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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 heading northbound 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 "Sunnmørsalpene" mountain region. Towards the south, you can see numerous tops north of Nordfjorden.
This page describes a short and easy route to the top. It also describes a detour via S. Handfangen, a fine viewpoint located above the trailhead.
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.
Personal GPS measurement read 335m (on top of the cairn, approx. 2m high, over a 10-minute period).
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.
Personal GPS measurement read 164m (briefly measured on ground). The map height on Norge 1:50,000 (168m) has been used as the official height on this page.
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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Hamarsneset - Varden - S. Handfangen (all seasons)
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Access
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 towards Fosnavåg, and then follow signs to "Runde", passing Leinøya and Rimøya along the way.
Immediately after you reach 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 lesser 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.
S. Handfangen:
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. 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.
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