Reinebringen is one of Lofoten’s crown jewels, offering breathtaking views of Reine and Reinefjorden that attract around 250,000 visitors every year. If you’ve hiked up those famous Sherpa stairs, you know it’s not an easy feat, but the reward at the top is unforgettable.
Now, there’s a proposal to make that view more accessible—a cable car.
Yes, you read that right: a gondola lift that could take you from the base of the mountain to a new viewpoint. While it sounds convenient, it’s sparked quite a debate here in Moskenes municipality.
The gondola and expanded infrastructure are being planned for visitors like you—to make Reinebringen more accessible.
But is this really what you want?
The landowner of Reinebringen (yes, Reinebringen is privately owned), Hartvig Magnus Sverdrup, has proposed building a gondola with two cabins to shuttle visitors up and down the mountainside.
The goal is to make the iconic view more accessible to everyone, including those who can’t—or prefer not to—take on the challenging hike.
The project includes:
🚡 A cable car station with toilets, an information center, and other facilities.
🚡 Expanded parking areas to handle more visitors.
🚡 Improved safety measures and new options for experiencing the iconic view.
According to Sverdrup, the cable car could solve some big problems related to Reinebringen, like:
👥 Overcrowding: The Sherpa stairs are already overwhelmed with visitors.
👥 Safety: Rescues during winter are far too common, with hikers underestimating the dangers of the trail in winter.
👥 Environmental impact: Centralizing facilities could reduce litter, human waste, and trail damage.
“The cable car could position the area as an attractive destination for travelers seeking nature experiences with modern and environmentally friendly solutions, thereby attracting investments and further development. This could help strengthen both the local community and the economy while also safeguarding the interests of nature and the local population.”
It’s also pitched as a way to extend the tourist season, create year-round jobs, and strengthen Lofoten’s position as a destination for “sustainable tourism.”
(I am sorry, but I had to put “sustainable tourism” in quotation marks. Calling such a development “sustainable” feels like a stretch. In our opinion, true sustainability should prioritize preserving the natural character of the area for future generations—not just managing its popularity in the short term.)
Well, not everyone thinks so. While some see the potential benefits, many locals have raised serious concerns:
Reinefjorden and its surroundings aren’t just beautiful—they’re iconic. This area, framed by granite peaks and mirrored in turquoise waters, is a living postcard that draws visitors from around the world.
In our opinion, it’s so unique and irreplaceable that it deserves protection as a cultural and natural heritage zone.
A proposal to build a cable car and expanded parking in this delicate environment feels like crossing a line. The very elements that make this place special are at risk of being overshadowed by man-made structures.
Turning Reinefjorden into a site of large-scale development sets a dangerous precedent.
Once the door is opened to cable cars and large parking lots, where does it stop?
❓Should we start filling up Reinefjorden to accommodate more? More buildings, more parking spaces—at what cost?
Another project that’s been under consideration in recent years involves filling an area of 9,000 square meters (nine decares) with 50,000 cubic meters of material to develop it into a shopping mall with parking facilities.
Is this the direction we want to take in one of Norway’s most iconic and treasured landscapes?
Let’s be honest—Reinebringen is no longer the quiet, off-the-beaten-path spot it once was.
Its popularity has exploded, with around 250,000 visitors a year, and it’s easy to see why. The view from the top is breathtaking, and for many, it’s the highlight of their trip to Lofoten.
But with popularity comes challenges.
How do we manage these growing numbers without ruining what makes the place special?
The proposal for a cable car and expanded parking might seem like a solution, but let’s think about what that actually means.
The view people climb those 1,500 Sherpa steps for would suddenly include…a parking lot.
Add in a shopping center, and the pristine, untouched vibe of Reinefjorden starts to disappear.
Instead of building massive structures to accommodate the crowds, why not focus on smarter, more sustainable solutions?
Timed entry systems, better parking management, and improvements to existing facilities could go a long way without fundamentally changing the area’s character.
We feel like Lofoten stands at a crossroads, faced with a choice between two fundamentally different approaches.
Should we expand the infrastructure to handle even bigger crowds, or is it time to have an honest conversation about limiting the number of visitors to protect the natural beauty and authenticity of these iconic places?
The gondola is part of a proposal considered in Moskenes’ new zoning plan.
It’s not a done deal—it’s up to the community and local government to decide.
This is the time for EVERYBODY to speak up.
Do we prioritize accessibility and development or focus on protecting the natural beauty and character of Reinebringen & Reinefjorden?
As a visitor to Lofoten, how would you feel about a cable car to Reinebringen?
Right now, we’re discussing building major infrastructure—for you, the tourists—to make Reinebringen more accessible. Yet no one is asking the most important question:
Is this really what tourists want?
Would you prefer easier access to Reinebringen mountain top, or do you see the construction of a cable car, expanded parking lots, and other facilities as the destruction of a place many consider a national treasure and one of the most iconic views in the world?
PS: I’m sure you can tell from the article where we stand on this proposal. However, all opinions are welcome—as long as they’re shared respectfully.
This is an important conversation, and we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Let us know in the comments! 😊 🌄
In addition to our own opinions, the information in this article has been sourced from local newspapers, Lofotposten and Lofot-Tidende:
Lofotposten: Proposing a gondola to Reinebringen—experience the world-famous view in a safer way
Hi! We are Ivar & Radka, an international couple who runs the Guide to Lofoten. We met in Trondheim and lived together in western Norway, Narvik and Tromsø. At the moment we call western Lofoten our home. We hope our page will make it easier for you to explore the beautiful places that made us chose Norway for our home.
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Hi! We are Ivar & Radka, an international couple who runs the Guide to Lofoten.
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