The Kaiser Route, which is named after German Lofoten enthusiast, Kaiser Wilhelm II, starts in Svolvær. With a population of about 4,200 Svolvær is capital of the Lofoten Islands and a hub of communications. Route Description (220 km).
After leaving Svolvær you will see a lay-by just before reaching the tunnel. There is a good view of Svolvær from there.
Sildpollnes Church
This tiny, picturesque church on a promontory in the Austnesfjord is one of the most frequently photographed motifs in Lofoten.
Laukvik
This is the most charming fishing village on the northern side of the island of Austvågøya.
Grunnførfjorden and Delp
Beautiful, sandy beaches envelop the northern coast of the island of Austvågøya.
Detour
There is a marked trail from Delp to the top of Mount Matmora, 782 m above sea level. Known for its beautiful view.
The Island of Austvagøya
Morfjorden
Standing in the shifting sands at Sommarhus, you may imagine you are in Denmark, northern Germany or Holland, but this is Lofoten.
Holdøya, overlooking Vesterålen
After having driven through almost 4 km of tunnel, partly beneath the sea, and with two tunnels to go, we make a stop at Holdøya and look across towards Vesterålen.
Myrlandstranda Beach and Mount Møysalen
Mount Møysalen is 1,262 metres tall and is the highest mountain in Lofoten and Vesterålen.
Midnight Sun over Myrland
When the midnight sun disappears behind the peaks of Vesterålen, the mountains begin to glow and the sky is set ablaze, as seen here on July 1st at one o'clock in the morning.
The Raftsund Bridge
With a span of 298 metres, the Raftsundet Bridge is the world's longest cantilever bridge. It was opened in 1998 and links together the islands of Hinnøya and Austvågøya. The bridge makes an excellent vantage point for viewing the Raftsundet strait in both directions and the Coastal Voyage vessels and cruise ships that pass beneath it.
A couple of kilometres south of the Raftsundet strait there is a side road leading to Kongsmarka. The settlement is situated in a valley with a number of large lakes and is a good place for fishing and rambling. Cabin rental.
A Coastal Voyage Ship in the Raftsundet Strait
North and southbound Coastal Voyage ships cross the Raftsundet strait every day. This is the absolute highlight of the trip.
The only camp site in Raftsundet is found at Raften.
Trollfjorden seen from Tennstrand
The legendary Trollfjord is 2.5 km long and barely 100m wide at its narrowest. To the north the mountain wall rises up to heights of over 920 metres. It is easy to see where the fjord gets its name from, especially when it gets a little darker
The Coastal Voyage ships enter the Trollfjord twice a day during the summer. They can be seen from Tennstrand between 4.30 and 5.30 pm and 11.15 and 11.45 pm.
View of Lauksund
Once an important trading post in the middle of Raftsundet, today there is little left to remind us of former glory.
Digermulen
The "capital" of the Raftsundet area. In addition to a shop there is also a petrol station in Digermulen which has the same opening times as the shop.
Digermulkollen Hill
The 2-3 hour hike up to Digermulkollen hill and Keiservarden cairn, with the well-known Keiserblikk vantage point, starts in Digermulen.
The trail is very clearly marked, but you can also ask for details at the shop.
Valen
Approximately 2 km from Digermulen you will reach Valen, with its green meadows and large fields of rosebay willowherb. If you visit there during the flowering season, in mid July, the entire Raftsund area is ablaze with a gamut of incredible colours.
Christian-Ivar Hammerbeck's Atelier Trollfjord is well worth a visit. It is only a couple of minutes walk from the road to his house. A sign on the roadside let's you know if he is at home.
Pundslett
There are 365 islands in front of you, in the background the mainland and Hamarøya. It is a grand panorama, and if you are lucky you may see eagles and killer whales.
Årstein
Who would have expected to find such an incredibly beautiful and sheltered beach at the end of the Kaiser Route? And at the end of Årsteinveien road, Solbjørg and Håvard Jacobsen grow the world's best vegetables.
Holandshamn
This express passenger boat from Svolvær to Narvik docks here.
You will need to check the Hurtigruten Group timetables to see if and when the boat leaves. The boat to from Holandshamn to Vestbygda leaves from here.
Storfjell
This is where the road officially ends, but we recommend continuing along the Kjerringveien, a pleasant approx. 3 km long hiking trail.
The Storfjellveien road is well-known both at home and abroad because the old ladies who live there began to build the road themselves when the government refused to help them.
We follow the E10 along the Austnesfjord back to Svolvær.
A visit to the Trollfjord is possible on one of the many pleasure boats that depart from a number of different venues including Svolvær town square. A trip from Svolvær to Stokmarknes on the Coastal Voyage ship is even better. You pay on board, no reservations are necessary.
The Kaiser Route was developed and planned Johannes Steinbrück and Geir Svendsen, and adapted for the internet by Johannes Steinbrück.
Read more about the Raftsundet strait and the Kaiser Route at: www.digermulen.de
