How to get there:
A good point of reference is the small community Hosteland, located north
of Masfjorden. To get there from Bergen, drive north on E-39. Just before E-39
enters the 4 km long Eikefet tunnel, there is a choice of route. Forking left onto
Hwy. 570, then connect from Masfjordneset to Duesund by (cable) ferry. This is a scenic
option. Alternatively, continue on E-39 passing the two fingers of Masfjorden, then an
uphill tunnel to the intersection with Hwy. 571. Turn left here, descending on the north
side of Masfjorden to meet Hwy. 570 near Hosteland.
The third, and perhaps best way, is to use the ferry from Leirvåg. Turn left in the
very first traffic circle in Knarvik (immediately after the bridge), follow Hwy. 57 to
Leirvåg. This ferry leaves 15 minutes past the hour. The return ferry leaves
Sløvågen 15 minutes before the hour. The crossing takes 20 minutes. From
Sløvågen, you have 14 kilometer to reach Hosteland.
From Hosteland, take Hwy. 570 west to the intersection with road 5438 signed for Sleire.
(or arrive here directly from Sløvågen). Note that this exit is on the left
(south) side of Hwy. 570.
Drive north towards Sleire, when you first get on the north side of lake Sleirsvatnet (the
farm here is called Fagrevika), look for a forest road that forks left, running along the
base of a small, steeper hill named Åsen (the hill). Find parking here, the location
is N60.883157, E5.217107, elevation 23 meter.
Route description:
Walk up the forest road. Fork left, ie. pick the road that climbs in zig-zag turns,
the slope leading up to Hesthovden summit. When the road ends, pick up a vague
trail that continues uphill. This is easily lost, however, there are no difficulties
when proceeding uphill to gain the summit. There is a
trig-marker near the summit.
The summit area is otherwise just brush and forest.
Note: There is actually a red marked trail from behind the farm Fagrevika and
all the way to the summit. The lower part of this trail is difficult to find and follow, hence
the route described above.
Comments:
This was summit no. 6 (out of 7) visited today.
I followed the route described above, on my ascent.
Shortly after the start, I ran into
the first sheep I had seen in 2021.
Descending, I followed the
red markers, but the lower part of this route was not very convincing.
I started hiking around 1330 and
arrived at the summit around 1400.
