Hiking Hestræva in Lofoten, Norway – A Hidden Gem Away from the Tourists

Hestræva is quite a unique day hike in Norway in more than one way. First, the trail is quite long and gradual compared to the intense hikes that Lofoten is famous for. Secondly, you will likely have the summit all to yourself if you choose this off-the-beaten-path hike.

Things to Know About Hiking to Hestræva

While Hestræva might sneak under the radar of most visitors to Lofoten, that doesn’t mean the views are anything short of spectacular. Looking out at the turquoise colours of Flakstadpollen Bay, you might forget that you’re in the Arctic.

Map & roundtrip stats for the hike

• Distance: 4.8 km / 3 mi
• Elevation Gain: 450 m / 1480 ft
• Time required: 3-3.5 h
• Type of hike: out and back
• When to go: June – September
• Parking: 68.084036, 13.341502

Where is the Hestræva hike located?

Hestræva is located on Flakstadøy Island, around 15 minutes from Ramberg or 40 minutes from Reine in the Lofoten Islands.

Despite the trailhead starting right at the E10 (the main road that crosses Lofoten), this mountain is so off the beaten path that it’s not even on Google Maps.

I only learned about this hike by reading the West Lofoten Hikes ebook by fellow photographer Cody Duncan. I highly recommend purchasing his ebook if you want to escape the tourists. I found it very helpful during research for my Lofoten trip.

What is the best time of year to hike Hestræva?

Since this hike is quite mellow, you could probably hike it throughout the year with the right equipment. That being said, I would advise avoiding Hestræva after heavy rain. The trail can get incredibly boggy, and you may end up in knee-deep mud.

For the best trail conditions, June to August is generally a good time of year to hike Hestræva. I visited at the end of August, and although we didn’t have the clearest weather, the trail conditions were fine.

How challenging is the hike to Hestræva?

Rising just 450m over a leisurely 4.8 km, the hike to Hestræva is not particularly challenging. However, it will take around 3 to 3.5 hours, so allow enough time in your Lofoten itinerary.

Most of the trail traverses fields and valleys that can become quite muddy at times. However, because this hike has not been taken over by the tourist masses, it’s not too much of an issue.

On the flip side, route finding can be tricky at times because it’s not a very popular hike. Many sheep freely graze in the area, which means there are sometimes dozens of trails going in all different directions, and there are no signposts. If you have a GPS map or detailed instructions, you should be fine, but it’s something to consider ahead of time.

The most technical part of the trail comes right at the end when you begin to ascend to the top. The trail completely disappears as you transition from mud to rocky shale, making the hiking a little bit more complicated.

Highlights of the Hestræva day hike

Aside from being extremely quiet, the hike itself is pretty uneventful, but as you get to the summit and look back at Flakstadpollen Bay, you’ll see that the effort was worth it.

If you’re lucky enough to get a sunny day, the waters at the perimeters of the bay are an incredible turquoise blue colour. Paired with the white sand, it could almost be mistaken for the Bahamas.

But something that makes this view even more interesting is the contrasting dark blue colour that appears at the centre of the bay. There is a clear line where the water turns from Bahama blue to what you expect to see in the Arctic.

We didn’t see anyone else on the entire trail, and although it was pretty windy, I enjoyed the solitude of being surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks.

How to get to the trailhead of the Hestræva hike

The hike to Hestræva starts right on the E10, the main road through the Lofoten Islands, but the trailhead is not too noticeable.

If you look for the village of Kilan on your GPS, that will be the closest recognizable point on the map. From here, you’ll need to pay close attention and try not to blink!

When coming from Ramberg, you’re looking for a small gravel parking lot just past Kilan on the left side of the road. It’s free to park here, and there’s space for 3-4 cars.

Hestræva trail description

Cross the road from the gravel car park and head up the driveway towards the red house (don’t worry, this is allowed in Norway). After you walk past the barn you should see a trail marked “Skogsstien” and shortly after that, you will need to pass through an electric fence. Be careful not to touch the wall like my friend did.

From here, you can continue to follow whichever seems the most worn trail, slowly making its way up the valley. You’ll cross a river, pass through fields and small forests, and even meet a sheep or two. 

Eventually, you’ll find yourself at the saddle between Andopshesten and Hestræva, where the mudd gives way to more slippery shale-like rock. Hestræva is the mountain on your right, so it’s time to pick your adventure to reach the top.

Other hikes to do nearby Hestræva

Volandstind

Another easy hike that is just around the corner, Volandstind rewards with incredible views of Lofoten’s famous tiny islands, all connected by bridges. Don’t be put off by the impossible-looking, pyramid-shaped western face you can see from the road, this is one of the easiest hikes in Lofoten.

Flakstadtind

In classic Lofoten style, Flakstadtind is another short but intense hike with a great payoff. While it is a bit more well-known than Hestræva, you’ll still probably only see a handful of people on this trail and will quite possibly have the breathtaking panoramic views all to yourself.