The Lofoten Itinerary
In 2023, Lofoten Links debuted at #88 in the World Top 100 Rankings. But golf at one of the world’s most spectacular venues isn’t just about long drives and birdie putts. You can book a trip to the epic Lofoten Links through the ever reliable Golf Travel Centre.
Flight London to Oslo
Flight Oslo to Harstad-Narvik
Lofoten isn’t known for its accessibility, but nothing good ever comes easy. If you’re travelling from London you’ll need to make your way to Oslo, before hopping on a domestic flight to the north of the country.
Drive 1.5 hours from Harstad-Narvik to the Cabins at Skarungen
Its roughly a 3 hour drive to Lofoten from Harstad-Narvik. After a long day of travel, we wanted to split that up into digestible chunks. We stopped by the picturesque town of Svolvaer, inspected their ancient fish hanging constructions and strolled amongst the dark red wood clad cabins. From there we ventured slightly further west to the campsite at Skarungen. With amazing food and jaw dropping views across the sea inlet to the mountain tops on the far side. This might be the perfect place to wake up in the morning.
Drive 1.5 hours to Lofoten
The final portion of our journey was no chore, the drive through the mountains and fjords is nothing short of epic. Monumental feats of engineering connect the islands as you travel further west. Before we knew it, pin flags emerged from between the moss covered boulders.
Hike up Hoven
In a bid to get the muscles warm after a long day of travel, we opted for a hike up the iconic monolith that frames the golf course. Its a short hike, but a relatively steep one. The fruits of your labour are sweet though, the peak boasts an epic 360 degree view towards the fjords to the south and the shimmering Norwegian Sea to the north.
Swim and Sauna at the beach at Laven
The beach that lies in between the restaurant and the cabins at Lofoten Links is jaw dropping. Bright white sand brushes round the coastline, flanked at its edges by grey angular rock. For the full Scandinavian experience, book the wooden clad tube shaped sauna that sits at the back of the sandy bay. Sauna, sea, repeat.
Dinner at Laven
The restaurant Laven sits in a converted barn. High wooden ceilings are propped up by varnished tubes of timber, hanging from them are large oatmeal coloured drapes that kiss the floor. This is dinner in a Viking longship. The produce is painfully fresh, served by polite and knowledgeable waiters.
Stay in the Lofoten Links Cabins
There’s no better place to stay than the Lofoten Links cabins. Just a 2 minute drive from the first tee, these classic wooden clad cabins offer all the functionality the golfing adventurer needs. Multiple bedrooms, a kitted out kitchen and epic views of Hoven and the beach.
Breakfast at Laven
If you’ve got any sense, you’ll go back to Laven for breakfast. A classic Scandinavian buffet prepares you for the day ahead.
Golf at Lofoten Links
The opening three holes might be the most epic in the world, there I said it. With the Norwegian Sea lapping peacefully to your left, the first hole offers the perfect risk reward start. The second is perhaps the most iconic par 3 in Europe, a wedge shot to an island green on a rocky headland. The third demands a long drive across the bay to a green tucked further around the beach. And things don’t slow down.
More Golf at Lofoten Links
If the first 3 holes have your attention, you had better strap in. Hoven reflects in the eerily still, dark water hazards that flank the fairways on 8 and 9. The back nine stretches out to the east where the 13th turns to face the mountain in all its glory, demanding a fade to an impossibly narrow fairway. The holes ease as the round winds to a close.
Dinner at Trevarfabrikken
Slightly further south on the island of Henningsvaer, is the bar and pizza restaurant Trevarefabrikken. An open plan space, with distressed cement walls, stylish dark wood tables garnished with candles and dried flowers and excellent food. Outside people dive off the rocks into the water before rushing to the embrace of the sauna perched on the shore. Scandi delight.