How to get there:
Drive E-6 north from Lillehammer about 100 kilometer to Otta, turn left
here onto Hwy. 15. Continue to Lom and then about 27 more kilometer to
Dønnfoss. Leave Hwy. 15 here, going left, the road has signs for
Sotaseter. The last part of this road is a toll road, pay with a credit card
NOK 100 (2022). Drive to Sotaseter (on your right), cross the small bridge
and then immediately park at the pretty large parking lot. This is the
trailhead. Location , elevation
Route::
Contine a short stretch along the (gated) road, then go left on the first
good trail (signs). Pretty soon, you will get to a new trailfork, take the
right fork here. This trail will climb above treeline and head for the
pass between Tundradalskyrkja (left) and Tverrådalskyrkja (right).
Continue up the xx ridge to the summit.
Comments:
I was at the nice, full serve DNT hut Sotaseter this weekend. The purpose
was a board meeting in the Erling Bjørstad Foundation. The annual
distribution of funds to support mountaineering activities across all of
Norway being the most important part of the agenda.
We conducted the meeting after breakfast from 0830 to 1200, noon. Next,
there is a tradition for going on a mountain hike. The weather was just
perfect with yellow and brown fall colors. We took the trail heading for
Tverrådalskyrkja, but this would not be our objective.
Well above the treeline, we paused to
take some pictures and generally
view the beautiful fall colors.
It had taken us about 1.5 hours to here. We decided to split into two groups,
Thomas and I would continue along the trail, then fork left and attempt to climb
Tundradalskyrkja, while the bigger group, Berit, Anne-Mari, Tor and Dag Terje
would make a loop going left, then return a bit earlier than Thomas and me.
The group of 4 had an excellent outing, spotting about 70 wild reindeer along
their route.
Thomas and I continued, passing lake 1166m, then ascending to the next plateau level
before leaving the trail and heading more directly towards the NW ridge.
The terrain was generally good for off-trail walking and we made good progress.
Arriving on top at 1515,
we knew that we were well on schedule for dinner at 1900.
The views were excellent, we rested around 15 minutes before starting our descent.
We went slightly more west, crossing between the two small lakes near elevation 1400m
before hitting the trail. Easy going, we were soon closing in on the trees. Back at
Sotaseter at 1810, so 2:40 for the return hike. Thanks to Thomas for good company!
In the evening, Sota seter served us a 5-course gourmet dinner, not a bad place
to be these full serve DNT huts!