On a glorious day in July I hiked to the top of Møysalen (1262m), the highest peak in Vesterålen. It is a magnificent hike and one of the best day hikes in Norway. Indeed, it is definitely in the top 10 of the best hikes I’ve done so far.

I had booked a guided tour and if you’re thinking of hiking to Møysalen I highly recommend you do the same. Even in July there many snow patches and near the top you have to cross a glacier. The tour starts at 8:30 am at the visitor centre of Møysalen National Park in Hennes and ends early in the evening. At approximately 25km the hike is also pretty long. If you book the guided tour a motor boat will drop you off at the end of the fjord, which I found pretty exciting in itself, thereby cutting the distance by 2-3 km.

In the distance you can see the fjord. At this point we'd already hiked more than two hours and climbed about 500m
Møysalen
The mountain to the left of the "sharp" peak is Møysalen. Still quite some way to go. Already the views are pretty awesome.
Looking down towards a valley in Møysalen National Park.
Møysalen
At this point the landscape is "alpine" with multiple snow fields even in early July.
Møysalen
The goal is in sight, but still some ground to cover...
Møysalen
The views get better and better
The final stretch of the trail to the peak of Møysalen (top right corner) leads along a ridge with some narrow passages. It flattens near the top.
One of several snow fields we had to cross
Møysalen
Møysalen
This is near the top
As it is the highest peak in the region the top of Møysalen offers amazing 360º views

In the distance you can see Sortland and the bridge covering the fjord. The next day I could see the top of Møysalen from the window of my hotel in Sortland. That too was a pretty good feeling.

Møysalen
The views from the top of Møysalen are absolutely stunning.
Møysalen
Did I already mention that the views from the top are amazing?
Møysalen
Looking down once more before beginning the long descent
That's where we came from
I always get excited when I see snow covered mountains and valleys
Møysalen
One last look before turning a corner. I was there!!!

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