Tour de Nord - Teil 9

Part 9: Mount Floya (590 m) and Djevelporten

This hike was absolutely fabulous!! No words can describe the beauty of the trail and the scenery - it doesn't even show on the pictures. I think this has been one of my favourite hikes ever, even though I was thrilled and happy each and every time. :-) But on that day, everything was just right: the weather, the people I met, the food... It also was a pretty tough hike for me, and at times I was super exhausted - but the view made it all worth it. And oh how proud I felt of myself, when I had made it all the way! That feeling... priceless! :-)

After the hike, I rewarded myself with delicious ice cream in Svolvaer (where the hike started) and then stopped by a beach to cool down my poor feet. I have no idea how the children could play in the water, because it was freaking cold! I dipped my toes for only a few seconds - and felt lastingly refreshed... ;-)

I then picked up my boys, who had stayed at home, because it would have been too hot for them (and probably even too much climbing), and then I spoiled myself even more by visiting the surfer's café and having an ice-cold beer and a fish burger with a breathtaking view! We then went on a walk and watched the sun set... 

I was so, so happy and pleased and content on that day!!! I am happy even now, when just remembering that day. :-)

First time, I saw a "warning sign" on a trail in Norway. But this hike was indeed a little bit more demanding than the ones before... At times, it was more climbing than hiking, but my long-time-ago climbing lessons came in handy. ;)

Occasionally, it was also very steep, and these chains helped only in the beginning. Later, I just crawled up or down on all fours. :-D

 It also gave this extra chill in the beginning of the hike, when I had the local cemetery in view while trying not to suffer from acrophobia... ;-) :-D

 But there were also more moderate sections, where my adrenaline could reach normal levels again.

 The view was fantastic at all times!!

 summit of mount Floya
(As a token of the scale... Do you find the people in the picture? :) )

 I had no idea that the Sea can have this Caribbean-like colour in Norway! :-)

Reaching the summit of Floya wasn't the end point of this hike. It was more of a round trip...
So, I  continued the hike on a mountain ridge.

This (below) was my favourite view! It was so absolutely stunning in real life!

 walking at the edge...

 Reaching the famous Djevelporten - a stone block wedged between the mountainsides.
I had nice Norwegian company, who assured me that no-one has ever died on that rock before... :-D So I gathered all the courage I have and climbed on that stone (which didn't look too courageous :-D ) in order to get THAT one picture on Djevelporten (which by itself looks quite courageous :-D ).

 Taadaaa!

 During the hike, I had a good view to another big sight in Svolvaer, the mountain formation "Svolvaergeita", which is an awesome climbing destination (so I read).

 The beach

 cold but pretty water :)

 Back in Henningsvaer, enjoying my reward and the view.