Norwegian Mountains, Sogn og Fjordane

Kjeringafjell, 1314m (Kjeringi)
 

Kjeringi summit ridge
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Kjeringafjell (or Kjeringi as the locals say) is located just north of Leikanger by the Sognefjord. It is one of the southernmost tops in the vast mountain region that stretches north towards the Jostedalsbreen glacier. This region has a logical end at the Supphelleskaret pass, between Snauedalen (Veitastrondvatnet) and Supphelledalen (Fjærlandsfjorden). Fremsta Ryssenipa (1684m) is the highest mountain in this range.

Kjeringi is also well known for it quadrathlon which takes place every spring. The competitors ski (Telemark style or as fast as it goes) down Kjeringi and Fagreggi, switch to cross-country skiing at the end of the Damefall hill (where women apparently fall..), then run (on foot) down from Kleppa to the sports field where they get on their bikes and finish the race down in Leikanger. See the Kjeringa Open website (external link, Norwegian text) for more information.

The route to Kjeringi is fairly long (9km), but runs across easy terrain. From the top, you will see many of the huge mountains that rise above Sognefjorden, as well as a number of 2000m peaks on Sognefjell and in the western Jotunheimen range. Even Galdhøpiggen (the highest peak in Norway) can be seen from here.

Hurrungane seen from Kjeringi
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Primary factor:

Kjeringi (Norge 1:50,000: 1314m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 382204 6792625) has a primary factor of 202m towards the higher parent Kaldekletten (1320m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 382252 6793561) is found between these two mountains. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is defined through a fixed point - 1112m.

GPS measurement read 1318m (on the summit cairn, approx 1m high), averaged over a 10-minute period (error margin +/- 1m).

Sognefjorden view
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Google map

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

Trail descriptions

Route 1: Kleppa - Kjeringi (winter) Difficulty : YDS Class 1 Exposure : No Distance : Approx. 9km to the top (2D distance) Time : Approx. 3-3,5 hours to the top Starting Elev.: Approx. 400m Vertical Gain : Approx. 950m (total)

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). Follow highway RV55 west to Leikanger (20-22km). Turn right towards Kleppa and follow the main road up to Kleppa (5,2km).

The route

From Kleppa, follow the main trail 500m to the northwest, then make a sharp right-turn. This turn is signposted (a.o.) Stokksete. In a little while, you'll join the prepared tracks across Viddmyrane. Pass point 591m slightly to the west and head north for the ridge towards Rjupeskard. Well before Rjupeskard, head north up Fagreggi.

Pass the Fagreggi high point a little to the west and continue up Kjeringi. The high point is marked by a medium-sized cairn. Descend your ascent route.

Fagreggi
(Click for larger image)

Pictures and Trip reports:

• Kjeringi on skis, Jan 16 2010
• Kjeringi seen from other mountains

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