Melshovden

  • Melshovden
  • 257 m
  • Primary factor 122 m
  • Location: North 60.86797, East 005.17520
  • Hordaland, Norway
  • Difficulty, YDS class 2
  • Climbed on March 24. 2021

Information:

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 Rambjørgsvika (or arrive here directly from Sløvågen). Turn north on Rambjørgsvegen and drive to Rambjørg. Find (ask for) parking here, this location is 60.86244, 5.17165, elevation about 60 meter.
Route description:
Continue along the old farm road heading up the valley just west of Melshovden. When the uphill eases and you have the hill directly up on your right, look for a vague trail (at least a line with little/less vegetation) that climbs more steeply to your right. Follow this line quite steepish in a few places, to the unmarked summit point with excellent views back down.
Comments:
After bagging 7 minor hills the day before, I slept in my car in order to minimize driving and get an early start on day 2. After a very short drive I started up the old farm road. I ended up walking a bit to far, then quite some bush-wack uphill. I found traces of a vague trail when descending. I made the summit at 0700. Good views. Back down by 0730. This was peak numer 1 (of 7) on my second day in this area.

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