Reinebringen is famous for its stunning views over the Lofoten Islands, and in the summer, it’s considered a relatively straightforward hike thanks to the Sherpa stairs, which make the climb much easier. But—and this is a big but—it’s a completely different story in winter.
As soon as the weather turns cold, the trail transforms, becoming slippery, icy, and way more dangerous.
Did you know that in the winter of 2023 alone, over 1,600 hikers ignored warnings and attempted Reinebringen despite treacherous conditions?
The result: multiple rescues, including dramatic helicopter operations where tourists were stuck on an icy ridge in a snowstorm.
Back in 2022, there was some backlash when a tourist got stuck on Reinebringen, and Visit Lofoten came under fire for featuring a winter photo of the mountain on their website. In response, they removed the image.
We’ve chosen to include a winter photo (yes, it’s a stock image) to show Reinebringen’s iconic view, making it instantly recognizable. However, removing winter images altogether isn’t going to prevent people from attempting the hike. With so much information circulating on social media, simply pretending the problem doesn’t exist isn’t a solution.
Instead of burying our heads in the sand, we believe the right approach is transparency: show the beauty of Reinebringen in winter with clear warnings. Rather than assuming everyone will get stuck or injured, we aim to provide proper guidance.
There are experienced hikers, skiers, and climbers who have the knowledge, skills, and gear to tackle Reinebringen in winter. If you’re comfortable skiing down Stornappstinden, you probably have the expertise (and equipment) to handle winter conditions on Reinebringen.
The real issue is the large number of inexperienced, ill-prepared hikers drawn to the mountain by social media images. They often have more confidence than information, leading to avoidable accidents.
So, while not every attempt to climb Reinebringen in winter is doomed, let’s be honest—this climb is not for everyone in winter. It’s a serious undertaking with objective dangers, and it’s important to know your limits.
Reinebringen is originally a summer trail, but many tourists consider it a year-round hike due to the widespread exposure through images on social media.
To prevent accidents and rescue operations, the Moskenes municipality placed a chain at the trailhead last autumn (2023).
The chain will be in place from some time in October until the end of April each year.
This is a clear signal that the trail is unsafe during winter due to icy and unpredictable conditions. So, if you plan to hike Reinebringen, save it for the summer and stay safe out there!
“We can’t stop people from hiking Reinebringen in winter, but the chain at the trail entrance shows just how risky it is. Lofoten’s weather changes fast, so even if the conditions seem fine, the chain stays up as a precaution. Ice can form on the stairs unexpectedly, and snow or rock slides are always risky. We can’t predict these dangers with certainty, which is why the chain remains in place throughout the whole winter.”
– Moskenes municipality
The peak on the left side of the picture is Reinebringen. The trail starts from the mountain’s opposite side but is still very steep.
Not so long ago, Reinebringen was considered one of the most dangerous trails in Lofoten, and that was during summer.
The combination of the trail’s steepness, muddy conditions, and severe erosion made it risky, with hikers regularly dislodging rocks that fell on those below. There was even talk of closing the trail entirely.
Instead, the Sherpa stairs were built to improve safety, and they worked—at least for the summer months.
However, this has shifted the safety issues to winter, as many now perceive Reinebringen as an easy, year-round hike, which couldn’t be further from the truth.
The trail is challenging in winter, with ice and snow making the stairs slippery and dangerous.
So, while the stairs helped reduce accidents in summer, they haven’t eliminated the risks, especially in the colder months.
The problem with Reinebringen isn’t just the winter conditions, it’s the fact that the trail draws in hikers who aren’t prepared for the challenges.
Yes, people can and do climb Reinebringen in winter—there are much harder mountains being climbed.
However, the issue is that many hikers heading up Reinebringen in winter don’t know how to assess the risks, such as steepness, icy surfaces, or avalanche dangers.
Worse, they go without essential equipment, like crampons or ice axes on difficult days, or microspikes on less extreme days.
