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Kongsvollen is the highest mountain in Hareid kommune, and the 2nd highest mountain on Hareidlandet island. As the Hareid/Ulstein kommune border runs across the summit, Kongsvollen is also the 2nd highest mountain in Ulstein kommune, just succeeding the 14m higher Blåtind.
Refer to the Blåtind page for how to get to the Blåtind trailhead in Ringstaddalen. You can follow the Blåtind path up to Hundlaupsvatnet and then proceed up Kongsvollen's southwest ridge.
A much more fun route is described on this page. It starts by Lake Løsetvatnet and climbs onto Kongsvollen's north ridge. The upper part of this ridge is called "Bukketrappa". The name suggests that this is goat terrain, but the ridge is not difficult for the average hiker. A certain head for heights comes in handy when you pass the most narrow section.
In good weather, the north ridge is a splendid walk. You have Storfjorden down to the left, with the Ørsta mountains as a perfect background to the east. As you gain elevation on the ridge, you wonder how narrow this ridge really gets. And once on top, you can enjoy the view towards wild peaks, the ocean, the coastline, islands, bridges, places, and more.
Blåtind (M711: 683m, Ø.K.: 683,06m, UTM 32 V 341156 6910049) has a primary factor of 200m towards the higher Blåtind (697m). The saddle is found between the two tops, E of Lake Hundelaupsvatnet. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 481-485m, interpolated to 483m.
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.
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Løsetvatnet - Kongsvollen (summer/autumn)
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Access
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. RV61 later turns right (SW) towards Måløy. At this junction, drive straight ahead and keep driving for approx. 1,3Km and turn left towards "Haddal".
Drive approx. 500m on the main road (which curves sharp to the right in the beginning) and turn left into "Ringstaddalen". Follow this road approx. 3,8m (the road turns to gravel road after 2,9Km) to a parking area. You will see the "Blåtind" trailsign on the left-hand side of the road. The parking slots are for the most part reserved, but you will find available pockets here and there. This is also the trailhead for Gardnestua and Løkeberget (the path begins a few meters up the road).
Alternative route from Hareid;
Follow RV61 6,5Km and turn left onto a gravel road just before the top of the hill. Follow this road (it is a bypass road, so turn left again after 500m) 6,3Km to the Løsetvatnet trailhead described above. This road is not plowed in winter, and opens when the snow has melted away.
The route
Follow the road towards the cabins. The road ends after 700m. Cross the meadow, aiming for the northernmost top (Kvamstua, 430m). You will probably think this is the only convenient route up to the ridge. Once on the ridge, follow the path across Høgenausa (462m) and up to Kongsvollen summit, marked by a cairn. You will find a summit logbook in a mailbox.
As mentioned, the upper part of the north ridge is called "Bukketrappa". While the path mainly runs on the south side of the ridge (giving you fjord views), stay in center of the ridge when you reach this section. I followed a path that took me on the north side of the ridge, and it got more exposed than necessary. A good route can be found on the center of the ridge.
The time had come to visit Kongsvollen. I had been working in Ulsteinvik and was ready to hike from the trailhead by Løsetvatnet 16:25PM. The weather was gorgeous, temperature was high and it was hazy. On the way across the meadow, it became apparent where the path went, and it seemed to be a detour, opposed to head straight up to the ridge. So I put my dog "Troll" in my backpack and hiked off-trail up the steep forest, which offered no problems.
It was fantastic to arrive at the top of the ridge. High Ørsta mountains were shooting up more than 1000m above the sea, and the ridge to Kongsvollen seemed exciting. The little I saw, that is. I had the sun against, and I couldn't see any details. But it sure looked steep and narrow.
Troll had been walking on the ridge path, but when we arrived the upper part of the ridge ("Bukketrappa"), I decided to carry him in my arm. A tumble down the hillside would not be good for the little one. I met a hiker on the way down who described the upper part as a "motorway". This was hardly a precice description of the route, although the ridge could not be said to be particulary airy or challenging. I followed a path that led me into cumbersome terrain on the north side of Bukketrappa, and I had to be very focused now that I was carrying a dog.
We arrived the top 17:40PM and met Martin Ringstad, who had just arrived. This was his local mountain, and his favorite one too. Or perhaps his favorite just after Ramoen (Jønshornet), which he mentioned several times. We had a very pleasant chat which lasted 50 minutes. Troll had, after lunch, found his spot in the sound and uttered sounds of comfort.
The dog and I left the summit 18:30PM and took the same route back down. That is, I didn't descend my shortcut route. The dog seemed happy on the path, so we followed the ordinary route via Høgenausa and Kvamstua. We were back at the car 19:25PM, and then I drove to the Melshornet trailhead. My keys, lost on the Melshornet trip earlier in the year, had now been found. With the spare keys back in possession, I was in good shape for the 20:30PM ferry from Hareid.
Note:: Varying picture quality due to broken auto-focus.
To Kongsvollen
(Near 360 deg.) wide-angle panorama
50mm panoramas
Misc. pictures from Kongsvollen summit
Descent and return to Ålesund
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