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Gjuvhold
Gjuvhold is the perfect place for a family trip. Apart from the distance from civilization (you can get there from Oslo in less than 3 hours), the route itself is short and not very demanding. On the other hand, the view that awaits us overshadows what can often be seen from much higher peaks. The hill itself is 723m above sea level. but we start the hike from a height of about 570 meters, so the difference is not that impressive. The trail to the top and the viewing point located a bit lower is just over 1 km long, which is also not an ambitious achievement. However, for the…
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Haugefjell
Haugefjell (1214m above sea level), the peak on the eastern side of Tinnsjå Lake, was the destination of my next trip. From the road 364 to the top I had to walk for about 7 km and it was mostly wide, unpaved road, from where in some places, in the occasional clearances between the trees, I could see the distinct shape of Gaustatoppen in the west. The route turned out to be quite an endurance challenge as it did not offer too many flat sections. Mainly, it was going uphill. In addition, a strong, cold wind discouraged from taking off my light jacket. I pushed forward, reducing the number of…
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Skrimfjella
May 17 is the Norwegian national holiday. The inhabitants of the fjords country celebrate it loudly on parades in the city streets, wearing their colorful, traditional folk costumes called bunad. At every step you can see Norwegian national colors and flags waving. Norges Nasjonaldagen commemorates the day of the signing of the constitution, which took place in Eidsvoll on May 17, 1814. Those who do not like street celebrate spend the day in nature. I also planned a trip to the mountains for that day. This time it was just a two-hour drive to Kongsberg and the Skrimfjella mountain range located on its suburbs. The heights of the local peaks…
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Hovda 159m asl
I hiked on this hill completely by accident. And it is the story. For some time my car was making strange noises while driving and I started to suspect that the bearing in one of the front wheels was the case. I had contact with a good, and what is important, offering competitive prices mechanic, and as soon as we agreed on the repair date, I appeared in his area. He took the car from me and sent me for a walk so that I would not be bothered him at work. What could I do, I took my backpack with a photo camera and went on hike. Innbjoa is…
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Hålandshovda
Hålandshovda Peak has never been high on my list of priority places to visit. A bit strange, considering that the views from this mountain are really impressive. Well, so far I did not know that it is such a cool mountain. Hålandshovda is another peak on the E134 road, some 13 km east of the town of Etne in western Norway. The area around is extraordinary lovely. From the top you can admire Lake Stordalsvatnet to the south and the steep slopes of the mountains called Etnefjellet (or Etnefjellene). The Åkrafjorden stretches to the north and there are the nice mountains on the opposite shore. In good weather, you can…
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Fjæratoppen
Fjæratoppen is rising on 715 m asl peak above the small settlement of Fjæra in western Norway, right at the end of Åkrafjord. The southern slope of the mountain, adjacent to the settlement, is almost a vertical wall. Every time I pass that place (Fjæra is right on the E134 road that crosses the country from west to east), this mountain charmed me. From the south, Fjæra is adjacent to another, quite substantial peak. It is Ramnanuten, from the top of which you can admire the great Langfoss waterfall. Until recently, I did not know if entering Fjæratoppen was possible at all, at least from the E134 road. However, I…
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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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The surroundings of Bjordal
One more time I was heading to Vikebygd area. This time however I didn’t reach the town. About 6 km earlier I turned right and came to Bjordal farm. There are couple opportunities for hike from there. I found small parking lot next, paid the fee (30 kr) and started to hike. At the beginning I intended to reach two nearest summits: Bårefjell (403 m asl) and Store Skjerden (415 m asl), but when I climbed on first one, I founded out extension of the trail, leading north, enfolded Grautvatnet Lake and headed back to south. That option seemed much interesting, even if whole this route went in snow. Grautvatnet…
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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…
