Having crossed from Sweden into Norway, we were immediately struck by the charming and picturesque landscape. Small red cabins were scattered on rocky outcrops, and tiny ponds nestled in the crevices of the rocks. It was truly beautiful!
Norway’s National Mountain – Stetind
We had seen pictures of the “table mountain” Stetind, which is Norway’s national mountain, and we wanted to see it in person. Stetind is located slightly south of Narvik, and although it adds a bit of a detour to the Lofoten journey, it’s well worth it. It’s about an 80-kilometer drive from Narvik.
On the way, there’s a beautiful stop called General Fleischers plass, offering stunning sea and mountain views. We went down to the rocks by the shore to sit and enjoy the scenery. From here, there’s also a picturesque view of the Skjombrua bridge. Driving in Norway is generally slow for us, as we frequently stop to admire and photograph the beautiful mountains, sea, and fishing huts—it’s just so beautiful here.
When we finally arrived at Stetind, it was even more impressive than in the pictures! The mountain rises so majestically from the roadside, making the scenery incredibly striking. The best views are from Route 827, which runs alongside Stetind. If you’re driving from Narvik, it’s best to drive past the mountain first and then return towards it.
Heading Towards the Lofoten Islands
After Stetind, we set off towards the Lofoten Islands, with our first stop at Hessand Beach. The beach is very beautiful, and you can camp there, which was our plan. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a proper parking spot for the car and had to leave it in a less ideal place, so we only spent a short time admiring the beach and the views.
There were several other campers at the beach, but it’s spacious enough to accommodate many. We didn’t want to search for a different parking spot further away, so we decided not to stay the night. Apparently, cows sometimes roam freely on the beach, but we didn’t see any this time. It would be quite a surprise to wake up to a cow staring at your tent door in the morning 😅.
We then needed to find another place to spend the night, which isn’t very difficult in Norway. Rarely do you have to settle for dull spots; usually, you can find a place with absolutely stunning views. This time, we found such a spot at the Punto Panoramico rest area, one of the most beautiful camping spots on our trip.
From the parking area, if you walk towards the sea and away from the hustle and bustle, you can find amazing spots. There were a few other campers, but we found a nice and quiet spot to set up our tent. The views were breathtaking, with majestic and beautiful mountains rising from the opposite shore. We had stayed here on a previous trip, and it was just as wonderful as before.
In the morning, it was amazing to wake up to these views, with the serene sea and incredible mountains across the fjord greeting us as we crawled out of the tent. We lit up the Trangia stove and made porridge and coffee. We took the morning slowly, soaking in the scenery and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
