Leines: Mountains, Vestfjord and History

On the Leines peninsula, steep mountains, white beaches and the island scenery of Vestfjord come together. Local usage includes Helnessund, Leines, Grubstad, Skjelstad, Hustoft and Brennvik among the places considered part of the peninsula. When planning a trip, this means choosing between very different experiences: mountain hikes, coastal scenery, cultural history and activities by the sea all shape the area.

Mountain trails and views

Stortinden offers a challenging hike for anyone planning a longer day in the mountains. The route is 10.6 kilometres long and is described as an out-and-back hike; walking time is about five hours. The total elevation gain is 934 metres, and the summit is at 827 metres. From there, the view stretches across Brennviksanden, Brennsund, Vestfjord and the Lofoten Islands.

The trail starts at Brennviksand and initially passes through the forest to Heimeslvattnet. This section follows a clearly visible path before the summit section begins. There is no path on the plateau. The published map track is intended only as a guide there; hikers should follow the physical trail markers. Anyone considering the hike should take this feature, along with its length, approximate duration and elevation gain, into account when planning their day.

There are other destinations for shorter outings: From Brennviksanden, a signposted trail leads to the Gapahuk shelter by the Synstelva in about 30 minutes. The Gapahuk shelter in Lunvika, also called Levikhågan, can be combined with a walk at Brennviksanden. At Åsjordvatnet, a hiking trail leads from Åsjorda to a Gapahuk shelter by the lake. In summer, Leines Idrettslag organises orienteering events and guided mountain hikes.

Coast, culture and local cuisine

The sea is also part of the Leines experience: cod, saithe and mackerel can be caught in the sea at Helnessund. Fishing equipment and boats are available for hire in Leines for fishing or trips to land ashore. Sea-kayaking trips are also offered in the area. These options give your trip a different focus from the longer summit hike.

In Helnessund, Nybrygga is a meeting place for meals, pub evenings, music and cultural experiences. The menu often features locally produced dishes or food with short transport distances. Two notable buildings are part of the peninsula’s history: Leiranger Church on Leines was rebuilt in 1911 and consecrated on 6 December that same year. Gammelskola was built in 1797 and appears to be the oldest surviving permanent schoolhouse in Northern Norway.

Places to stay and choosing Leines as a destination

The accommodation options mentioned include Prestestua and Gammelskola. Prestestua is rented out for overnight stays from May to September and offers sleeping space for four people. Gammelskola is rented out as accommodation with four beds during the summer half of the year. If you are looking for a holiday apartment or house, these seasonal details can help you match your travel dates with your stay in Leines.

Leines is about an hour north of Bodø by express boat and about three and a half hours away by car. These approximate travel times provide an initial guide for your journey. When choosing accommodation, you can also consider whether mountain hiking, the coast and fishing, or the cultural and dining options in Helnessund should be the main focus of your trip.

Discover more places

If you would like to explore more places, you can also find Våg, Nordfold and Leinesfjorden here.

For the main travel overview: Steigen.