Narvtinden
Narvtinden is a hidden gem in Lofoten. It was our favorite hike of the trip. If I were forced to recommend only one hike in the region, this would be it. Partly due to the challenge (its steep!), partly to the scenery and partly to only having encountered a few other hikers during our day. At times, we felt like we had the beautiful middle of Moskenesoya all to ourselves.
The trailhead is inconspicuously located off E10, just South of the Kakern Bridge. There is no signage on the road and no official tralhead, so you have to be looking for it. This hike requires a downloaded GPS map.
I would consider this hike difficult. It is steep and muddy. There are some minor trail finding challenges at the beginning, but once you reach “the crack” in the rock, the trail is easy to follow. My nav tracker had us gaining 1300 ft in the last half mile to the summit. I would highly suggest continuing beyond the first summit along the ridgeline to the west summit. The views across Selford fjord are phenomenal. There is more exposure through this section and wouldn’t be advisable in bad weather. I used microspikes for the descent, which was helpful for traction on the steep mud.
Solbhornvagnet is a uniquely beautiful lake. Its large by Lofoten standards. We hiked along the West side of this lake in ominous weather on our way to the Markan summit later in the trip. On the way to Narvtinden, we hiked along the East and North side of the lake, and having seen it from both sides, it is one of the most dramatic and striking lakes we’ve seen. The views of this lake and the surrounnding mountains from the Narvinden summit are some of the best in Lofoten. I would also recommend visiting the rocky east lakeshore on the descent, which provides the best low elevation perspectives of this area.
From a photography perspective, Narvtinden and Solbhornvagnet are top tier locations in Lofoten. The mountain shapes surrounding the lake are twisted and sharp. The Arctic foliage was a mix of bright yellows and greens in early August. Low lying fog blows in and out throughout the day, and light peers through the fog adding drama and highlight to specific areas. Inspiring photo opportunities are plentiful, but short lived. It’s a tough place to keep your lens dry.
