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?
Skip the planning and let us show you around. Join one of these small group tours.
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?
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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
No. There is currently no cable car or gondola to Reinebringen. The idea has been proposed as part of future development discussions in Moskenes, but visitors who want to reach the famous viewpoint currently have to hike up the mountain.
If you are planning to do the hike, read our complete guide to hiking Reinebringen, including information about the trail, parking and the nearly 2,000 Sherpa steps.
The cable car has been proposed, but that does not mean construction has been approved or that the gondola will definitely be built.
Development around Reinebringen is connected to the wider planning process in Moskenes municipality, and plans can change considerably before anything is eventually constructed.
At the moment, the only normal way to reach the famous Reinebringen viewpoint is on foot. The hike is approximately 5 km return with around 400–450 metres of elevation gain and almost 2,000 stone steps.
Most people need around 2–3 hours for the return trip, although this depends heavily on fitness, crowds and how long you spend enjoying the view.
You can find trail maps, parking information, and our local tips in our Reinebringen hiking guide.
Reinebringen should not be treated as a normal winter hike. The staircase becomes icy and snow-covered, the upper section is very steep, and parts of the route are exposed to avalanche danger.
The trail is normally closed for the winter season by Moskenes municipality once conditions become unsafe.
If you are visiting Lofoten in winter, have a look at our guide to winter hiking in Lofoten instead. You can also join us on a guided winter hike to Ryten, which gives you spectacular mountain and fjord views without attempting Reinebringen in unsafe winter conditions.
For many visitors, yes — primarily because of the view from the ridge over Reine, Hamnøy, Sakrisøy, and Reinefjorden.
The climb itself is essentially a very long staircase and isn’t necessarily the most interesting hiking trail in Lofoten. If you are looking for a more varied mountain hike, there are plenty of alternatives.
See our guide to the best hikes in Lofoten for more ideas.
Absolutely. You do not need to climb Reinebringen to experience the scenery around Reine.
Reine, Hamnøy, Sakrisøy, the Fredvang bridges and the beaches of western Lofoten can all be explored at road level, and there are several easier viewpoints along the way.
If you would rather explore the area with a local guide, check out our private Lofoten sightseeing tours, or group tours travelling between Svolvær and Reine.
Reinebringen is famous, but it is far from the only mountain viewpoint in Lofoten. Ryten, Offersøykammen, Mannen and many other hikes offer impressive views and, depending on the trail and season, can provide a very different hiking experience.
We have collected our favourites in our guide to the best hikes in Lofoten. In winter, you can also join our guided hike to Ryten, including the necessary winter hiking equipment.
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Our small group tours take you beyond the guidebook. To hidden beaches, dramatic fjords, and mountain views most visitors never find. Pick a tour and we’ll take care of the rest.
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Cable cars are often simply awful. Devastating to the landscape, encourages mass tourism, noisy. I hope this proposal fails.