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 incredible expertise – together with stupendous mountain and sea views in all instructions. And if you happen to 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. Not like lots 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 car parking zone: 7 km return
Elevation achieve: 520 m or 1,706 toes
Problem: Straightforward if you happen to hike steadily, 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 toes
Problem: Average
Time wanted: 5 – 7 hours; enable for an extended break on Kvalvika Seaside
Greatest time for the Ryten hike and Kvalvika Seaside
Summer time is the preferred 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 generally is a problem.
The Ryten hike can be incredible in fall as there’s nonetheless sufficient daylight, and the variety of hikers drops off.
The hike up Ryten will also be executed in winter and spring, however you’ll need some daylight – and it’s finest if the climate is in your favour. It’s not numerous enjoyable to hike within the fog (and I say that from my expertise mountaineering 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, mountaineering poles, and microspikes. The upside of a winter hike is quiet trails and exquisite wintry scenes, particularly if you happen to rating a sunny day.
Based on 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 few 10-minute drive away from Ramberg, one of many cities that provides fuel, cafes, grocery shops and extra.
Parking is a large subject for the Ryten hike. Please be thoughtful as all the things I’ve heard is that folks will park on slender roads the place it’s not allowed, making life very troublesome for the locals. Be sure you’ve bought some money as there will likely be many extra situations the place you’ll want it, if you happen to plan on mountaineering within the Lofoten Islands. Right here’s what we discovered.
Parking zone #1 – We handed a car parking zone in a yard with a field for money on the left-hand aspect of the highway after on the drive in direction of the trailhead – after the Fredvang bridges. The car parking zone is effectively signed and is on my map beneath with the next GPS coordinates -68.090594, 13.156800. It’s a few kilometre to stroll to the trailhead from right here.
Parking zone #2 – It is a enormous car parking zone proper beside the trailhead referred to as Innersand – with GPS coordinates 68.089147, 13.140483. You’ll be able to even park in a single day, however it should value you extra. They direct you to a parking spot, so no house is wasted. As you’ll be able to see within the picture, they promote espresso and chocolate as effectively.
Parking zone #3 – I didn’t go to, however I’ve examine an 8-stall car 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 slender highway.
Parking zone #4 – We inadvertently occurred on the car parking zone for the hike to Mulstoa Seaside with room for maybe 20 automobiles. It’s free, nevertheless it’s roughly a 1.2 km stroll every manner. The approximate GPS coordinates are 68.099734, 13.1352283.
Location map for the Ryten hike and Kvalvika Seaside
Issues to know earlier than mountaineering Ryten and Kvalvika Seaside
Climate forecast
Examine the Ryten climate forecast earlier than you go. I do know plenty of hikers will solely have one alternative to do the Ryten hike, however there’s not numerous 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 while you plan to be out. Carry the mountaineering necessities as climate can flip rapidly. Don’t overlook raincoats and heat layers, even if you happen to begin out on a sunny summer time day.
In Reine, cease in on the Lofotodden Nationwide Park Customer Centre. Get up to date data and buy WAG (waste aggregation and gelling) luggage – so you’ll be able to pack out your individual poop if you happen to’re planning to camp on Kvalvika Seaside. You may additionally purchase the baggage right here on Amazon.
Ryten hike description
Search for the path leaving the car parking zone in Innersand. It begins off flat on a mix of filth 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 stunning 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 below slippery circumstances.
Then there’s a bit of boardwalk the place you’ll be able to 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 greater, so except you’re the type that should hike each inch of path, give it a move. If you attain Forsvatnet Lake, you’ll have to determine if you happen to’re going to the seashore first or up the mountain. (We selected to hike to Kavalvika Seaside first.)
It’s a gradual however not troublesome hike up Ryten. It was dry on the day we hiked Ryten however below moist circumstances, you’ll be into mud. Be a superb particular person and don’t contribute to path braiding.
As you climb greater, you’ll be near cliffs if you happen to preserve to the left. There’s extra drama if you happen to try this, however if you happen to’re scared of heights, simply step a couple of toes to the suitable.
