Kvalvika beach is a beautiful remote beach in Lofoten and can only be reached by foot or by boat. From Kvalvika beach, you can enjoy some beautiful views of the Ryten mountain and experience the magical midnight sun or a spectacular sunset over the ocean. It is also the perfect place to spend a night under the stars on a beach. If you are lucky, you can even witness the light spectacle of the Northern Lights from the end of August on a clear night. Can it get even more magical? And we have more good news: hiking to the beach is quite easy and not too demanding at all. There are different hiking trails to get to Kvalvika Beach. In this blog post we explain more about the hike to the east side of the beach, starting from Vestervika (Selfjord).
- 68° 12′ N, 13° 31′ E
Overview
There are different trails leading to both the east and the west side of Kvalvika beach. There’s also a short trail connecting both sides of the beach, so you don’t have to chose to which side you hike. One of the hikes to the west side of the beach can be combined with the hike to Ryten. Another hike to the west side of Kvalvika starts at Torsfjord.
We will explain more about the ‘Vestvika‘ hike from Selfjord to the east side of the beach. This is the trail with the least elevation, so the most easy if you hike with camping gear. It is important to mention that despite the path does not have many altimeters, it is a path with a very uneven surface and quite a few rocks that you have to go over and past.
About the hike
8 km
Highest point: 150m
End point: Sea level
150 m
3 to 4 hours
Out & back trail
Easy - Moderate - Difficult - Expert
The hike
From the Markjorda parking lot, you cross the street and enter the meadows through a small gate. From here, you follow the trail, across some wooden planks, over the first small hill. After this hill, the trail become rougher with more rocks. You will reach the first lake and after a while, you will enter a little forest with small trees. Here, you have to duck and dodge some branches and step along some muddy and rocky sections. The path will also split up a couple of times. It doesn’t really matter which trail you take, as long as you keep walking in the same direction.
Once you passed the trees, the path continues along the lake until you reach a short section uphill to the second lake. The trail wraps around this second lake as well. Along the way, you will have to scramble over and between some rocks and walk through some muddy parts.
As soon as you’ve passed the second lake and walk around the corner, you will see Kvalvika Beach appear. From here, it is one last stretch down. Be careful as it is quite steep and can be slippery. But once you have conquered this last part, you can put up your tent and enjoy the beautiful kvalvika beach with a view of Ryten and the endless ocean.
When to hike
The hiking season for Kvalvika runs during spring, summer and autumn. During winter, the hike can be extremely challenging due to snow, ice, and harsh weather conditions. It’s recommended only for experienced hikers and those well-prepared for winter outdoor activities. Camping is not recommended during winter due to the harsh weather conditions.
It is not recommended to hike in bad weather conditions as the trail might get very slippery and muddy. This hike is best done on a sunny and clear day or during a clear midnight sun night. The beach can be very exposed to strong winds, so it is not recommended to stay the night on windy nights.
Ryten Hike in Lofoten, Norway
Read more
How to get there
To start the hike from Selfjord to the east side of the beach, you can park your car for free on the Markjorda Parking lot.
On Google Maps, you can find the first parking lot here.
Rent your car in Lofoten here
via RentalCars
Photo Gallery
Tips & Safety considerations
You might encounter some sheep on the trail. Remember do not to disturb them and keep your dog on a leash. As Kvalvika Beach is located in the Lofotodden National Park, drones are NOT allowed.
Important hiking tips!
Wear proper shoes as you'll have hike up some slippery parts and rocks
There are no facilities along the way, so bring enough food and water with you
Sun protection is a must on sunny days as you'll have to walk a while whitout shelter
The weather in the mountains can change quickly. Always check the weather predictions before you start hiking.
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- Last updated September 2, 2023
