The Munkebu Hut hike on the island of Moskenseøy in Norway’s Lofoten Islands is a magnificent full day outing if you combine it with a hike up Munken. The hike, located in Sørvågen just a few kilometres from the end of the E10 in Å, is one of the top hikes in the Lofoten Islands. I highly recommend it – but on a well-spoken day, so you can enjoy the phenomenal views, expressly from the top of Munken. You’ll be hiking whilom the Arctic Circle!
From Munkebu Hut you can opt to do the hike up Hermanndalstinden – the highest peak on the island of Moskenseøy and/or the hike up Munken which is what we did.
It is possible to spend the night in the Munkebu Hut, but you’ll need to be a member of the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT). They operate 550 cabins wideness the country. Here’s a link to Lofoten Turlag. You must pick up the key during the tourist information’s opening hours in Reine and prepay. The hut comes fully equipped and can handle well-nigh 15 people.
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The incredible view from the top of Munken – and you can see the Munkebu Hut by the lake from here
Finding the trailhead for the Munkebu Hut Hike
The primary trail to Munkebu Hut and Munken starts in the parking lot in Sørvågen. See the map with the location below.
The turnoff to the parking lot as you’re driving west towards Å is the third road on the right without you pass the large lake in Sørvågen, a sign that says Holmen (it goes left but you want to go right) and several mailboxes. Follow the road a few hundred metres to a fork. Stay right to reach the parking lot.
At the parking lot there’s a form to fill out with your car’s license plate, write etc. The forfeit is 50 Norwegian Kroner (about $6.25 Canadian) – and mazuma is easiest. There is no time limit to park. They do say that camping with caravans in the parking lot is forbidden. We did the hike on a Sunday – and had no problem getting a parking spot.
If you get there and the parking lot is full, there is the option to park tropical to the lake, indicated on the map below. That will add some uneaten walking.
Location map for the Munkebu Hut – Munken hike
Munkebu Hut hike summary
Distance: 10 km return
Elevation gain: Approximately 410 m or 1,345 feet for Munkebu Hut and 797 m or 2,615 feet for Munken.
Time needed: 2 – 3 hours one way to Munkebu Hut plus flipside 50 – 70 minutes one way to the top of Munken; we spent well-nigh 6 hours hiking in total but indulge up to 7.5 hours return for both.
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Weather forecast: Munkebu Hut area
Best time to do the Munkebu Hut hike: On well-spoken days, May through September.
Don’t forget: Pack a lunch and plenty of water. There is a Joker grocery store in Sørvågen if you decide spontaneously to do the Munkebu Hut hike.
Carry cash: We found mazuma was easiest to pay for parking – not just for this hike – but on any of the hikes in the Lofoten Islands where there was a parking fee.
Toilets: You’ll find them at the car park.
Dogs: Yes, on a leash. Dogs are not permitted in Munkebu Hut.
The Munkebu Hut hike starts in the town of Sørvågen
Munkebu Hut hike description
You are weightier off starting the Munkebu Hut hike via the parking lot on the west side of Sørvågvatnet, the large lake you pass on the E-10 in Sørvågen. There is a sign in the parking lot directing you to the trail to the Munkebu Hut.
Look superiority to the waterfall unelevated Stuvdalsvatnet – and pick out the trail to the right of it. That’s where you’re headed. Continue up a hill, passing the waterfalls to reach a view of Lake Stuvdalsvatnet. The grade of the trail eases as you hike virtually the lake’s eastern shore. At the top of Stuvdalsvatnet you’ll find a couple of cabins – that I seem are owned by locals. There is a boat, and it looks like a tempting place to swim on a hot summer’s day, but there are signs saying that it’s forbidden.
Signage pointing to Munkebu in the parking lot
Waterfalls at the start of the trail to Munkebu Hut
The trail passes by a lake with private cottages
Lake Stuvdalsvatnet is a beauty
Chain section on the trail to Munkebu Hut
Continue on a trail that heads steeply up the hill. Fortunately, there are villenage to make this section of the hike to Munkebu Hut easier. This is the section that could get nasty if wet as the waddle doesn’t offer much if any traction. You may be worldly-wise to get up – but it’s unchangingly harder coming when down.
A steep section of smooth waddle that would be slippery when wet
After the steep section of chains, the trail follows a wet section but there are lots of rocks around, so we had no problem keeping our feet dry. Some of the waddle was smooth and lovely for walking. Withal the way squint for small cairns and plane the painted letter “T” to ensure you’re on the right path.
We never had any problems route finding on this trail. Over the last few years with the increase in the number of hikers, uneaten signage has been added.
Lumpy hiking whilom the lake
A nice stretch of easy hiking towards Munkebu Hut
Looking when towards the start of the trail from a large tombstone – notice the network of ponds mid-photo
At this sign you make a sharp right hand turn and start climbing – just 2.3 km to go on the Munkebu Hut hike
After passing a small pond, follow the eastern shore of Tridalsvatnet. The views withal this section were highly enjoyable. Turn right at the sign and start hiking up a steeper rocky slope, looking for the path of least resistance. There are a few cairns virtually to alimony you heading in the right direction.
