How to get there:
Drive E-39 north from Bergen. After passing the highest point above Romarheim, start
descending towards Matre, but exit right before you enter the long tunnel. Drive under
the Hwy. then turn right on the small mountain road Svartavassvegen,that will take you along the
north side of lake Storevatnet (325m).
This road is paved and first climbs to lake
Gagnløysevatnet where there are some cabins and two speed bumps.
I do not know how this road is managed in winter, but at least this spring the power
company BKK has plowed the road all the way to a power plant at Vemundshøgda.
This is at location N60.8549, E5.6948, elevation about 560 meter. This is an
excellent trailhead for spring skiing.
Route description:
Continue along the (unplowed) road around its first left bend. You should see
the bridge on your right at location N60.8518, E5.7022. Continue south-east along
the lake/river in order to enter Vemundsbotn and then ascend the very distinct
valley towards lake Insta Sørdalsvatnet, elevation 721m. You should cross
the river, until mid May there should be snow bridges. An alternative is to ski around on the
west side of (or across)
the hill Moltebærhaugen (796m).
Keep right on the lake and exit up the first small valley at its east side.
Follow this natural passage a bit, then exit left
and ski easy slopes to the summit.
Note that the cairn is not on the highest point. You may spot my backpack
on the high point in the previous picture.
Comments:
I had observed that the access road was plowed on my trip the day before. This seemed
like an almost ideal way to climb this peak.
Also Instebotnsknolten could be visited
on my return trip.
A very nice and sunny Sunday. After a nice sunday breakfast, I drove to this trailhead and
started skiing at 1100. The first bridge
is really needed, no alternative at this time
of year. Next, I needed to cross the river
coming from the lake higher up. Fortunately,
there was just a single snow bridge left
that still looked pretty safe. Nice snow and easy
skiing. The ice on the lake at 700 meter
was still very good and I made good progress
towards the north ridge of Sørdalsnuten.
Arriving at 1245, I took a good break
and had my small chocolate lunch. Good views up Modalen as well as to the mountains
in the north.
A new sign informed
me that I was now on the highest point in Alver
municipality. I signed the summit register and noticed that only a single party had
been here this winter (in 2022).
Leaving around 1300, I skied across to Instebotnsknolten, arriving there at 1335. Another
short break, then easy skiing all the way back to my car in less than one hour.