There are definitely people who can handle Reinebringen in winter—they know the conditions, have the right gear, and have the experience to back it up.
But are you sure you’re one of them?
⚠️ Steep Climb: Reinebringen is challenging for many, even on a good day. In winter, it’s even harder. The Sherpa stairs, which generally make the hike more manageable, can disappear under snow, leaving you with a steep, unmarked trail, especially in the uppermoast section. It is easier to go up than down.
⚠️ Hidden Ice: What looks like soft snow often hides a layer of ice underneath, making the trail dangerously slippery. If you take one wrong step, you could easily fall.
⚠️ Exposed Ridge: The ridge at the top is narrow and exposed and gets incredibly slick in winter. Combine that with the risk of strong winds, and it’s a recipe for serious danger. The weather at the top is often much worse than at the trailhead, and many hikers get caught off guard by gale-force winds after failing to check the weather forecast.
⚠️ Avalanche Zones: Parts of the trail cross areas prone to snow and rock avalanches. Do you know where to check for avalanche danger? And more importantly, do you know how to read the terrain and conditions? If the answer is no, you probably shouldn’t be up there. Understanding avalanche risk requires more than just a weather app—it’s about knowing how the snowpack has developed, what the wind has been doing, and recognizing warning signs in the terrain.
⚠️ Lack of Equipment:
Most people who attempt Reinebringen in winter aren’t ready for the conditions they’ll face. Having the right gear, like microspikes and hiking poles, can significantly lower your risk on those “easier” winter days. They give you better grip and stability, helping you manage the icy and slick trail.
That said, when conditions get tougher, Reinebringen becomes off-limits for most hikers. For experienced climbers, though, it shifts from a hike to a serious climb, requiring gear like ice axes and crampons. It’s not just about the trail—it’s about having the skills and the equipment!
How to read the weather forecast in Lofoten?
January 5 & 23, 2023
Back in January 2023, a South Korean tourist found himself stuck in a full-blown storm with zero visibility on Reinebringen. He went for it anyway despite repeated warnings from the municipality and local tourism businesses about not hiking Reinebringen in winter.
After getting stranded on the ridge, a rescue helicopter tried twice to reach him but couldn’t land due to the brutal weather. Eventually, a team from Svolvær Alpine Rescue had to hike up the mountain to get him. The tourist spent hours up there in the freezing cold, with strong winds battering him from all sides.
Thankfully, the rescue team reached him in time, and he got off the mountain without injury.
This happened just two weeks after another hiker had to be airlifted from the same ridge. Here, you can see his IG video showing the conditions on the top.
The title of the newspaper article says: “It is pure madness, and it is life-threatening!”
March 10, 2024
An international tourist reported being stuck near the top of Reinebringen. The conditions had become too slippery and dark for him to descend safely, so a helicopter was dispatched to bring him down.
Here, you can see the video from the rescue helicopter.
March 28, 2024
At the end of March 2024, despite several warnings, signs, and barriers in place, five Chinese tourists attempted to hike up Reinebringen. During the hike, one person from the group slipped and fell. The person was too scared to move after the fall, and the others didn’t dare get close either.
Given the severe conditions, including the high risk of avalanches and icy terrain, the local Red Cross was hesitant about ascending the mountain to assist the stranded tourists.
Eventually, a SAR Queen rescue helicopter had to be dispatched from Bodø to airlift all five tourists off the mountain safely.
April 16, 2024
In April 2024, four German tourists found themselves stuck on Reinebringen and unable to get down. They called for assistance, and a SAR Queen helicopter was sent to the scene.
There have been more rescue missions on Reinebringen than the few I’ve mentioned here, but I think you get the picture.
Back in the winter of 2021, Reinebringen saw a truly tragic event when two women in their 20s went hiking, and one of them tragically slipped and fell.
This happened just before Christmas, and although there wasn’t much snow on the mountain, which might have given them a false sense of security, the conditions were still extremely dangerous.
