If you're looking for a hike that offers stunning panoramic views of the beautiful fishing village of Henningsvær, look no further than Festvågtind. This peak appears to rise straight from the sea, and though it looks steep from the road, the route to the top is quite manageable. The views from the summit are absolutely breathtaking, and you won't be disappointed. Plus, the hike is relatively short, making it a perfect activity for a morning or afternoon. If you enjoyed the views from Reinebringen, you'll definitely want to add Festvågtind to your list of must-see Lofoten destinations!

Getting to Festvågtind

As you travel towards Henningsvær, the southern side of Austvågøy, you'll find the starting point just off the E10 road. After 5 km the road will make a strong left turn inf front of some large buildings. Your first option for parking is here. Or, continuing along the road for another few hundred meters the road makes a strong right turn, Just past here will be a pullout on the right side, you can also park here.

If you parked at the buildings, continue walking down the road towards the rocky slope at the back of the strong right turn in front of you. If you parked at the second pullout, walk back along the road. Then, ascend the rocky slope on the mountain side of the right turn, following the obvious and worn trail. Ready to explore? Let's go!

The Trail to Festvågtind

As you make your way up, you'll pass by an old building foundation and cross a boulder field. Though the trail can be easy to lose at times, just keep heading towards the center of the mountainside ahead of you.

After crossing the last of the big boulders, you should be back on the trail and heading up the mountain. After a short while you will come to a split in the trail – stay to the left. The other route goes to a lower viewpoint.
The trail gets closer to the cliffs on your left as you gain elevation up the mountain. Once the small pond is visible below to your right to trail will begin to wrap around the backside of the mountain, taking you more north. Here it gets a little steeper and a little muddy at times, but never too bad.

Though it might look like you will have some cliffs to climb, the trail keeps winding its way up the mountainside until you finally reach the ridge and can look across to the sea on the other side. From here, follow the trail left, back south towards the summit. There are a few rocks steps where hands will be needed, but nothing exposed or very difficult.
Once you reach the ridge, you'll have fantastic panoramic views of the fishing village of Henningsvær and the islands below. Don't forget to take in the breathtaking views of Stamsund and the Norwegian mainland.

Wild Camping on Festvågtind

If you're planning to hike Festvågtind, there are some great camping options along the ridge before reaching the summit. Though it can get a bit muddy, sleeping in the open on the slightly sloping heather could be a great option. Just keep in mind that there's no water available after the small pond halfway up the route, so you'll need to bring your own. Also, be aware that the ridge is exposed to any weather, so prepare accordingly.

Continue on to Torsketunga

If you're feeling up for an adventure and want to explore more than just Festvågtind, I highly recommend checking out "Torsketunga" (the cod's tongue). It's a small rock outcrop just a 30-minute detour from Festvågtind, and it's definitely worth the extra effort. To get there, head north to the right just below the summit of Festvågtind and follow the tracks until you reach two different paths. Both paths can be a bit exposed and require some easy climbing, so bring a friend along for some extra support. I decided to take the path on the right side of the mountain and skipped crossing the ridge. But, if you're not afraid of heights, crossing the ridge will give you some fantastic views. However, if you do have a fear of heights, the detour to Torsketunga may not be for you. Stay safe and happy hiking!

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