The Ryten hike plus Kvalvika Seaside mixture on the southern island of Moskenesøya was the primary outing we did in Norway’s Lofoten Islands. What an unforgettable hike it was! Climb Ryten by itself and revel in a implausible expertise – together with stupendous mountain and sea views in all instructions. And when you add in a hike to Kvalvika Seaside – a white sand seashore that appears prefer it belongs within the Caribbean, you up the wow issue significantly. In contrast to most of the different hikes we did within the Lofoten Islands, this one began off gently. I extremely advocate it!
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Ryten hike abstract
Distance to Ryten from Innersand parking zone: 7 km return
Elevation achieve: 520 m or 1,706 ft
Problem: Straightforward when you hike regularly, in any other case average
Time wanted: Roughly 3 hours return
Ryten hike – Kvalvika Seaside abstract
Ryten and Kvalvika Seaside mixture distance: 12.5 km
Elevation achieve: 930 m or 3,051 ft
Problem: Average
Time wanted: 5 – 7 hours; permit for a protracted break on Kvalvika Seaside
Greatest time for the Ryten hike and Kvalvika Seaside
Summer time is the most well-liked time to do the Ryten hike because it’s peak season for good climate, delicate temperatures, and lengthy days. It’s additionally the busiest time of the yr and parking could be a problem.
The Ryten hike could be implausible in fall as there may be nonetheless sufficient daylight, and the variety of hikers drops off.
The hike up Ryten may also be completed in winter and spring, however you’ll need some daylight – and it’s finest if the climate is in your favour. It’s not quite a lot of enjoyable to hike within the fog (and I say that from my expertise mountain climbing Nonstinden the place there was nary a view to be seen for many of the hike.) Costume for the circumstances. Take into account taking snowshoes, mountain climbing poles, and microspikes. The upside of a winter hike is quiet trails and delightful wintry scenes, particularly when you rating a sunny day.
In accordance with Information to Lofoten, you need to begin the winter hike from “the centrum” in Fredvang.
The place to park for the Ryten hike
You’ll discover parking for the Ryten hike a couple of 10-minute drive away from Ramberg, one of many cities that provides fuel, cafes, grocery shops and extra.
Parking is a large challenge for the Ryten hike. Please be thoughtful as all the things I’ve heard is that individuals will park on slim roads the place it’s not allowed, making life very tough for the locals. Be sure you’ve received some money as there will likely be many extra situations the place you’ll want it, when you plan on mountain climbing within the Lofoten Islands. Right here’s what we discovered.
Car parking zone #1 – We handed a parking zone in a yard with a field for money on the left-hand aspect of the street after on the drive in direction of the trailhead – after the Fredvang bridges. The parking zone is nicely signed and is on my map under with the next GPS coordinates -68.090594, 13.156800. It’s a couple of kilometre to stroll to the trailhead from right here.
Car parking zone #2 – This can be a large parking zone proper beside the trailhead known as Innersand – with GPS coordinates 68.089147, 13.140483. You possibly can even park in a single day, however it can value you extra. They direct you to a parking spot, so no house is wasted. As you may see within the picture, they promote espresso and chocolate as nicely.
Car parking zone #3 – I didn’t go to, however I’ve examine an 8-stall parking zone in Torsfjorden that gives entry to Kvalvika Seaside. It fills quick. If there are not any areas, flip round and don’t park illegally on the slim street.
Car parking zone #4 – We inadvertently occurred on the parking zone for the hike to Mulstoa Seaside with room for maybe 20 vehicles. It’s free, however it’s roughly a 1.2 km stroll every approach. The approximate GPS coordinates are 68.099734, 13.1352283.
Location map for the Ryten hike and Kvalvika Seaside
Issues to know earlier than mountain climbing Ryten and Kvalvika Seaside
Climate forecast
Verify the Ryten climate forecast earlier than you go. I do know numerous hikers will solely have one alternative to do the Ryten hike, however there’s not quite a lot of level if it’s socked in by fog or if the forecast exhibits nothing however rain. Due to its elevation, the climate will possible be worse the upper you go.
If it’s foggy, why not select one of many coastal walks. We actually loved the close by hike to Mulstoa Seaside.
Plan forward
Let somebody know the place you’re going and whenever you plan to be out. Carry the mountain climbing necessities as climate can flip shortly. Don’t overlook raincoats and heat layers, even when you begin out on a sunny summer time day.
In Reine, cease in on the Lofotodden Nationwide Park Customer Centre. Get up to date info and buy WAG (waste aggregation and gelling) baggage – so you may pack out your individual poop when you’re planning to camp on Kvalvika Seaside. You may additionally purchase the luggage right here on Amazon.
Ryten hike description
Search for the path leaving the parking zone in Innersand. It begins off flat on a mix of grime and boardwalk. Periodically there are locations on the boardwalk to permit for passing. Then the climbing begins however so do the views. Trying again, you’ll see inexperienced fields, red-roofed farms, a beautiful seashore within the distance, and the jagged peaks of Flakstadøya Island.
After passing two lakes in a brief, flat part you’ll begin climbing once more, however extra steeply this time. There are as set of chains that some hikers may discover useful, particularly underneath slippery circumstances.
Then there’s a bit of boardwalk the place you may see the path climbing up Ryten. There’s the choice to detour and hike as much as the Fredvanghytte – however you’re going to get higher views as you go larger, so until you’re the type that should hike each inch of path, give it a move. If you attain Forsvatnet Lake, you’ll have to resolve when you’re going to the seashore first or up the mountain. (We selected to hike to Kavalvika Seaside first.)
