recommended route
Hesten
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View of Segla in the fall.Photo: Claire Kvalheim Kieffer, https://www.instagram.com/clairefromnorway/
Hesten is Segla’s neighboring mountain and where most of the popular photos of Segla found on Instagram are taken.
Much like Segla, Hesten has a sharp drop into the fjord below, but doesn’t reach quite as tall, at 556 meters above the sea. Apart from Segla, Hesten delivers wonderful views over Mefjorden to the west, and Inste Kongen Mountain and Korkedalen Valley to the north.
The trail is very popular and you can expect to hike in a queue and meet many people at the top, regardless of the season. If you have a fear of heights, consider stopping on the ridge between Hesten and Stavelitippen, about 100 meters below Hesten’s peak, which still provides a great view of Segla and Korkedalen.
Hamn i Senja, Skagi Senja and Mefjord Brygge all offer hotel rooms as well as apartments with self-catering possibilities. Each has a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a bar.
Author’s recommendation
- Bring water as natural sources are hard to find.
- The trail can be very wet so wear waterproof footwear.
- The top of the mountain is often windy. Bring warm and windproof clothing.
Track types
Show elevation profileTips and hints
- Free parking
- Portable toilets at the trailhead from June to September
- Toilet at the local supermarket (10 NOK)
- Segla Grill serves meals and beer and makes for a great post-hike stop
Start
Turn-by-turn directions
The trailhead is at the bottom of the ski slope, next to a wooden shelter.
Summer
The trail is quite clear and easy to follow.
Follow the ski hill up, using the boardwalks to avoid getting your feet wet. The trail then heads into the forest and crosses over some small streams.
From there, continue into the rocky field and look towards the ridge ahead. The trail leads towards the low point between two peaks, Hesten to the left and Stavelitippen to the right.
Up on the ridge, turn left and follow it up to the peak. The final stage requires a bit of scrambling over the rocks. The drop to the ocean is steep-watch your step.
Winter
During the winter, the trail is not as clear as in the summer. The best route is to head to the top of the alpine ski hill and then aim for the low point on the ridge between Hesten and Stavelitippen.
From this point on the ridge there are fantastic views of Segla. Continuing to the peak is dangerous in winter and not recommended.
It can be very slippery along the trail so use crampons (not just hiking boots) and poles.
Note
Getting there
The trailhead is in the village of Fjordgård in northern Senja.
Traveling along Road 862, part of Norwegian Scenic Route Senja, take the turn towards Fjordgård near Mefjordbotn.
Drive through the tunnel. After the tunnel, stay left and follow this road for about 4 kilometers into Fjordgård.
There is not a lot of parking by the trailhead, so the best option is park at the Segla trailhead. Turn left up the hill behind Segla Grill towards the school. Above the school is a free parking lot.
From the parking lot, walk back down towards Segla Grill and follow the road to the ski slope to the left. When the road splits, keep left again. It’s less than 10-minutes walk from the parking lot.
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