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The Moderator

 Thu Mar 28, 2024, 5:32 pm
 6  28548
Showing 1 to 7 of 7 entries.

Hi.

My question is . . I've hiked easy and moderate hikes like Offersoykamen, Fredvang to Ryten, Kvalvika to Seefjord, Sorvagen to Trolldalsvatnet.

Is the hike from Vindstad to Munken, by way of Forsfjord power station VERY much more difficult or dangerous?

I am thinking of hiking the traverse from NE to SW.

I would be bivouac sleeping.

Thanks.

By the way, is forum only shows recent posts for me on my Android phone. On desktop it doesn't function properly. Only old posts and 'hackers' posts.


Profile pic at foot of Helvetestinden

Gelert
26 0
Thu Mar 7, 2019, 10:10 pm

Hello,

Yes, the hike from Vinstad to Munken along the coast and up the power station is more demanding than the hikes you have described.

But of course it doesn't mean you can not do it. It is difficult for me to judge your level. It is not VERY dangerous, but the part from the bottom of Forsfjorden up toward Tennesvatnet (the lake) can be very slippery, and you have to walk on the right trail (it is wise to download the GPS track). If you are sleeping half way (so before going back down to Sørvågen, it makes it easier of course).

When you go back to the Lofoten, I think it could be wise to try one of the difficult hike of this website or the Book Hiking the Lofoten ISLANDS (https://www.amazon.fr/Hiking-Lofoten-islands-Souyris-Brede/dp/9082664402/).

You could start with Veinestinden for instance: https://rando-lofoten.net/en/helvete-en

To compare, I would say that the walk from Vinstad and up to Munken and down to Sørvågen, is a little bit easier then Stovla (but harder then Veinestinden): https://rando-lofoten.net/en/hiking-to-stovla This is a really hard one.

You can find out more here: https://rando-lofoten.net/en/hiking-from-forsfjord-to-vinstad

and here: https://rando-lofoten.net/en/the-hikes/treks/an-athletic-trek-south-of-the-lofoten-islands (part of Stage 2 of this sporty trek - and its GPS file - is the walk from the top of Forsfjorden to Vinstad that you want to do). You have to addition the hike to Munken of course.

Hope this helps a little.

Have a great day and for when is it planned?


M

magdalena
113 0
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 12:24 pm

Hi M

I already have the Book Hiking the Lofoten ISLANDS and it's excellent. I took it with me in 2019.

I also used GPS on my Garmin 64st, plus paper maps I printed out before travelling.

Your advice is useful, thanks.

I was planning this year, in July and beginning of August.

In 2019, I was there from beginning of August to middle of September.

However, if Covid doesn't give me enough time to prepare I might change to a different time. I plan to go for a minimum of 4 weeks, perhaps more, but I plan to arrive in Svolvaer instead of Moskenes which is where I started in 2019.

So, hiking Veinestinden first could be difficult to do in my plans, unless I travel by bus from Svolvaer to Sorvagen, hike Veinestinden, then return all the way NW to Svolvaer by bus again to begin the traverse from NW to SE as I would like to do. Svolvaer to A, or Delp to A.

The reason I want to go NW to SW is because I went the opposite direction in 2019 and also because I would like to stop in two of the islands between Bodo and Svolvaer before arriving in Lofoten. Possibly Skrova and one other (I forget the name of the other). I also think the trails will (mostly), become more difficult toward SW, so I will be more conditioned by the time I arrive in Moskensoya. Just my thoughts.

Do you suggest anything else to test myself on (instead of Veinestinden), so that I can go as I planned from NW to SE?

Instead of travelling by bus twice the length of the islands to test myself on Veinestinden before Munken, from Forsfjord?

As for the Forsfjord to Munken 'trail',is it likely it will be slippery in july or beginning of August?

Also, is it true that, if the trail from Forsfjord to Mukebu, or Munkan, becomes too treacherous for me, too difficult, is it true that to go back in reverse to Forsfjord is even MORE treacherous? I thought I read that somewhere.

In other words, if Forsfjord to Munkan medium/difficult, but turning around to go back down to Forsfjord if it's too difficult is even MORE treacherous in that direction?

Because, if it's an option to safely turn around I would try it and turn around if it's too difficult.

I completely understand that it's impossible to assess my level of ability.

I'm quite fit for a 59 year old I suppose, (good, but not super-good hill-hiking fitness and cycling), and about 5'10" (180cm) height, 85 Kg weight.

Thanks M,

Gelert


Profile pic at foot of Helvetestinden

Gelert
26 0
Thu Mar 7, 2019, 10:10 pm

Hi again,

You are right, it wouldn't be worth it to go back and forth just to try out a hike. I suggested Veinestinden, because I thought you would arrive by Moskenes.

If I understand it right you will more or less do the Long crossing of the Lofoten from north to south like described here: https://www.rando-lofoten.net/en/the-hikes/treks/long-crossing-of-the-lofoten-islands

And in addition you plan to stop on Skrova and maybe on Stormolla before going south. Seems like a very nice program.

If you plan to do the long crossing as we have describe it, you have some long and quite hard steps in the North too. But it gets easier on Vestvagoya island. And if you walk all that until Moskenes Island you will either be very tired or in very good shape, so I don't think you need to do any test for the Vindstad-Forsfjorden part.

To answer your question:

Also, is it true that, if the trail from Forsfjord to Mukebu, or Munkan, becomes too treacherous for me, too difficult, is it true that to go back in reverse to Forsfjord is even MORE treacherous? I thought I read that somewhere.

