According to my generally-helpful and accurate guidebook (Explore Lofoten), the Justadtinden hike in the Lofoten Islands hike can be done by bike. By the end of the walk, as I’m hauling myself up vertical slabs of rock with some difficulty, I am thinking either I’m on the wrong trail – or these Norwegians are pretty hard-core bikers…
The walk starts of as a gravel road from the carpark on Hagskaret, and heads towards a high telecommunications tower a few hundred metres to the north. After the turn-off to the telecoms tower (don’t take this), the path becomes a narrow hiking trail with sections of boardwalk over the muddiest sections. After my last few weeks, I enjoy the feeling of dry feet and not having to plot paths through knee-deep mud! The day is overcast, but the rain is holding off.
It’s a very gradual ascent through rolling hills, with views of Leknes and the surrounding mountains to the south. After about 2km there’s a bifurcation: one trail heads off to the left (west) and goes up to Blåtinden further north. I keep to the right.
Just over 3km from the start, the trail reaches a rocky plateau surrounded by tarns, and the trail descends briefly through a boggy marsh. My feet remain dry thanks to an elevated boardwalk. This is very civilized walking!
The trail starts ascending again fairly quickly, and the top of Justadtinden can be seen in the distance.
The weather is deteriorating, but through the occasional gaps in the mist there are some nice views back towards Stamsund and the sea. It’s a shame it’s not a clear day.
After a bit less than two hours walking there’s a final scramble up some steep rocks, before the Justadtinden summit (738m) is reached. There’s really no view – visibility is a few hundred metres – so I don’t linger very long. Two rocky peaks separated by a narrow gap would yield some impressive photos in clear weather. But not today.
Staying near Justadtinden
I did this walk as travelled from Reine to Ballstad, making a detour on the way. It’s about a 30min drive from Ballstad, where we stayed at Hattvika Lodge.
Booking.comMore information on Justadtinden
- Kristin Folsland Olsen, “Explore Lofoten” (p.46) – excellent book with over 60 walks
- Switchback travel – Lofoten Islands Hiking (top 10 Lofoten Island hikes)
0 Comments