A waterfall in Dudalen with the mountain "Kvannto" in the background, Photo: Bjørn Opdahl
15 December 2017
A sunny Saturday in August, Nova Turlag organized the "Market Hike".
This happened on the occasion of the Foldvik Market, which is organized the 3rd weekend in August each year.
The trip started at Saltvann Grendehus (former Saltvann School) at Bakkejord at Saltvannet in Grovfjord, and crossed the mountain to Foldvik.
The sun rose high in the sky. It was hot and no wind. Not an insect for discomfort. A perfect day to hike in the mountains.
For a great nature experience it was to get up the grove from Grovfjord and see the Segeldalen in the sunshine.
The mountains, which surround the valley and range between 1000 and 1200 meters above sea level, reflected in the mirror-like surface of Segelsdalswater.
A big family had stayed over night in tents by the water.
With the young ones in front, as eager Pathfinders, they walked along with us other hikers further to Eidevannet.
At Eidevannet it was time to take a break, eat some food and enjoy the view before the trip went down Dudalen direction Foldvik.
The wide Dudal proved from its best side with rivers, waterfalls and outlook points.
The next short stop was in the shelter (gapahuk) at the bridge that crosses Dudalselva before the last descent to Foldvik.
The rest of the day was used to walk around and visit the stores on the market, and to enjoy the weather and the entertainment.
Nice to have such a memory when we, in a few days, are in the middle of the Polar Nights.
And best of all is that next year I can repeat the trip !!
To learn more about the trip (map, photos, description) click here.
The Sculpture Days and Nights, Photo: Kari Ann Olsen Lind
17 november 2017
The sculpture "Days and Nights"
is one of the sculptures after the project "Sculpture Landscape Nordland".
It is located on Stokmarknes right above Hurtigrutemuseet, which is located on the other side of the strait.
Reception at Kløvningen, Photo: Bjørn Opdahl
- You provide the drinks, nature provides the entertainment.
In Simonsvika, just between Storkløvningen and Lillekløvningen, you can find this rather draughty (sorry, not sorry) "bar".
The building were built to provide shelter for tourists.
However, more than anything else it provide a sheltered place for a few drinks in the midst of nature.
Just to the side of it, a modern view platform towers over the landscape, but this little place just fits right in.
It is a shelter, and a place to rest. Especially for those travelling on bikes.
With it's beautiful views over the sea to the north, this is the perfect place to enjoy the midnight sun in the summer.
As there is very little light pollution in the area, the buildings also lends itself to a private viewing of the northern lights during the winter.
(Assuming the road has been cleared of snow....)
Here you will find more pictures and the road to Kløvningen.
Djevelporten, Photo: Bjørn Opdahl
1 November 2017
A beautiful day in October, I decided to climb the mountain Fløya which is right behind Svolværgeita.
After passing the first steep part I got on a plateau.
There I met a girl! The girl, which I suppose was in the 20's, was smiling and pleasant so I asked if we could go together to the top.
She answered, in a little broken Norwegian, that we could do that.
So we went up to Fløya.
After striving ourselves up the mountain side we suddenly stood on the edge of a cliff.
Over 500 meters straight down!
The edge came suddenly upon us, so the girl shouted something, which I did not understand.
Far below we saw cars driving on the E10, and further out we saw the islands Skrova and Litjmolla.
In the distance we saw the mountains on Hammarøy and further into Sweden.
I suggested we could go to the right so we could go to the top of Fløya.
And from there look down at Svolværgeita.
But the girl, who was reasonably goal-conscious, told me she was going to Djevelporten to take a selfie.
I did not know there was such a gate in the mountains around Svolvær.
But the sun shone where we stood, the girl was pleasant and the goal seemed interesting, so I was tempted to join.
We then chose a narrow path to the left. And soon went into the valley of shadows.
That is to say; The sun was so low in the sky that the top of Fløya threw shadow on the mountain side we walked along.
The consequence was that the snow and ice on the trail were not melted.
It was slippery and steep, and little to grab on to.
The shoes I walked in were not suitable for this purpose.
Therefore, I clung to what I found of rocks and grass to not end up in the stones at the downside of the trail.
By the name, I assumed that the Devil's Gate had to be a gap in the mountains.
In the hope of ending this risksport, I suggested, for every little bigger cliff and gap in the mountains, that this might be the Devil Gate.
But the girl was not fooled ...
She had googled and knew what she was looking for.
The trip continued, and we were quickly walked past by a couple who went with solid ice shoes.
I realized that I also have such ice shoes ... at home!
Finally we came to Djevelporten.
A gap in the mountains just by "Frosken". Frosken (The Frog) is a rock formation looking a little like a giant frog.
What is a bit special about this gap is that a stone is located several meters up the gap, and forms the top of the Devils Gate.
The girl would climb this stone and take a selfie!
But, of course, it would have to be taken a little distance for a good picture.
And then I got the explanation why we could go together!
I took several great pictures of her at Djevelporten, which she immediately sent to friends and family.
We had a nice trip back to the cars and was down just as the sun went down.
I was very pleased to have been shown Djevelporten, and to have had such a good company on my trip.
