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# Vesterålen
- URL: https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/vesteralen/
- Published: 2023-07-28T18:06:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-12-31T09:26:08.000Z
- Description: Vesterålen has it all: amazing scenery, majestic mountains, deep fjords and beautiful beaches. There is one thing Vesterålen does not have: tour buses full of tourists.
- Author: Ivar Hagendoorn
- Tags: Photography

Vesterålen has it all: amazing scenery, majestic mountains, deep fjords and beautiful beaches. It is a hiker’s paradise and a great destination for whale watching. There is one thing Vesterålen does not have: tour buses full of tourists. They only go to Lofoten. Vesterålen therefore receives less visitors than [Lofoten](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/lofoten/).

![Vesterålen](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2023/08/vesteralen-1.jpg)

This photo was taken along the scenic route Andøya near Bukkekjerka. I stopped here to just sit on a boulder and watch the ocean for a while.

![Along the Dronningruta trail](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2023/08/vesteralen-2.jpg)

Near the start or the end of Dronningruta depending on whether you hike clockwise or counterclockwise.

Of course I hiked the Dronningruta, which is billed as one of the most beautiful hikes in Norway and as Queen Sonja's favourite hike.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2023/08/vesteralen-3.jpg)

Somewhere along Dronningruta

![Along the Dronningruta trail](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2023/08/vesteralen-4.jpg)

Somewhere along Dronningruta. It is basically a combination of a ridge hike and a beach hike.

![Along the Dronningruta trail](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2023/08/vesteralen-5.jpg)

To hike Dronningruta you can either start in Stø or Nyksund. Regardless of where you start I recommend hiking counterclockwise. There's a stretch with chains near Nyksund which is easier going up than going down. If only I had known this! Thus, if you're starting in Stø walk along the beach first; if you're starting in Nyksund climb the mountain first and walk back along the beach.

![Along the Dronningruta trail](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2023/08/vesteralen-6.jpg)

Along the Dronningruta trail

![Along the Dronningruta trail near Nyksund](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2023/08/vesteralen-7.jpg)

The most beautiful part of Dronningruta is near Nyksund.

![Dronningruta](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2023/08/vesteralen-8.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2023/08/vesteralen-9.jpg)

Mountains, lakes and beautiful beaches, what more could you wish for?

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2023/08/vesteralen-10.jpg)

The hike to Måtinden is another classic hike in Vesterålen

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2023/08/vesteralen-11.jpg)

The hike to Måtinden is a short but rewarding hike offering amazing coastal views

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2023/08/vesteralen-12.jpg)

Vesterålen is home to the oldest rock formations in Norway. This is not it though. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2023/08/vesteralen-13.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2023/08/vesteralen-15.jpg)

Somewhere along the scenic route near Bø and Bømyra

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f7/c4/f7c4338c-1a69-4369-8416-8d74c9880bb6/content/images/2023/08/vesteralen-14.jpg)

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**More** [**Lofoten**](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/lofoten/) **and** [**Senja**](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/senja/)**!** The awesome hike to the top of [Møysalen](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/moysalen/) and the [Munkebu hut](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/munkebu-hut-hike/). The views from [Matmora](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/matmora/). And of course [Reine](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/reine/).

**More** [**Norway**](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/norway/)**!** Amazing [Jotunheimen National Park](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/jotunheimen-national-park/), [Mount Skåla](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/skala/), [Romsdalseggen](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/romsdalseggen/), [Svellnosbreen](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/svellnosbreen-glacier/), [Nigardsbreen](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/nigardsbreen-glacier/), [Dalsnibba](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/dalsnibba/). Yet [more Norway](https://www.ivarhagendoorn.com/photos/norway-revisited/).