Jørundskårheia & Himmelrike

Gautefall Mountains are located in southern Norway in Telemark County. There is a home of large ski resort, recreation area and according to data from 2017, about 1500 private cabins. The mountains are not exceed 800 m asl and they have gently slopes. I wanted to reach Jørundskårheia Peak with 705 m asl, which is quite close to ski center and trail has only 3 km. It could be just perfect trip as I already went down from Skuggenatten in Treungen, about 11 km on west.

I left my car on large parking lot just near the ski resort. The trail starts on the opposite side of the road 358. First, I came down to the Kvitbergstea Lake, turned right and found narrow path which goes away from civilization. Slope rised very gently and that made the hike very comfortable. Trail leads more on naked rock, formed by the glacier during last ice age. I passed the crossroads. Alternative trail goes to the place called Himmelrike. I didn’t know what is it but I promised myself to find it out during my way back. So then, I continued my hike. Soon, I reached another trail crossing. This time I needed to turn north and few minutes later I was on the top of the Jørundskårheia. Way to the top wasn’t demanding and the views from above also was not impressed. I saw other mountains, but all of them were rather flat and not spectacular.

I decided to check the trail to Himmelrike. And that was very good decision. As I found out this is the most popular hiking trail in Gautefall, short and easy, but it offers an unforgettable views. Himmelrike means in Norwegian Kingdom of Heaven and this is a place with where southern slope of Jørundskårheia mountain goes down as a classic sheepback rock formation. Very smooth, polished by ice granite flowing down to the bottom of the valley. It is a perfect example how huge phenomenon  can be the nature to create something like this. How big forces to be used to formed the rock into the shape like this. Just amazing. When I saw that thing, I just knew that this trip was no longer waste of time and disappointment.

And if you somehow will be around Gautefall, you need to stop and go on this short hiking trip. You need to see Kingdom of Heaven.

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