A trip to Lofoten is not only popular with winter sports enthusiasts, climbers and people who want to see the Northern Lights, but Lofoten is also a paradise for anyone who enjoys hiking. Because the Lofoten is full of great hikes, including this easy mountain hike to the top of Hoven!
With 368 meters, Hoven is a relatively small mountain that stands out because of its lonely location in an environment full of flat grasslands with beautiful sandy beaches on the coast. Due to its low altitude, Hoven is one of the easiest mountain hikes in Lofoten, although the view from the top is still very impressive. From the top you have a 360° view of the sea and the surrounding landscape (tip: preferably go during sunset). With clear weather you can even catch a glimpse of the Vesterålen mainland.
Mountain Hike Hoven Lofoten
- Distance: 1,5 km
- Height: 368 meter
- Time: 1,5 to 2 hours (total)
- Difficulty: easy to moderate
- Best season: May – September
- Path: gravel, unpaved paths and rocky steep sections
- Parking: associated parking space right next to the golf course
How do you get there?
Hoven is located in the northwest of Gimsøya, a small island located between Vestvågøya and Austvågøya. From Svolvær it is about a 40 to 45 minute drive. You can reach the island via the bridge where you leave the E10 and end up on road 861 towards the north. The paid and unpaved parking lot at the start of the hiking trail is right next to Lofoten Links, which is one of the northernmost golf courses in the world. You can also use the address of the golf course to navigate to Hoven. Please note that the many narrow roads and the parking lot are not suitable for large campers.
Hoven mountain hike: the trail and level
From the parking lot you walk towards Mount Hoven, after which you can quickly follow the official hiking trail. This starts as an unpaved gravel road and then quickly turns into a well-worn walking path that is easy to follow. At the beginning this is mainly on fairly flat terrain, but as soon as the hiking trail goes up you will also regularly encounter less accessible parts. These parts can sometimes be very steep and are sometimes full of boulders and loose rocks. It’s therefore sometimes important to pay close attention to where you are walking. Good walking shoes are therefore recommended, although there are also people who do this hike in their sneakers. After about 45 minutes to an hour you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sea and the mountains in the distance at the top.
The Norwegians consider this mountain hike to the top Hoven to be an easy hike, but depending on where you come from and how much experience you have with mountain hikes, we would say that this hike is easy to moderate. Many hikes in Norway run upwards, meaning you’ll be scrambling upwards almost every time you hike. This can be extra difficult if you come from a country that is quite flat, so you are not used to walking uphill. Fortunately, this walk is not too long and the altitude is not too bad. With good walking shoes, possibly walking poles and stopping regularly to rest (and enjoy the view!), the hike to Hoven is perfect for those looking for an easy mountain walk on Lofoten.
