In this brand new section you will find our recommandations on where to shop hiking gears in the Lofoten islands... As we are not a tourist office, we will only publish recommandations for places we have tested AND appreciated. This section will get more stuff as we go along.
Pictures and track proposed by Halfdan Holm
This trip takes you up to Småtinden (The small peaks), giving a view of both KabelvÂg, SvolvÊr and western Lofoten. There are several small peaks that can be climbed on this trip, including Varden, Varden's twin peak, and Stortinden.
IThere are several possible ways you can start this trip, but common for them all is that the ascent starts at the southwestern corner of Stor-Kongsvatnet. You follow the trail up the ridge towards ÿrntindsaksla, which you pass on the north side. Keep to the north and you cross a small river which is also the last chance to fill up your water bottle. This section can be quite muddy and wet.
Now the trail may become somewhat unclear at times, but it should be possible to follow if you stop and look out for it at times. The trail continues up to the pass between the twin peaks, of which Varden is the northernmost one. From this pass one can reach all three of these small peaks. There is no visible trail to Stortinden, but you pass on the western side of Varden's twin and follow a ridge with a somewhat exposed eastern side. There is a path to Varden, and summiting it requires a bit of scrambling. Varden's twin can be reached without much difficulty. Same way back.
Another summit few people hike, yet it has an impressive view of Horseid beach to the west and over the Selfjord to the east. The summit is located along the itinerary of the big trek across the Lofotens between the Selfjord and the Kjerkfjord and can be climbed as an extension of that leg of the hike. The walk up to it doesn’t have any particular technical difficulty, but it is fairly long and crosses many wet, boggy areas that sometimes make progress difficult. Finally, from the Fagerdålen pass, the itinerary is off trail. Despite these difficulties, in clear weather the last part of this hike gives you a series of magnificent panoramas over the south of the islands.
The trail you’ll follow is pretty large at the start. It leaves from the parking lot and goes west along the bank of the Stomarkpollen a hundred or so yards away. The ground is quite wet and you’ll cross many bodies of water, wider or narrower depending on recent rainfall. A few parallel trails go through this large boggy meadow. But whichever you take, you’ll have a hard time keeping your feet dry. The trail then turns south and goes around the end of the Stormarkpollen fjord in a drier but hillier area and reaches the first body of water, which you cross. Then the trail meets the second body of water (Fageråa) and goes along it for about 200 yards, going up the little valley through a wooded area. Around 100 m (328 ft) of altitude, the trail reaches a boggy open meadow and reaches the first little lake. Next the trail follows the west bank of the big lake of Fageråvatnet through a maze of big rocks and dwarf birches. At the end of the lake, the trail slopes steeply up the little valley of Fagerådalen and reaches a pass between the 492 m point (1,615 ft) and the Markan summit. About 60 yards before reaching the pass, you leave the trail to take a right at the level of the bend at 400 m (1,312 ft). From then on, there’s no trace of a trail. If the weather is clear, you should see the summit of Branntuva in front of you (northwest), preceded by a pass 500 m (1,640 ft) high. Follow the bend at the level of roughly 430 m (1,410 ft) until you get below the pass, then climb the slope to get to it. From the pass, you have the best view of Horseid beach down below to the northwest. From there, climb up the south ridge of Branntuva, which is extremely rounded, avoiding the screes. Toward 680 m (2,231 ft), the slope becomes gentler and you find yourself on a grassy plateau. The cairn of Branntuva stands at the top of this plateau (702 m / 2,303 ft). From the summit, you have an impressive view of the jagged relief of the south of the island. Go back the same way.
Pictures and track proposed by Halfdan Holm
The trip up to Keiservarden (The Kaiser Cairn) is quick, but provides a stunning view of Raftsundet and some of the most alpine peaks in Norway. The viewpoint is named after Kaiser Wilhelm II who visited Digermulen, and this peak on several occations. The trip can be doubled in length to Snøtinden (The Snow Peak) providing a panoramic view over all the rugged peaks of eastern Lofoten.
Several maps show a trail going directly from Digermulen to Keiservarden. This route is however significantly exposed to rockfalls. Thus the trip starting about 1.5 km southeast of Digermulen will be described here. You will find the trailhead on the northern side of the road, just opposite a small parking lot. The trail starts out with an easy climb through the forest. After the turn to the left, you will have to pass some stretches of mud where you might get your feet wet. On the last stretch through the forest there are several points on the trail which can require a bit of scrambling. There are however ropes installed to help you keep your balance. At around 300m you break through the tree line. Here the trail can become somewhat faint, but if you follow the top of the ridge, you will soon see the two cairns marking the peak.
