Skivika: Hiking Trails, Viewpoints and Excursions

Skivika and Løpsmarka lie about 4 km by bicycle north of Bodø city centre and face northwest towards the Landegodefjord. Bodømarka borders the area to the south and east. This gives your holiday planning a clear focus: trails in the area itself or additional experiences in the wider Bodø region.

Trails, landscape and viewpoints

Skivika and Løpsmarka are well connected to Bodømarka by natural trails and gravel walking and hiking paths. There are also good gravel hiking paths above Løpsmarka and between the residential areas of Løpsmarka and Skivika. One route leads from Linken down to Skivika, then continues along the boat harbour towards Bratten. Skivika is used as a starting point for trips in Bodømarka; this larger landscape has forest roads and marked hiking trails, and half of Bodømarka is forested.

Viewpoints are also part of the area: the 2023 municipal plan identifies 17 viewpoints in Skivika and Løpsmarka, ten of which are connected to hiking trails. If you want a viewpoint to be part of your hike, look for these connected locations. The hiking maps “Løpsmarka”, “Prix–Bremnes” and “Bremnes–Ausvika” offer additional guidance; check their current availability in advance.

Walks and excursions nearby

The gravel hiking paths continue north towards Ausvika and Geitvågen. Geitvågen is nearby and is an easily accessible local recreation area with a long tradition as a swimming spot. Ausvika is also close by: the south-facing beach is located in the small cove of Storausa on the Landegodefjord. There are benches, tables and seating areas; the shallow water is child-friendly. The surrounding area therefore offers both trails and a beach with places to sit and relax.

There is an option for short circular walks nearby at Bremneset. In the lowland north of the neighbourhood, a riding trail along Lifoten from Løp to Ausvika forms a circular walking route and connects to the coastal path. These options differ in their location and route. Check the current condition of the trails locally before setting out.

Winter and other things to do in Bodø

For winter planning, it is helpful to make a clear distinction: the climatic conditions in Skivika and Løpsmarka are not suitable for cross-country ski trails. In Bodø municipality, however, more than 100 km of cross-country ski trails are groomed in winter; the municipality is responsible for grooming trails in Bodømarka. The extent and operation depend on snow conditions and operational capacity. The ski trails in the wider Bodø region are therefore a different focus from the hiking trails directly in Skivika and Løpsmarka.

The Kyststien is also part of the wider Bodø travel destination, not Skivika: the 6.5 km route runs from Bodøsjøen to Mørkvedbukta and offers viewpoints, picnic areas and benches; it is designed to be accessible. A cultural contrast is the Norwegian Aviation Museum at Stormyra, near Bodø city centre. Covering 10,000 square metres, it presents the history of military and civil aviation, including the U-2, Starfighter and Spitfire aircraft. In the interactive “Bli pilot” exhibition, visitors can try flying for themselves and compete against family or friends.

Choose a holiday apartment to suit your travel plans

If you are looking for a holiday apartment, first decide which experiences you want to shape your stay: the trails and viewpoints in Skivika and Løpsmarka, or attractions in the wider Bodø region, such as the Kyststien and the Aviation Museum. This distinction helps you choose a search location that fits your travel plans, without conflating the area’s nature trails with Bodø’s urban excursion destinations.

Discover more destinations: Saltstraumen, Breivik i Salten, Tverlandet, Ljønes, Løding, Bodø, Kjerringøy, Skjerstad.

Back to the main travel guide: Bodø.