Text: Bjørn Opdahl
You can choose whether to start from Stø or Nyksund. The shortest and easiest route is from Stø.
It's also a good idea to start walking along the beach towards Nyksund, then crossing the mountain and ending the trip by going down to Stø. This because it is a little worse to go down from Finngamheia to Nyksundskaret than the opposite way.
If you start in Nyksund you also have to walk back and forth between Nyksund and Nyksundskaret (1 km each way). And you get the "climbing" from the sea on the Stø side and up to Nyksundskaret at the end of a long trip, if you cross the mountain first.
From Myre in Vesterålen you drive either 935 to Stø (about 15 km). Or after about 1.3 km, turn left onto road 938 to Nyksund (about 13, 5 km)
The road to Nyksund has narrow sections where the mountain rises vertically close to the roadside. The mountain is secured with bolts and nets. You look far beyond the great sea, and can see how the sea crashes against smaller reefs that lie in the sea surface. An exciting and great trip in itself.
Start at the campsite at the breakwater at Stø. The path starts between two major information boards set up there.
On the way along the sea, you will first come to Skipssanden, a large and beautiful sandy beach. About halfway between Stø and Nyksundskaret you reach Enge where there is a great barbecue hut/gapahuk.
After passing the Ner-Langvadals vannet, follow the trail, which goes behind the cabins, up to Nyksundskaret. There are a sign that show the road to Nyksund, and the road across the mountain back to Stø.
The trail up to Finngamheia is secured by ropes in some places where it is slightly "airy". However, there is no place that is particularly dangerous if you just go calmly.
Both Stø and Nyksund are worth a visit in themselves. The trip also offers many highlights and varied scenery. After just a few hundred meters from Stø you come to Skipssanden. A beautiful sandy beach which is a favorite place for locals and tourists. At Enge you will find old house ruins and a barbecue hut/gapahuk. When you get up in Nyksundskaret you get a good overview of the entire route. Then you have also "climbed" approx half the height . At the top of Finngamheia you have a formidable view in all directions. Throughout the trip you can look far beyond the osean. On the way down from the Kjølen, which is the last peak, you look down towards Enge, Skipssanden and Stø. The last highlight of the trip is to put your feet on the asphalt at Stø, knowing that you have gone the "Dronningruta".
The trail is 15 km, and some places are slightly airy. The trip up to Finngamheia via Nyksundskaret is a little steep. The descent from Kjølen to Stø also has some steep places towards the end. Calculate spending between 5 and 8 hours on the trip.
NB! There are no streams on the mountain so bring enough to drink.