Location: N 60:37.008, E 005:45.657 (GPS on the summit)
Location: West of Dale, part of Norafjella
Climbed March 22., 2003.
Information:
How to get there:
Drive E-16 from Bergen towards Oslo. Dale is
a small village between steep mountains about 45
minutes after leaving Bergen. Continue on the main
highway as the main Dale exit goes right. After only
about 100 more meter, there is a small grassy parking
to the left. The highway is starting a gentle right curve
at this point and some structure crosses above the Hwy. a bit
further down the road. Turn left and park. You should see the
remains of an old forest road climbing left as you face the
hill. Route description:
This description does not follow the marked summer route all
the way, but I found this alternative quite easy under late March
conditions with snow from about 550 meter of elevation.
First, hike up the old road as it hairpins right and climbs above Dale.
The road changes into a trail and soon you will see a sign saying
"Kvile" (means rest). Ignore this and continue up a narrow valley
west of Hestfjellet (464m). The terrain then becomes more level as
you cross some meadows. Right in front, there is a clear, broad gully
leading up just west of the point Nipa. As you get higher (about 550 m),
you will see that the gully forks, a slightly steeper gully goes left.
The marked trail continues in the main (rightmost) gully, however consider
climbing the leftmost gully at this point. One can continue straight up
instead of bearing right or a bit higher up along the trail, go left
before and under a distinct rockface (see the picture below).
This gully is not steep and very nice if covered by snow. It climbs to about
600 meter, then levels out. Just as it begins to descend, stay left and
contour nicely into another very distinct (but very gentle) gully that climbs
to the south-west. Follow this gully between Slåttenovi (left, 754m) and Harafjellet (right, 754m)
until it becomes flat near the top
at 715 meter.
(GPS coordinates N 60:36.179, E 005:47.700). At this point turn 90 degrees
right and hike north-west along a natural, broad ramp. You need to cross
a small side valley in the beginning, however this is easy and the elevation
loss/gain is minimal. The terrain eventually descends more pronounced down
to a small (east) bay of the lake Øvre Krokavatnet (656m). Check that
the ice is safe and continue in the same direction across the lake and further
down to the lower lake, Nedre Krokavatnet (637m). Cross this and continue
on the left (west) side of a small highpoint. Høgenipa is now directly
in front of you, climbing left. Climb straight up gentle snow, I stayed left
and had a short section of moderate snow steepness (reasonable to protect
with an ice axe). However, by going a bit further right the slope can be
climbed safely with no equipment. Gain the main ridge and continue along
gentle slopes, eventually passing several small "false" points before
locating the main cairn and the highest point among Norafjella. Comments:
I started from the car at 1000, made the summit at 1230,
had a main rest plus some shorter ones in total about 30 minutes.
The return hike took about 1.5 hours, back at the car at 1430.
Despite being a Saturday, there were no signs of other hikers. Conditions
were good, but foggy. I visited about 5 different local points before
hitting the one with a cairn. My GPS estimated the elevation to 880 meter,
in good agreement with the map.
This peak is number 7 measured by prominence (primary factor = 804 m)
in Hordaland.
The large gully leading up towards Nipa. This is the last place
to go left in order to gain the left fork of this gully. A line below
the cliff and up toward the distinct pine tree is very easy.