Segla

Segla, the sail, rises above the village of Fjordgard on Senja's outer coast as a blade of rock with a vertical northern face dropping some four hundred metres to the fjord and a walkable slope on the southern side. The path from Fjordgard climbs about two hours to the summit ridge, steep and rough near the top, and the reward is a narrow crest with the Bergsfjord on one side and the open sea on the other, with the neighbouring peak Hesten opposite. Hesten is in fact where most of the famous photographs of Segla are taken from, a separate walk of similar length. Senja is the second-largest island in Norway and its outer coast is a chain of similar peaks.

What you actually see

• The sail profile - a blade of rock with a sheer northern face.
• The summit crest - a narrow ridge with fjord and open sea below.
• Fjordgard - the fishing village directly beneath the peak.
• Hesten opposite - the neighbouring summit that gives the classic view of Segla.

When to go

June to September for the walk, when the path is clear; the midnight sun in June and July allows evening ascents. Winter attempts need full equipment and avalanche awareness, and the ridge is dangerous in wind.

Honest expectations

The path is steep, muddy and loose in sections, and the summit ridge has serious unprotected drops. Parking at Fjordgard is limited and charged, and overflow parking has caused friction with residents. Cloud on the peak is common.

Nearby

Hesten and Ersfjordstranda are along the same coast; the Senja scenic route runs around the island.