Norwegian Mountains, Sogn og Fjordane

Store Haugmelen, 1172m
 

Haugmelen (right) seen from the air
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Store Haugmelen is located 11km east of the town Sogndalsfjøra and has a shared border to the municipalities Sogndal and Luster. The mountain is also the highest point in a mountain region enclosed by Lake Hafslovatnet, Barsnesfjorden, Eidsfjorden, Sognefjorden and Lustrafjorden and offers fantastic views towards Sognefjorden (Norway's largest fjord) and some of its many fjord arms.

The mountain is popular in all seasons, one can ski this mountain without having to cross through avalanche terrain. One of the most popular starting points is Goro (500m) above Dalåker. A winter route from here is described on this page.

Haugmelen seen from Molden
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Primary factor:

Store Haugmelen (Norge 1:50,000: 1172m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 1171,63m, UTM 32 V 408988 6791615) has a primary factor of 974m towards the higher parent Krokberg (1356m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 404293 6797868 is found in a road junction near Galden, east of Lake Hafslovatnet. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 195-200m, interpolated to 198m.

GPS measurement read 1176m (on the summit cairn - approx. 180cm), averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 1,7m). .

Haugmelen (right) seen from the air
(Click for larger image)

Google map

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

Trail descriptions

Route 1: Dalåker/Goro - Store Haugmelen (winter) Difficulty : YDS Class 1 Exposure : No Distance : Approx. 6,1km to the top (2D distance) Time : Approx. 3 hours to the top Starting Elev.: Approx. 500m Vertical Gain : Approx. 700m

Map of the area (No Javascript) Detailed map (No Javascript)

This route description is valid per Jan 2010

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The nearest bigger town is Sogndal (has an airport). From Sogndal, follow highway RV5 southeast in the direction of Kaupanger. At Kaupangerskogen, turn right towards Kaupanger/Sogndal Lufthavn (signposted). Continue to the first roundabout and turn left (Kaupanger industrial area [symbol]). After 100m, turn right towards Dalåker (signposted).

1,6km up the road to Dalåker, you arrive at a fork. Ignore the road to your left and keep going straight ahead. After 700m, the road turns sharp to the right. 800m later, you pass a gate. The road is closed here in summer. After 250m the road turns sharp left. Drive north 1,7km to Goro and the public winter parking (provided the road has been ploughed). 

The route

From the parking, follow the forest road 1,8km to the north. The forest road forks. Turn right towards Vassløysa and Store Haugmelen (the road to the left runs towards Breidesete) which you reach 1,8km later (there is one downhill on the way to Vassløysa).

From Vassløysa, continue east 200m until you reach a small valley which takes you to the foot of the mountain. Pick your ascent route. Depending on your route selection, you may pass by point 1169m, which means you get a short downhill before you ascend up to the summit - marked by a proper cairn.

Descend your ascent route or head west towards Breidesete and the forest road that in turn connects to your ascent route.

Vassløysa cabins
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Pictures and Trip reports:

• Store Haugmelen on skis, Jan 30 2010
• Store Haugmelen seen from other mountains