The trail up to Snøtinden continues along the ridge and down past a small lake and forest. After a small climb you see two more small lakes to the west, before ascending directly towards the summit. The trail continues around the southeast side of the peak before you reach the top. Same way back.
This slender peak faces the summit of Tjeldbergtinden. It is higher than Tjeldbergtinden and gives you a remarkable panorama over the town of Svolvær and the northern part of Vågan Island. You make the ascent on a good trail over a straight ridge line—sometimes dizzying, but not dangerous when the ground is dry.
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The summit of Sautinden—literally the “sheep summit”—actually has pastures that sheep love. It is very easy to reach. Sautinden is at the northern limit of the Lofoten Archipelago and gives you a magnificent panorama over the Austnes fjord as well as the two highest peaks of the Lofotens. Finally, the trail leading to the top can take you to other summits like Kvittinden and Kåpa, but also to the hamlet of Morfjorden on the north coast of the islands.
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This rarely visited peak is located at the southern tip of the little island of Gimsøya. The absence of a trail, the rich vegetation and the steepness of the slope make it complicated to reach the summit, but the view really deserves a little effort.
Coming from Leknes, go about thirty meters (yards) further than the Jørndalen farm (so as to avoid bothering the people who live there by encroaching on their property) and cross the ditch to the left of the road. Make your way to the edge of the woods to go around the farm by the right and walk to the stream flowing at the bottom of the valley of Jørndalen.
You’ll find a vague path that goes a few hundred yards along the stream. It then disappears into a steeper slope, covered with dwarf plants. In this part of the ascent, there isn’t really a trail and you’ll have to make your way by avoiding areas where the plants are too thick and the passages too steep—until you reach the altitude of roughly 250 m (820 ft).
Around this altitude, roughly at the spot where the markings of the stream disappear from the 1: 50,000 map, the little valley grows wider and the slopes less steep, replaced by a sort of cirque whose central part reaches a pass. Again you’ll find vague paths made by passing sheep. Follow these paths toward the pass between the summits of Sundklakktinden and Svarttinden.
Once you're at the pass, take a left and follow the east ridge of Sundklakktinden on an easily visible trail. It is possible to climb directly up to the summit or—this is what the line marked here shows—you can walk to the southern part of the mountain to have a lovely view, looking down over the straits and the village of Henningsvær.
Once you’ve reached the summit of Sundklakktinden, it’s easy to reach the summit of Skjolden to the north. It’s about sixty-five feet higher and gives you a unique panorama over Gimsøya Island and the northern coast of the archipelago.
Back the same way.
The variety of natural landscapes in a limited space where you can sense the ancient presence of man gives Skrova the atmosphere of a miniature world. You can observe it as long as you like from the top of Høgskrova. We’ve already seen that the local community takes particular care to mark and maintain the different trails in the most isolated places. Thus you’ll find several itineraries with colored dots showing you the way, as well as a panel summarizing the hike at the start of the main path.
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This short, easy hike takes you over a little trail to one of the hidden jewels of Moskenes Island: Svartvatnet Lake.
This beautiful dark lake overlooks the natural reservoir of Solbjørnvatnet, nestled in its green setting. The sharp peaks that surround it give this site a majestic look.
You can rapidly—and almost effortlessly—reach these impressive landscapes where nature is still intact, in the heart of Moskenes Island.
To the right of the dirt road, you’ll find a little trail (hardly visible at first) that rises toward the pass between the summits of Fjøsdalstinden and Okstinden. The trail starts to the right of the little valley and then goes into its center and crosses the stream. The trail continues on the left of the stream before reaching the pass.
A beautiful panorama is awaiting you at the pass, with the Vestfjord to the east and the big lake of Solbjørnvaten to the west.
Next, follow the trail the left-hand trail. It goes over a wide natural balcony around 180 high (590 ft) and then reaches Svartvatnet Lake, curled inside a mountain cirque. On the way, the trail passes near small bodies of water bordered with droseras (carnivorous plants).
When you reach the lakeshore, keep going for a bit on the trail along the right bank of the lake until you reach its outlet (N67° 59.327’ E13° 08.338’).
