SY Hullu Poro – Page 10 – Boating & Biking Adventures

Sørvågen’s Water Reservoir

On July 8, 2025

I explored a tiny little part of a comprehensive water collection system today on my easy little hike. Lakes on different elevations, waterfalls, rivers, swamp areas, etc., all contributing. Stuvdalsvatnet becomes finally the central lake and drinking water reservoir to supply potable water within the area. I am not sure yet, this natural water get’s further treatment or not before it leaves your tap at home. In any case, camping and swimming, for example, are not allowed in the whole area besides other imposed restrictions.

Fair winds…

Sørvången – Reine

By Bernd

On July 7, 2025

In B(H)iking, Norway

A remains ahead of B not only in the context of the alphabetical order but also in terms of Anabiotics trying to fight the infectious Beast crept in and nesting in my body. Feels like Amoxil has started to take the upper hand! Cross fingers. Apart from a very light bike ride to the neighbouring village called Reine, rest and recovery remains the priority but I could not solely sit, surf or eat and sleep anymore.

Reine is magnitudes more touristy compared to my lovely Sørvången but nevertheless very beautiful.

Fair winds…

…downtime…

By Bernd

On July 6, 2025

In Norway

Caught by an nasty infection my downtime continues in this beautiful historical fishing village under clear blue sky. Exploration has to wait.

Fair winds…

Sørvången – Lofoten

By Bernd

On July 3, 2025

In B(H)iking, Norway

After less than 20nm, which includes a little detour to stay away from Moskstraumen, we have now casted the lines at our second marina on the Lofoten – Sørvågen on Moskenesøya

A short sniff tour on the bike made it clear: change in landscape and increased level of traffic/tourism.

Fair winds…

BarentsWatch

By Bernd

On July 2, 2025

In Norway

BarentsWatch is a very helpful service for passage plannings within the Norwegian coast and beyond. The last gale force storm went through over night gusting 40kn and the wave is now following for another 24 hours. We had three times 40 plus knots of wind within the last 10 days. Passing through relatively fast at least. Some gusts extremely short and crisp.

The snapshot illustrates the whirlpool kind of character within the waters around Værøy Island and Lofoten Mainland also known as the Moskstraumen.

Powered by nature!

Fair winds…

Værøy – slow pace

By Bernd

On June 29, 2025

In Norway

Still at Værøy and unsure, if I want to move on or not. On one side it looks like not much more to explore but on the other side fascination still on the high side with new things to appear once you allow for the time to discover.

Chatting to locals is always a good source like the fisherman, who shares the story of his biggest catch under glaring eyes. Trawling 40t of cod in one single catch makes you wonder at what stage his boat would sink under such a load. Fishing is good business up here!

Not sure when to move on…

Fair winds…

Nordlandsnupen…⛰️

By Bernd

On June 26, 2025

In B(H)iking, Norway

Besides some minor boat works it became another bike-hike-bike day to further explore the island. I passed Skarvollsanden Badestrand on my way to the hiking starting point. The beach was already packed under 67°N perspective and the scarce amount of sand of which the name is derived from. The kids had big fun.

Nordlandsnupen is with its 450m altitude the highest mountain on Værøy and offers some more spectacular views.

I parked the bike at the start of the 🚶‍♂️ track very close to the old local Sheriff‘s home from 1790 and felt this will be another good omen for the bike to be secure. Still locked it for the insurance.

The trail was moderate with only a few stretches at which climbing took over from hiking. These areas were supported by robes or chains to provide extra measure for keeping the balance. Overall a nice hike with a birdview over Moskstraumen, one of the strongest tidal streams on the planet between Mosken Island and mainland Lofoten (Moskenesøya). Also famous and well known among anglers.

Overall a lovely walk and Brotzeit.

Fair winds…

Værøy – Håen & T5

By Bernd

On June 24, 2025

In B(H)iking, Norway

My plan for the day was bike – hike – bike. I was well prepared, the biking part went as planned but another hike in between, where I did not get to the end of it. While I get used to these insane gradients supported by ladders and chains here and there, I was unsure my physical fitness will get me back, which was a climb of 400hm over 1km distance. No easier detour possible. Although the weather forecast was 0% cloud coverage for the day, some early irritation was visible and I knew a front will pass through later the day. Værøy Island means Weather Island.

By noon I reached my biking target – Håen – and enjoyed a spectacular view, the most famous and spectacular viewpoint on Værøy Island.

I locked the bike to one of the Nato radar towers’ steel structure knowing that none of the dozen tourists expected over the day will dare to steel the bike from there.

Finally I found the starting point of hiking trail T5, bringing me down to sea level for a straight forward walk into Måstad, the abandoned village.

After a bit more than half way through the decline I decided to follow my instinct rather than risking potential trouble on the return climb due to loss of power. That gave me plenty of time for resting and my packed Brotzeit.

Back at the boat the roll cloud, which established and moved in from the north had reached the mountains’ top at Sørland and wind started to increase. Håen was completely covered and I can only appreciate not being up there on my return climb.

A bike, hike, quality day, which needs to settle. Not to forget the magnificent views.

Fair winds…

Værøy – Nord & Sørland

By Bernd

On June 23, 2025

In B(H)iking, Norway

I had a slow start into the day followed by a long on-off-ride to explore some parts of the island. It was on-off due to the many quality stops while on the way. Almost 5h for just 30km. Some light gravel. Simply breath taking this scenery under the midsummer sun.

Nordland and Sørland are today the two populated villages on Værøy, a third one at the southwest end of the island called Måstad was abandoned in the 1950s. No road connectivity and proper harbour were the main drivers.

There are hardly any tourists on the island yet but that might change soon with the Norwegian summer vacation only being a wink of the eye away.

Fair winds…

Værøy – Lofoten

By Bernd

On June 22, 2025

In Norway

The Lady was the third boat rafted up in Kjerringøy and my neighbour warned me to leave early, 8am. Decided to give it a head start as well although at least light winds were only projected around noon. While passing through the Nordre Dypingsundet, which is cutting a passage through some very disorganised collections of skerries, we passed this gold standard beach without cocktail bar. I felt it is worth two shots.

I called Rune from the Værøy Båtforening on Værøy Island to enquiry about the situation on their pontoons as neither the cruising guide nor the internet gave me a conclusive picture. After having received 👍, the decision was clear: one week Værøy. Not only because of the weather but also to ensure mental arrival at this Norwegian outpost.

A lot to discover…

Fair winds…