A hidden gem for summer escape with few crowds, Sivorg Island, Norway

On October 5th, we departed from Lofoten and headed 40km north to the small town of Leknes, nestled between towering mountains amidst idyllic countryside scenery. We stayed at Lofoten Basecamp for two days - absolutely fantastic! The seaside row cabins offered sauna bookings (we opted for sauna both days, too intimidated to try the highly-recommended seawater baths). The innkeeper, a Guangzhou Canton Fair veteran with 15-20 visits under his belt, warmly recommended hiking Offersøyfjellet (more like a hill) right outside the lodge. The views rival Reinebringen with similar elevation and difficulty, but less grueling since Reine's infamous stairs are absent. Thus we continued our mountain conquest. The Offersøyfjellet Hiking Trail, though unpaved, wasn't overly challenging. The first half wound through shrubbery before transitioning to exposed rock faces with occasional loose gravel. Our ascent was dramatic - shifting weather brought sun, then howling winds and rain, leaving us three struggling through the elements. The 2.5-hour climb up and 2-hour descent were humbling as locals bounded past at triple our speed 😓. Reaching the summit rewarded us with 5 glorious minutes of sunshine ☀️ and panoramic views worth every ounce of effort. From the peak, water surrounded us on all sides except northeast, with islands scattered like jewels. When sunlight hit, the sea transformed into mesmerizing shades of sapphire and emerald.