Mountains
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Haukenestårnet
Slavasshøgda is the highest peak of the former Østfold. It is a mountain rises 336 m above sea level and even though the summit itself is covered with dense trees of surrounding forest and there is no view from it, I finally decided to hike on this hill. However, due to the lack of an official path (or at least I did not find one on the Internet), I moved my destination to a place called Haukenestårnet, about 4 km further north. It is an observation tower located in the middle of the forest, which also functions as a DNT cabin. There are only four beds inside, and the key…
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Bjørgefjellet 895m asl
Bjørgefjell is an 895m asl mountain, part of Lifjell massif, rised up above town of Seljord and Seljordsvatnet Lake. During summer months hike on that hill could be pleasant but demanding trip and maybe one day I will have to chance to try it. Now, in the middle of March, climbing on it is a challenging expedition. I didn’t see too much snow on the mountain side when I drove east by E134 road. I reached Bjørge farm where the trail starts and begun my hike. Initially there were not so much snow on the road. Only time to time, but together with height, it came more and more. Very…
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Såta 250 m asl & Juten 411m asl
I visited western coast of Norway, where I supposed to stay for few days. This came with opportunity to hike on some mountains in neighbour. During my last, spontaneous trip on Kyrkja, I managed to look around for some other nice trails in that area. Just behind town of Vikebygd starts the trail which leads to 4 peaks and ends almost in town centre. That one looks very interesting, especially the first two summits weren’t too high and I could expect that there will be no snow. I had no time to go further and climb for another two peaks. All I have for this trip was around 3 hours…
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Kyrkja 217m asl
I was sitting in my car at the marina quay in the small settlement of Innbjoa in western Norway and waited. I had about one hour until my appointment, but when I looked at my watch again impatiently, I received a message asking me to postpone the meeting for another 60 minutes. I didn’t really like spending another hour in the car, so I started to think how to use this time. I saw a run down to the beach nearby. I had my camera with me so maybe I could take some photos on the rocky shore. I drove in that direction and parked the car at the parking…
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Eldrevatnet, Vesle Juklevatnet & Juklevatnet
It was supposed to be another autumn trip but I ended up walking in winter scenery. In the south of Norway, you still don’t think about winter. It’s only the beginning of November, after all. Some still run on summer tires. Two weeks earlier, there had also been no sign of snow in the mountains near Rjukan. So why should it be any different now? The thought of winter did not cross my mind while planning this trip. Even more, I was seriously considering an overnight stay in the mountains. I packed the tent and sleeping bag into the car thinking that I would not be back until the next…
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Heksfjell (1158m asl)- Norwegian Witch Mountain
Name Heksfjell means Witch Mountain and that was pure coincidence that I hiked there just a week before Halloween. I realized that fact couple days after. Anyway, I wanted to make some research and find any information or story related to this mountain in internet but only thing I found was… another mountain with the same name, located only 35 km south. So, except one interesting story about witchcraft in Rjukan community, I place here few historical facts about witch-hunting in XVI and XVII century. As is known, in the 16th and 17th centuries, a campaign was carried out all over Europe against people, mainly women, who were suspected of…
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Nupsredet
During last year’s expedition to the peak of Store Nup, in the Haukeli Mountains, the neighboring mountain Verjesteinsnuten (1650m above sea level) was probably the most photographed object. I think that it was because the characteristic shape of this summit or, if you prefer, its photogenic nature. Impressive vertical walls preventing access to the summit from the south, east and north-east just asked for attention. And although there is no marked trail to the top on any official map, the easiest way to get to it is from the Nupsredet Ridge, which lies a kilometer and a half north of the summit. A well-marked path leads through this pass. It…
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Hardangervidda
Hardangervidda is the largest plateau in Europe. Has 10 000 square kilometers and rises to an altitude of 1100 m above sea level. Its eastern part is flatter and uniform, mostly covered with moors. The western side is more undulating and mountainous. The area of Hardangervidda is crisscrossed by a network of paths and trails. Some of them can be safely taken by bike, and you can go canoing on the vast lakes. Enthusiasts of long hikes can spend the night in one of several cabins and lodges, located throughout the plateau. Hardangervidda is also rich in fauna. While wandering the endless plains, you can come across reindeer, arctic foxes…
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Oksen 1241m asl
Mount of Oksen has been one of my target for long time. The mountain seems fabulous on the map, located at the intersection of four fjords, so you can imagine that reaching the summit could bring an unforgettable visual experience. The four fjords mentioned above are the Hardangerfjord with its arms: Eidfjord, Sørfjord and Granvinfjord. My plan was to get to the small village of Djønno at the foot of the mountain, place a tent somewhere or spend the night in the car and go to the top in the morning. The village, consisting of a several houses, surrounded by fruit orchards, was tucked between the slope of the mountain…
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Breiskrednosi
There was Sunday morning, when I went out from Vang Camping in Gudvangen, headed to Bakka, small village along the Nærøyfjorden shore. My goal for this day was hike to Breiskrednosi (1189m asl), second after Bakkanosi viewing point over Nærøyfjorden. This one supposed to be much demanding trip. Previous day, during the hike to Bakkanosi, I made over 20 km and I still have a lot of energy at the end. This time I prepared for really exhausted trip. First section, very steep patch, ended somewhere at 700m asl at Rimstigen Ridge. I was totally exhausted but I knew that is only the beginning. Terain at Rimstgen is more less…
