| Hoven from Lofoten Golf
Links Hoven |
| Estimated net time | 1½-2 hours |
| Difficulty | No difficulties. |
| Drinking water | No access to drinking water. |
| GSM coverage | Coverage throughout the route (July 2009). |
| Parking | Room for many cars at the Lofoten Golf Links car park. |
| Start height | 12 metres |
| Vertical metres | 360 metres for the roundtrip |
| Trip distance | 3.6 km |
| GPS-file | X |
| Map |
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| Route photo |
According to the book På tur i Lofoten this hike is a "Lofoten classic".
From Svolvær drive west on road E10 to Gimsøystraumen bru (bridge), about 25 km. After the bridge turn left where signed for "Barstrand" and "Lofoten Golf Links". From this junction drive 12.7 km north, to the golf course. Park at the golf course car park (free per 2009).
Start hiking by following one of the many vague paths across the flat area at the base of the mountain. Alternatively turn left onto the gravel road at the end of the car park. These paths soon come together to one very well defined path. Follow this path all the way to the summit.
The descent is best done by reversing the ascent route.
There was still fog down to ~400 metres in Lofoten, but I wanted a third hike of the day this Saturday. After scanning the maps for some prominent mountain that would have its summit below the fog I found Hoven, a 30 km drive from our base in Henningsvær. I asked Elisabeth if she wanted to come along, and she wanted the drive but not the hike; instead she would walk along the beach.
We drove to the golf course, and I walked briskly all the way to the summit, passing and/or meeting more than ten people on my way. I'm sure there were comments about this stupid guy not taking his time to join the scenery, but I was desperate to reach the summit before the next wave of clouds, hence very quick walking up the steep hill side. I got to the summit while it was still free of fog, and I even had a short spell of sun, the first sunny moment during our first 72 hours in Lofoten. The views from the summit, given the low altitude of the mountain, are stunning, with views both to neighbouring mountains and out to the big sea.
After taking my photos at the summit and chatting with three nice locals, I ran all the way back to the car, where Elisabeth was waiting after her walk along the beach. Then we drove back to Henningsvær and had a nice dinner at the Climbing school restaurant, before driving to Sandvika camping to meet Vivian, Alf Magne and the boys. Here we shared some beer and nice wine before hitting bed in Henningsvær.