E10 Lofoten Islands Road
Norway, europe
170 km
60 m
easy
June to August
The E10 through the Lofoten Islands in northern Norway is a 170-kilometer road connecting the mainland at Bjerkvik with the fishing village of A at the southwestern tip of the archipelago. The road crosses the dramatic island chain via a series of bridges, tunnels, and causeways, passing through a landscape of jagged granite peaks rising directly from the Norwegian Sea, sheltered fishing harbors, and white sand beaches.
The Lofoten Islands sit above the Arctic Circle yet enjoy a relatively mild climate thanks to the Gulf Stream. The E10 threads through villages where traditional red wooden fishing cabins (rorbuer) line the harbors, and where fish-drying racks (hjell) are loaded with cod in the spring. The road passes through several undersea tunnels, and the bridges spanning the narrow channels between islands offer spectacular views. In summer, the midnight sun bathes the mountains in golden light around the clock, while winter brings the northern lights. The final stretch to the village of A, with its preserved cod-liver oil factory and stockfish museum, is particularly atmospheric.
Where is it?
E10 Lofoten Islands Road is located in Nordland, Norway (europe). Coordinates: 68.2301, 14.5672
Driving Tips
Visit in late June for midnight sun or February for northern lights. Book rorbuer accommodations well in advance. The road is open year-round but winter driving requires studded tires. Stop at Reine for one of Norway's most iconic views.
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
Shipka Pass
🌍 Bulgaria
The Shipka Pass at 1,185 meters crosses the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) in central Bulgaria, connecting the Rose Valley town of Kazanlak with the city of Gabrovo on the northern side. The pass is one of the most historically significant mountain crossings in the Balkans, the site of fierce battles during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78 that led to Bulgaria's liberation from Ottoman rule. The road climbs through dense beech and oak forests with 17 hairpin bends on the southern approach. Near the summit stands the Freedom Monument (Shipka Memorial), a 31.5-meter stone tower commemorating the Bulgarian and Russian soldiers who held the pass against the Ottoman army. The views from the monument stretch across the Rose Valley, famous for its damask rose cultivation and the production of rose oil. On the northern side, the road descends through the Uzana area, a popular recreation zone. The Shipka-Buzludzha road is one of Bulgaria's most rewarding drives, combining dramatic mountain scenery with layers of history.
Susten Pass
🇨🇭 Switzerland
The Susten Pass (Sustenpass) at 2,224 meters is one of Switzerland's most beautiful alpine passes, connecting Innertkirchen in the Bernese Oberland with Wassen in the canton of Uri. The 45-kilometer road was built between 1938 and 1946 and is considered one of the finest examples of Swiss mountain road engineering, with sweeping curves, modern tunnels, and excellent surface quality throughout. The western approach from Innertkirchen is the more dramatic side, climbing through the Gadmental valley past waterfalls and the retreating Stein Glacier, which until recently was visible from the road. Near the summit, the road passes through a short tunnel before emerging at the pass where a restaurant and parking area offer views of the surrounding peaks. The eastern descent to Wassen features long, flowing curves through alpine meadows. Unlike the more famous Swiss passes, the Susten carries relatively little through-traffic since the Gotthard route handles most north-south travel, making it a favorite among driving enthusiasts for its quiet roads and exceptional scenery.
Inlandsvagen (Inland Road)
🌍 Sweden
The Inlandsvagen (Inland Road) is a 1,300-kilometer route running through the Swedish interior from Gothenburg in the south to Karesuando on the Finnish border in the north. Following the old Inlandsbanan railway corridor, it traverses the heart of Swedish Lapland and some of the most sparsely populated landscapes in Europe, passing through vast boreal forests, alongside crystal-clear lakes, and across the Arctic Circle. The route is a journey through Sweden's wilderness, far from the coastal cities. It passes through the Sami heartlands of Jokkmokk, famous for its winter market held since 1605, and the old mining town of Gallivare. The road crosses the Arctic Circle near Jokkmokk, marked by a roadside monument. In summer, the midnight sun illuminates the landscape around the clock, while winter brings deep snow and the northern lights. The forests are home to moose, reindeer, bears, and wolverines. The Inlandsvagen offers a meditative driving experience through one of Europe's last great wildernesses.
N2 (Estrada Nacional 2)
🇵🇹 Portugal
The Estrada Nacional 2 (EN2) is Portugal's longest road, running 738 kilometers from Chaves on the northern Spanish border to Faro on the Algarve coast in the south. Often called Portugal's Route 66, it traverses the entire length of the country through its rural heartland, passing through 35 municipalities and 11 districts, including some of the most remote and undiscovered landscapes in Western Europe. The road winds through the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley, the cork oak forests of the Alentejo, the granite villages of the Serra da Estrela (mainland Portugal's highest mountain range at 1,993 meters), and the rolling plains of the southern interior. Much of the route follows roads that have served as trade and pilgrimage paths for centuries. Unlike the modern motorways that connect Portugal's coastal cities, the EN2 passes through a slower, traditional Portugal of small towns, family-run restaurants, and landscapes largely unchanged for generations.