A hiking adventure: The Vega Stairs

The Sherpa-built Vega Stairs take you from the shore to the top of Ravnfloget, and the view becomes more impressive with every stone step you climb. While the stairs make it easy to climb the mountainside, your thigh and calf muscles will still get a serious workout. Be sure to save some energy for your descent!

Key info

Degree of difficulty: Moderate.
Distance one way: 950 m
Ascent one way: 310 m
Duration one way: 30–60 minutes
Wheelchair and pram friendly: No.

Trailhead: The Vega Stairs start from a pebble beach on the western shore of the island. From the ferry quay or from Gladstad, follow route Fv81 northwards and around the island, to the end of the road. Find the trailhead with Google Maps

Special Considerations: The Vega Stairs are steep and can become very slippery in the winter. For safety reasons, they are therefore closed during the winter season.

Download map

A hiking adventure

The first 600-metre stretch of trail and some stone steps take you to the mountainside. As you climb the Vega Stairs, you will pass a huge boulder, several sculptures, and numerous places where you can take a break for a snack and enjoy the view. As you look up, you will see the Ravnfloget Via Ferrata, a route straight up the cliff that can be climbed only with special equipment and under the watchful eye of an expert guide.

The final section of the Vega Stairs winds along just below the via ferrata and towards a chasm and the Nepal Bridge, which is essentially a tightrope stretched across the abyss. For the daring, this may well be the climax of their via ferrata climb. But unless you feel the need to equal their feat and are yearning for the vertigo, just follow the trail for the final stretch to the top.

The summit soon greets you with a stunning panorama of the Vega archipelago and view of the island of Søla.

Five tips for a safe and enjoyable hike in the mountains

1. Follow the Norwegian Mountain Code and plan according to your ability and equipment

Short hikes on easy terrain don’t require much. If you’re heading out for an hour or two in the lowlands and not gaining much elevation, you won’t need a lot of gear or be in top shape. If it gets cold or you get tired, you’re usually not far from your car.

But if you’re heading into more challenging terrain—steeper, rougher, and above the treeline where the weather is more unpredictable—you’ll need to be better prepared. You should plan the trip based on weather and conditions, be fit enough to complete it, and be ready for uneven ground, boulder fields, slippery roots, and stream crossings. That means carrying a heavier pack with extra clothes and gear, and wearing sturdy hiking boots that support your ankles.

If you’re unsure about taking on a demanding mountain hike, start with an easy or moderate one and see how it feels.

Learn more about the Norwegian Mountain Code at rodekors.no
See what you should bring on your hike on VisitNorway.com

2. Stick to marked trails

A shortcut through unfamiliar terrain can easily turn into a long and difficult detour. What looks like a trail might just be a sheep path that leads you somewhere completely unexpected. If you want the hike to be as easy or challenging—and as long or short—as planned, it’s best to follow marked trails.

If you’re heading off-trail, it’s smart to follow a GPS track. You can download a GPX file from a hike description and use it on a GPS device, a smartphone app, or a GPS watch.

UT.no and the UT app offer hike descriptions with GPS tracks. If your hike doesn’t have one, you can upload a track to ut.no/mine-turer and access it in the app. It’s free, but you’ll need to create an account.

Always carry a map and compass as backup.

UT app for Android / UT app for iPhone

3. Talk to locals or join a guided hike

Locals often have useful tips about your planned hike. They can tell you where to park, whether there’s phone coverage, if the trail is wet, if rivers are high, or suggest a better alternative. Talk to the people where you’re staying, at the local tourist office, or other hikers on the trail—you might get some truly valuable advice.

The best option is to hike with a guide. You can join a group tour or book a private guide. These are experienced locals who know the area well. They’ll help tailor the hike to your needs and share insights that add to the experience.

4. Look out for cultural landmarks

Even high up in the mountains, you’ll find traces of past human activity—some hundreds or even thousands of years old. These can include ancient trail markers, signal cairns, hunting fences, huts, and shepherd shelters. If you spot something interesting, check the KulturPunkt app to see what it is—or use the app to find a cultural site as your hiking goal.

KulturPunkt app for Android / KulturPunkt app for iPhone
KulturPunkt.org

5. Remember your responsibilities under the Right to Roam

Norway’s Right to Roam means you can hike, bike, pick berries, camp, fish, and ski almost anywhere in nature. But it also comes with responsibilities—what we call the “duties of the Right to Roam.” Leave no trace, respect wildlife, and know the rules for hunting, fishing, cycling, and access in protected areas like national parks and nature reserves.

Please contribute to sustainable tourism

Thank you for respecting the local communities, and for helping us preserve the natural beauty of Helgeland!

Please:

Strive to leave no trace of your visit. Bring back all your rubbish, including used toilet paper, and discard it in the nearest rubbish bin.
Plan your toilet visits and use the opportunity when you pass a toilet. In the wilderness, make sure you are not a nuisance to others.
Respect the local wildlife. Keep a good distance from wildlife, livestock and birds. Keep your dog leashed.
Respect private property. Keep a respectful distance from houses and cabins.
Show good boating sense. Keep a good distance from shore and drive at a low speed, especially when you are close to anyone or anything on the water, including birds or animals. Avoid loud and disturbing engine noise. Be aware that some islands and nature reserves are important nesting sites, and that going ashore is prohibited during the nesting season.
Follow the Norwegian Mountain Code (Fjellvettreglene). Plan your excursion according to the weather forecast, your skills and experience.
Join a guided excursion or consider hiring an experienced guide, especially when you don’t have sufficient experience or knowledge to guarantee a safe trip.