Backpacking and Couch Surfing in Lofoten

Hello, I am Marcus; student and amateur photographer from Germany.
I like to live and travel in a unique way.
In 2016, I decided to make a trip of self-discovery. I wanted to go to a place where I could be alone and think about my life in peace. So, I came across the Lofoten. I decided to explore the Lofoten by means of backpacking and couch surfing.

In August 2018 it was finally time. I got the necessary equipment and booked the flights. A friend and I flew from Berlin via Oslo to Bodo (300 €).
 
In Bodo itself we stayed for free with a student in a dorm through Couchsurfing. Couchsurfing is a site and community that millions of people from all over the world are registered with. With an honest and authentic text, we have wrote to five people and received one offer. A few days before departure, we then phoned our host. Everything was very straightforward and personal. Our host even cooked for us and went with us through the bars at night.
 
The next day we left our host and took the ferry from the mainland over to Lofoten, then Moskenes (22 €). There we set up our first camp by a lake in Sorvagen and bathed in a waterfall.
 
The next few days we hiked to Reine, Vinstedt, Kirkefjorden, Selffjorden, Ramberg, Lekness to Stamsund. During the hike we are also hitchhiked. 1x with French, 2x at Norway. Do not try to catch a ride with Germans. They will not stop for you.
 
​Most memorable was the overnight stay on the Tindstinden, where we had a fantastic view of the Atlantic and the small fishing village.

We had a very valuable experience in Vinstedt. There is a man who owns a yellow house at the ferry station and has been receiving travellers for free for over 20 years. He was our refuge during a weather change. So, we could stay with him with 10 other travellers from the USA, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Finland. It was impressive to read in his guestbooks and read so many messages from grateful people.

Other places on the trip were the Bunesstanden near Vinstedt, at the foot of Selffjorden, and the night near a ski jump at Lekness.

I can also recommend the Reinebringen and the Hermannsdalstinden.

In summary, Lofoten is a place to rest completely. People are relaxed, drivers are extremely considerate. Life is very decelerated here.

If you really want to see Norway, then here are my most important travel tips:
 
1. Uses the right of everyman and couch surfing
 
2. Always keep your rain jackets handy the weather can change within 10 minutes, weather forecasts are relatively unreliable (temperatures can range between 12-26 degrees.
 
3. Do not bring flashlight in the summer! Its unnecessary weight
 
4. Do not only explores hotspots, but also inconspicuous places.
 
5. Take 2 weeks to explore everything in peace

Author,

Written and photos by Marcus Wöckel:

I'm currently studying Electron Technology for Regenerative Energy Systems in cooperation with a local company in Germany near Leipzig.

Since realising that my time on earth is limited, I try to discover as much of her as possible. I enjoy travelling to remote places that I discovered while flying over the map.
 
Currently I have planned to create photo calendars of my travels.
 
If you find the idea cool and want to accompany me on my travels, you can just follow me on Instagram: @woeckel.marcus  
 
On Instagram you will also find more pictures and spots from the Norway trip
 
If you want to visit the eastern part of Germany contact me on Couchsurfing. (Marcus Wöckel)
 
I'm glad to hear from you
 
Marcus