The outlet takes the form of a pretty mountain stream. The amount of water in it varies according to the season.
The edge of the lake is an invitation to relax, for the place is so calm and wild. The dark waters of the lake are surrounded by a delicate crown of rich vegetation against a background of sharp, austere mountain peaks that give you the impression of a landscape straight out of a fairy tale.
Possible alternative
From the pass, it is possible to reach the summit of Okstinden (263 m / 863 ft). It’s easy to get to this pass and it gives you a fine panorama over the hamlets of Sund and Mølnarodden. Take the trail to your right (toward the north), following the ridge. After the first little nameless summit whose high point is roughly 270 m (886 ft), the trail disappears. Despite the absence of a trail, the way to the Okstinden summit is relatively obvious.
Anyone can walk this hike along the coast in a part of the big island of Austvågøya that is still largely unknown. You leave from the hamlet of Brenna and walk along the northern coast of the island on a good path that serves a few isolated houses facing the Norwegian Sea. The path ends in the tiny hamlet of Nedreneset, at the entrance to the Indrefjorden.
The trail starts after the fence at the northernmost part of the hamlet and goes toward the coast. You quickly reach a little lighthouse (to your left) and keep going to the cape of Festvåg. You’ll see several farmhouses along the trail, now converted to summer homes. The trail follows the coast, sometimes through the underbrush, sometimes through little pastures until the hamlet of Nedreneset.
It is possible to continue to the end of the valley on a trail that goes along the right bank of the Indrefjorden, but in summer, high grass hides the ground, which is often wet.
Go back the same way.
If you're in Sørvågen and don’t have the time or energy to climb one of the iconic summits of Moskenes Island, here’s a short hike that will take you to the shore of the mysterious lake of Trolldalsvatnet (lake of the valley of the Troll). The rest of that mass of water surges into the bottom of narrow valley surrounded by impressive cliffs. The access trail goes through a natural landscape worthy of Scandinavian tales, as it runs alongside of lakes, misty undergrowth and tumultuous waterfalls. The combination is enough to amply justify the name that was given to this place.
Behind the village of Sørvågen, take the trail that goes over a rocky mound, under the electric line, toward the little valley that goes up to Stuvdalsvatnet Lake. At the foot of the valley, just after you cross the stream on a little bridge, take the left-hand trail that goes up the hill over the waterfalls to the outlet of Stuvdalsvatnet Lake. Cross the outlet of the lake by going over a second bridge and take the trail to the right after the bridge (the left-hand trail goes to the Tindstinden summit). The trail follows the lakeshore for about 500 yards. Some banked passages may be slippery if it’s raining and in some places the locals have installed bits of rope to help you get across them. Toward point N67° 53.811' E12° 59.601', the trail leaves the shore of Lake Stuvdalsvatnet and goes up a little valley oriented east-west. The trail goes over a stream, then joins the body of water connecting Lake Trolldalsvatnet to Lake Stuvdalsvatnet. Next, the trail follows the left bank of that body of water to the lake. There, you’ll see three or four tiny cabins (boat shelters). A gangplank enables you to reach the right bank of the lake. You can walk along the bank for roughly a hundred yards more. Take the same trail back.
This summit on Vestvågøya Island is rarely visited, but it has magnificent panoramas in store for anyone bold enough to climb it. No crush of hikers here in any season: only a tiny passage through thick, rich vegetation that will bring you to a high mountain pasture on a plateau—the last walk before the summit. The points of view are many and varied all along this wild and sometimes difficult itinerary. We’ve described it as a round trip but it is also possible to make a great loop around Lake Lyngedalsheia.
To get to the tiny trail that climbs the west slope of Lyngedalsheia through the forest, you’ll first have to reach the old farm at the end of the path that goes along the east bank of the lake. You can either reach this path by walking along E10 for a hundred yards or so, or by going along the northern tip of Lyngedalsvatnet Lake. To do the latter, you’ll have to cross the stream that flows from the lake by going over some rocks. At the end of the path, you come upon an old farmhouse. A very small trail starts behind it, cut into the woods and marked out from time to time by red plastic posts. You’ll have pay very close attention to follow these discreet markings without losing them, especially when the vegetation is high. After a rather steep climb up the undergrowth, you reach the Lyngedalsheia plateau, a vast bog covered by very low plants. From the plateau, you’ll have your first point of view over the north and Gimsøya Island. Cross the plateau to reach its eastern side. From there, you can walk due south toward the northwest ridge of the Håtinden summit. There is no real trail but you can see a few signs of passage (mostly sheep) on the eastern border of the plateau as well as on the ridge leading to the peak. A small passage lets you climb the ridge to the summit. Avoid the scree and other fallen stones covering the slopes of the mountain as much as possible, but sometimes you’ll have to use your hands to get through the rocky passages.
