Røst – Birdlife, Island Trails and Fishing Culture

Røst is an island community surrounded by 365 islands, islets and reefs. When planning a hotel stay, you can consider nature, trails, fishing culture and events as different areas of focus. The places and activities below can help you choose when to travel and what you would like to explore.

Birdlife and scenery on Røst

Røst lies next to one of Europe’s largest seabird colonies. Around 350,000 pairs of puffins breed on the bird cliffs. The Røstlandet nature reserve includes wetlands, heathland and pasture, and is home to a diverse range of birdlife. The island’s elevation also shapes its landscape: the highest point on Røstlandet is just over 11 metres high.

In spring and summer, trips to the bird cliffs are offered on Røst. Røst Rib also runs a boat tour on the sea around Røst, where you can experience the rich birdlife at close range. Availability and tours are weather-dependent and may change; check these details before making specific plans. The Fuglekikkerbua birdwatching hide at Sandbergan lets you watch birds even in bad weather.

Island trails and their conditions

The blue-marked trail from Røstlandet to Åndhammarn is about 1.5 kilometres each way and suitable for everyone. It passes old church ruins dating from 1835 and reaches the highest viewpoint on Røstlandet. If you want to choose a specific route, this trail has a stated distance and destination.

The red-marked trail from Åndhammarn to Ystøran requires more care: it can be covered by water at high tide. Take the tide into account when planning and check current trail conditions. The protected natural area along the rest of the route to Ystøran is used as sheep pasture and is an important area for bird migration. A trail to the shelter at Kvalvågsletta starts at the old cemetery and has been adapted for people with reduced mobility. Check local conditions in advance for this trail, too.

Churches, fishing and events

Historic buildings include Gammelkirka, dating from 1839 in the north of the island, and Røst kirke, a wooden long church inaugurated in 1900. The altarpiece in Røst kirke dates from around 1520. Skomvær fyrstasjon in Røst municipality is designated as a visitor lighthouse and has been protected under Norway’s Cultural Heritage Act since 1999. If you plan to visit, check current visiting arrangements in advance.

During the Lofotfisket fishing season from February to April, Røst is one of the most important fishing villages; at this time, the sea is full of fish, the harbour is full of boats and the island is full of life. Event dates also mark the seasons: Lundefestivalen takes place every year on the weekend around Midsummer’s Day in June. The programme includes art, culture, food, talks, activities for all ages, dancing and entertainment. Querinifest takes place on the first weekend in August and focuses on singing, stockfish and local food.

In summer, several of the six fish-processing businesses show visitors this year’s stockfish production and offer samples. This seasonal opportunity adds a hands-on experience of stockfish production and flavour to the broader picture of fishing culture.

Plan cycling trips and travel

The flat terrain on Røst makes cycling easy, even for less experienced cyclists. Bikes are available to rent at the reception of Røst Bryggehotell; check availability before making plans. Røst Bryggehotell also offers a guided bus tour around the entire island. Check in advance for tour times and booking details.

Røst can be reached by plane from Bodø or Svolvær. The ferry route to Røst goes via Bodø, Værøy and Moskenes. As routes and timetables can change, check current connections before travelling. This will help you coordinate your journey with seasonal activities and the island trails that suit you.

For the main travel overview: Røst.