Hike with overnight stay on Prest 1478 m asl
Hiking trip to the Prest, summit 1478m above sea level, one of the many that surrounded the Auraldsfjorden, was supposed to be that day’s second trek. After walking 20 kilometers in the Aurlandsdalen valley, I could go home, but considering how far the journey was ahead and the fact that I will probably not return here soon, I wanted to take the most of the opportunities that surrounded me. These possibilities were precisely the Prest, a relatively easy trail, less than 4 kilometers from the parking lot on Route 5627 (slightly above the Stegastein viewpoint) to the stone-topped summit and about 650 meters height difference. I was hoping to get up and down and then find a suitable place to spend the night in a tent before it gets dark. This is why I was in such a rush for the bus as I walked through Aurlandsdalen Valley.
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Finding the parking lot did not cause any major problems. A large bay for a several cars made me realize how popular this place must be. The parking lot was maybe half full, a few people were preparing backpacks with camping equipment next to their vehicles, which meant that not only I had plans to spend the night on this mountain. I ate something, packed a flashlight into my backpack, in case I had to go down after dark, and set off. A woman marching in front of me with big backpack turned left after a few minutes of walking. The entire campsite could easily fit into a large flat area, where she was heading. I decided that it is a perfect place and when I come back from the top, I will also find a spot for my tent there.
I turned to the right and on a steep climb I overtook a pair with large backpacks. As it turned out later, they were also looking for a tent place. I climbed up, taking breaks from time to time to catch my breath and take photos. And there was a lot to photograph, because the views of Aurlandsvangen, crouched down on a patch of flat terrain, and the steep walls of the mountains around, were breathtaking. The sun’s rays, breaking through the clouds, died in the leaden waters of the fjord or were dispersed with a bright fan on the mountain slopes.
I reached a flat area where I found a mound of stones set over a cliff. Contrary to my hopes, this was not the peak yet. I had to go further. I was climbing the hills and descending them when it turned out that it was still not the summit. But I finally found it. I didn’t stay long on it, especially since there wasn’t much to see. The Aurlandsfjord was not visible because of the neighboring hills and to see it again I had to go back to the steep path.
I still had some time until sunset. I managed to go down to the parking lot, take a larger backpack with a sleeping bag and a tent from the car, and then reach the aforementioned flattening of the area. I put up the tent, slipped into the sleeping bag and, tired, fell asleep before it got completely dark.
