Norwegian Mountains, Møre og RomsdalHildrehesten, 740m
Hildrehesten
IntroductionHildrehesten (The Hildre Horse) is a characteristic Haram mountain, easily identified through its broad south flank and the long ridge with steep sides. There are three humps on the ridge; the southernmost being the highest. The northernmost is called Hestehaudet (dialect) - the Horse's head. Subsequently - the southernmost hump is called Hesteraua - the horse's ass. The high point is normally approached from the south. The first part of the route follows a forest road, before you follow a (partly) cairned route up the mountain. The summer route that leads up to the summit is too steep for regular skiing. If the snow-depth permits, ascend via the south flank. For those with greater capacity; a traverse of the mountain is highly recommended. Those who live in Brattvåg normally ascend from the north side. An approach via Hestehaudet is also described on this page. In addition, a route from Gjersetvatnet via Urkedalsvatnet is also described, although not in full detail. So, with information on how to approach the mountain from north, south and east, you should be able to compose a neat round-trip on this mountain. The view towards the Romsdalen - Sunnmørsalpene mountain region is quite spectacular, with mountains as far as your eyes can see.
Hildrehesten seen from Gamlemsveten 
Hildrehesten (Norge 1:50,000: 740m, Økonomisk Kartverk.: 740m, UTM 32 V 366317 6939480) has a primary factor of 486m towards the higher parent mountain Tverrbotshornet (749m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 365193 6938225) is found at the south end of lake Store Grytavatnet (between the two mountains). Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is defined by a fixed point at 254m elevation.
Google mapGoogle'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.
Hildrehesten seen from the air 
Access (all distances are approx. distances) From Ålesund, follow highway E136->E39 towards Åndalsnes. From the E136/E39/Olsvika roundabout near Breivka, follow E39 approx. 13,3Km. Turn left onto highway RV661 (Skodje/Brattvåg/Vatne). After 1,5Km, pay toll at an unmanned toll booth (coins + credit cards + AutoPass). Approx. 9,7Km after you left E39, you reach the RV659 (Brattvåg)/661(Vatne) junction. Turn left here. Follow RV659 4,3Km and turn left towards "Søvik/Grytastranda". Drive 7,2Km along this road and then turn right onto an higher road. Drive 450m in the direction you came from, and you will see a narrow road that leads up to a farm on your left-hand side. You will also see a sign pointing to Hildrehesten here. Look for parking nearby. There is room for one small car next to the mailboxes, 100m ahead. An alternative route from Ålesund is to drive via Ellingsøya. The Ellingsøytunnelen toll is (per Jan 2006) NOK 60,- (passenger cars, one person) thus, NOK 30,- more expensive than by driving RV661. The route Head up the road leading to the farm, and follow the forest road that continues from the farm. Follow the forest road up to 240m elevation, where you see the "Hesten" trailsign. There is probably a summer path here, but in any case, this is the place to begin skiing Vidfjellet (the name of the lower part of the mountain). Either aim directly for the south flank, or the steeper part a but further to the left. Snow conditions will help you determine when you are on-site. The boulderfield on the south flank is very cumbersome. Should you enter this mountain in fog, know that there are a couple of viewpoint cairns before you reach the high point. Descend your ascent route, or traverse the mountain. In case of a traverse, you have a long way back to the trailhead, via Hildrevatnet, Tredjevatnet and Grytavatnet lakes. Pictures from this route can be seen
here.
Hildrehesten
Access (all distances are approx. distances) From Ålesund, follow highway E136->E39 towards Åndalsnes. From the E136/E39/Olsvika roundabout near Breivka, follow E39 approx. 13,3Km. Turn left onto highway RV661 (Skodje/Brattvåg/Vatne). Pay toll at an unmanned toll booth (coins + credit cards). 1,5Km later. 8,7Km after you left E39, you reach the 659(Brattvåg)/661(Vatne) junction. Turn left here. Follow RV659 4,3Km and turn left towards "Søvik/Grytastranda". Drive 1,9Km on the road towards Søvik, and turn right onto a side road that runs in parallel to the main road. Drive 1,7Km on this parallel road until you reach Gjerset. You see the service/forest road on your right-hand side and trailsigns towards Tinden, Gjersetvatnet and Skulstadhornet. Park here. An alternative route from Ålesund is to drive via Ellingsøya. The Ellingsøytunnelen toll is (per May 2006) NOK 60,- (passenger cars, one person) thus, NOK 30,- more expensive than by driving RV661 (one way). The route Follow the service/forest road up to Lake Gjersetvatnet (you pass the Skulstadhornet trailsign on your way) and continue along until you see the "Urkedalsvatnet" trailsign on your left-hand side. A forest path runs up to the lake, where you turn right (north) towards Tinden, or south->west to gain Hildrehesten's south flank. The route to Hildrehesten is marked from the lake, and we assume it's marked all the way to the top (this route has not been walked). Click here for Tinden pictures.
Hestehaudet
Access (all distances are approx. distances) From Ålesund, follow highway E136->E39 towards Åndalsnes. From the E136/E39/Olsvika roundabout near Breivka, follow E39 13,3Km. Turn left onto highway RV661 (Skodje/Brattvåg/Vatne). Pay toll at an unmanned toll booth (coins + credit cards + AutoPass) 1,5Km later. 8,7Km after you left E39, you reach the 659(Brattvåg)/661(Vatne) junction. Turn left towards Brattvåg. 13,2Km later (from this junction), you are now in a junction in Brattvåg. (this is 2,4Km after you passed the "Brattvåg" village sign) You have a store to your left ("Coop" per Mar. 2006) and a road to your left. Turn left here. Drive 250m and turn left (just before a bridge) onto a road that has many signs. "Brattvåg Ungdomsskule" is one of them. Drive this road (Dalavegen) 1,1Km until you reach the "Vassenden" junction. Turn right and drive to the road end. You will find parking there. The route Cross the Synnalandsvatnet dam and turn right when you're on the road to Synnalandsdalen. After a few meters, turn left onto a forest road (passing a large building). After 130m, this road forks. Get on a forest path heading westbound. This path takes you all the way to Lake Store Hestevatnet (follow sign to Hesten). Pass Store Hestevatnet on the north side (on path) and continue southwest - slightly north of the powerline. Pass Lake Litle Hestevatnet on the south side and follow the path up Hestehaudet's northwest ridge (Grønebakken). Hestehaudet summit is marked by a trigonometric point and a tall cairn. Descent (ROUTE 3A): Descend your ascent route - or head southbound until you reach a tall cairn (approx. UTM 32 V 366214 6940924) - 500m S/SE of Hestehaudet. Proceed 50m S/SE and locate a distinct gully that takes you steep down towards the Fremste Synnalandsheia - Hestehaudet saddle (south of Ryssdalstjørna). Optionally, move to the right (south) and join a more distinct route - easily recognized after a landslide. Head across Fremste Synnalandsheia and proceed on path until you join your ascent route. Pictures from this route can be seen here.
Trip reports and pictures
|
