Offersøykammen Hike was, without a doubt, my favorite hike in Lofoten. It is a relatively “easy” hike for Lofoten standards, but at the top, you will be rewarded with some of the most epic 360-degree views you’ve ever imagined.
In this blog, I will share everything you need to know about this beautiful hike in Lofoten. From practical information about the hike with plenty of tips, to my personal experience completing this hike. Keep reading to find out more! All you’ll have to do is put on your hiking boots and enjoy your hike!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
OFFERSØYKAMMEN
Offersøykammen is a small peak of 436 m on Vestågøya island, within the Lofoten archipelago. From the summit, you’ll get breathtaking 360-degree views of the surrounding area. To the east, you’ll enjoy views of the Nappstraumen Fjord waters and the city of Leknes. To the west, the Flakstadøya mountains will greet you.
The Offersøykammen trail is quite popular among locals during the weekends. This is because it is relatively moderate but, at the same time, very rewarding. Because of this, I would recommend hiking this trail during the weekdays.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE HIKE
Before I start talking about the hike itself, I would like to share some practical information that will be very useful the day you go on this hike.
TRAILHEAD AND PARKING
If you’re planning to do Offersøykammen Hike, the first thing you should know is that there are two different starting points for this hike and, of course, different parking lots.
Option 1: Trailhead at Skreda Parking Lot
The first trailhead is at Skreda Parking Lot (exact location on the map at the end of this blog) next to the E10 road. This trail is a bit shorter (3,5km) but the hike up to Offersøykamen will be quite steep.
Option 2: Trailhead Next to Nappstraumen Tunnel
The second trailhead starts at the parking lot next to the Nappstraumen Tunnel (exact location on the map at the end of this blog). This trail is longer (6 km) but the hike will be less steep.
No matter, which option you choose, they both come together in the middle and share the last steep climb to the summit.
We chose option 1 since it was the trail suggested by the AllTrails App and, even though it was steep, there was barely any rock scrambling involved.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
Offersøykammen is a “moderate hike” for Lofoten standards. The hike is quite steep but there are barely any rock scrambling areas. The following equipment, will make your hike easier.
- Hiking shoes with a good grip: Hiking shoes are very important in Lofoten. Particularly, if you’re planning on doing this hike on a rainy day. The terrain will be quite muddy so hiking shoes that are waterproof will come in very handy.
- Hiking poles: Hiking poles will be very useful in this hike as it is quite steep. Your knees will thank you for them, especially on the way down.
- A reusable water bottle: Hydration while hiking is key and during the summer months even more. Make sure to bring enough water to complete this hike as there is no water source along the way.
- A hat and sunscreen to protect you from the sun. The day we did this hike it was very cloudy so we didn’t need to protect ourselves from the sun. However, if you do this hike on a sunny day, please take into consideration that there is no shade at all along the trail.
- Bring a waterproof jacket with you. In the Lofoten, the weather can be quite unpredictable. One moment is sunny and a few minutes later, it starts raining. Always bring with you a waterproof layer just in case. And even if it doesn’t rain, this hike is quite windy and exposed. You will be happy to have some wind protection. In our case, we were lucky we were quite happy we had our rain jackets at the top to protect us from the wind.
BEST TIME TO DO THIS HIKE
Hiking season for Offersøykammen runs between May and October, when the weather is milder. If you want to increase your chances of good weather, then your best option is between July and August. We did this hike in August and even though it was a clouded day, it was not that cold, and enjoyed a very nice hike. We only had to wear our rain jackets at the top to protect ourselves from the wind.
During the winter months, the trail is completely covered in snow so it is not recommended to do this hike as it can get very slippery.
OFFERSØYKAMMEN HIKE
HIKE STATS
Trail Start/End – Skreda Parking Lot
Distance – 3,5 km
Elevation Gain – 454 m
Level – Moderate
Route Type – Linear Route
Estimated Time Needed – 3 to 4 hours. This includes plenty of time for a picnic at the top and relaxing while you enjoy the views.
Best Time To Visit – Between June and August, to increase your chances of good weather.
HIKE MAP
MY EXPERIENCE HIKING OFFERSØYKAMMEN
We did the shorter version of this hike which starts at Skreda Parking Lot. However, if you decide to do the longer version of the hike, the most important thing to consider is that you don’t need to cross the road! The trail will take you over the tunnel, avoiding that you take any risks.
The Original Trailhead
We parked our car at Skreda Parking Lot, where by the way, there are free toilets available if you need them.
From here, the original trailhead is approximately 600 meters to the east along the E10. To reach it, you can either walk along the road (which I don’t recommend due to safety reasons) or walk down the driveway that brings you to the red cabins of Lofoten Base Camp. At the end of the roads, more or less where there is a double power line above the road, you’ll have to climb back up to the road, cross it and you’ll be at the original trailhead.
Important: Please be very careful when crossing the road!
Some newer trails, closer to Skreda parking lot have been formed recently. However, they are way steeper and you’ll still have to cross the E10 road.
On the way up, we took the small road next to the cabins and, on the way down we followed one of the new trails. Honestly, I recommend taking the small detour next to the red cabins than the new trails, it is way easier to do and it only adds 10 minutes extra to your hike.
The First Half Of The Hike
Once we had crossed the road, we did a few hundred meters through a tree area without any views. The trail already started to climb and soon enough we were above the trees and got a first view over the Nappstraumen fjord and Leknes.
After the tree line, the trail kept heading uphill. There were some zig-zags here and there that we did to make it more bearable but, in the end, we just kept going uphill.
The Final Climb To The Summit
Halfway along the way, the other trail joined and both trails shared the final uphill until the summit. It was a non-stop, rocky, and steep uphill until the top. We just took it slow and made plenty of stops to rest.
Once we reached the top, our efforts were rewarded with the most amazing views. Everywhere we looked the views were fantastic. We spent a lot of time just relaxing and enjoying this view. Our favorite side was the one facing Haukland and Vik Beach.
The Return
The return to the car was just going back the same way we had arrived. Going down, even though it was not as demanding as the uphill, it was still challenging due to the steepness. I was really happy I had my hiking poles with me. It was already 5 consecutive days of hiking in Lofoten, and my knees were starting to feel the consequences.
OTHER THINGS TO DO NEAR OFFERSØYKAMMEN
Looking for other ideas to do after your hike? Here are some other things you can do to complete your day.
- Relax at Vikten Beach. There is nothing better than relaxing at the beach after a hike. If you find yourself with a sunny afternoon, I definitely recommend spending some time at Vikten Beach. Will you be brave enough to go for a swim?
- Visit Buksnes Church. Buksnes Church is a small church located in Gradval, a small village not far from Leknes. This church will impress you with its bright red color that contrasts with the lavish green in the summer months and the white snow in the winter.
ACCOMMODATION NEAR OFFERSØYKAMMEN
Offersøykamen is located only 6,5 km away from Leknes so the best option is to book your accommodation nearby. Here are some recommendations, I would choose for myself if I were to return to the Lofoten Islands.
- Cozy private bedroom in Leknes: This place is basic but it is a great option if you’re just looking for a place to sleep and want to save some money during your stay in Lofoten.
- Lofoten Basecamp: Staying at a traditional Rorbu cabin is a must in Lofoten.
- Scandic Hotel Leknes: Regular hotel offering breakfast included in your reservation.
MAP WITH LOCATIONS
HIKE SUMMARY AND INFOGRAPHIC
No time to read the full blog post? Here’s an infographic I’ve created with the most important information about this hike.
And that’s it for my blog about Offersøykammen hike. I hope you liked it and found it useful. Let me know what you think in the comments!
Happy hiking!
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