Fløya is Svolvær’s local mountain, and it has become more popular with the Sherpa stairs going almost all the way up the mountain side. If you walk up to Fløya, you get a fantastic view over the city. Svolvær has 4700 inhabitants, and this is the area with one of the biggest population in the archipelago. Svolvær has a small airport and it is the port of call for both Hurtigruten, ferries and the express boat. In this small, big city you find a selection of restaurants, galleries, shops and accommodation. The tourist information is at the central square, and they have plenty of tips about everything that Lofoten has to offer.
Information about Djevelporten and Fløya
Starting point: The parking in the city centre or the parking by the start of the stairs in Blåtindveien.
Season: Spring, summer and autumn.
Distance: 1.5 km (one way).
Altitude: 590 metres above sea level.
Duration: 2 hours (one way).
Difficulty: Easy up the stairs, medium towards Djevelporten. Demanding if you go all the way up to the cairn at the top.
Parking
The hike starts right outside the centre of Svolvær. There is a parking area, just where the Blåtindveien makes a narrow curve. But this parking fills up quickly and it may be easier to park in the city centre.
Tour description
The path leads you from the parking and up the hill, and after a short walk you will come to the Sherpa stairs – or «Djeveltrappa» – as it is called by the locals. The work on the stairs started in 2019 and will be continued.
These stairs make it easier to reach a higher altitude, as long as your thigh muscles allow it. Luckily, there are several nice benches along the way, where you can relax and enjoy the view.
Choose the right path
When you come to the part where the terrain flattens out, the path splits in two directions. One direction goes to the right towards Svolværgeita, which is where you go to climb the famous mountain. If this is what you would like to do, you can find out about available mountains guides at the tourist information.
If you are going to Fløya you follow the path that goes straight ahead which ends in a gorge between the Frosken and Fløya mountains. There is a footbridge across the marsh. The terrain upwards is quite steep and craggy.
Steep and exposed
When you reach the top of the gorge you see the Djevelporten directly in front of you. This is the large rock stuck between two mountain sides. This is a very exposed area and it is very risky to go out onto the Djevelporten. Please be very careful if you decide to do this.
The path towards Fløya continues upwards in an arc shape along the mountain side. The path is good, but it goes through exposed terrain on the very edge of a cliff. When you arrive at the top you will have a magnificent view of the Vestfjord and Svolvær under your feet! On top of this mountain you will have plenty of space to enjoy a break. It is not possible to go down from the mountain towards Svolværgeita. Follow the same path down or a path marked Lofoten High5 in blue and white.
If you want to reach the very highest point, you need your hands and feet to climb up a steep and challenging 2–3 metre long passage. After that, you can walk the last few metres to the top, which is marked with a cairn.
Please be aware that the steep passage can be even more demanding when you are going back down, especially in wet weather!
Frequently asked questions:
Is this hike suitable for families?
Yes, the Sherpa stairs are fine for older children. There are several steep parts and some quite demanding parts. After the stairs there are some areas that require climbing.
Facilities
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