Location: North 60.06589, East 005.87475 (GPS on the summit)
Climbed November 4. 2017
Difficulty: YDS class 2
Information:
How to get there:
Locate Gjermundshamn on the west side of the Hardangrfjord. This small village
serves the ferry that crosses the fjord to serve Rosendal. From Bergen, one
may drive Hwy. E-16 to Trengereid, Hwy. 7 past Samnangr, then Hwy. 48 to Mundheim
and finally Hwy. 49 south to Gjermundshamn.
Drive about 500m along Hwy. 49 north from Gjermundshamn, then locate a forest
road that runs uphill to your left. Take this road, but turn left and park
just where the road starts a right (uphill) curve. There is a (closed) gate just
slightly higher uphill, without parking. This location is
at N60.06912, E005.90804, elevation about 45 meter.
Route:
From the trailhead, hike along the forest road. First uphill passing the gate, then
more level. Ignore smaller forks, mostly left. This forest road runs pretty much in
the same direction, gaining more elevation, before it finally descends a small
hill and sort of ends in a flat area. However, a much worse tractor track continues right from
here, directly to the small lake Skagatjørna.
This track continues around the lake
on its west (left) side. You have the Hatlesteinen
hill rising steeply on the other
side of the lake. Follow the track
until a pretty clear trail (small rocks) forks right.
This trail immediately gets
you to an old wooden tower.
Carefully follow the small trail
as it continues uphill. It may easily be lost as it bends left and traverses uphill.
Follow this trail as long as it gains elevation, then head
directly for the summit. Comments:
I woke up early at the trailhead and started out with a head torch at
0620. I lost the route just above the old wooden tower and continued straight
uphill. Running into cliffs and generally cumbersome terrain this last part of the
climb took a bit longer than it should have, still, I arrived at the summit by
0735, it was still quite dark.
I rested 10 minutes then descended in a direction that I hoped would be slightly
better. Still a bit steepish, but no cliffs, I ran into the trail further down.
It is still not cleaar if this trail actually climbs the hill, however, one should
follow it higher than I did.
I was back at my car at 0845, one hour after leaving the summit. My next goal
would be Geitaknottane, located nearby.