Location: North 60:00.370, East 006:04.965 (GPS on the summit)
Rosendal, Norway
Climbed April 23. 2005.
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 the sign to Baroniet (and/or Kletta), but make a left at the
second (main) fork. This is a bit after you cross a river. Continue uphill until
there is a sign saying "no driving" except for local farmers living in the area. There is good
parking on your left. This is the trailhead,
elevation 148 meter, location north 59:59.828, east 006:01.015. Route description:
From the trailhead, continue a short stretch along the road before the trail heads off to
your right. There are signs and the trail is well marked with red "T". The trail heads
uphill, first among trees later above the treeline. The impressive ridge of Melderskin
towers above. Shortly before reaching the main ridge, the trail enters its steepest section.
When we hiked in mid April, this section was covered by snow and crampons as well as an ice axe
came handy on hard morning snow. However, on descent we avoided this section by descendig a bit
further on the main ridge,then traversing back to the trail below its snow section.
The trail gains the main ridge at location north 59:59.948, east 006:02.876. The elevation here is
barely below 900 meter. From this point, the slope is never steep as the route continues uphill.
What looks like the summit, is a false summit, the best approach is likely to contour slightly left
of this first summit, then continue to climb gradually until you are on the final ridge leading to
the summit. With no snow, just follow the marked trail.
Also see Arnt's page for very
comprehensive information. Comments:
I did this hike with my sons Pål Jørgen and Tor Erling. We left Bergen at 0800,
took the 0940 ferry and started hiking at 1100. Some extra time to fix crampons before the
upper part of the steeper slope, a couple of small rests, but still arriving at the summit
after 2:45. We spent about 40 minutes at the summit, nice and warm in the sunny weather. The return
hike took 2 hours, we avoided the snow by hiking a bit further down the main ridge before
traversing back to the trail. We caught the ferry with zero seconds to spare and arrived back
in Bergen at 1845. A very nice trip before Tor Erling returns to Trondheim in order to wrap
up his studies there.
Resources:
Images
Gjønakvitingen, 1236m, as seen from
the ferry from Gjermundshavn to the island Varaldsøy.