Ryten is one of the relatively well-known peaks in the Lofoten Islands, which, despite its modest height of 543 metres, offers iconic views of the ocean, steep rock faces and Kvalvika beach far below. It is not a technically demanding hike nor a climb with significant elevation gain, but the combination of accessibility and striking views makes it a very popular destination.
We climbed Ryten during our road trip through Scandinavia and the Baltic countries, and, of course, no one else accompanied us on this experience but our dog, Ibo.
After a hard and mostly sleepless night spent in a tent and a car, we chose Ryten as the ideal compromise. Fatigue was noticeable, but we also knew that this hike wouldn’t break us physically and would still offer exactly what we came to the Lofoten for. If it weren’t for the unfavorable weather forecast for the coming days, we might have preferred to take a day of rest and end up in a hotel. However, we realized that we had only about 24 hours left to explore this interesting part of Norway.
Morning after a short night
We chose the relatively well-known mountain Ryten (543 m above sea level) as our destination. We drove to the trailhead after a very short and mostly sleepless night spent in a tent and in the car. The morning is sleepy, cold, and exactly like what anyone who travels for a long time without a set plan knows.
The drive runs across the island of Moskenesøya on road 7708. It’s the typical Norwegian road that winds over sea straits, crosses iconic bridges and offers views you would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Even an ordinary car ride here feels like a little excursion.
A simple hike with a big payoff
The hike to Ryten is among the technically easier ones and that’s why it’s quite popular. The ascent isn’t extreme, the terrain is easy to read, and the reward is views that are among the best the Lofoten have to offer. Because of this, we encounter a fairly large number of hikers here.
At the same time it’s a route that is very manageable with a dog. Ibo completed it without any problems and overall it felt like an ideal hike for four-legged companions. However, you should expect that the trail passes through marshes and wetter sections in places, so your dog will hardly come out completely dry.
Fortunately most of these places are equipped with wooden boardwalks that significantly ease the passage. If you can keep your dog on the boardwalk, it’s not a major issue. However, you should also expect more people, children and, of course, other dogs on the route.
Ibo did the hike in his hiking harness and, in the final sections, on a leash, which proved to be a sensible solution given the number of people and the more exposed spots.
Most people head here mainly for the iconic views of Kvalvika beach that open up in the final part of the ascent. It’s at that moment that it becomes clear why Ryten is so popular – the view of the wide beach squeezed between steep rocks is one of those you remember for a long time.
Wind from the ocean
The last metres of the ascent lead along a slight incline across the summit plateau. It’s here that we begin to fully feel the wind coming straight from the ocean. It serves as a reminder that even though the route is simple, we are still in a harsh northern environment where the weather always has the final say.
The views from the summit are typically Lofoten – the omnipresent ocean, deep bays and steep peaks rising from them. The landscape feels raw yet impressive, open and at the same time incredibly photogenic.
Fatigue and well-deserved rest
The trip to Ryten completely wiped us out after a short and sleepless night. All the more we looked forward to returning and to real rest. In the evening we fall into bed at a very pleasant resort in the town of Stamsund.
Ryten was more or less randomly chosen as a destination based only on a glance at the map. However, it proved to be a very good choice. It was a pleasant combination of an accessible hike and iconic views without the need to perform superhuman feats that we certainly would not have been capable of that day.