Remember that even without deep snow, icy patches can form, especially higher up on the trail, making it just as risky.
This sad incident is a harsh reminder that Reinebringen’s terrain is unpredictable year-round, and the mountain deserves your respect no matter how the weather might look.
In December 2021, a tragic incident occurred when a young woman slipped on her way down from the mountain, resulting in a fatal outcome.
Are you looking for a safer alternative to Reinebringen?
A device installed near the start of the Reinebringen trail counts the number of people passing through daily. Despite all the warnings and the chain blocking the trail, the number of people attempting the hike this winter has been surprisingly high.
According to the data from the counter, between January 1 and March 12, 2024—while the trail was officially closed—there were 3,207 passes. Assuming each person passed it twice (once going up and once down), that’s over 1,600 people who ignored the warnings and went up the mountain.
There were 404 passes on March 9 alone, meaning that roughly 200 people went to Reinebringen on that single day!
As someone who works at the tourist information center in Reine, I’ve met many of these hikers.
My colleagues and I always explain the conditions and the dangers to them. Some people thank us and ask for alternative suggestions (like joining Ivar on a guided tour to Ryten, for example), while others refuse to listen and say they’ll do it anyway.
Some people turn around at the trailhead, others make it halfway, and some make it all the way to the top, only to realize that descending is much trickier than going up.
I can’t even count how many times I’ve heard, “We should have listened to you. It was scary and dangerous.”
When I’m at the tourist information center, and someone asks about hiking Reinebringen in winter, I try to ask them how they came up with the idea and what they know about the hike.
Their answer is the same 99% of the time: they saw pictures on social media.
The tricky thing with social media posts is that they never tell the full story. They never say, “Hey, I’ve done it, but I know what I’m doing, and it’s probably not a good idea for you unless:
You’re an experienced hiker, skier, or climber who knows what you’re doing in winter conditions,
👉 The weather and conditions are good
👉 There’s no avalanche danger or hidden ice
👉 And you have the proper gear
I honestly believe influencers should carry some responsibility when promoting hikes like Reinebringen.
And with some, being called out on it actually worked—like this post from a Norwegian influencer who eventually added a disclosure about the dangers of the trail instead of just raving about the “cotton candy sky.”
Influencers can have a huge impact, but they need to make sure they’re sending the right message, especially when it comes to safety.
It’s also important not to rely on influencers who’ve only been to Lofoten once. Sure, it might have been totally fine to hike Reinebringen in February 2022 since we had no snow for about three weeks straight. But will the conditions be the same during your visit? Who knows?
So, instead of trusting influencers, talk to the locals. They live here, know the terrain, and, most importantly, understand Lofoten’s unpredictable weather. And when they give you advice—take it seriously!
However, take “locals” with a pinch of salt, too. Just because a local brand posts a stunning winter video from Reinebringen doesn’t mean they have any clue what’s actually going on.
Many brands schedule content in advance and many social media posts are run by influencers who spend a few days in Lofoten just to grab some photos and videos. They post them later while chilling in Bali, completely out of touch with Lofoten’s real-time conditions.
On more than one occasion, a local brand posted a dreamy “who would you share this view with?” caption on a Reinebringen winter video—while a blizzard was hitting and a rescue operation was going on.
So, if you want advice, don’t trust an influencer’s post—ask at the reception or head to the tourist information for real, up-to-date information.
Want to learn more about hiking in Lofoten
Winter days can sometimes offer safe conditions for hiking up Reinebringen, but only if several important factors align.
First, you must have winter hiking/climbing experience and the right gear—depending on the day, crampons or at least microspikes are a must.
Secondly, make sure the weather on the day of your hike is clear and that recent weather hasn’t increased avalanche risk (snowfall can hide dangerous layers of ice).
If you tick all those boxes—experience, good conditions, and the right gear—you might have a somewhat safe hike. But ask yourself honestly, do you tick all those boxes?
