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I’m ATTEMPTING the Long Crossing of Lofoten Archipelago, Norway

BestHike editor Rick McCharles

Inspired by Cam Honan’s 2018 adventure, I’ll soon set out for the Long Crossing – a 160 km (99 mi) hiking route through the spectacular heart of the island chain. 

It’s not all that popular yet. In fact, AllTrails doesn’t have it. And it has every trail everywhere.

I’d already visited Lofoten on another trip, doing most of the popular day hikes.

The Long Crossing will be next level. 😀

Total Elevation Gain: 9,193 m (30,161 ft)

Like Cam, I’ll be following recommendations set out in the Rando-Lofoten guidebook by Souyris & Brede:

Hiking the Lofoten islands

Wish me luck. Things tend to #fail in Arctic Norway — usually due to weather.

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Climbing Segla (Sail) Mountain on Senja Island, Norway

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

The main reason we make the long trip to Senja Island is to climb high and enjoy otherworldly views.

Click PLAY or see Segla mountain and others on the island on YouTube.

Senja is even further north than famed Lofoten archipelago , but is equally spectacular in places.

The jumping off point is remote Fjordgård, not easy to reach by bicycle.

I camped for free along the ocean. A very windy night.

The east side of Segla starts rising gently, whereas the steep cliffs on the west side drop directly into the fjord. The EASY route is still challenging near the top. You’ll be using your hands.

BUT first it’s recommended to do the Hesten hike, rewarding you with the most impressive looks at the peak. 3.7 km return. Hesten is 556m.

Next climb Segla itself, if you have the energy.

Around 4km return. Perhaps 2 hours up, 1 hour down — IF you move steadily. Weather is the main factor. It can switch from sun to rain storm in just a few minutes.

Click PLAY or watch my video highlights MUSIC video 😀 on YouTube.

related – detailed trip report by Worldering Around – Segla, Senja Island – Best View Of The Iconic Mountain From Hesten Hike

June to September are the best months.

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Island of the Blue Dolphins

I’d recently enjoyed reading the young-adult wilderness survival novel series written by American writer Gary Paulsen. It starts with The Hatchet (1986).

Island of the Blue Dolphins (1960) is some what similar.

… the story of a 12-year-old island girl named Karana, who is stranded alone for years on an island off the California coast.

It is based on the true story of Juana Maria, a Nicoleño Native American left alone for 18 years on San Nicolas Island during the 19th century. …

… the subject of much literary and pedagogical scholarship related to survival, feminism, the resilience of Indigenous peoples, and beyond. …

Both books won the Newbery Medal for distinguished contributions to American literature for children.

It was made into a film in 1960.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Easiest Ways to Hike India

I’ve made several trips to the Indian Himalaya, usually disappointed at the lack of information and infrastructure.

In Nepal everything is easy. Not so in India.

Happily trekking guides IndiaHikes are doing a terrific job making organizing walking adventures easy. In fact, they want this kind of fitness experience to be accessible to everyone.

The cost of guided hikes is very reasonable.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

If you prefer to hike independently, IndiaHikes can get you the information you need.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Hike Blåvatnet, Norway – The Blue Lake

The most popular day hike in the Lyngen Alps, way north of the Arctic Circle, is to Blåisvatnet.

A striking blue colour with steep mountains in the background.

It’s considered an EASY hike for the family — but I rolled my ankle a little twice on the rocks and scree.

About 8km return, but watch your footing.

Click PLAY or watch a summer video on YouTube.

It’s fairly close to the Svensby ferry landing.

Personally, I wasn’t all that impressed by Blåisvatnet. There are gorgeous lakes everywhere in Norway. For me this wasn’t anything special.

In fact, I preferred another hike even closer to Svensby ➙ I had the Barheia summit all to myself. The much-more-famous Blue Lake was super crowded the day I was there.

Related – trip report – StunningOutdoors 

It is available on AllTrails.

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#9 – Haute Route (Chamonix-Zermatt), Alps

The Haute Route in Europe is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

Sometimes called …

  • The Walker’s Haute Route
  • “High Route”
  • Mt Blanc to the Matterhorn
  • Chamonix to Zermatt

Why?

Chamonix to Zermatt, Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn – in two weeks of mountain travel you will see the greatest collection of 4000 metre peaks in the Alps!

  • Alpine charm: valleys, lakes, glaciers
  • great food, history, culture
  • from Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe (4810m, 15,781ft) …
  • … to the Matterhorn, the most beautiful peak in the alps
  • 9-15 days
  • 180+kms (112mi)
  • best months June-Sept
  • crosses 11 passes, gains more than 12,000m elevation
  • difficult hiking

World → Europe → Alps → Haute Route

hauterte-map

Click PLAY or watch a 1 minute preview on YouTube. 

For details click over to our Haute Route information page.

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Golden Ears Summit Trail, Vancouver B.C.

This hike is high on my personal todo list.

Explore this 22.0-km out-and-back trail near Maple Ridge, British Columbia.

Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 8 h 18 min to complete.

… best times to visit this trail are March through September. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

AllTrails

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

It’s one of our best hikes in North America.

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Hiking Arctic Norway – Barheia, Lyngen Alps

Trip Report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

Click PLAY or watch a #shorts on YouTube.

Barheia is not one of the famous hikes. In fact, I only learned of it from a hiking guidebook I found at a nearby hostel.

MOST day hikes here required a lot of vertical before getting to the great vistas.

Only 350m? Only 1 hour?

Let’s GO.

It’s about 6.8km return from the trailhead — once you find it well above the highway campground.

AND it’s very conveniently located in Svensby, close to the ferry dock. You can easily walk from the ferry.

Most tourists drive right past on their way to the most popular day hike in the area, Blåisvatnet (the Blue Lake). Personally I enjoyed Barheia much better. AND had the summit to myself. The Blue Lake trail is crowded with hikers high season.

Confusingly, there’s a trailhead sign close to the campground on the highway. But the start is actually higher up the mountain, well above the campers.

Once there, you can’t get lost as it’s blazed red. Useful when the snow falls.

related – Wild Planet trip report

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