Ryten (543 m a.s.l.) via Kvalvika beach

Ryten 543m a.s.l.

A peak located on Moskenesøya island, near the town of Fredvang. Many people visit it while heading to Kvalvika beach. Several trail variants lead to its summit, with the most popular one going through Kvalvika beach, which allows combining a mountain hike with a moment of rest by the sea. The route is varied, sometimes muddy and rocky, but does not require special technical preparation. The views cannot be described in words, it's best to simply see them for yourself in the photos.

Kvalvika Beach

Kvalvika Beach is one of the most picturesque and wild beaches in all of Lofoten. Hidden between the steep cliffs of Moskenesøya island, it captivates with white sand, turquoise water and a sense of seclusion. No road leads here, you can only reach it on foot, which adds to the unique character of this place. The most popular trail to the beach starts from the parking lot (P1) by the main road Fv808. The route is not long, but leads through muddy terrain and several steeper ascents. After about 45-60 minutes of walking, a view of the bay opens up, surrounded by raw, rocky peaks contrasting with the bright sand and calm sea. In summer, Kvalvika is a popular camping spot. Off-season, silence and peace reign here, and the beach shows its wild, raw face. It is also an excellent starting point towards Ryten peak, from which you can see Kvalvika from a bird's eye view, which in our opinion should not be missed.

Route Variants

Loop via Kvalvika Beach

We have presented several variants for ascending Ryten (maps are at the end of the article), but we will describe in detail the route we took, because in our opinion the trail itself was really picturesque.

Trail length: 9.4 km
Duration: 3:45 h
Elevation gain: 680 m
Difficulty level: medium

You can hike the Kvalvika trail with dogs, but during sheep grazing season they should be kept on a leash. Due to rocky sections, this is not a suitable trail for small dogs.

Parking

If you choose the loop we suggest, you can leave your car at a small free parking lot right at the trailhead (which we named P1) - location is (68.068438, 13.129611). Unfortunately, there is no other parking nearby. You can also start the trail from the Fredvang side. There are two paid but larger parking lots there (for better orientation P2 Fredvang) - location is (68.088596, 13.139279). If you don't find a spot there, there are several other parking lots on the way to Fredvang.

Trail Description

We started our loop from parking P1, where immediately on the other side of the road begins the trail leading to Kvalvika beach. The beginning of the route is a pleasant, well-trodden path, occasionally passing over rocks and wooden boardwalks. After a short ascent upwards, a beautiful view of the sea flowing between rocky peaks appears behind us. After a gentle climb, we face a descent down to Kvalvika beach, which is already emerging before us. This section is more demanding because the route leads down a steep and rocky slope. The trail is not marked, and sometimes it's hard to find a clear path, so caution is advised. The hike is constantly accompanied by an amazing view of the white beach and turquoise, calm water. The view from above is particularly impressive on a cloudy day, when the colors of the sea become even more intense. In September, the beach was almost empty, which only emphasized its wildness and tranquility. In the summer season, many people come here with tents. During our visit, only two were set up on the beach.

Trail to Kvalvika

Visible viewpoint on Ryten

After a short break on the beach, we continue on our way, this time to Ryten peak. Since we previously descended to sea level, we face another climb to about 540 m. The first part of the route leads up stone steps, reminiscent of those from Reinebringen (which we mention in a separate article). Then we pass a short section on wooden boardwalks, and the further route leads up a regular path. Behind Lake Forsvatnet we reach a junction and here, for the first time, a panorama opens up to the other side of the island, towards Ramberg. We turn left, towards Ryten peak. From this point, the trail becomes steeper, but still follows a clear path, without stone passages or boardwalks. Along the way, we pass the characteristic viewpoint overlooking Kvalvika beach and the famous rock ledge where the brave take photos. You may recognize it from Instagram. Unfortunately, during our visit, the wind on top was so strong that climbing onto the rock was a bit risky. However, brave souls were found. Many people end the route right here, because the view of Kvalvika and surrounding peaks is simply amazing. See for yourself.

The ascent is only half the journey in our loop, now we face the descent. We return on the same path we climbed, until the junction. There we choose the straight path, not right as earlier during the ascent. We didn't want to go down the stairs and climb over rocks again. Besides, whenever we have the option to return by a different route, we usually take it. This time the trail leads over wooden boardwalks, with a view of Ramberg and the beach in Fredvang. On one section, there is a fragment with chains (it is not technically difficult, but in bad weather it can be slippery, so caution is advised). The path runs between two small lakes (Einangsvatnet), picturesquely situated between the peaks. On this part of the route we met only a few people, so the descent in peace and quiet was pure pleasure. At the end of the route, a beautiful view of the sea surrounded by monumental peaks appears. The trail leads through a wild meadow covered with birch trees, which gives this place a unique atmosphere. It's worth having waterproof shoes, as the terrain can be wet. After reaching the main road, we have only about 1 km of asphalt section left to the parking lot from which we started our hike.

Summary

In our opinion, this is one of the most beautiful trails we visited in Lofoten. The views from the peak were spectacular, Kvalvika beach captivated with its wildness, and the trail itself turned out to be peaceful and extremely charming. That day we walked over 10 km in 3 hours and 20 minutes, and along the way we took about 500 photos! We definitely recommend bringing waterproof shoes, a rain jacket and most importantly, plenty of free space on your memory card, because you really can't help but photograph the views.

Seasonality

The trail to Ryten and Kvalvika beach is accessible virtually year-round, but the best conditions are from May to September, when days are long and paths are free of snow and mud. This is also the period when you can fully admire the colors of the sea and beach, and in good weather even the sunset from the peak itself. In winter and early spring (November–April), the route can be icy, muddy and dangerous in places, especially on the steep ascent from Kvalvika. A trip here is not recommended then.

Other Route Variants (maps)

P1 - Kvalvika beach - junction at Forsvatnet - Ryten - junction at Forsvatnet - Kvalvika beach - P1

P2 - Einangsvatnet - junction at Forsvatnet - Ryten - junction at Forsvatnet - (you can go to Kvalvika beach and return) - Einangsvatnet - P2