Location: North 61:14.892, East 007:18.233 (GPS on the summit)
Sogndal, Norway
Climbed July 4, 2004.
Information:
How to get there:
This mountain is located near the village Sogndal. The approach from
Bergen (or Oslo) is likely to come via Lærdal (Hwy. E-16). From
Lærdal, drive in the direction of Sogndal, basically through a
long tunnel to the ferry at Fodnes (NOK 89 in 2004). The ferry will
drop you at the entrance to another long tunnel. Drive 7.5 km from the ferry
and exit right (this is the first proper highway exit on your right).
Immediately after exiting, turn right. This road heads back in a right turn
underpass (under the road you came on), however, just before the underpass there
is a smaller road that goes left. A sign saying "Dalåker 2" is posted.
Turn left onto this road and follow it as it starts climbing the hillside.
After approximately 1.5 km, the main road forks left, while there is also
a road that continues straight ahead uphill. Continue on the uphill road another
1.6 km. There are a couple of smaller side roads that should be ignored, your road
climbs steadily, then makes a big right curve and continues climbing the hillside.
You will arrive at a locked gate, there is parking for a few cars on the side of the
road in this area. Do not block the road as the owners of cabins higher up
frequently use it, the road may also be used by heavy trucks and tractors.
This trailhead has GPS coordinates, North 61:12.055, East 007:14.778 and elevation
402 meter. Route description:
Go through the gate on the left side of the road, then head directly uphill
along the fence on a small trail.
This is a shortcut, you may alternatively walk on the road
that makes a sharp bend left shortly beyond the gate.
The trail will take you back up to the road, turn left and continue the gentle
uphill. Almost immediately, another forest road heads up to your right, do not
go that way, but continue straight. After about 1 km, a side road goes right,
there are wooden signs here, one saying "Store Haugmelen 6km". Turn right
and head up this road for another 2 km. At this point, a new gate closes the
main road ahead, while a 4WD track forks right and climbs more steeply between the
trees. A wooden sign, similar to the previous one, points up this track and
says "Store Haugmelen 4km". Continue along the (very) rough road as it first climbs then
contours
around the hill that comes down from your right side. Next, the path
descends slightly and crosses a stream via a relatively new bridge.
On the other side, you are on the beginning slope to Store Haugmelen. Soon,
the path heads a bit right and an alternative (short-cut) trail forks left and
heads more directly up the hill. Choose either way, they merge back together a bit higher
up.
The track serves the Vassløysa farm cabins (seter), a number of houses, green grass and
low fences built from stones removed from the field. A third wooden sign informs that the
remaining distance is now 2 km. An optional, slightly longer loop is also signed for parties
that would like to spend a bit more time and make a circular hike.
Head straight uphill between the cabins, staying
left of the (only) cabin having grass on its roof. The trail turns right above the grass roof
cabin. Soon, a small creek coming from the saddle between Lille and Store Haugmelen is crossed,
the trail then heads uphill with this creek on its left side.
Store Haugmelen has two summit points, the higher being closer to Lille Haugmelen (to the
left as viewed from below). The trail
eventually climbs into the distinct saddle between these two summits, then heads
for the highest point.
This trail is nice and easy to follow all the way, marked with red dots mostly painted
on rocks as well as smaller cairns here and there. The difficulty never exceeds (YDS) class 1. Comments:
This is a nice and easy trail very suitable for a family hike. The view from
the summit all around is fabulous. The fjord landscape is both gentle and
dramatic. This hike is 15 km roundtrip with 800 meter of vertical gain.
I started from the gate at 0850, reached the summit after 1.5 hours of pretty
fast hiking, enjoyed the scenery and a chocolate bar for almost 20 minutes before
returning to the car at 1150, 3 hours round trip is likely quicker than what
this nice area deserves.