During the summer months of 2023 and 2024, trail guards were stationed at Reinebringen to help hikers and check on those heading up the trail. They did a fantastic job of ensuring people were aware of the conditions and risks involved.
But here’s the issue—these trail guards only work until the end of September.
So when it’s most crucial to have someone at the trailhead during the riskier autumn, winter, and spring months, there’s no one there to give you a heads-up.
All you’re left with is the chain at the entrance, which is a clear sign telling you it’s not a good idea to go up.
In Norway, we take our “right to roam” seriously, so you won’t find signs outright banning winter hikes on Reinebringen. Instead, the chain comes with a sign that strongly advises against hiking past that point.
In typical Norwegian fashion, that’s our way of saying, “We really don’t want you hiking here in winter—please respect that!”
We offer guided winter and snowshoe hikes for those who want a safer alternative to Reinebringen in the colder months. Whether you’re up for a more advanced trip to Ryten or prefer an easier, mostly flat hike close to Reine, there’s something for everyone.
We also rent out microspikes and snowshoes, which are essential for staying safe on the trails in winter. You can pick up a gear in Reine, Sørvågen, or close to Fredvang at the parking for Ryten and Kvalvika in Innerdsand.
To be clear, Reinebringen is not the most dangerous mountain in Lofoten. If it were, we’d be writing a similar article about many other hikes like Munkebu and Munken, Tindstinden, Fløya, Festvågtinden, and Stornappstinden, which are just as, if not more, dangerous than Reinebringen.
The real issue is that Reinebringen attracts many inexperienced, under-equipped people with little knowledge of the risks. It’s not that hiking in winter is impossible—it’s just risky for most people.
How to get to Lofoten: Fly to Svolvær, Leknes (local airports), Bodø, or Harstad/Narvik (bigger airports nearby). You can also travel to Lofoten from Tromsø.
Renting a Car in Lofoten: You can compare the prices for the big car rental agencies like Hertz, Avis, or Budget at the airports in Svolvær, Leknes, Narvik, or Bodø. We also recommend local car rental agencies like Rent a Car Moskenes (located at the ferry terminal in Moskenes) or Lofoten Rental Car (located in Svolvær).
Where to stay in Lofoten: We highly recommend choosing one basecamp in the western part of Lofoten and another in the east. Avoid changing accommodations every single day. It’s not good for the environment or enjoyable for you, and it burdens accommodation providers financially. Slow down and explore more!
Stay in traditional fishermen’s cabins!
🏚️ Å rorbuer, Å Hamna rorbuer (Å)
🏚️ Reine rorbuer, Eliassen rorbuer, Rostad retro rorbuer (Reine and surroundings)
🏚️ Nusfjord Arctic Resort (Nusfjord)
🏚️ Svinøya Rorbuer (Svolvær)
🏚️ Lofoten Rorbuer (Svolvær) (Note: not a typical red or yellow wooden fishermen cabin, but super friendly owners and managers, convenient location, and possibility to rent a boat!)
Check out these unique accommodations with interesting concepts:
🥰 Furu Hostel (Knutstad, halfway between Leknes and Svolvær)
🥰 Skårungen (Kabelvåg, close to Svolvær)
🥰 Trevarefabrikken (Henningsvær)
🥰 Lofoten Planet Basecamp (Sørvågen, between Reine and Å)
Disclosure: We choose not to recommend Airbnb in Lofoten, as we believe it contributes to a challenging housing situation for those seeking permanent residence. We, too, face difficulties finding a year-round rental where we would not be asked to move out for the summer.
Top winter activities in western Lofoten (around Reine):
Top winter activities in eastern Lofoten (around Svolvaer):
What to pack:
Check out our Lofoten winter packing guide, which applies to northern Norway in general and Scandinavian regions.
Do you encounter a similar issue where you’re from? Tourists attempt to reach a location despite locals knowing it’s unsafe. If so, how do local authorities address this situation? Let us know in the comments!
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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What a great article! I’ve been in Reinebringen a few times, and I agree that you should skip it in winter!