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The Lofoten Islands are full of some of the world's most stunning hikes, and one of our favorites was our adventure hiking Ryten & Kvalvika Beach.

This hike is unlike the others, because it has two amazing parts, and they are experiencing Kvalvika Lake from two different aspects. You can hike up to a viewpoint where you see a stunning panorama of Kvalvika Beach, or you can hike all the way down to the beach itself. 

During our time there, we decided to do both, and highly recommend them. The info on many other sites seemed very confusing to us, and we found some of it to be very misleading. For that reason, we decided to track every step of the way. That way, you can experience hiking Ryten & Kvalvika Beach in the best way possible!

Where Are Ryten & Kvalvika Beach Located?

Ryten and Kvalvika Beach are located in Fredvang, Norway, in the Lofoten Islands. The Lofoten Islands are all the way in the north of Norway, along the Arctic Circle, and are one of the most northern parts of Europe, and the world! The only way to reach this area is by hiking Ryten and Kvalvika Beach.

Hiking Ryten & Kvalvika Beach

Now you have made it to the trailhead! So let's dive into exactly what you should expect.

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Starting the Hike to Ryten & Kvalvika Beach

We decided to park at Fredvang, which is the most popular lot to start hiking from. The trail starts right after the parking lot, and begins with wooden boards that you will need to walk across. The hike itself is a mix of walking on wooden boards, through rocks, and up grassy areas.

Hiking Ryten gets a bit confusing, because there are so many times where the trail ends up forking, and there are no signs around, making you feel lost. However, the good news is that pretty much every trail leads you to the same place, as long as you continue to go up, and stay to the right of the water.

All throughout the hike we were asking people how long it took them. Some said three hours up, some said 2 1/2, and some said two. To our surprise though, going up only took us and hour and a half! Also, 10 minutes of that was stopping to take pictures. You'll know you're almost there (about 10-15 minutes away) when you start to see the views pictured below:

Reaching the Top of Ryten

The top of Ryten offers stunning views of Kvalvika Beach, as well as the mountains surrounding it.

Not only are the views breathtaking, but there is also a super Instagrammable photo opportunity with a rock jutting out over the view. Of course as photographers, this is what made us even more excited to reach the top.

Hiking Ryten to Kvalvika Beach

When we first were reading articles about hiking Ryten & Kvalvika Beach, it seemed that you either had to choose one or the other. Many people say you need to go all the way back and do a completely different trail, but that is not the case! In fact, you can easily combine the two. While the hikes are separate trails, the trail from Fredvang actually forks about 3/4 of the way through, so you can do one and then the other.

We personally were very happy we decided to hike up to Ryten before hiking down to the beach, as hiking down and then up would have been a bit more difficult.

In order to hike to Kvalvika Beach from Ryten, you'll have to go back down where you came from. After 15 minutes you'll reach a fork, and you'll then want to take a right. You'll have 5 minutes of walking straight along wooden boards, until you find a big waterfall on your left, and the trail continues by having to climb down rocks. You'll see the beach at this point, so you can't get lost! It took us about 20-25 minutes to get down, adding an extra half hour each way to the hike.

Enjoying Kvalvika Beach

Once you make it down to Kvalvika, you'll be greeted with a long stretch of golden sand, bright turquoise waters, and giant towering mountains surrounding the area. Chances are it won't be warm enough to swim per say, but you can jump in if you're looking for a cold plunge.

We saw a ton of people camping on the beach, which we think is a great way to break up the hiking, as well as enjoy the area to the fullest.

Hiking Back from Kvalvika Beach

There are two trails that you can take to get to Kvalvika Beach. However, it's important that you take the same trail that you came on. We made this mistake, and ended up arriving in the wrong parking lot, which was a full hour walking away from where we started! There were no buses, taxis, or even people driving at that time, so we had no choice but to simply walk the entire way.

If you came from Ryten, you'll have to walk back up the rocks, and then stay to the right, going back down to the beginning of the trailhead. If we had done this, it probably would have taken us around an hour and a half to get back to the parking lot.

