Boating & Biking Adventures

Category: B(H)iking Page 7 of 37

Digermulen on the way…

I was lucky and got a free spot suitable to berth The Lady at Digermulen next to the ferry terminal. There are not many. As the timing worked well for a short ride on Storemolla and I was keen to explore Ulvågen, I grabbed the bike. Ulvågen has a pontoon for visitors as well but I was not sure on the depth.

Komoot promised me some paved roads but it turned out to be all gravel, hard and solid but dusty gravel!

Deeply impressed by the natural beauty and its people granted a living in the same, I returned after 10km only but left with a pulsating head.

Out of 6 locals permanently living in Ulvågan, I have spoken to every second. First was the angler at his boat, who came after me later on his bike to let me know, that the depth at the visitor pontoon is 3.8m. He measured for me.

Bikers paradise!

Thank you! Great. We can go there, if we get another chance and have the guts.

Second, the local elderly man cutting his lawn with his new Gardena tool and telling me, that there was more fish in the area years back and last but not least the local lady, married to a fishermen having two decent sized fishing trawlers. If I had not to catch a return ferry, I would probably still be there chatting.

I feel mentaly exhausted.

Fair winds…

Svolvær Airport Drop

I would not have been on the road today, but the change in Susan’s travel routing to get home made it possible. After an early morning walk to the airport, I was curious to hit the road.

The weather pattern – sun in the south and clouds in the north of the Lofoten Archipelago – made it another colourful ride, although I would have preferred to see a little bit less overcasted skies along the northern shores of Austvågøya. A complain on a very high level. It was a very good ride.

I have decided to stay a second night in Svolvær, no rush.

Fair winds…

Met around a dozen bikepackers today.
Svolvær City Beach in the afternoon hours.

Skrovøya – No Rush!

Finally it was a clear cut taking weather forecasts also into the equation. Stay on Skrova Island, no reason to rush! It became a day with some boat work and a short hike to further explore this beautiful island. The beaches were our target despite the low hanging clouds. 

Fair winds…

Skrovøya – Lofoten

We left Svolvær in the early morning hours as our program for the planned one night stopover at Skrova Island was packed and included one bike ride and one hike. Sitting here now in the evening ours, I am not sure we make it to leave tomorrow, the island is simply to gorgeous.

Our cockpit view captures it all: The traditional and modern world in marvellous nature.

After cycling every inch on the island, including the gravel section to Hattvika Beach we clocked just below 10km. It gave us a good overview about the size and vibe on the island, known as the cultural hotspot of the Lofoten. The photo exhibition arranged within the road tunnel under perfect lighting conditions is one of the proof.

Hard to believe, a tunnel on this tiny island.

After some rest, we kicked-off the hike to Skrova’s mountain viewpoint at 259m above sea level. After a relatively short but rough hike we took plenty of time to absorb this breathtaking view – without doubt, the best on the Lofoten so far.

The best view we had so far here in the Lofoten. Skrova - The Photo Island.

With less than 200 locals permanently living on this amazing island, which is only a 30 minutes ferry ride away from tourist hotspot Svolvær, and now at peak holiday season in Norway, I remain puzzled how peaceful this spot comes across.

Tired but happy we will see, if we can leave this place behind already tomorrow and move on as planned or not. I have some doubts!

Fair winds…

Gravel Trial Test

Debatable, if this church presents itself more picturesque from outside at low or at high tide.

After spotting another track on Komoot around Svolvær, I was back in the saddle around 10am to check it out. Additionally motivated from the fact, that the ride will pass along Vågan Church in Kabelvåg, a unique heritage building, which we missed last time. Also had another check on Kabelvåg downtown before hitting the gravel.

Wild, ~500m catch & carry was needed.

The gravel became a trial and my Chiru X-Root got quickly to its limit. Nevertheless I got through and enjoyed another excursion into this beautiful nature.

Fair winds…

Svolvær – Lofoten

We have now taken berth under the Svolværgeita in the Vågan Båt- og Sjøfiskeforening (Vågan Boat and Sea Fishing Association), the local boat club in Svolvær. While the short passage was uneventful, the approach to the marina was at least exciting.

A short sniff tour took us around to some nearby beautiful nature reserve before passing through downtown Svolvær with its promenade and city marina. Svolvær is considered to be Lofoten’s unofficial capital.

Fair winds…

Svolværgeita, a crazy hotspot in Norway.

Gimsøya Island

I consider Gimsøya as a separate Lofoten island not only because its linked by via two bridges with the neighbouring islands but also due to its size and vegetation. It’s debatable but the latter one is clearly different to what we have seen up to know.

Crossing the Gimsøystraumen under windy conditions straight into the clouds.

In any case it was a nice supplemental ride added to the Lofoten portfolio so far.

Fair winds…

Kabelvåg

We visited nearby Kabelvåg today and got into some drizzling skies on the way back. Still pretty warm despite the hiding sun. A freshly homemade nutcake à la Kalle awaited us back at our tiny floating home followed by a well deserved solid nap. Kassler with Sauerkraut is on the menu for dinner.

Fair winds…

Susan facing fully determined the drizzle.

Vestvågøy Beaches

This 4km gravel stretch around Veggen Mountain at Uttakleiv Strand is simply second to none.

We got back into the saddles as another sunny day invited for a beach tour. Vik, Haukland and Uttakleiv Stranda, all next to each other at the western shores of Vestvågøy Island were our target destinations. All three beaches have a unique character and preferences will be different but we found all three remarkable and very picturesque.

The 4km gravel stretch around Veggen Mountain was my personal highlight, not only in respect to the hardship for the people of the village before the tunnel was built, but also in terms of scenery being hard to match.

Fair winds…

Ballstad – Lofoten

We are still blessed by the weather and have now arrived in Ballstad on our third Lofoten Island, out of the five. There are various options for berthing within this largest commercial fishing village on the Lofoten nowadays but we opted to join the local boat club, which has a few berths for visitors. The warmhearted welcome by the harbour master Geir was exceptional friendly and informative. We will probably get stuck here again for a few days…

The logistics ride to nearby Leknes got Susan back into the saddle.

Fair winds…

Page 7 of 37

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