The hike to Kvalvika Beach is one of the most popular treks in the Lofoten Islands and is also considered an excellent spot for wild camping (thanks to the incredible view from the beach). A stunning golden sandy beach with crystal-clear waters, nestled between towering sheer cliffs on the Lofoten Islands in Norway, is probably well-known to anyone who decides to embark on a journey to this stunning archipelago.
When my partner and I decided to visit the Lofoten Islands by minivan a few years ago (starting directly from home in Milan, but that’s another story!), we already knew this excursion was on our bucket list. Once we reached the parking lot, however, we realized that it was so full that we couldn’t even stop, even though it was late afternoon.
We thus decided to continue to a parking lot a few kilometers ahead, from where we discovered, after briefly consulting the maps, that with a trek of about 3 hours, you can go around the mountain located in the center of the famous beach and see it from behind. We couldn’t find any photos online to understand what the view was like from there, but it still looked promising, and we decided to give it a try.
The trek immediately proved splendid, crossing the hinterland to a lake, and after a steep climb, it opened up towards the beach; it was long but not particularly difficult. The best part came at sunset, though, with nothing short of perfect shooting conditions! The photo was taken in mid-August, so we were still in a typical summer light condition, when the sun skims the horizon very slowly, creating twilight and sunsets that last for hours.
This incredible light actually lasted a long time, allowing me to take several photos but also to enjoy these moments of pure wonder in which, among other things, we were basically alone since this path was not beaten at all. This photo has quickly become one of my favorites in my archive, and what makes it even more special is the idea that I was able to capture a different perspective on an iconic place that has already been photographed hundreds of times. As iconic places always are for a valid reason, I like to find a point of view that gives something of my own and a little different from what you always see.
And with a view like that, it will be hard to forget this experience, making it one of my absolute favorites of recent years.
