Storemolla: Islands, Peaks and Hiking Trails

Storemolla combines a rocky island landscape with clearly named hiking routes. Molla consists of the two rocky islands of Stormolla and Litlmolla in the municipality of Vågan in Nordland. In the Lofoten Islands, Molla lies at the entrance to Raftsundet. This geographical setting provides the backdrop for the peaks and trails to explore on Storemolla.

Islands and Landscape

Litlmolla covers 9.7 km² and is uninhabited. Storemolla has numerous peaks and varied nature that is well suited to exploring. Heggedalstinden on Stormolla reaches an elevation of 751 meters. Heggedalstinden is on Stormolla, while Rulten Panorama is a hike on Storemolla.

Hiking on Storemolla

Rulten Panorama is a hike on the 442-meter-high Durmålstinden on Storemolla. There are views of Rulten throughout the route, and the entire route can be cycled. The descent to the shore at Øyhellesund is about 2.2 kilometers long.

The family hike from Brettesnes to Gullvika takes about two to three hours and follows an old road or trail. Along the way, the road eventually gives way to a clearly marked trail. The time estimate refers to the route to Gullvika; from there, you can extend the route through Gullvika to Borkvikvatnet.

Getting Around and Getting There

There are specific directions to Rulten Panorama after arriving by ferry on Storemolla: after about 500 meters, you will reach an intersection. From there, the route entrance is to the right, toward Øyhellesund. You can park along the road near Mollaveien 761; the trail starts there.

A car ferry connects Svolvær with Brettesnes in the south of Storemolla; there is also a ferry connection between Digermulen and Storemolla. Before your trip, check the current timetable for the connection you plan to use. Norway’s first herring oil factory was established in Brettesnes in 1884. In addition to fishing, there is also some tourist traffic there, and the volume can vary.

In the wider destination of Vågan

In the wider destination of Vågan, other landscape and cultural highlights complement the focus on Storemolla’s island trails. On Gimsøya, Hoven is an easy walk; from Hoven, there are 360-degree panoramic views of the varied mountains of the Lofoten Islands and the open sea to the north. The Lofoten Cathedral in Kabelvåg dates from 1898 and is the largest church in Northern Norway. Henningsvær is one of Norway’s 13 protected cultural landscapes. The 18-kilometer-long Gimsøystraumen lies between Vestvågøy and Vågan. Skrova is known for SOPS (Skrova Outdoor Photo Spot), with permanent outdoor photo exhibitions. If you plan to visit the installations, check in advance whether they will still be there during your visit.

Discover more destinations: Svolvær, Digermulen, Henningsvær, Laupstad, Kabelvåg, Brettesnes, Skrova, Gimsøysand

Back to the destination overview: Vågan.