After hiking up Ryten, we wake in the little town of Stamsund and decide to spend the day working our way toward Narvik. The forecast makes it clear there’s no point committing to anything big, but we break up the drive with a quick hop to the island of Skrova. It’s not a major detour or an ambitious plan—more a small pause to see Lofoten from a slightly different angle.
A relaxed ferry ride
We head to Skrova by ferry. The crossing is smooth and, after days of constant moving, surprisingly soothing. Ibo has long since made peace with these thundering engines; to him, ferries are simply part of travel.
Along the way we get a fine view of Vågan Church, often nicknamed the Lofoten Cathedral. This late-19th-century wooden church is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Norway, and with its waterside setting and striking silhouette it’s beautifully photogenic.
Skrova Fyr Lighthouse
Just before we dock, the Skrova fyr lighthouse comes into view. Beside the tower stands a meteorological station that has recorded air temperature here continuously since 1954. The lighthouse itself dates to the first half of the 20th century and is still a prominent seamark in this corner of Lofoten.
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Hattvika Beach
Skrova’s first impression is all crisp Nordic lines. The houses are tidy and colorful, and the whole place feels clean and well looked after. There’s a sense of calm here, as if time has eased off the throttle.
One of Skrova’s pleasant surprises is its beaches—something you don’t entirely expect out here. We choose Hattvika Beach. We park at the junction of Hattvika and Kuholmveien, just a few minutes’ drive from the harbor. From there it’s a short, easy walk, Ibo included. It’s an out-and-back of roughly 2.8 km with barely any elevation. At an easy pace, including brief pauses, the whole walk takes about 50–60 minutes. The path is straightforward, well-trodden and never technical, so it suits less experienced walkers and makes a good dog-friendly outing.
After roughly the first kilometer along a farm road, the route turns right and narrows to a path leading down to the beach. For a moment, some views make us wonder if we’ve washed up in Thailand. Then the mountains in the background set us straight: we’re still in Lofoten, in Northern Norway. After a brief moment to take it all in, we turn around and retrace our steps to the car, then head for the harbor in time for the ferry back to Stamsund.
A short, well-spent break
Our stop on Skrova was brief but very pleasant—an ideal place to slow the tempo, take a short walk, and reset between longer stretches on the road. A nice bonus: the ferry to Skrova is free, so this little detour really does pay off. For us, Skrova remains a small, memorable chapter on the road north toward Narvik.