Hydalshjallen
For the next mountain trip, I decided to go to the Hemsedal valley. Some time ago, when I was crossing that way, it made a huge impression on me. So, I wanted to taste some hiking in the mountains there. This was a perfect time for that before winter. For a long time I was looking for a trail that would not be as drastic for my knees as my last trip. Unfortunately, most routes around the town of Hemsedal (yes, the main town in the area has the same name as the valley) is intended for serious walkers with steel knees. However, after persistent searching, I found something that my joints should not beg for mercy.
Get Directions
Hydalshjallen is a viewing point rising about 300 meters above the Hydalsdalen Valley near Hemsedal. The route has about 3 kilometers and is devoid of steep climbs. The rock at the end of the trail, with a steep cliff, offers a fantastic view of the mentioned Hydalsdalen valley and of course the hills around. I checked the weather for Saturday, and I could already expect the upcoming weekend.
On Saturday, long before dawn I got in the car and for the next 4 hours I was traveling in the dark toward north. When I entered Hemsedal, it was still dark outside. However, I managed to see the outlines of the mountains appearing in the darkness, mainly because the white snow blanket covering the slopes. I was worried because I didn’t predict that it might already be snow here. I kept going, looking for the exit of road 52 and finally found. Now I was going uphill on a gravel road. Before I reached Vavatn Lake, I had to pay a 60 kr fee for further driving. Unfortunately, this route is paid. I reached the group of vacation houses and drove on to the other end of the lake. A thin layer of snow covered the road here, so I had to drive carefully.
Where the trail to Hydalshjallen begins, there is space to park a car or even two, but I realized that those spots was already occupied. Then I went further to the next crossroad, behind which I found a much larger parking lot. As soon as I got out of the heated car, I felt it was cold. It was so cold that my fingers freezed despite the warm gloves just when I left the car.
I came to the beginning of the trail, passed two parked cars (they had to be standing there at least from the previous day) and entered a path covered with a thin layer of snow. It was already quite light. Foot and dog paw prints appeared on the path. They led me in places where the trail became invisible. Carefully, I took the trekking poles with me this time, mainly to support my knees, but this time they played a completely different role. In many places the path was covered with ice and it was the poles that saved me from falling when my feet lost their grip with the ground.
Somewhere in the middle of the route I noticed the owner of the tracks left on the path. He was far ahead of me and a little higher, with a dog running around him. So, somebody went on this route before me, I thought. I walked on and the path climbed more and more. At some point, the presence of a man with a dog became quite clear. I saw a tent, set up in the winter scenery. A man was standing next to the tent and two dogs were running around, barking nervously at me. I passed this phenomenon in a wide arc, having heard voices coming from inside the tent, probably asking why the dogs were barking so loud.
I went away to a safe distance and realized that I was already on right place. The winter version of Hydalshjallen gave me a view of the Hydalsdalen valley. It was just beautiful. Despite the freezing fingers, I stopped for a long time and took some pictures. Before I turned back, I looked around and my attention attracted a nearby summit that I could climb. I decided it was still early, so why not to do it. The road to the top turned out to be quite easy, but due to the snow (and ice in some places), I had to move carefully. Again, the presence of the trekking poles proved to be a great help. From the summit, the view of Hydalsdalen seemed even better and in addition I could enjoy the panorama of the Vavatn lake and snowy peaks, where the rays of the rising sun were sliding. The views were fantastic, but in the end I had to come back. I went down the hill and passing the camp of the natives (because only the Norwegians could come up with the idea of spending the night in a tent in such conditions). I saw them packing their belongings into their backpacks and getting ready to return. The dogs started barking again when I pass them.
I left all company behind, as they didn’t seem eager for a short chat. The rest of the route passed without major emotions, except for a harmless fall on an icy path. If not for the poles in my hands I could have some injury but after a while I could continue the march and soon I got to my car. Now, I could go on the road.
