Mannen – A Small Mountain with a Big View: Guide to Hiking Mannen In The Lofoten Islands

With an elevation gain of just 430m, you don’t have to get very high to enjoy an impressive view of tropical-looking beaches surrounded by vibrant green mountains when hiking Mannen.

Things to Know About Hiking to Mannen

Mannen is more than worth the relatively low effort it requires. If you’re trying to squeeze every last second out of your Lofoten Islands road trip, it can quickly be done the morning of your departure. Just set the alarm because time flies on a mountain surrounded by incredible landscapes like this.

Map & roundtrip stats for the hike

• Distance: 4.5 km / 2.8 mi
• Elevation Gain: 430 m / 1410 ft
• Time required: 3-3.5 h
• Type of hike: out and back
• When to go: June – September
• Parking: 68.199447, 13.532218

Where is the Mannen hike located?

The peak of Mannen sits above Haukland Beach on Vestvågøy Island in Lofoten. The nearest city, Leknes, is about a 15-minute drive to the trailhead. Mannen is located around the midway point between Reine and Svolvær; you can also easily drive from either one in just over an hour.

Read More: 10 Fantastic Day Hikes In The Lofoten Islands

What is the best time of year to hike Mannen?

The short answer is the summer months between June – August. However, given its steep and exposed trail towards the top, I would not recommend this hike after heavy rains. The combination of muddy trails and slippery rocks could make the hike a little dangerous as the trail does come quite close to the edge.

It also probably goes without saying that this is not a winter hike. You could climb to the saddle without difficulty using snowshoes. However, the ridge portion would be dangerous in the snow and ice.

How challenging is the hike to Mannen?

While not particularly strenuous, Mannen is a moderately difficult hike due to the exposure of the last section of the trail, which can get unnerving close to the edge at times.

This trail is also almost guaranteed to be quite muddy, so bring good shoes and hiking poles.

I hiked Mannen in less-than-ideal conditions after some rain and with a lot of wind. This certainly made it a little more challenging as our muddy boots became slippery on the rocky sections, but the wind was our biggest challenge. At the top, we even had to sit down and brace ourselves against some big gusts, but the view was still worth it. 

Highlights of the hike

Even on cloudy days, you can enjoy the turquoise waters and bright white sands of the famous Haukland and Vik beaches, but if you’re lucky enough to get a sunny day, you’re in for an extra special treat. 

For some reason, this part of Lofoten seemed to be extra green, with rolling hills and jagged mountains surrounding us in vibrant colours for the whole hike. So even if the last section scares you, it’s still worth the journey as far as you can manage.

How to get to the trailhead of the Mannen hike

Parking for the Mannen hike is at Haukland Beach, just before the Utakleiv tunnel. Parking costs NOK 40 for 6 hours.

This beach is quite popular with surfers, tourists, and hikers, so you may struggle to find a spot in peak periods. Unfortunately, there isn’t anywhere else that you can legally park close to the trailhead, but since people are always coming and going, you don’t usually have to wait too long until something frees up.

There’s even a little cafe here if you need a pick-me-up before hiking.

Mannen trail description

From Haukland Beach, cross the road and follow the smaller road to the right of the tunnel. After around 600m, take the hiking trail that turns off to the left, just before the large lake.

The following 400 meters zig-zag their way up the hill as you climb most of the elevation up to Mannen. At the top of this section, you will come out into a broad plateau. Turn left here.

You will notice several trails continue straight down the valley. These trails continue and take you to either Uttakleiv Beach or Himmeltindan. They don’t go via Mannen, so don’t be tempted to explore unless you’re ready for a much bigger hike.

Follow the trail that hugs the ridge heading west towards the beach. The trail gradually gains elevation as you head towards the summit of Mannen. Several different trails wind in and out of each other here. Pick whichever one seems to be the least muddy, as they all join together at some point.

The very last hundred meters or so are where it starts to get a bit exposed. You may want to use your hands for stability, but it flattens out again before you reach the summit cairn, so you can relax and take in the view. 

Read More: 5-Day Hiking Road Trip Itinerary Around The Lofoten Islands.

Other hikes to do nearby Mannen

Hornet

If you’re looking for another easy hike in Norway that you can squeeze into the same day, Hornet offers a terrific payoff without much effort. The trail itself is pretty short, and there is only 300 meters of elevation to climb, but you still get to enjoy an intense-looking summit with panoramic mountain views on all sides. 

Offersøykammen

One of my favourite hikes in Lofoten, Offersøykammen, is just a 15-minute drive from Mannen and offers equally spectacular views throughout the entire 6 km trail. While its moderate steepness will be sure to get your heart rate up, there is no exposure to worry about.