John and I did not plan to do a Mannin trip in Norway's Lofoten Islands. We started at Haukland Beach on the west coast of the Lofoten Islands with the aim of taking a trip along the coast including Otacliffe Beach and an old cart road up the mountain that connects the two communities.
On the old trail/cart road above the low point on the mountain, you make a few turns onto other trails. One takes you to Himmeltinden (The highest mountain on the island of Vestvågøy in Lofotens with a NATO radar on the summit that has been monitoring Norwegian airspace since the 1980s) and the other for men.
When we reached the turnoff to Manin Peak, we looked at each other and said–“We're here, so we might as well do it and it doesn't seem so far away.“
However, most people do the Manin Walk as a round trip from Hawkland Beach. But if you have about 4 hours, I highly recommend the more circuitous route via Otacliffe Beach and across the pass to get to the trailhead. This route will be closer to 10 kilometers in total.
This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thanks a lot for your support.
Summary of Manin's journey
distance: 3.5 km round trip.
Height gain: 400 meters (1,312 ft) above Mannin Peak.
Difficulty level: Moderate but with some exposure.
Time needed: 23 hours.
Suitable for family: Not good for young children. Older kids (8+) who don't mind the height should be fine.
parking: Hawkland Beach in the car park. Vik Beach, a 20-minute walk away, would be another option.
Dogs: Allowed, but must be restricted between April 1 and October 1 due to animal grazing in the area.
Do not forget: Pack water, energy bars, extra clothes in case it's windy up there, and rain gear. Throw a wetsuit in your car for a quick swim after a hike.
Best time to raise manin
Ideally, you want to hike Manin between May and September when the weather is best. If it is raining heavily, you may find the path slippery, so take extra precautions under this scenario.
In the summer in the Lofoten Islands, Mother Nature is able to throw you weather-related curve balls. It can rain for a week at a time. The Manin hike, with its magnificent views, is best when visibility is high.
In winter, when there is snow and ice around, it is not recommended to go to Manin – especially considering how narrow the path is in places and the number of drop-off points.
How to get to the main road at Hawkland Beach
By car
Haukland Beach is located on the island of Vestvågøy which is easy to reach if you have a car. It is only 15 minutes away from Leknes, the second largest city on the Lofoten Islands.
we have done High Offersøykammen In the morning, just 13 minutes away by car. I recommend doing both in one day. It was a lovely drive to Hawkland Beach as part of it is along the coast and past Vic Beach.
If you need a rental car for your trip in… Lofotens Check out Discover Cars. You can rent one in Leknes.
By public transportation
According to the Lofoten website guide, you can take Bus line 765 Departs from Leknes with stops at Hawkland and Otacliffe beaches – but only between 21 June and 22 August.
The bus departs twice daily from Leknes, Monday to Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. It returns from Ottacliffe Beach at 10:05am and 14:05pm – so you'll need to plan your Manin walking trip accordingly. Maybe a fellow hiker will be kind enough to take you back to Leknes.
Hoakland and Manin beach location map
Description of Manin's height
Mannen's journey starts right from the car park at Haukland Beach – which in 2023 Lonely Planet calls “the beach”. The best beach in Europe. The parking lot is not large, so arrive early if it's the middle of summer. There are toilets you have to pay for, and a café in a shipping box, although it was closed in late August. The new visitor center is said to be in the works in late 2024.
If you can get away from the beautiful white sand beach, head to the access road and find the narrow paved path. Hike it about 10 minutes to reach the trail heading left up the mountain. There are many paths you can choose from, so choose the path you use most often. Head back up the hill to reach the junction with two paths – the path that goes up to Mannin and the path that continues to Ottacliffe Beach.
The climbing begins in earnest. Winding up the mountain on a narrow and sometimes muddy road. Sometimes there are rocks to climb, but it's all about hiking. There are a few lookout points along the way, so be sure to check them out.
Much of the way up is over a ridge that is narrow in places. There are some good spots along the way where you can get great views of Hawkland Beach. Be very careful if it is raining or has just rained as some of the upper walkways can become very slippery.
From the small summit of Mannin Peak, the views are legendary. Not only can you see Haukland Beach and many of the outer Lofoten islands, but you can also see Mount Vision – an in-your-face mountain that you can also climb.
After enjoying the views from the summit (we were there on a calm day), retrace your steps back to Hawkland Beach. But don't rush – instead enjoy the views over Hawkland Beach in one direction and Ottacliffe Beach in the other.
Decline or rise after swimming?
If you want to refresh yourself after hiking Manin, head for a dip in the cool waters off Hawkland Beach. According to the World Beach Guide, the water temperature can reach 12°C in August, but in May it is only 6.5°C. Either way, it will energize you – and take your mind off your tired muscles.
Parking for Manin Lift
You can see that the car park for both Mannen Journey and Haukland Beach is not big. There is the option to park the car at Vik Beach and walk here – it should take no more than about 20 minutes.
Where to stay in the area
Haukeland Beach House It is a four-bedroom holiday home located about 500 meters from the beach. Excellent review.
Almost all units are in Lofoten Basecamp In nearby Leknes you can enjoy harbor or ocean views.
Torres Cabin on Hawkland Beach It will be an excellent choice. It sleeps 2-4 people with two bedrooms and is rated as great.
Interested in more hiking in Norway and Sweden?
Sweden
Kungsleden Track Guide: Abisko to Nikalukta (Great 6-7 day trip)
Lofoten Islands, Norway
Ryten Hike and Kvalvika Beach, Lofoten Islands
Rheinbringen Excursion, Lofoten Islands: A Complete Guide
Hike Monkebo + Monken Hut, Lofoten Islands
Southern Norway
Hike Pulpit Rock (Pulpit Rock) above the Lysefjord, Norway
Click on the image to bookmark your Pinterest boards.