The summit gives you a fantastic panorama, particularly out toward Austvågøya Island and the wide arm of the sea that separates it from the island of Vestvågøya. From the summit, you can keep going toward the southeast and reach the southern ridge of the mountain in the direction of Litlhåtinden up to a small pass at an altitude of 450m (1,476 ft). The passage between the Håtinden summit and the pass gives you a series of fabulous, varied landscapes.
Go back the same way. Even if it seems tempting, it is a very bad idea to go down into the little valley to the right of the pass to reach Lake Lyngedalsvatnet: if you opt for this “solution”, the tree-covered part of the valley and the return by the right bank of the lake are totally off trail and you’ll spend much more time and energy than if you returned by the summit.
From the pass, it is possible to keep going toward Vikjorden, and then, in passing by Kitaksla (532 m / 1,745 ft), to reach the southern tip of Lake Lyngedalsvatnet. To do this, you have to go around the Vikjordtinden summit by the south, at an altitude of roughly 500 m (1,640 ft) and then take the passage by the Kitaksla ridge and reach the little trail toward Finnvollen one way or another. From there, after you cross a vast boggy plain, you can get to the left (west) bank of Lake Lyngedalsvatnet and walk back to your starting point.
Watch out! This latter option is really difficult: it has passages that are precipitous and others that are steeply banked. What’s more, you won’t find a trail there worthy of the name.
There’s a little trail that takes you from the electric power station of Forsfjord to the hamlet of Vindstad. This itinerary lets you avoid the very undependable ferry service that connected the two points (only on demand) until last year.
The trail is barely visible but won’t give you any major problems. It goes through two passages of big stone blocks and passes over a few rocky slabs where you’ll have to be careful, especially if you’re carrying a heavy pack. Finally, like many places in the Lofotens, the ground is partially covered by thick vegetation (ferns).
This mountain with its cut-off peak looks down on the bay of Skokkevika, its turquoise waters dotted with countless little islands. This is one of the most spectacular parts of Vestvågøya Island and even in all the Lofotens. It’s easy to get to the starting point of the hike along Route 815, it has superb viewpoints and a fairly easy trail to follow, yet few hikers come to this place.
This summit overlooking the fjord of Skifiorden near Stamsund is still hardly known by hikers. There is no trail to reach it and the slopes are extremely steep. Despite these difficulties—surmountable for a hiker used to navigating this kind of terrain—the panoramas are impressive and varied all along the way.
The Kroktinden summit, “the crooked summit” in Norwegian, looks like the tooth of a saw pointing to the sky. It’s a beautiful peak, relatively easy to reach, and offers a series of fantastic panoramas over the most mountainous island in the archipelago. Finally, not to diminish your pleasure in the slightest, a pretty little trail is visible all along the way and goes right to the summit.
Few hikers come here, although the summit is relatively easy to reach and looks down over the magnificent fjord of Austnes. You can admire varied landscapes of high pastures, lakes and mountains all along the way. If you want to walk far from crowds of tourists, while looking at one of the most beautiful summits Austvågøya Island, don’t miss this magnificent hike.
This summit, in the north of Vestvågøya Island, lets you discover a relatively unknown part of the archipelago. Three quarters of the ascent goes up a magnificent ridge line that gives this hike a very aerial look. Finally, the exceptional location of this summit gives it a unique panorama: it’s at the tip of a peninsula, facing the Norwegian Sea and with two big arms of the sea around it.
At the northwest tip of Vestvågøya Island, in a part of the archipelago that is still rarely visited, the discreet summit of Hellostinden holds pride of place. The walk to the top goes over relatively easy terrain through open landscapes. The panorama is magnificent from the summit, particularly the view of the Vågakallen massif on the neighboring island of Austvågøya. A hike for the whole family.
You can read the detailed description of this hike (as well as 59 other hike descriptions), enjoy hundreds of photos, maps and practical information on the paper guidebook Hiking the LOFOTEN ISLANDS.
You'll find the guidebook on 
, as well as at the following bookstores, for 24,07£ (not including shipping).
