10 of the Most Glorious Hikes in the Lofoten Islands

Journey to one of the most rugged, most remote, and most beautiful hiking destinations on planet Earth!

Greg Heil

Images

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The barren trail

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Great views

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Summit almost in view, behind clouds. The easy scramble mid-picture.

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Looking back the way you've just walked. Almost at the top.

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Incredible views from the summit, just before the cloud came in.

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View from the summit out towards Arctic Ocean

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After the tree line and along the start of the ridge

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All around stunning views

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View along the ridge

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0.00 km start point at the end of the car park Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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0.40 km the waterfall to the left of the bedrock Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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1.5 km Munkebu signpost Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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The view over the lake Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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Munkebu signpost Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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5.4 km Small sculpture of Jupiter Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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Enjoying the view! Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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0.90 km second small lake & viewpoint Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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Kvalvika beaches from the summit of Ryten Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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On the beach at Kvalvika Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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A signpost on the way down to the road from the saddle-point Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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Wooden walkway leading down to the road Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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A wooden boat house on the shore Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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The view of Stjerntinden mountain through the trees on the zig-zag path Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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The view of the other side of ridge Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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The lake on the ridge Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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The view over to Stjerntinden mountain and Storvatnet lake Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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The view over Nusford village from Nesheia summit Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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Descending the scramble from the 2nd knoll on the ridgeline Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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1.90 km Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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2.10 km lighthouse Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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2.50 km path around headland Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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2.60 km follow the red T Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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4.30 km Views from Nonstinden summit over Nappstraumen sound and the mountains of Flakstadøya Unknown

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Haukland Beach Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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The view over Haukland Beach Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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Uttakleiv farm building Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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Looking out for sea birds Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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Taa Island Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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Haukland Beach Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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1.60 km Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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2.90 km signpost with cabin to the right Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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Crossing the wooden boards over the bog Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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The view from above the tree line ascending Tjeldbergtinden Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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4.20 km Tjerdbergtinden summit guestbook Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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4.60 km The view back towards Tjeldbergtinden from further along the ridge Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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A misty view from Svarttinden Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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Hiking up ridge towards the first top Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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Fjord views Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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One of the summit cairns on Svarttinden Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

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The guestbook on Svarttinden's summit Macs Adventure

by Catherine Allan

Description

The Lofoten Islands form one of the most rugged, most remote, and most beautiful hiking destinations on planet Earth. This island archipelago in Northern Norway comprises five major islands and a plethora of smaller ancillary islands. Despite being located north of the Arctic Circle, "the islands experience relatively warm temperatures for such a high latitude" thanks to the warm Gulf Stream currents, according to Emily Shinde on MatadorNetwork.com.

While the climate here is "relatively warm" for being north of the Arctic Circle, the ideal window of time to hike in the Lofotens is very small—basically, July and August. Even during this two-month weather window, you can still get smacked with brutal storms blowing in off of the ocean. As StunningOutdoors.com notes, the islands can easily be shrouded in clouds with howling winds, pouring rain, and boggy, wet trails—even during the peak of summer. But if you're willing to roll the dice with Northern Norway's unpredictable weather, you could be rewarded with some of the most beautiful hikes in the world!

The mountains in this archipelago, known as the Lofoten Alps, rise dramatically out of the ocean. The peaks climb up to 1000m above the beaches far below! While this means most of the peaks are reachable in a single-day hike, the landscape is steep, rugged, and challenging. Shinde notes that the hiking paths in the Lofotens "may not be as marked and orderly as what you’re used to." Despite the region's international renown, you can still often hike for hours and only see one or two other people the entire time. The hikes also tend to be quite difficult, and the paths can be boggy, rough, unmaintained, and even hard to follow. But that's what it's all about, isn't it?! If you don't want to go on an adventure, you'd best not journey to the Lofotens.

This guidebook rounds up 10 of the most glorious hikes in the Lofoten Islands. There are dozens, if not hundreds more, to choose from, but this hitlist will help get you heading in the right direction. This guidebook includes numerous stunning peak climbs, challenging loop hikes, and a few easier hikes heading to beautiful beaches.

Two of the best peak climbs in the Lofotens are Munken and Justadtinden, although this guidebook includes several more. Both of these summits provide incredible views of the jagged Lofoten Alps around you and the sparkling blue of the ocean in the distance.

For an easier hike to a scenic beach, try Haukland Beach or Horseidvika on for size.

It's almost impossible to choose an ugly hike here in the Lofotens, so whichever route you select, you're guaranteed to have a beautiful, epic adventure!

Sources:
MatadorNetwork.com
NonStopTravelling.com
StunningOutdoors.com
SwitchbackTravel.com

Adventures