Mountains
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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…
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Bakkanosi 1398m asl
Bakkanosi wasn’t my main hiking goal when I arrived to Nærøydalen Valley at Friday’s evening. I was going to spend whole weekend for hiking, mainly on the mountains at northern side of the valley. But trail to this peak was the best described that I could find on internet, so I decided to go there first, just at the Saturday’s morning. I spent the night at the Vang Camping in Gudvangen. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I couldn’t sleep so I left the camping site very early. The trail starts from school building in Jordalen, small village few kilometers north from Nærøydalen Valley. I paid 70 kr for parking close to the…
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HÆGEFJELL
Once upon a time, there lived a girl, a young shepherdess called Hæge. She grazed sheep and goats in the moors. One day a fog descended so thick that you could not see the hand in front of your face. The girl followed the frightened herd, trying to control the panicked animals. She caught them at the top of the mountain, on a bare rock. She pulled out the salt to calm the herd. Sheep and goats, noticing what she has in the hand, flocked around her, pushing towards her. As a result, Hæge was pushed off a cliff. She fell and died on the rocks below. This is the…
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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.…
