Route: Tjeldbergtinden
Area: Norway, Lofoten Islands
Date of walk: 27th July 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 6.8 miles
Ascent: 1,400 feet
Weather: Sun and blue skies, very warm
Tjeldbergtinden is a table shaped mountain, about 1,200 feet high, which we can see from Svinøya Rorbuer, where we are staying for 2 nights. This would be our first walk in the Arctic Circle, so it felt odd to be applying sun tan lotion before setting off in T-shirts in temperatures of over 20c. We crossed the bridge into Svolvær and walked beside the main road for a while until we reached the village of Osan. It was a relief to leave the road here and to start the climb up the mountain, initially along a wide and easy track
We left the track to climb uphill through woodland, and as we did so the path became steeper and rockier but there were no difficulties. We eventually emerged onto the summit ridge and made our way across to the lower east summit. The views were out of this world – a sweeping panorama for miles around, including the distant west coast of Norway
Having savoured the views for a while we walked back along the ridge, continuing to the higher west summit. This looks to be out of bounds to ordinary pedestrians, but a path round the side permits access via the back door and after a short steep rocky climb we were at the top, enjoying more sensational views. A swarm of mosquitos had us scurrying back down sooner than we’d have wished
Having regained the summit ridge we took a different route down through woodland – this was quite steep at times, and it brought us back to the track at a point near Osan. From here we retraced our steps back to the start of a memorable walk. For anyone following this walk, it’s worth considering a shorter version by starting at Osan, as much of the initial section out of Svolvær is beside the main road
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Our rorbu (converted fisherman's cottage) is located near the reception of the Svinoya Rorbuer, which we pass at the start of today's walk
Our objective is the saddle shaped mountain beyond the town
A closer view of Tjeldbergtinden
Views from the bridge as we cross into Svolvær...
Tjeldbergtinden again
After passing through the outskirts of Svolvær we walk through the road tunnel
Crossing the bridge into Osan
The start of the climb as we follow this track
We leave the track to join a narrow path leading up to Tjeldbergtinden
Looking back to Svolvær as we gain height
Mainland Norway in the distance
We gain the summit ridge and head for the east summit
Looking along the coast from the east summit
...and now looking east towards Norway
The rocky crest on the east top
We now turn back along the ridge to visit the west summit
Looking across to Svolvær - the bridge we'd crossed at the start of the walk is to the left of the picture
The summit appears to be out of bounds to ordinary walkers, but a path to the left leads round the back...
A view back along the ridge to the east summit
West summit of Tjeldbergtinden - inside the green box is a visitor's book...
Looking over Lake Stor-Kongsvatnet
A view along the coastline
A swarm of mosquitos causes us to cut short our time on the summit and we descend back to the ridge
We follow the spur in the direction of Svolvær
Just beyond the boardwalk we rejoin the original track...
We cross the bridge back into Svinoya to end a wonderful walk
Later in the day we go for a stroll around nearby Svolvær, the largest town on Lofoten - a few photos of the harbour area...
A typical rorbu with a turf roof and fish drying racks nearby
Late evening back at the Svinoya Rorbuer...
And a final glance back up to Tjeldbergtinden which we'd climbed at the start of the day
