Hestanipen i Lysenuten
I took my first new year’s mountain trip now, nearly in the middle of February. But I reached two peaks, including the one with 812 meters above sea level. There was not easy and there were quite a lot of kilometers to go. At least after two months’ break.
My first aim was not so high mountain Svalafjellet, located close to Ølen. But I didn’t prepare any map earlier and I lost myself in the woods. Finally, I decided to go back after almost one hour walking. I went to Vikedal, where was my second aim: Hestanipen with 547 meters above sea level. Next to it there is another peak, Lysenuten and if the weather is ok and you are in good shape, you can reach both at once. I made this trip several years ago, during the summer and now I decided to go back to Vikedal.
It seemed to be sunny day with temperature about zero degree. Perfect for mountain hiking. I came to Vikedal by road 46 from north and turn toward camping place. Soon I saw the sign with info about the trail. I parked the car and then I could start walking.
I passed few houses, sheep pasture field and reached the forest. The road was very steep and led me to the crossroad. From this place, you can go also to Lysenuten. To this moment, I intended to go only to one mountain, but now the second one started to tempted me as well. I turned left to go first to Hestanipen. Soon, the wide road ended and I continue my trip on narrow, covered somewhere by thick ice path. There were much easier when I left the trees behind. Few minutes later I was on place.
I took some pictures and I went back. I came to the crossroads and this time I choose path to Lysenuten. I felt tired. After some time, when I went out on open area and I could enjoy the views, there was much better. Anyway I thought about turn back. First, because I was tired. Then, because I saw the top of Lysenuten covered by not so pleasant cloud. Then, because I was tired. And finally, when I had to go on the sloped field covered snow and thin layer of ice. But something inside me made me to go further. Finally, I saw specific antenna mast in the fog, which was installed on the top of Lysenuten. I reach the ugliest peak of Norway.
I called Lysenuten the ugliest when I was here the first time. There was a raw building and high, steel transmitter antenna on the top that look very, very oddly compared to Norwegian nature. In fact, the views from the top are marvelous but total impression is not so good. In other hand the building and antenna mast are visible from the distance and Lysenuten can be easily recognized even from many kilometers from Vikedal or Sandeid (the mountain is located between those two towns).
There are two additional trails from the top. One leads to Sandeid, the second one in opposite direction to Eikeland valley. I decided to go back the same way.
This entry was originally posted 2017-02-14 on https://kraina-trolli.pl.
