Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Veten, 556m (Hidsegga)

Fylke/Kommune : Møre og Romsdal/Sande
Maps : xxx (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : 320m
Visited : June 2007
See also : Sollia
See also : Nørdbergsheida
See also : Rjåhornet
See also : Saursegga
See also : Rinden (Sandsøya)

Veten (left) seen from Saursegga

Veten (left) seen from Saursegga

Introduction

Veten is the 5th highest independent top in Sande kommune, located on Gurskøya island, and is one of the best viewpoints on the island. It is also one of the easiest tops to get to. The trailhead is just above 220m elevation, you follow a gravel road 750m, then a good mountain path for 2,6Km, and voila, you're there. This is a top for the family.

The name originates from the name Vetter, which were wooden "cairns", lit when the enemy was spotted. From the viking age, and all the way up to the end of the 20th century, these "cairns" were an important part of a.o. the coastal defense system.

On very old maps, this mountain is called Hidsegga. On newer maps, Hidsegga is point 454m southeast of Veten summit. Some people refer to the entire mountain as Hidsegga, but the summit map name is Veten. The book Den Norske Leidangen (describing a.o. the old coastal defense system) lists this mountain as Hisviten, Viten på Hiseggja, Gurskøy

Veten (right of center) seen from Storetua

Veten (right of center) seen from Storetua

Primary factor:

Veten (Norge 1:50,000: 556m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 556,36m, UTM 32 V 322312 6910600) has a primary factor of 320m, towards the higher parent mountain Sollia (661m). The saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 324682 6908332) is found just north of Lake Storevatnet. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle height is defined by a fixed point - 236m.

Google map

Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.

Trail descriptions:

Notes: Class ratings are in reference to YDS. Click here for more information.

The trails described below are not necessarily the *easiest* trails to this mountain.

Moldtudalen - Veten (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : Class 1 (YDS)
Exposure : No
Comments : Family hike
Distance : Approx. 3,2Km to the top
Time : Approx. 1-1,5 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 230m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 350m
Map of the area
Map of the area
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Detailed map
Detailed map
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sunnmorskart.no

sunnmorskart.no
(Click on image)

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The nearest larger city is Ålesund. From Ålesund, follow highway E39 towards Bergen, and then RV61 towards Hareid. Take the Sulesund - Hareid ferry and follow RV61 (roughly) 3Km towards Ulsteinvik. At the roundabout junction outside Ulsteinvik, turn left and follow RV61 southbound until you turn right when you see the "Måløy" sign. Follow RV654 towards Fosnavåg. At the Fosnavåg/Moldtustranda junction (before the Herøy bridges), turn left towards Moldtustranda. Drive 5,6Km and turn left just after a grocery store. Continue 2,4Km up to the road junction (210m elev.) in Moldtudalen.

Either park here (toll free) or turn right and follow a gravel road 1,2Km. A road forks to your right and there is a self served toll booth on your left (NOK 30,- per June 2007). There is parking just after the toll both.

Veten (right) seen from Bergsøya

Veten (right) seen from Bergsøya

The route

From the toll booth, turn right onto the road heading northwest (you'll see the Herøy Beitelag sign). After 380m, head left up towards the farm. Pass through the farm and follow a forest road westbound for a short leg. Then turn right, cross the pastureland, aiming for some trees by a creek. Pass through an opening in the fence, cross the creek and follow the mountain path upwards.

After passing point 454m, you'll descend a bit before the final hill towards Veten. Once you reach the high summit plateau, the top is still 700m further west. The summit is marked by a large cairn. Descend your ascent route.

Trip reports and pictures


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