Guided hiking excursion to Keiservarden in Bodø

Discover Northern Norway's spectacular vista with this guided hiking excursion to the Keiservarden plateau near Bodø.

A land where the sea meets the sky, this mountain plateau in Norderland is Bodø’s most popular hiking destination - a place where Mother Nature puts on the greatest light show on earth, the Northern Lights. Hike to the top of Keiservarden for spectacular silhouettes of the Lofoten, the islands of Værøy and Røst (the two outermost islands in Lofoten), the many peaks of the spectacular Børvasstind mountain range and the mountains near the Swedish border.

Location
Keiservarden (The Emperor's Cairn) is named after German Emperor Wilhelm II, who visited the hilltop in 1891 on one of his visits to Norway. Lying at 366m above sea level, the plateau is situated on the outskirts of central Bodø - a 30-minute drive that overlooks the Børvasstindan mountain range, Lofoten and the old trading post at Kjerringøy.

Activity
Meeting your guide in central Bodø, this half-day hiking excursion to the Keiservarden plateau has two optional starting points - one within reach of convenient transport connections, the other 45 (140*) metres above sea level to top Keiservarden 366 m a.s.l. A 5km route that takes 4-6 hours to complete, several alternative routes lead to the top which can be organised with you guide depending on group fitness. In 2016 Sherpas from Nepal built stone stairs along our route, which saves the terrain from wear. This also makes the hike both easier and more fun. Keiservarden and the path are seldom deserted, so be prepared to meet the locals from Bodø on your way. Once you have reached the highest point of Keiservarden, you are rewarded with a scenic view over the city of Bodø, Lofoten, the islands of Værøy and Røst, the many peaks of the Børvasstind mountain range and the mountains near the Swedish border.

Conditions
Keiservarden is a year-round hiking destination. If weather permits, Keiservarden is a very good spot to see both the Northern Lights (October - March) and the Midnight Sun (June - July). The hiking route navigates gravel roads, trail in slightly hilly terrain and partly steep stone stairs.