NorwayBlåisvatnet (“Blue Lake”) is one of the highlights of the Lyngen Alps in northern Norway. Even on a gloomy rainy day, it shines in a bright turquoise blue and puts the icing on the cake of this scenic and varied hike.
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Stony Path to the Blue Lake, Lyngen Alps
But as is so often the case, you first have to work for the view of the beautiful Blue Lake. The 4.2 kilometer long path (one way) leads over the stones of a dry river bed. You can't walk fast here, every step has to be taken carefully. I was glad to be wearing ankle-high, sturdy hiking boots and to have trekking poles with me.
Shortly before the lake, the stones turn into rocks and a bit of climbing is required. But it's worth all the effort! The Blue Lake is the most beautiful thing I've seen in the Lyngen Alps in Norway
The trail starts off easy and comfortable. It goes through a small forest past a river. Even here I can hardly make any progress because of all the photo stops. On the way back, I even see a bunch of reindeer roaming along the riverbank.
Why is Blåisvatnet so blue?
Blåisvatnet is fed by meltwater from the Lenang glacier. Silt particles of quartz and feldspar are carried into the lake with the water and deposited at the bottom. These particles reflect the blue light components of sunlight particularly well, while absorbing other light components.
The “Blue Lake” hike in the Lyngen Alps at a glance
- Length: 8.4 km round trip
- Elevation gain: 189 m
- Duration: 5 to 6 hours
- Best time: In the afternoon and at the beginning of the evening light
- Nature: The path is largely stony.
- Marking: Red markings on cairns and rocks
- Parking: At the trailhead there is a large, paid parking lot “Lyngsalpan” in Sør-Lenangsbotn with WC and information boards. There are barbecue areas and the possibility to camp.
Yes, my pictures are all edited in Lightroom / Photoshop. But the water is really that blue, I didn't do anything to it. I took the darker photos with a gray filter. The blue has become particularly strong in these.
Alternative Route via Aspevatnet
A signposted path leads to the Aspevatnet lake, which does not have such blue water. From there, there is also a path to the blue lake. I have not walked this path, but I want to mention it for completeness.
Are you still looking for accommodation? Then I can highly recommend the old Solhov school in Lyngseidet . It's not around the corner (about an hour's drive) but the accommodation is extremely cozy and conveniently located near the ferry to Olderdalen.
Book recommendations for Norway
You want to know where the journey goes? Then I can recommend these books*.
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Recommendations for further Reading
Do you love the north as much as I do? Then you might also be interested in my articles about my Husky Guide Training – Two Months with Hetta Huskies in Finland or about Trekking on the Laugavegur in Iceland..
