Lofoten: the best hikes between mountains and dreamy beaches
Between rugged mountains and bays with the whitest sands, hiking in Lofoten will leave you breathless. The views are incredible, the mountains alternate with the sea, the wild with picturesque villages. A truly unique place, like no one visited before. In winter it seems like an enchanted land, but if you go in summer, bring a tent and enjoy solitary hikes, unforgettable sunsets, and a dip in the cold azure waters of this archipelago.
THE STEEP HIKE TO REINEBRINGEN
Type: rock, dirt
Level: medium, beginner hikers
Duration: 1.5-2h round trip
Distance: 2km
Elevation gain: approx. 440m
Equipment: hiking boots, hiking poles
This short but intense trek leads to a viewpoint overlooking the small village of Reine in the beautiful Lofoten archipelago.
The trail is very steep, with somewhat rough sections where you will need free hands to hold on, and it leads to a narrow viewpoint on the ridge of the mountain that offers 360-degree views of the islands, the roads that seem to float on the sea, and the red rorbuers that stand out in the green and blue. There really isn't room for everyone when you get to the top, and with the wind you almost struggle to stand, but the view is lovely. This section is very crowded and a bit dangerous if you find yourself crossing paths with people at points where there is only room for one. So walk it with caution, perhaps at off-peak times.
OVERNIGHT ON THE RYTEN AND KVALVIKA BEACH
Type: wetlands
Level: medium, beginner hikers
Duration: 1.5h to the top, 45' downhill to the beach, 1h return from the beach
Distance: 4km
Elevation gain: approx. 540m
Equipment: hiking boots, poles, swimsuit :)
Starting from the small village of Fredvang, we begin by crossing pastures and marshy land covered with tall grass, and begin to climb toward ridges that offer beautiful views of bays and sea on either side. The ascent is relatively gentle and the terrain is not rough. When you reach the top of Ryten, you can pitch a tent by finding a place not exposed to the wind, and enjoy a magnificent sunset overlooking the sea, as we did.
The next morning, having withdrawn our tents, we walked back down, but instead of heading back toward the village, we took the path that rejoins the one coming straight from the houses, heading to Kvalvika beach.
This section of the trail, although more popular, is decidedly more impassable, and one often loses track of it among the scree sloping unevenly down to the sea.
The beach is wonderful from the viewpoint at the top, from which emerges a crescent of white sand lapped by emerald waters, but also when, after the long trek, you sink your feet into the Caribbean-looking but polar-temperature sand. Take a nice "refreshing" swim, too, with the waters a few degrees above zero. At least you will be able to say that you have bathed north of the Arctic Circle!
CLIMB UP TO MANNEN AND HAUKLAND BEACH
Type: dirt road, rock
Level: easy, suitable for all
Duration: 1h round trip
Distance: 1.75km
Height difference: approx. 400m
Equipment: hiking boots, poles, swimsuit :)
The ascent to the top of Mannen is quite easy as a hike, and for that reason also very crowded. You park at the beginning of the trail, just after Haukland Beach, whose magnificent views you enjoy once you get to the top.
As with other viewpoints, there is not much room to stand on once you arrive, and you will have to take turns with other hikers to take a few photos of the magnificent view of the bays and sea from the top.
Again, don't forget to put your swimsuit in your backpack for a refreshing dip once you get back to the valley.
NIGHT HIKE IN RAMBERGVIKA (VESTVÅGØY)
Type: dirt road, taiga
Level: easy, suitable for everyone
Duration: 1h round trip
Distance: 1.75km
Height difference: approx. 130m
Equipment: hiking boots or sturdy shoes
This easy hike leads through intricate expanses of dense shrubs and arctic berries on a gentle ridge with magnificent views of bays, mountains, islets over the sea. There is a magnificent sunset, and so we decided to undertake it late in the evening so that we would be around midnight at the top enjoying the last rays of sun still on the horizon line.
This trail is difficult to locate even on maps; it is not a marked hike on the apps, so you will probably be alone surrounded by silence. That is, if you can find your way!
To reach this viewpoint, you will have to travel along E10 on the section from Lake Torvdalsvatnet to Lake Urvatnet, before the road bends toward Knutstad.
DJEVELPORTEN HIKE TO FLØYA TRAILHEAD
Type: dirt, rock
Level: medium, beginner hikers
Duration: 3h round trip
Distance: 3km
Elevation gain: approx. 590m
Equipment: hiking boots, poles
You start in Svolvær and arrive at a viewpoint overlooking the town itself. The trail is not difficult except for a few steeper sections, but there are several exposed areas and it is not suitable for everyone. It also requires about 1.5-2h of walking just to reach the viewpoint in Fløya. The trail often gets lost in rock slides and there are a few detours for other hikes. Best to have a hiking app or map handy.
Even on this hike, from the top you will have the opportunity to admire brightly colored bays and the succession of peaks and islands of the archipelago.
RAMBERGSTRANDA BEACH
If you are not the hiking type, down the road you will find this magnificent white bay with turquoise waters, preceded by a flower meadow with a few red wooden sheds that will complete the idyllic picture along with the mountains that crown this beach.
Walk on the cool sand in the morning as the sun warms you and the beach is deserted.
In fact, there are hundreds of bays that invite you to stop and get out and stick your feet in the sand. Of many we can't even remember the name. Get inspired, park your car and go explore them.
