From Senja Island, we headed towards the Lyngen Alps, specifically aiming for Blåvatnet. Blåvatnet is a glacial lake formed by the meltwater from the Lenangsbreen glacier above. On our previous trip, we missed visiting it due to torrential rain, but this time the weather looked promising, and we managed to visit the lake.
Blåvatnet is an excellent destination for a day hike, and the trail is relatively easy, although the terrain is quite rocky in many places. The round-trip distance is about 9 kilometers, mostly flat with an elevation gain of just over 200 meters. The trail starts at the Blåvatnet parking lot, which has toilets and a kiosk offering some food. However, during our visit, the kiosk was closed, so we don’t have detailed information about its offerings or opening hours. The parking lot is paid, and you can pay using the EasyPark app. A little further along the road, there are some spots where you can park along the roadside as well.
The initial part of the trail is very easy to walk and well-defined, but it soon becomes rocky, where there is no distinct path except for short stretches. The route is marked with red-painted stones placed at regular intervals, but even without these markers, there is no risk of getting lost if you follow the river flowing from the lake towards the glacier.
Upon arrival, you are greeted by the glowing turquoise lake, framed by towering mountains, with the glacier peeking out from between them. As expected, the water in the lake is ice-cold.
The scenery is very impressive, and the color of the lake is truly astonishing. It’s worth noting that there can be very strong and cold winds at the lake. We had to chase our hats a few times, though fortunately, none ended up in the lake.
During our visit, we were treated to a magnificent sunset that painted the sky a beautiful orange. We enjoyed the scenery in peace, as there were only a few other people around, allowing us to have a quiet moment. Eventually, the cold wind became too chilly, and we decided to head back.
The hike was definitely rewarding, and we were glad to finally complete it without the weather spoiling our plans again. We highly recommend visiting Blåvatnet when you’re in the Lyngen Alps area, or even making a special trip there. You should also read about the Steindalsbreen glacier hike located in the Lyngen Alps ➛
After visiting Blåvatnet and the Lyngen Alps, we started our journey back home to Finland. We had spent nearly three weeks traveling through Swedish Lapland, the Lofoten Islands, and Northern Norway. It was an amazing trip once again, and we were delighted with how comfortable our bed in the car turned out to be. We really enjoyed our time there!
