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 500mThe 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.At this point the landscape is "alpine" with multiple snow fields even in early July.The goal is in sight, but still some ground to cover...The views get better and betterThe 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
This is near the topAs 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.
The views from the top of Møysalen are absolutely stunning.Did I already mention that the views from the top are amazing?
Looking down once more before beginning the long descentThat's where we came fromI always get excited when I see snow covered mountains and valleysOne last look before turning a corner. I was there!!!