If you want to take selfie at Djevelporten you can find the way by clicking here: Djevelporten
Strandtinden within reach, Photo: Bjørn Opdahl
Selfie from the top!, Photo: Bjørn Opdahl
18 October 2017
One day during the last ice age, a small stone appeared on the glacier that covered Norway.
Gradually more melted, and it became a nunatak.
Nunatak is the Greenlandic word for an ice-free mountain peak, mountain ridge or mountain range rising from the inland ice.
Today, this peak is 1076 meters above sea level, and we call it "Strandtinden".
The remains of the inland ice are still on the north and northeast side of Strandtinden in the form of small glaciers.
The glacier, lying to the east, may still be in the form of water at the bottom of Tindvann.
On the way up to Strandtinden you will see Skjerdingsdalen.
The valley is made of a glacier that had its front towards Lødingen. The water from this glacier has ended up in what is today Tjeldsundet.
Follow this link to see more photos, where "Strandtinden" is located and how you get there.
Waves against stone on Nupen, Photo: Ann-Kristin Rypdal Larsen
Nupen is a popular recreational area.
Especially on hot summer evenings with a beautiful red or orange sky and midnight sun.
But as the picture shows, it may be great there also in other seasons of the year.
The cave where they lived, Photo: Bjørn Opdahl
8 August 2017
Ivar Knutson from Tennevika, robbed Anna Rogløy, the daughter of the farmer on Rogla, after killing her fiance.
Ivar kept her hidden in the cave at Åmen. This happened in the 17th century.
Anna wanted to get home, and finally she did.
But it went bad for they both. Their heads ended up on pikes at Stegelholmen outside Gressholman.
How this happened, you can read when you visit Omnsand in Sørrolles.
Click here to find out how to get to Åmen.
Beautiful colors on the beach at Børa
Børa, Andøy, Photo: Anita Hanssen
"Right at the end of the short day that was mostly gray, I experienced amazing light and great coloring.", says Anita.
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Beautiful colors on the beach at Børa, Andøy
Photo: Anita Hanssen
From the festival in Rombakken, Photo: Bjørn Opdahl
26 June 2017
Last Saturday in June each year, the Svarta Bjørn-hike and festival are held in Rombaksbotn.
If you are able to walk 6 or 14 km you should try to walk this hike.
The longest route is recommended.
The trip goes through an impressive varied nature with natural and man-made highlights throughout the route.
The weather, with sun and 15-16 degrees, was another important reason but this was a WOW experience.
All I regret is that I have not taken the trip earlier.
Saturday, June 30, 2018 is listed in my calendar!
More information about The Svarta Bjørn-hike .
Eye in stone, Photo: Bjørn Opdahl
30 may 2017
In Vestbygda in Lødingen, at the end of a field, there are 30 graves, and ruins, from the Iron Age/Viking Age.
And the sculpture Eye in stone ...
Images and text.
Rock carving of a reindeer, Photo: Bjørn Opdahl
26 may 2017
In Lødingen, not far from Fjellvika by Kanstadfjorden, are the northernmost scraped rock carvings which are known.
The carving of a reindeer is very clear. The rock carvings are easily accessible on foot (about 2.5-3 km trail along the sea).
There are many great places to stop to enjoy nature along the way.
If you would like to see these with your own eyes, you will find a guide by following this link .
There you also find pictures from the trip to the rock carvings.
View from one of the cannon bunks, Photo: Bjørn Opdahl
22 may 2017
On Nes outside Lødingen, the remains of the Norwegian fortress Nes Fort are still there with bunkers, runners, air defense positions, etc.
The fortress was taken over after the Germans when they capitulated May 8, 1945, and were built heavily after that.
See more pictures and read more about the fort here at
LOVEST .
There are also geocaches on several of the objects, with some information about the object.
"Elgen" in midnight sun
""Elgen" in midnight sun, Harstad, Photo: Mette Eide
Mette says that the picture was taken on an evening trip she and a friend had in August at Keipen (Aunfjellet).
"The light just demanded a picture taken.
Nice to share the mood with others here at LOVEST, "says Mette.
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"Elgen" in midnight sun, Harstad
Photo: Mette Eide
One of the anchor points for Black Watch, Photo: Bjørn Opdahl
11 may 2017
On May 4, 1945, four days before the end of the war, 150-155 German soldiers and 4 British soldiers were killed in the last airraid attack in Norway in World War II.
It happened when 44 British aircrafts attacked Black Watch, which was moored in Kilbotn.
Black Watch, Senja and submarine U-711 were sunk and two planes shot down.
Black Watch and the submarine are still in Kilbotn.
An information board has been set up at one of the pullerts that was used for the rear mooring on Black Watch.
You can read more about Black Watch here at LOVEST.
You can also take a trip to this scenic area and see for yourself.
Reka in winterdecoration, Photo: Knut Olsen
9 april 2017
I saw this beautiful picture for the first time hanging, along with other pictures from Harstad Fotoklubb, in the tunnel into Grottebadet.
I asked Knut Olsen if I could use it here at LOVEST.no. My pleasure was great when he confirmed this, and sent me the picture.
Read more about Reka , and how the mountain got this name.