At the top of this section of trail there’s a unconfined view of the underpass between Moskenes and Reine and a small ridge you could climb – that would offer superb sea views.
Note the trail and the person on top of the minor ridge
View of the underpass between Moskenes and Reine
There’s a small climb up towards Djipfjordheia and then a lovely quick descent lanugo to Munkebu Hut. The huts towards as two small red blotches some loftiness out, but you’ll be there in no time.
No one was staying in the hut when we arrived, but you could peer in the windows. The interior looked wipe and nicely kitted out. We chose a unappetizing waddle by the lake to enjoy our lunch surpassing heading out on the hike up Munken Peak.
Grand views in an unshut zone on the hike to Munkebu Hut – notice how easy the trail is to follow
It’s a quick descent lanugo to Munkebu Hut
The hike up Munken from Munkebu Hut
The hike up Munken looks impossibly steep from Munkebu Hut but once on the trail all is revealed. Note that the South Top part of Munken is for climbers and not hikers. The North Top is hiker wieldy and falls well-nigh 30 m short of the South Top.
Go overdue Munkebu Hut and pick up a well-worn trail that heads up towards the rocks pictured below. The small lake outside the hut will be on your right. The trail climbs the hill, very steeply at times, but the views spur you on. In no time Munkebu Hut will squint like miniature houses abreast the lake.
The trail switchbacks in places up the mountain to reach several ponds. They are a good place to stop and reservation your breath.
The final push to the summit is steep, but it’s short so you’ll be on the summit surpassing you know it. When you top out, squint for the South Top to your right. Then take a wander over the large North Top, appreciating the vistas from variegated angles. If it’s a warm, windless day, it’s an incredible place to hang out. The Munken hike is obviously weightier when you can take wholesomeness of the views from the sea to Hermanndalstinden.
Should you be hiking Munken under less-than-ideal conditions – like rain, mud and fog – I’d suggest poles for wastefulness and beware the cliffs off the east face.
There’s a well worn trail up Munken that climbs up from Munkebu Hut
There are many steep sections on the hike up Munken so pay sustentation to your footing
Splendid mountain scenery everywhere you squint from Munken
There’s a large unappetizing zone on the North Top of Munken with 360 stratum views
The colour of the water and the jagged peaks let you know you’re in the Lofoten Islands
Grand scenery coming off Munken including a view of Hermanndalstinden
Preparing for the Munkebu Hut hike
The hike to Munkebu Hut is straightforward in good weather – but if it’s rainy, there are rocky sections with villenage that would be very slippery. If you’re not well-appointed with that, save the hike for a dry day. If the fog rolls in, route-finding could moreover be an issue – and who likes hiking a mountain in the fog?
Always remember to pack the 10 hiking essentials and let someone know where you’re hiking and when you expect to finish.
There are no permits required for the Munkebu Hut hike, but if you do plan to stay in the hut, be sure to prepay and get the key.
Pack out whatever you pack in, including toilet paper. Women might like the pee cloth misogynist on Amazon.
Please practice Leave No Trace principles.
The smooth waddle section on the Munkebu Hut hike can be problematic on a rainy day
Where to stay nearby
The Lofoten Islands get rented in the summer, expressly on weekends so I think you want to minimize the value of time you’re driving.
There are loads of campervans, but we explored with a tiny car and a stay at a couple of variegated spots on the Lofoten Islands. If you’re planning to do a lot of hiking, I think you’ll find some of the weightier hikes are in the Reine to Ramberg corridor. I’d recommend staying somewhere in this zone for many days, and then move to flipside for increasingly hiking. I’d moreover suggest booking way in whop to get the word-for-word dates that you want.
Some ideas include the pursuit spots.
The Tide Hotel in Sørvågen is rated as fabulous.
Holmen Lofoten is rated superb. It comes with an onsite restaurant and bar.
Closer to Reine is Olstind in Sakrisøy, rated exceptional.
Olenilsøy Cabins in Reine are rated as fabulous.
We stayed at Modern Rorbu Ryten 1 and did all are own cooking. It was very peaceful and we loved looking out over the water. It wasn’t fancy, beds were small, but the main rooms were spacious.
This zone was a 3-minute walk from our rental place in Sund
Final thoughts
I hadn’t read anything well-nigh the Munkebu Hut hike surpassing we visited the Lofoten Islands – but I am so thankful we did it – largely considering it wasn’t too far a momentum from where we were staying. It truly is an outstanding hike and the scenery is something else. I love my hiking in the Canadian Rockies but to see the panoramic view of the mountains and the ocean is a real treat.
If you’re anywhere near Å or Reine, set whispered a day to do the scenic Munkebu Hut hike – and if weather permits, I highly recommend a climb up Munken for the views.
What a landscape on the final tideway to Munkebu Hut
Other things to do in Norway – and Europe
If you’re visiting Norway for the first time, be sure to read Attractions in Norway for the First Time Visitor.
Another unconfined hike with a low effort – upper reward in the Lofoten Islands is the Offersøykammen Hike.
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