The Eltofttuva hike in Lofoten Islands

The Eltofttuva hike near Leknes in Lofoten offers some of the best hiking in the Lofoten Islands.

It’s a relatively easy hike (though not without some steeper sections) and offers incredible views of lakes, fjords and super impressive mountains.

It’s also one of the quieter hikes in Lofoten and you’re unlikely to see the crowds you see at Reinebringen, Fløya, or Kvalvika Beach and Ryten.

From the top of Eltofttuva, you get views of Himmeltinden on the Himmeltinden hike which is just under 1000 m above sea level and seriously impressive.

The Elofttuva hike was one of my favorite Lofoten hikes (of which we did many!) and for a relatively easy hike, you sure get some impressive mountain views.

Read more: What you should know before going to Lofoten

Hiking Eltofttuva in Lofoten

After you’ve gone through the gate from the trailhead (see below), the hiking begins!

It starts off not too steep as you follow the rocky and sometimes muddy trail up through the landscape.

You get views almost immediately so if you need a break, look around and enjoy the scenery!

Continue following the trail as it goes off towards the right slightly before bending back.

There are times along the trail when the peak looks quite close and then as you crest over another slight lip you realise there’s still a while to go.

Keep going as it’s worth it!

Read more: Easy hike to Delpheia in the Lofoten Islands

When you reach the top you’ll come out to a large cairn and a guestbook to sign. We added our names to the guestbook and then enjoyed the views of the sea and surrounding mountains.

You can see right down into Tangstadpollen and Ostadvatnet as well as over to the impressive peaks of Himmeltinden.

We were also hit with the first and only real experience of the Lofoten winds we’d heard about before our visit. The wind really picked up on this peak so make sure you’ve packed your windproof clothing with you (see below for what to pack), so you can stay a bit warmer!

From the cairn, we decide to carry on slightly which involves a small section downhill.

This got us slightly closer to the views of the imposing mountains ahead of us but didn’t differ much from the view by the cairn.

To head back down to the car, simply follow the trail the way you came.

You can see our trail map for Elofttuva here.

Stats for the Eltofttuva trail

Read more: Tjeldburgtind – easy hike in Svolvær

The Eltofttuva trail is relatively easy for Lofoten hikes. It’s not particularly long, has no super steep sections where you need to use your hands and has no real exposure either.

If you’re visiting Lofoten with kids, or just want an easy hike in Lofoten with amazing views, then consider hiking Eltofttuva.

• Distance: 3 km
• Elevation: 340 m
• Duration: 1-2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy

AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.

How to get to the Eltofttuva trailhead

The trailhead for Eltofttuva starts at the grill hut and sports field of Steinfjord. There’s a parking area here and you can find it on Google Maps by searching for Steinfjordgrillen.

Parking is free and the trail to Elofttuva begins from just past the grill hut by going through a gate.

Remember to shut the gate after you’ve used it!

Read more: Hiking to DNT Nøkksætra in Svolvær.

Things to know before hiking Eltofttuva, Leknes

Before you go hiking in Lofoten, you should pay attention to, and follow, these things to know.

• Always practice leave no trace ethics. Not sure what those are? Get a refresher here.
• Remember to respect the terrain, environment, and other users while you are enjoying the trails.
• Follow the three Ts—trip planning, training, and taking the essentials.
• Don’t leave home without your 10 essentials. They could save your life!
• Do not walk off the trail – this damages the environment which is very fragile and leads to trail closures being put in place.
• Read up on the Lofoten Code of Conduct to minimise your impact.

What to pack for the Eltofttuva hike

Before heading out on your hike to this Lofoten DNT cabin, be sure to check the weather and trail conditions and then pack accordingly. As with all Lofoten hikes, you should pack layers including waterproofs and windproof clothing as the weather changes rapidly.

Below is a basic idea on what you should pack, but feel free to adjust itdeepending on the season you’re hiking in as well as the weather adn trail conditions. You can see my ultimate day hike packing checklist too for more details.

Final thoughts on hiking Eltofttuva near Leknes Lofoten Islands

This Lofoten Islands hiking guide has covered the Eltofttuva often hike. It’s one of the best hikes in the Lofoten Islands we did as the sunlight lit up the mountain peaks so beautifully!

If you’d like to find more things to do in Lofoten, I’ve plenty of Lofoten Islands hiking guides such as this guide to the Djevelporten in Svolvar and the Reinebringen hike as well as this guide to the best things to do in Henningsvaer and how to find camping in Lofoten. I’ve also got a guide on the Loften Islands’ Northern Lights and where to find the best Lofoten Islands beaches.

If you want to explore more of Northern Norway, check out this guide to what to do in Tromso, the best things to do in Senja, and these Tromso hiking guides too.

Last Updated on August 29, 2023 by Hannah