Munken and Munkebu
Similar to Narvtinden, Munken is one of the great day hikes in the interior backcountry of Moskenesoya. Unique to this area are the two Munkebu huts, which can be reserved in advance for overnight trips. These huts are in close proximity to the Munken summit, and some hikers will stay in the huts as part of a multi-day climb of Hermansdalstinden, which is the tallest mountain on the island.
We did Munken and Munkebu as a day hike. It was very foggy and damp, and visibility was at times limited. The low fog did allow intermittent opportunities for light to peer through, creating some eerie highlights. From a photography perspective, Lofoten is all about the light, and its interaction with the sharp peaks and characteristic fog. This day on Munken had several of these great scenes.
There is a beautiful tiered waterfall near the start of the hike and then an easy path to the first lake (Stuvdalsvatnet). After that, the hike gets a bit more challenging. There are two rocky sections with chains, which would be difficult in rain. After the chain section is a muddy stretch along a ridge overlooking Tridalsvatnet lake. This is a beautiful segment, but trail finding can be mildly challenging. Thereafter, there is a climb adjacent to another waterfall, followed by the junction with the Merraflestinden summit trail.
About a mile later, we reached the Munkebu huts. This was our favorite area of the hike. We were below the fog and could see the huts, the adjacent lakes (Fjerddalsvatnet and Tennesvatnet) and the waterfall descending from an upper lake, Krokvatnet, down to Tennesvatnet. An incredible combination of light, fog, natural and man-made landscape.
After the huts, we started the ascent to the summit of Munken. Unfortunately, we quickly became engulfed in dense fog severely limiting visibility. There were no signs of the fog clearing, and it was getting worse as we climbed. After half mile and several hundred feet of elevation gain, we made the decision to turn back. On the return, we hiked down to the isthmus separating Fjerddalsvatnet and Tennesvatnet, another beautiful area with a different perspective on the lakes and waterfall, before heading back to the trailhead.
Of our hikes in Lofoten, Munken is the one I would most like to repeat, since weather prevented a rewarding summit experience. This area is among the most beautiful and remote in Moskenesoya. While challenging, the Hermansdalstinden climb is also on my list of hikes when we return.
