I heard about the Reinebringen hike last summer when I feel like Norway was being plastered all over social media for its beautiful fjords, outdoor beauty and epic treks. At that moment, I decided to add it to my ever-growing list of future hikes and lo and behold a year later I decided to make that dream a reality.

Reinebringen is certainly one of the most well-known hikes in the Lofoten Islands of Norway, but what I feel like a lot of people don’t mention is how it’s only suggested to hike in the summer and warnings are posted all around the town of Reine about attempting this hike during any other season of the year.

So before we dig into the winter aspect of this hike, let’s start with some general information.

General Info

Type of hike: out-and-back
Distance: 3km (2 mi) roundtrip
Difficulty: strenuous
Time: 2-3 hours total
Altitude: 552m (1814 ft)

While the trail to the summit is definitely short, it is pretty steep and consists of a stone stairway of almost 2000 steps (steps that are essentially non-existent in the wintertime as you begin your summit) which definitely adds to this precarious climb.

Parking

Parking near the Reinebringen hike is usually limited and can be problematic in the summer, but this won’t be an issue in the winter. I parked in the Reine Parking lot which is located in the town of Reine and about 1.5kn (0.9 mi) from the trailhead and only came across 2 other cars in this large lot. Parking was also free at this time of year.

Other places you can park for this hike are:

Reine Harbor– 1.8km (1.1 mi) from the trailhead. 40 NOK/hr

Reine Cultural Center (Kultursenter). Located in Reine. 150 NOK/day.

Best time to do this hike

The best time to do this hike is without a doubt in the summer, (albeit you will definitely be dealing with far more people and crowds) but unfortunately for me, I didn’t realize that before booking my trip here in March. Luckily though, I did bring the right gear for the hike and had a good weather day to attempt this hike safely and successfully.

Typically, the best months of the year for hiking Reinebringen is from mid-May to the end of September. The hike again is not recommended in the winter due to safety reasons, such as rockfalls, avalanches and ice and snow affecting the stairs, but it can be done with the right amount of vigilance and preparedness.

For the most up-to-date information about the conditions of the trail, visit the Reinebringen Facebook page. For avalanche forecasts, I highly recommend checking varsom.no. This was a huge resource for me when trying to plan what day I wanted to make my hiking attempt. Avalanche information is posted 48 hours in advanced and updating the day prior.

Regardless of when you decide to hike this trail, aim for a day with good visibility and no precipitation forecasted (rain/snow). 

Gear

If you are attempting this in the winter ensure you bring the following items:

• Crampons** (a must in the winter)
• Hiking poles
• Hiking shoes with good grip
• Gloves
• GPS tracking device

Tips for hiking Reinebringen in the winter

• Be prepared for unpredictable weather. Weather conditions often change rapidly. For the most accurate weather forecast check Yr.no. 
• Pack plenty of layers, snacks and water and have the right equipment.
• Bring hiking poles. The steep ascent and descent can be tough especially in the snow. They can also help determine snow depths in areas for safe footing.
• Go slow and steady, there will be times when you need to ensure you have a secure footing before moving forward. This hike is steep and can be dangerous if you lose your balance/footing- I also do not recommend this hike if your adverse to heights and uncomfortable hiking in snow/ice.
• Be mentally prepared to turn around and not summit. This was my rule of thumb when deciding to attempt this hike in the winter and while I’m not one who particularly enjoys not completing what I set out to do, safety is always paramount.
• Last, but not least and staying with the theme of safety, stay vigilant to your surroundings, the conditions of the mountain and trust your gut. If you feel like things are getting too risky, then trust your intuition. No climb is worth risking your life.