It’s a gradual however not tough hike up Ryten. It was dry on the day we hiked Ryten however underneath moist circumstances, you’ll be into mud. Be a great particular person and don’t contribute to path braiding.
As you climb larger, you’ll be near cliffs when you preserve to the left. There’s extra drama when you do this, however when you’re scared of heights, simply step just a few ft to the best.
I didn’t discover it on the hike up, however I did on our descent because of all of the individuals making an attempt to get picture ops. Slightly below the false Ryten summit is a cliff that appears just like the well-known and far photographed Trollunga. It’s right here you may get a copycat image with stunning Kvalvika Seaside a great distance down under.
From the false summit, it’s a five-minute stroll to succeed in the actual summit. I extremely advocate ending what you began because the views on prime are extraordinary.
To return to your automobile, merely retrace your steps.
You possibly can camp on the Ryten summit ought to that enchantment – although you could carry further water or return all the way down to the lakes to get some. You too can camp close to Forsvatnet Lake.
Kvalvika Seaside Hike
We did the hike to Kvalvika Seaside first after which backtracked up the steep hill and completed the Ryten hike. To get to Kvalvika Seaside from the path to Ryten, preserve proper at Forsvatnet Lake and hike down on the picket boardwalks. This can be a enjoyable little bit of mountain climbing.
When the boardwalk ends, be ready for a steep descent. This can be a good time to drag out the poles as they’ll assist you navigate the rocky, muddy, and generally slippery path. We picked our approach down and had been at Kvalvika Seaside very quickly.
If you attain the seashore you may go for a swim within the chilly Arctic waters, wander the size of the seashore – dropping individuals the additional you stroll, or just discover your house on the seashore and revel in a little bit of relaxation and leisure.
Should you’ve already accomplished the Ryten hike, there may be the choice to return to the parking zone by climbing the col behind Kvalvika Seaside. Though you could not see the path clearly whenever you’re standing on the seashore, you may normally select individuals ascending or descending on it. This can be a a lot simpler and shorter climb out. From the highest of the col, the path heads in direction of the parking zone at Torsfjorden. From there, you may stroll the street again via Fredvang and again to the paid parking zone at Innersand.
I desire to stay to trails relatively than roads, so I used to be joyful to hike out the identical approach we hiked in. At the very least there’s an alternative choice, and it’s solely about 2 km to the parking zone for Kvalvika Seaside.
Wild tenting on Kvalvika Seaside
I used to be shocked to see tents at Kvalvika Seaside – however for now wild tenting is allowed, though you’re in Lofotodden Nationwide Park. Reportedly this is without doubt one of the busiest wild tenting spots within the Lofotens – and I can see why. You may get to the campsite through a brief hike – which makes life straightforward when you’re carrying a average load, the views are chic, and the seashore is perfection.
However there are issues and useful issues each camper can do.
The sheer variety of individuals wild tenting in summer time (as much as 100 individuals some nights) with none bogs arrange is inflicting degradation to the panorama and the freshwater streams within the space have been proven to comprise E.coli. Don’t even take into consideration filling water bottles with out treating and/or boiling the water.
Should you nonetheless select to camp at Kvalvika Seaside, crucial factor you are able to do is to Go away No Hint. Which means packing out EVERYTHING you pack in – even poop. (You should buy particular poop baggage (WAG baggage) that don’t odor and received’t burst. I used to be shocked on the quantity of bathroom paper I noticed – not a lot on this hike as I didn’t go searching, however on different hikes within the Lofotens. Nobody needs to see this, particularly the locals. Should you don’t have a WAG bag, dig a gap away from all water sources, and bury your waste BUT pack out bathroom paper and/or moist wipes.
Avoid fragile sand dunes to protect the ecosystem.
There’s a ban on bonfires from April 15 – September fifteenth. When you can also make a campfire, preserve it small utilizing wooden mendacity round on the bottom, however don’t use outdated or dying bushes as they nonetheless present habitat for a lot of organisms.
Go ready for antagonistic climate as circumstances can activate a dime. Your tent ought to have a fly and be waterproof. Pack further layers of heat clothes.
If the considered tenting with 100 individuals is a turn-off, as it’s for me, goal for the shoulder seasons in late spring or early fall.
At all times let somebody know your plan, pack a first-aid package and an InReach or one thing related in case you might have an emergency.
After your hike
Lots of you’ll be hungry after a hike up Ryten or a go to to Kvalvika Seaside. There’s a meals truck you may’t miss on the street again to Ramberg. They make scrumptious made to order wraps – and there are many picnic tables to take a seat again and benefit from the view.
Serious about extra hikes within the Lofoten Islands?
It will get a foul rap from many individuals, however when you can rating a parking spot, I believe it’s extremely worthwhile to hike the Reinebringen Path. Get pleasure from a number of the finest views within the Lofoten Islands.
Should you’re brief on time, however you desire a hike that delivers 360 diploma views, go for the Offersøykammen Hike.
One other excellent hike positioned in Sørvågen close to the tip of the E10 is the Munkebu Hut hike with a climb of Munken Peak.
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Thanks for studying.
Leigh McAdam
Creator of Uncover Canada – 100 Inspiring Outside Adventures
Co-author of 200 Nature Sizzling Spots in Alberta
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