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Hiking in the queen’s footsteps As beautiful as the Norwegian mainland is, even more dazzling are its islands. At the stunning Vesterålen archipelago, well above the Arctic Circle, you’ll find pearl-white beaches, impressive mountain peaks and picturesque fjords aplenty. In between the many islands lives a great community of whales, for whom the abundance of food in the water is a true feast. Yet, the crown jewel of the archipelago is Dronningruta (The Queen’s Route), a magnificent walking trail through the mountains. It sure isn’t for the faint-hearted – but if you’re brave enough to embark upon it, you’ll be rewarded with some fantastic vistas. By Arne Adriaenssens | Photos: Christian Roth Christensen
The Dronningruta was named after Norway’s Queen Sonja, who walked this trail herself in 1994. Many royalty watchers soon followed in her footsteps, and it became a popular route thereafter. But, even if you have less affinity for what happens behind the palace doors, Dronningruta still deserves a spot on your hiking bucket list. 86 | Issue 130 | November 2019
As it is a round trip, the trail both starts and finishes in Stø, a tiny fishermen’s village crept in between the mountains and the waves. Whether you walk it clockwise or counterclockwise is entirely up to you. Either way, you are up for a demanding 15-kilometre hike, which will take up five to eight hours of your time. A mix
of steep slopes and easily walkable paths guide you from panorama to panorama, and to Finngamheia, the tour’s highest point, some 450 metres above sea level. But the pristine nature of Vesterålen most definitely makes the hard work worthwhile. The many peaceful ponds, green meadows and stunning seascapes along the road are some of the most beautiful in northern Norway. Many Norwegian travel guides recommend avid hikers to head to Dronningruta, and we’ll happily second that. And while you’re in Vesterålen, why not pay a visit to some of our favourite destinations? Allow us to introduce them to you over the following pages.