Looking at maybe doing the Arctic circle sometime next year from the UK,still at the very early stages of planning . Has anyone done this and could offer some advice on routes,accomodation,suitable bikes for the trip and anything else that might be helpful to us.

Many Thanks

Hi jqd, up until september of this year this was quite straightforward. You got the ferry from Newcastle to Bergen and rode up the E6 all the way to the top. As DFDS will stop the ferry you will now have to use the tunnel or another ferry to get you across the channel and then ride up through Europe. You can still get the Harwich-Esbjerg (Denmark) ferry which is a good route to Sweden. If you do choose the Denmark ferry book up early to get a good price December/January is best for the following June/July. Whatever obsticles are put in your way make it happen as Norway is a very special place. Visit the Lofoten islands, they're beautiful. You can even go whale watching from Vesterallen in the North. Just get a map and go you, won't regret a minute.

I was shocked to see the loss of the ferries from Newcastle, we had used Fjordline in 2005, as I am planning a trip over to the Baltic and was going to cross that way to get to Latvia etc quickly and then drift back (maybe pop into Russia).

But back to the original poster, I'd endorse the "go there". And emphasis you may as well go all the way to the Nordkapp. Accommodation is easy, just grab a Hytter (hut) , ignore the fuel price you don't go fast enough to use much :-).

June/July are good months for the weather, and you still get to see snow.

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http://www.ytc1.co.uk

Hey mate,
I took my XT600e to the Circle last Sept/Oct and it was pretty cool to tick that one off, although not a major adventerous trip but still pretty cool!
I got the ferry from Hull to Stavanger (overnighter) and basically headed straight north stopping off in Bergan and Mo-I-Rana for hotels etc. Be aware EVERYTHING is expensive in Norway! Some campsites wanted 25 quid to pitch a tent, 40 quid for one of the little 'huts' and everywhere was 7+ quid a pint!! and no selling of alchohol in supermarkets after 9! I suggest to make freinds take a couple of bottles of the hard stuff and you'll become really popular! The ferry unfortunatly drops off late in the evening so it can be a bit daunting turning up at night with no campsite for miles. I pitched my tent at the first available 'field' out of town and set off proper in the daylight.
As for bikes, anything with two wheels will be fine as the roads are good all the way up to NordKaap, the most northern point of Norway and the scenery is beautiful and very similiar to the Highlands of Scotland. It pissed down for a couple of days and raged with myself for not taking a rainsuit, the heated grips came in handy and the iPod was a godsend as apart from the lovely scenery and the odd Elk there's not much else the further north you go. There's quite a few Roll on - roll off ferries you need to take to get north at a few quid a time and the longest tunnel in Europe (27kms ?) which looks cool as heck inside as it's lit up like an ice 'palace' inside. Some of the other tunnels were closed due to roadworks but made the trip as the views were spectacular from the tops. If you like your scenery mate, you'll love it!
If your just going to the Circle, I suggest you stay in Mo-I-Rana which is 100+Kms south of the 'dotted line'. As I left my luggage in the hotel and rode the bike up, did the touristy thing and headed back. There's a couple of good live music pubs there.
The 'Circle' hasn't really got much there apart from a couple of signs, a tourist shop/cafe and the wooden dove (?) statue so I bought a keyring, sticker for the bike and took a few pics. I returned via LilleHammer and Oslo to the ferry at Stavanger.
You might want to send an email to the "Norweigan Community" as I had a good response form both Norweigans and expats who were looking for a good ride out or offering advice and sometimes a bed for the night (thanks guys!).
If you've got any questions then email me geoffshing@hotmail.com

Have fun!

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Geoffshing

'Security is a product of one's own imagination, it does not exist in nature as a rule, life is either a daring adventure or nothing.'

Sorry about that!
A touch out of date with the ferries methinks. How about the ferry from Denmark to Kristiansand? and take in some of Germany etc..?
I did regret not pushing further north to Nordkaap but run out of time.

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Geoffshing

'Security is a product of one's own imagination, it does not exist in nature as a rule, life is either a daring adventure or nothing.'

Thanks very much folksmuch appreciated ,you've certainly given us loads to think about

Just got back from a trip to Nordkapp. It's a straightforward enough ride - just make sure sure take waterproofs, thermals and a stack of cash.
PM me if you have any specific questions.

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I have Tomtom right down to street level for the whole of Scandinavia.
it is used for Tomtom mobile if any one wants.
Simply fantastic.