Well the part in between Vinstad and forsfjord, you can of course go back, because it more or less at sea level, so both direction are the same. It is maybe not very wise to turn around once you have started to climb from Forsfjorden up toward Mukebu. As it is always more easy to clim than going down. But by then you will have the time to decide what to do. And maybe it will be raining that day (then I do not advice to do it)...

But if your plan is to do the entire crossing without too many breaks or other means of transportation in between, you should maybe try one or two more difficult hikes near Svolvaer to see how it feels: because this trek is quite demanding. I actually believe that it could be very nice to do some part of this long crossing and add some other hikes that are nearby, take some busses in between to avoid the longer or more difficult parts. If what you are looking for is to see varied landscapes and not to do a performance. But this is maybe already your plan?

I wish you a lot of success in your preparation for this summer. And if you want to share some feedback after your trip please feel free to send some text and photos :D


M

magdalena
113 0
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 12:24 pm

Thanks M

That's a really good and very, very helpful reply. I think you're exactly right and you also have great experience and expertise. I will have plenty of time (Covid permitting), and side-treks will be what I fancy doing along the way. I'm certainly not a performance junkie and I have never been one. I just want to hike, enjoy, see, photograph and LIVE a little of Lofoten life again. Bumping into Lofoten people and chatting and other hikers as I go. I love to hike alone and make my own decisions and carry a bivvy plus a small tent. IF I manage to do this second visit to Lofoten it could well be that, by the time I reach Forsfjord I will have enjoyed SO MUCH that hiking up to Munken from there will not feel so important to me. When I was in Moskenes in 2019, I didn't hike to Munken or Veinestinden, so perhaps I will feel okay to attempt Forsfjord to Munken or perhaps I will hike from Sorvagen instead (or perhaps I will be so exhausted I will just collapse with a beer!, already very happy at experiencing your wonderful islands once more. In 2019 I was just exploring a very new place and I so much want to return now that I know a little more of places I didn't manage to visit because it was all so new to me. I gues the rule of thumb for me will be to go and explore and arrive at wherever the adventure takes me. No stupid performance challenges unless I feel I can really do it. I only want to feel part of Lofoten again.

I really hope I can arrive this year but, if Covid affects how long I can be there (I don't want to arrive in August again), I will postpone to next year. This year, I really want to arrive in early July, if possible, or even sooner. Early June might be possible for me (I am busy in May), but I wonder how 'snowy' some trails might be in June??

As for exploration and buses, I 'bussed' to Uttakleiv in 2019 and bussed some of the way between Sandvika and Svolvaer because the weather became really rainy at the beginning of September. So I left Svolvaer around September 10th and headed to Stockholm, from Bodo, by train. I, then continued to south of France of all places for a few weeks, again wild camping/bivvy camping. I had only just retired from work, so it was a big 'blow-out' adventure for me. This is why I'd like to go earlier and perhaps late June or beginning of July. Again, if Covid allows this.

I remember the other island recommend to me on TripAdvisor. It was Steigen. What do you think of that? I could easily stop at Steigen, Skrova AND Stormolia (which I've never heard of to be honest). Are they ALL worth a one/two night stopover?

Also, are the trails too snowy in June if it was actually possible to arrive in middle June? Or am I wrong?

Thanks M.

You've really helped to clear my mind wrt planning. :)

G


Profile pic at foot of Helvetestinden

Gelert
26 0
Thu Mar 7, 2019, 10:10 pm

Hi M.

In case you've missed my response, please reply to my post when you have a chance.

I did ask a couple of things.

Thanks.

G


Profile pic at foot of Helvetestinden

Gelert
26 0
Thu Mar 7, 2019, 10:10 pm

Hi Gelert,

Yes I have seen your post (I am the person who approves them ;) ), but I have been very busy with some technical issue on the website, and as I do this next to my work (and other activities), I am not always super quick in answering.

But I'll try to answer the best I can:

Early June might be possible for me (I am busy in May), but I wonder how 'snowy' some trails might be in June??

Early June, except if it is warmer than normal, you will still find some snow on the highest parts of the Lofoten Islands, especially on slopes that face North. But every year is different, so it is hard to predict. There is often some snow left above 700m in June. Also in the North of the Lofoten, you can find snow even on lower places.

For example on the part between Haugen and Svolvaer on the Long Crossing of the Lofoten Islands, you will have snow all the way until Jully. So this part I would skip in June if I was you: https://www.rando-lofoten.net/en/haugen-en

https://www.rando-lofoten.net/images/pictos_fiches/enneigement.png Generally, you can check the snowflake logo, it's on every page of the 90 hikes described on the website, and you will see until when you can incounter snow.

I remember the other island recommend to me on TripAdvisor. It was Steigen. What do you think of that? I could easily stop at Steigen, Skrova AND Stormolia (which I've never heard of to be honest). Are they ALL worth a one/two night stopover?

I have to admit that I haven't been to Steigen yet. So I cannot give advice on that one. For Skrova, you could sleep there, but one day is enough to do all the walks. It would be worth staying one or two nights on Stormolla.

Also, are the trails too snowy in June if it was actually possible to arrive in middle June? Or am I wrong?

June is one of the best times to visit the Lofoten's. Less tourists, usually less rain, full flowering season (it is spring). But of course as I said, you can meet snow in high points or little exposed areas, but I think it is a great period to travel (and you'll have the midnight sun!).

Hope I answered all the questions.

If not, don't hesitate to ask again :)


M

magdalena
113 0
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 12:24 pm
Showing 1 to 7 of 7 entries.

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