Bjørndalstindane

  • Bjørndalstindane
  • 1426 m
  • Primary factor 100 m, (soft ranked)
  • Location: North 59:59.812, East 006:06.971 (GPS on the summit)
  • Saddle: North 59:59.864, East 006:07.324
  • Rosendal, Norway
  • Climbed August 17. 2003.

Information:

How to get there: This mountain is located in Kvinnherad, a small community east of the Hardangerfjord. This area has some of the most alpine peaks in Hordaland, between the fjord and the glacier Folgefonna. From Bergen, one can drive in about 1.5 hours to Gjermundshamn where a ferry crosses to Årsnes (previously Løfallstrand) in Kvinnherad. Continue south for 5 km to the small village Rosendal. Turn left in Rosendal and follow signs reading "Baroniet". The road will take you right through a stone gate, the Baroniet building is on your right. A bit later, there is a road that forks left going uphill. Do not take this road, but continue on the main road until the next road fork where there is parking on the right hand side of the road. You should see the creek coming down between Melderskin (1426m) and Laurdalstind across the road (to the north-east).
Route description: From the parking, continue along the road into Muradalen and cross the three streams that come down from the left (east) side of the valley. An open field stretches further up the slope on your left at this point. Ascend this field along its left side and locate a faint trail. This trail crosses back to the north of the last creek. It may be hard to see, in that case, just leave the open field before it narrows uphill, recross the stream and head uphill. The trail climbs steeply between the two creeks and is easy to find on this slope. Follow the trail as it climbs out of vegetation (making a sharp bend to the right) and onto the southeast side of Andersfjellet. Before the trail starts its descent to Bjørndalen, leave it and head directly up the brad ridge towards Andersfjellet. After passing a false summit, you will reach Andersfjellet (1214m) and its rounded summit area. Proceed along the ridge descending to a distinct saddle with a fairly steep slope up ahead. Climb this slope and arrive at the second summit, elevation 1223 meter. From here, you finally see the southwest ridge of Bjørndalstindane. Descend into the gentle saddle and continue along the high ridge. The route goes well along the high ridge all the way to the summit with some class three (possibly a few short class 4 moves) scrambling along the way. The rock is good and the scrambling is fun. For more exposure go right, a few of the slightly more tricky spots can be avoided by briefly leaving the ridge to the left side. The route is easier higher up and suddenly you are on a surprisingly large, flat plateau, the summit of Bjørndalstindane, 1426 meter, location N 59:59.812, E 006:06.971. There is also a route along the northwest ridge, but due to fog this route remains unexplored to us. We continued along the connecting ridge to Juklavasskruna (1455m), see description there.
Comments: I did this hike with my friends Arnt Flatmo and Jan-Frode Myklebust. See a more complete description of the trip under Juklavasskruna 1455 m.

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