Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal
Runde island

Varden, 333m (Rundevarden)
Søre Handfangen, 168m (S. Handfangenet, S. Handfanget)
Rundebranden, 294m (Rundabranden)
Sandshornet, 245m

Fylke/Kommune : Møre og Romsdal/Herøy
Maps : 1119-IV Fosnavåg (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : Varden: 333m
S. Handfangen: 65m
Rundebranden: 141m
Sandshornet: 57m
Hiked : Dec 2008
See also :
Storevarden Keipen
Skagetåa Remøyfjellet
Barmen Leinehornet
Hornseten Igesundshetta
See also : Other Herøy  mountains

Runde island

Runde island
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Varden is the high point on Runde island. Runde island is, among other things, famous for its cliffs holding a rich birdlife and for diving. It is fair to say that exploring the coastline and the cliffs is much more exciting that visiting the high point. The paths to Rundebranden and Sandshornet have been much more traveled than the vague paths leading up to the high point.

For those who like panoramic views, the high point is a good place to visit. The views are quite extensive, and the northbound view stretch as far as Averøya, more than 110Km to the northeast. Towards the east and southeast, you can enjoy numerous sharp Ørsta peaks - a significant part of the "Sunnmørsalpane" mountain region. Towards the south, you can see numerous tops north of Nordfjorden.

This page describes a short and easy route to the island high point. It also describes a detour via S. Handfangen, a fine viewpoint located above the trailhead. You will also find information about the path from Goksøyr to Rundebranden and Sandshornet. If you decide to visit Rundebranden, also consider visiting Runde Fyr - a lighthouse rich on history. The merchant vessel Akerendam sunk here in 1725.

 

Rundebranden

Rundebranden
(Click for larger image)

Primary factor:

Varden (Norge 1:50,000: 332m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 332,77m ~ 333m, UTM 32 V 326085 6922914) has a primary factor of 333m, being the island high point.

GPS measurement read 335m, on top of the cairn (approx. 2m high), over a 10-minute period). Error margin not recorded.

S. Handfangen (Norge 1:50,000: 168m, Økonomisk Kartverk: highest contour is 170m, UTM 32 V 324882 6922021) has a primary factor of 65m towards the higher parent Varden (333m). Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 324979 6922060) is within the range 100-105m, interpolated to 103m.

GPS measurement read 164m (briefly measured on the ground). The map height on Norge 1:50,000 (168m) has been used as the official height on this page.

Rundebranden (Norge 1:50,000: 294m, Økonomisk Kartverk (ØK): Highest contour is 295m,  UTM 32 V 323924 6924011) has a primary factor of 141m towards the higher parent mountain Varden (333m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 325096 6922650) is found between the lakes Holmevatnet and Sandvatna.  Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk map (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 150-155m, interpolated to 153m.

GPS measurement on top read 300m, averaged over a 10-minute period (error margin +/- 3,6m).

Sandshornet (Norge 1:50,000: -, Økonomisk Kartverk (ØK): Highest contour is 245m,  UTM 32 V 324516 6923401) has a primary factor of 57m towards the higher parent mountain Rundebranden (294m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 324392 6923755) is found between the two tops.  Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk map (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 185-190m, interpolated to 188m.

GPS measurement on top read 250m, averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 3,4m).

 

Runde

Runde
(Click for larger image)

 

Google map

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

 

Google maps
Google maps
(Click on image)

 

Trail descriptions

Route 1: Hamarsneset - Varden (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : YDS Class 1
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 2km to the top (2D distance)
Time : Approx. 1 hour to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 5m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 330m
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

 

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. Once on Gurskøya, follow highway RV564 in direction of Fosnavåg, and then follow signs to "Runde", passing Leinøya and Rimøya along the way.

Once you arrive on Runde island, turn left onto a gravel road. Drive this road 700m until you see an information board on the right-hand side of the road. Drive 300m and park at road end, while not blocking for cars that turn around here.

The route

Varden:

Walk back to the information board and follow the path up the forest. Enjoy the views towards the northwest cliffs as you top out on the plateau. Follow a vague path that runs on the south side of the plateau. Half-way across, try to find the path (several paths cross here) that leads up to Varden. You cross a hump (300m contour) before you reach the summit, marked by a fine, large cairn.

Søre Handfangen: (YDS class 3)

Descend your ascent route, or, when you get to the point where you came out from the forest, continue 100m westbound to a viewpoint. Between this viewpoint and S. Handfangen, is a deep gap. Follow a visible path down to the gap, and continue up the grassy slope towards S. Handfangen.

You will have to pass a cliffband (one YDS class 3 move) by squeezing yourself up between two rocks and then turn left in order to advance. As space is limited, caution is required to prevent you from falling. The point is not directly exposed, but nevertheless..

Proceed to the top (unmarked) and enjoy fine views towards the northwest Runde coastline. Head across the top and locate a gully on the south side - your descent route. The gully is steep and awkward. After the steepest part, you have a large boulder field ahead of you. A vague track heading eastbound (towards the trail you came up) suggest that this is the normal S. Handfangen ascent route. Either follow this path eastbound, or descend the boulder.


Route 2: Goksøyr - Rundebranden - Sandshornet (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : YDS Class 1
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 5,5km round trip (2D distance)
Time : Approx. 2 hour2 round trip
Starting Elev.: Approx. 5m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 360m
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

 

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. Once on Gurskøya, follow highway RV564 in direction of Fosnavåg, and then follow signs to "Runde", passing Leinøya and Rimøya along the way.

Once you arrive on Runde island, turn right and drive 4,1km to Goksøyr. You won't be able to miss the public parking.

The route

The trail from Goksøyr to Rundebranden

The trail from Goksøyr to Rundebranden
(Click for larger image)

 

From the parking, follow the road towards Goksøyr for 580m. Turn left onto the signposted mountain road. Follow the main trail up to the Rundebranden - Sandshornet saddle. Visit one of the two tops, or both.

From Rundebranden, you can follow a path down to Runde Fyr. If Runde Fyr is of interest, the perfect round trip could be; follow a path towards the lighthouse (forks from the Rundebranden trail), then ascend up to Rundebranden, continue to Sandshornet. From Sandshornet, you can follow the main trail down, or continue across Frøystolen and return on the path along Storevatnet.


Pictures and Trip reports:


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