I didn’t discover it on the hike up, however I did on our descent due to 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 lovely Kvalvika Seaside a good distance down beneath.
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 high are extraordinary.
To return to your automotive, merely retrace your steps.
You’ll be able to camp on the Ryten summit ought to that attraction – although you could carry additional water or return all the way down to the lakes to get some. You can even 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 wood boardwalks. It is a enjoyable little bit of mountaineering.
When the boardwalk ends, be ready for a steep descent. It is a good time to tug out the poles as they’ll assist you navigate the rocky, muddy, and generally slippery path. We picked our manner down and had been at Kvalvika Seaside very quickly.
If you attain the seashore you’ll be able to 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 home on the seashore and revel in a little bit of relaxation and rest.
Should you’ve already accomplished the Ryten hike, there’s the choice to return to the car parking zone by climbing the col behind Kvalvika Seaside. Though you might not see the path clearly while you’re standing on the seashore, you’ll be able to normally pick individuals ascending or descending on it. It is a a lot simpler and shorter climb out. From the highest of the col, the path heads in direction of the car parking zone at Torsfjorden. From there, you’ll be able to stroll the highway again by way of Fredvang and again to the paid car parking zone at Innersand.
I choose to stay to trails relatively than roads, so I used to be glad to hike out the identical manner we hiked in. At the very least there’s an alternative choice, and it’s solely about 2 km to the car 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, although you’re in Lofotodden Nationwide Park. Reportedly this is among the busiest wild tenting spots within the Lofotens – and I can see why. You may get to the campsite by way of a brief hike – which makes life simple if you happen to’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, a very powerful factor you are able to do is to Depart No Hint. Which means packing out EVERYTHING you pack in – even poop. (You should purchase particular poop luggage (WAG luggage) that don’t scent 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 rest room paper and/or moist wipes.
Keep away from fragile sand dunes to protect the ecosystem.
There’s a ban on bonfires from April 15 – September fifteenth. When you may make a campfire, preserve it small utilizing wooden mendacity round on the bottom, however don’t use previous or dying timber as they nonetheless present habitat for a lot of organisms.
Go ready for opposed climate as circumstances can activate a dime. Your tent ought to have a fly and be waterproof. Pack additional layers of heat clothes.
If the considered tenting with 100 individuals is a turn-off, as it’s for me, intention for the shoulder seasons in late spring or early fall.
All the time let somebody know your plan, pack a first-aid equipment and an InReach or one thing related in case you’ve got 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’ll be able to’t miss on the highway 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.
The place to remain within the Lofotens
Some concepts embrace the next spots.
Olenilsøy Cabins in Reine are rated as fabulous.
We stayed at Trendy Rorbu Ryten 1 and did all are personal cooking. It was very peaceable and we liked searching over the water. It wasn’t fancy, beds had been small, however the principle rooms had been spacious.
The Lofoten Cabins – Kakern in Ramberg are extremely rated and can be a superb alternative.
All for extra hikes in Europe & the Lofoten Islands?
It will get a nasty rap from many individuals, however if you happen to can rating a parking spot, I feel it’s extremely worthwhile to hike the Reinebringen Path. Get pleasure from a few of the finest views within the Lofoten Islands.
Should you’re quick on time, however you desire a hike that delivers 360 diploma views, go for the Offersøykammen Hike.
One other excellent hike situated in Sørvågen close to the tip of the E10 is the Munkebu Hut hike with a climb of Munken Peak.
How about hikes in Europe?
The By way of Alpina in Switzerland is a powerful multi-day hike – with no tenting concerned.
You’ll be able to’t beat mountaineering in Mallorca in winter. The hike from Valldemossa to Soller was the spotlight for my part.
The Tour du Mont Blanc could also be a preferred hike – however that’s as a result of the surroundings is great day after day.
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Thanks for studying.
Leigh McAdam
Writer of Uncover Canada – 100 Inspiring Out of doors Adventures
Co-author of 200 Nature Scorching Spots in Alberta
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