Mount Veggen – Veggen Hiking 489 m. (Norway – Lofoten)
A hike in a solitary, uncrowded environment, which offers incredibly enchanting and fascinating views and perspectives
from the ridge line (and beyond), perhaps among the best in the Lofoten Islands.
“Games of colors and shades” that seem to come out of virtual fantasy: but it is a splendid reality of nature….
Starting point: Uttakleiv Beach, on the island of Vestvågøy (Lofoten)
Starting altitude: 0 m.
Arrival altitude: 489 m.
Elevation gain: 489 m.
Location: Vestvågøy island, about 12 km from Leknes and about 60 km from Reine (Lofoten – Norway)
Difficulty: E/EE
“E” the section between Uttakleiv beach and Lake Vasskarvatnet
“EE” the section between Lake Vasskarvatnet and the arrival at the crest of Mount Veggen
Terrain: trail, sometimes a little muddy, but easily passable
Time: 1h 1/2 on the way there and about 1h 10 minutes on the way back (time does not include the walk
on the white sandy beach of Uttakleiv)
Period: from April to October (subject to checking that there is no ice or snow)
Equipment required: classic hiking gear
Trail markers: ==
Waste: what you need to know before leaving it behind
The climb up Mount Veggen was one of the most scenic hikes we did in the Lofoten Islands.
From the top, you can admire turquoise waters, two white sandy beaches, Uttakleiv Beach and Haukland Beach,
an ocean that stretches as far as the eye can see, and jagged peaks on the horizon, rising between lakes and fjords.
In short, this is the view that Mount Veggen has in store for you. It will enchant you with its magic, and from up there,
you can only kneel before such majesty.
Welcome to our website.
Let’s start with the story of a fantastic new excursion that is not to be missed.
It was winter when, sitting at my desk in my study, where I work on writing the reports that I then publish on the website,
together with the photographic material, I was looking at a map of the Lofoten Islands.
Well, there are practically endless places to see here.
I had included Mount Veggen among the “must-see excursions.”
Veggen is located next to Mount Mannen, and both offer more or less the same view, but with one substantial difference.
Mannen is a very popular excursion, partly because of its “gentler” climb.
In contrast, Veggen is visited by very few hikers and the climb (albeit with a modest elevation gain of only 489 m)
is decidedly steep.
As we love solitary places, we opted for the latter.
The starting point for today’s trek is the car park next to Uttakleiv beach on the island of Vestvågøy, which is about 12 km
from Leknes and about 60 km from Reine.
Important: park at Uttakleiv, not Haukland, as the trail only starts on the Uttakleiv side.
From Leknes, drive on the E10, following the signs for Uttakleiv, or alternatively, enter the name
of this beach into Google Maps.
The road initially leads to Haukland beach and, after passing through a short tunnel, you will arrive at the Uttakleiv car park.
You will not find any signs or trail markers indicating the path to Mount Veggen.
Here in Norway, most hikes need to be studied on maps, identifying the starting point on the map, because there are
few or no signs.
However, the trail is well marked and, leaving both the sea and the parking lot behind, you climb to reach a saddle
between Mannen and Veggen.
This first part of the route is not difficult, the climb is gentle, and only in a few places do you need to use your hands
to help you over some short muddy sections between the rocks.
In about 25 minutes, you will complete this first section, which will take you to the shores of Lake Vasskarvatnet,
a body of water nestled in a basin surrounded by green meadows at the foot of two imposing mountains.
The peculiarity of Lake Vasskarvatnet, which is about 500 m long, is that it has no tributaries.
We believe that it is fed by underground springs, which, through who knows what tortuous and complex routes
unknown to us, flow into this natural basin.
The color of the water tends toward dark brown, reflecting the seabed, from which strands of bright green grass grow
toward the shore and emerge from the water.
We do not know its depth and have no other information about it, except for its beauty.
The place is magical, practically deserted, except for the company of a few sheep, which are a constant presence
in these parts, (pleasantly) scattered here and there.
