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Day trips · 2 September 2022 · 4 min read

Kvalvika Beach

In brilliant sunshine we climb Ryten (543 m) and look down on the turquoise Kvalvika Beach, including the obligatory shot on the overhanging rock. After the long descent over scrambling sections, the next adventure calls at night: northern lights over Skagsanden Beach, photographed until past 2 am.

The view from the rocks of Ryten over Lofoten bays and mountains

Ryten, Lofoten · 68.1077° N · 13.2372° E

In the most beautiful sunshine and with a view of the mountains and the sea we eat breakfast. The weather is so beautiful that we do not enjoy the view for long, but get ready for a hike. On the way we get a coffee in Ramberg and drive full of energy to Fredvang to the parking lot. Here we start our hike up Ryten Mountain and to Kvalvika Beach. Ryten is 543 meters above sea level. Some parts are again typical Norwegian hiking trails, respectively steep boulders between which you have to find your own way. But most of the time we can follow a normal hiking trail. While hiking up we have a view of Fred bag beach and the surrounding mountains.

Looking back at Fredvang beach and its bridges Green fields and scattered farms between mountain and sea Lakes and bays glittering between the ridges

When we finally made the climb up Ryten after 2-3 hours, we were rewarded with a breathtaking view of Kvalvika Beach and all the mountains around us. We even dared to go out on an overhanging rock to take photos. We are now officially part of the Ryten climbers.

Annina looking down from the ridge onto Kvalvika Beach The two of us on the overhanging rock on Ryten above Kvalvika bay Nicolas sitting on the rock ledge high above the beach Annina on the overhanging rock on Ryten, Kvalvika bay below Backlight over the beach, the waves shining white The sun above the Ryten ridge, the empty Kvalvika Beach below The sun glittering on the water in front of Kvalvika Beach Kvalvika Beach between two massive mountainsides

Downhill we continue to Kvalvika Beach. This white sandy beach with light blue clear water is only accessible by foot. If it would be a bit warmer, one could think directly, we would be in the south and would make beach vacations.

Kvalvika Beach from above, the water glowing turquoise Straight down: lines of surf on the pale sand The curve of sand and the running waves from above

But it is getting a bit late and we still have quite a way to go. We don’t go back over the Ryten, we take the “direct” way, which has an ascent of only 200 meters above sea level and many climbing passages. Following the road we have to walk another hour back to the parking lot after the hike. It is already evening and we are pretty tired after this long hike. At the lodging we have to take care of our feet. We cook only something simple - rice with stroganoff sauce - and then get ready for the northern lights. Since the weather is always so nice, a starry sky is forecast for the night as well. And indeed, we have little time to relax. We drive to Skagsanden Beach, park at the cemetery and walk to the beach where we can see and photograph northern lights over open sea and over the mountains and above us.

A green band above the sea with evening light still on the horizon Northern lights above the mountain, mirrored in the wet sand An arc sweeping over the dark rocks on the beach Green rays above the horizon with the reflection in the sand A curtain falling behind the mountainside A band spanning the last glow of light on the horizon Northern lights above the tidal channel, reflected in the wet sand A ray standing vertically above the summit, mirrored in the water Two bands crossing above the mountain peak A hook of light above the mountain with the reflection below The ray dropping steeply behind the summit, mirrored in the water At the end the light standing like a flag above the mountain

At a little after midnight we drive back to our hut. There we continue to marvel at the northern lights and photograph them until it is after 2am. We set the alarm for tomorrow only at 9 o’clock…

Fine bands crossing the starry sky A broad green arc filling almost the whole frame An arc running diagonally behind the mountain A green veil right above the dark ridge

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