The Other Trail to/from Kvalvika

We ended up going straight up the large stones facing the beach instead. The hike was 30 minutes uphill, and then it flattened out. For another 15 minutes we walked across wooden boards, and then down through the trees to make it to the parking lot.

From there, we then had the one hour walk along the paved road. While this was certainly not what we were planning, we have to say that the views were stunning along the way.

Price & Timetable

Hiking Ryten & Kvavlvika Beach is completely free of charge. The only fee that you will have to pay is for parking, which costs 100 NOK, and it can be paid in either cash or with a credit card.

If you don't want to pay for parking, you could alternatively park on the side of the road around the area, and just walk a little extra.

The trail is open 24/7, 365 days a year, so you don't have to worry about making a reservation, nor getting there at a certain time. 

Other Things to Keep in Mind While Hiking Ryten & Kvalvika Beach

Now you know almost everything you need to know for hiking Ryten & Kvalvika Beach! Here are just a few final details to keep in mind:

Weather Conditions Around Ryten

The weather in the Lofoten Islands can be so unpredictable! We arrived with clear skies and sunshine, and by the time we finished it started pouring rain.

It's quite cold in this area of the world, and can even get chilly in the height of summer! For that reason, it's important to layer up, and to be prepared for all types of weather.

The top can be windy and cold, so make sure to bring layers.

The Best Time for Hiking Ryten & Kvalvika Beach

If you want to escape the crowds and have the best lighting, we would suggest you to do the hike late in the afternoon or night time. We did most of our hikes in the Lofoten Islands anywhere from midnight to 5 in the morning for colorful skies and less traffic on the trails.

If you want the most sunshine, and prefer other people to be around you, then we would suggest going midday.

How to Prepare for Hiking Ryten & Kvalvika Beach

Now that you know almost everything you need to know, here is a packing list for hiking Ryten & Kvalvika Beach:

• Sunscreen 
• Sunglasses
• Hiking boots or a pair of good sneakers
• Reusable Water Bottle (we suggest this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
• Steripen (the water is potable, but just in case)
• Umbrella or poncho in case it rains
• Flip Flops for the beach (we personally always get Havaiana flip flops, as they are comfy and long lasting)
• Zippered Bag or Backpack - take a look at our favorite backpacks for travelers
• Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are super long lasting and sturdy)
• Bathing Suit if you want to swim
• Light jacket or sweater (it can get windy and chilly)
• Towel
• Drone (We use the Mavic Mini Pro 3 because it's super light and doesn't sacrifice quality)
• Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 X3 because it's small & can get 360 degrees of coverage)
• Snacks such as sandwiches, granola bars, or trail mix

If you happen to stay the night, here are also some other things you may want to bring:

• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Small pillow
• Food
• Small cooler (if you bring perishable foods)
• Eye Mask to block out the sunlight
• Plastic bag to put your trash
• Wipes & tissues to go to the bathroom, or to freshen up

Tips for Hiking Ryten & Kvalvika Beach

• Bring a reusable water bottle, and a Steripen to fill up at the waterfalls.
• Be prepared for all types of weather.
• Make sure to take the same trail in and out, so you don't end up at the wrong parking lot.
• We suggest hiking to the viewpoint of Ryten first, and then going down to the beach afterwards.

Hiking Ryten & Kvalvika Beach was definitely one of our favorite experiences in the Lofoten Islands, and something we would recommend to anyone visiting the area! Want to know about other great hikes? Make sure to check out the iconic Reinebringen, and stay tuned for other outdoor activities around the Lofoten Islands.

Looking for more off-the-beaten-path destinations to explore? Make sure to check out some of our Balkan travel guides from our adventures last summer. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter, so that you can get updates on more upcoming Scandinavian travel guides, as well as exclusive content and discounts from us!

Ready to start exploring but don't know where to start? With over a decade of experience, we know all the tips and tricks to find the most affordable flights, unique hotels, and all those hidden photo spots. We'd be happy to help you build your dream itinerary too. Simply email us to chat about your upcoming trip you'd like to take!

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