Once you reach Lake Vasskarvatnet, turn right and start climbing a steep path that zigzags upwards, quickly gaining altitude.
There are no markers, trail signs, or cairns along the trail.
As you climb, Lake Vasskarvatnet will become smaller and smaller, as will the white beach of Uttakleiv.
This is the most challenging section, which does not present any particular difficulties, except for its steepness
and a few slightly exposed areas, which can be overcome without difficulty by following the trail carefully,
without ever leaving the path.
This is where you will climb 400 m in altitude in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
The trail winds through grass and heather plants, and the ground is firm but can be slippery in case of rain.
When you reach the ridge line, the path formed by grassy patches and rocks begins to level out and,
once you have passed the last hillock, the ocean appears before you in all its immensity.
Continue along the ridge for about ten minutes until you reach a large cairn (the only one we found all day)
that marks the arrival at the summit of Mount Veggen.
Next to the cairn, we placed one of the stones designed by Andreina.
As we walk along the trails, we collect stones with unusual shapes, which we wash, brush, paint, and draw
on once we get home.
During subsequent trekking trips, we will place these stones along the trails again, to bring a smile to those who have
the pleasure of picking them up and keeping them as our “lucky charms.”
A simple and thoughtful gesture that we wanted to develop thanks to Andreina’s graphic design skills and generosity,
whom we thank for her valuable contribution.
From the top of Mount Veggen, the view before your eyes is magnificent, stretching 360° around you.
Lake Vasskarvatnet is nestled in its basin of green grass and seems close enough to touch.
The white sandy beach of Haukland is surrounded on one side by the blue-green turquoise waters of the Norwegian Sea
and on the other by a blanket of green grass, next to two mountain ranges that rise up towards the sky.
Behind us, we find the curved white sandy beach of Uttakleiv, stretching towards the infinite ocean, from which
uninhabited islands scattered across the waters emerge on the horizon.
Looking west, we see mountain ranges that rise like giants from the ocean towards the sky, in a labyrinth of islands
and peninsulas.
Today, despite the weather forecast predicting rain shortly, we were lucky to find ourselves up here without low clouds
and with a sky clear of fog.
From Mount Veggen, it almost feels like flying.
Below are a few photos that capture this truly unique place:
Unfortunately, the arrival of wind and rain prevented us from staying at the summit for a few hours to admire
the magical view from every angle.
However, we were still very pleased and satisfied to have made it this far.
The return route is the same as the one taken on the way up.
Descending carefully, the slope is easily negotiable.
In case of sudden rain, as in our case, caution is advised.
Step by step, you will reach the starting point without any problems.
At Lake Vasskarvatnet, we found one of our stones next to a large boulder, which we had placed there the previous year.
As it was somewhat hidden, it had never been discovered and therefore collected.
When we arrived at the car park, despite the strong wind, we walked on the white sand of Uttakleiv,
with a dark and stormy sky above us.
Nature never ceased to amaze us, with sheep grazing on the grass next to the beach and seagulls defying the strong gusts
with incredible ease, fishing for fish among the waves of the Norwegian Sea.
And so ended our climb and trek to Mount Veggen.
In our hearts, we are left with the memory of a magical place that gave us views, scenery, and perspectives
that I hope I have been able to convey to you, at least in part.
Climbing the slope, with views of the ocean, lakes, beaches, and mountains, is something difficult to express and describe.
Report and photographs by: Michele Giordano and Andreina Baj
Official translator: Andreina Baj
Notes: A splendid and rewarding trekking excursion that allowed us to admire one of the most beautiful views
of the Lofoten Islands from the top of Mount Veggen.
Unlike Mount Mannen (on the opposite side), Veggen is very rarely visited, which allowed us to enjoy the magnificent
surroundings in (pleasant) solitude from start to finish.
Be careful on the trail in case of rain, as it can be slippery, and watch out for (possible) gusts of wind,
especially in the ridge area.
Not recommended in foggy conditions.
This is an excursion to put on your itinerary; it would be a real shame to miss it….