty sheer drops. And it's steep! This old military road can get pretty muddy and slick when it's wet. Plus, it's super narrow – one car at a time, folks! At the very top, there's another little gravel track leading to Col du Lausfer-Passo di Lausfer, even higher at 2,430 meters (7,972 feet). This whole area is a hiker's paradise, so maybe avoid peak times if you're not into crowds.