About This Hike
Bunes is a broad sandy beach on the northern side of Moskenesøya, backed by Helvetestinden and Storskiva and facing the open sea. There is no road to Vindstad, so the outing begins with the scheduled passenger boat across Reinefjorden from Reine. Park in Reine, walk to the quay and arrive early in high season because capacity is limited. From Vindstad pier, turn right and follow the old road through the inhabited village; before the road ends, use the signed path over the low Einangen pass and down to Bunessanden. The walking distance is about 2.8 km each way, with roughly 80 metres of height gain, and the return walk is easy in settled conditions. The logistics require more care than the trail: check both outbound and final return departures in Reis Nordland or Entur and carry everything you need because there are no shops in Vindstad or services on the beach. Inside Lofotodden National Park, drones are prohibited and visitors should protect the vulnerable beach vegetation. If camping, avoid the rockfall area below Helvetestinden, expect strong north-westerly wind and leave enough time to return to the pier without rushing.
Highlights
- ✓ Scenic passenger ferry crossing of Reinefjorden from Reine to Vindstad
- ✓ One of Lofoten's largest and most remote white-sand beaches
- ✓ Short, easy signposted walk suitable for families
- ✓ Dramatic mountain backdrop, including Helvetestinden
Getting There
Park in Reine and walk to the Reine ferry quay for the scheduled passenger boat to Vindstad; do not drive toward a trailhead, as there is no road to Bunes.
Before You Go
The boat is the critical part of this hike. Check the Reine–Vindstad passenger-boat timetable, capacity and final departure in Reis Nordland or Entur before you leave Reine; the walk itself is only useful if it fits the return sailing. From Vindstad, go right through the village and follow the sign to Bunesstranda before the end of the road. Respect private property in the inhabited village and treat camping or any longer stay as a separate leave-no-trace plan, not as an assumed extension of the day hike.
Information checked: September 2026, against current Visit Lofoten access, route and national-park visitor information
⚠️ Safety Notes
- The trip depends entirely on the Reine-Vindstad ferry, so check the current timetable and never miss the last return sailing, as there is no road out.
- Arrive early in summer and check the live route in Reis Nordland or Entur; departures and capacity can change with the season and weather.
- The beach faces northwest and is very exposed to wind, so check the forecast before committing, especially for overnight stays.
- Carry food, water, windproof layers and a charged phone; there are no services on the beach and weather changes quickly on this exposed coast.