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Saursegga is the common name of a characteristic ridge that runs above the Gusken fjord, on the north side. The ridge has two distinct tops - "Egga" and "Nipa". Egga has two points - the easternmost is a map point (514m), while a slightly higher point (approx. 516m) is found 400m to the northwest. Further northwest is a saddle that is almost deep enough to make Egga a 100m PF mountain. After a fairly steep rise, you cross a ridge section known as "Gjøna", before you reach the ridge high point - Nipa, approx. 531m.
This ridge merges with the higher Gurskøya mountain region to the east. First, you reach Storetua (592m) and then Røddalshorn (560m) before you pass Lake Simavatnet and rise towards Sollia (661m) - the highest point on Gurskøya.
The Saursegga ridge is a long, but uncomplicated walk in summer. It would be fair to describe the ridge as "narrow", but it is still more than wide enough for "comfort". Without knowing how the ridge looks in winter, it is fair to assume that, at least one narrow point just before Nipa can be quite spooky.
The route described here, begins at Ytre Hauge, and gives you the complete ridge walk, back and forth. If Nipa is your primary goal, consider driving to Gjerdesvika and follow a small valley up from Muren, to the Egga - Nipa pass. Daredevils may consider exploring a direct route up from Røyset on the south side.
Saursegga offers a good panorama. You see most of the significant Ørsta mountains (Kolåstinden, Molladalstindane, Snøhornet, Skårasalen, etc.), as well as the Vanylven high tops. You also have a first class view towards Stadlandet. Well known peaks, such as Hornelen, Eidskyrkja and Gjegnen/Blånibba can also be seen from up here.
Nipa (Norge 1:50,000: -, Økonomisk Kartverk: Highest contour is 530m ~ 531m, UTM 32 V 320706 6906855) has a primary factor of 163m, towards the higher parent mountain Storetua (592m). The saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 322815 6905905) is found by between Hanen and Haugshornet. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle height is defined through a fixed point - 367,5 ~ 368m.
Egga (Norge 1:50,000: -, Økonomisk Kartverk: Highest contour is 515m ~ 516m, UTM 32 V 321436 6906443) has a primary factor of 93m, towards the higher parent mountain Nipa (531m). The saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 321044 6906641) is found by between Egga and Nipa. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle height is within the range 420-425m, interpolated to 423m. The map point 514m is found 400m to the southwest.
GPS waypoint readings:
Egga 514m: 511m, Egga high point: 499m (!!), Nipa (529m).
499m is clearly wrong. The Egga high point is clearly higher than point 514m. The track log for this point indicates a range of 499-501m. For point 514m, the track log shows 506-507m on ascent and 510-512m on descent. For Nipa, the track log is with the range 526-530m, with peaks up to 556m (!). The conclusion is that GPS heights is a variable science. The really odd part here, is the low height measured on Egga high point.
Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
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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Efjordtunnelen - Stefjordnestinden (summer/autumn)
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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 from the roundabout in Hareid, follow RV61 19,8Km to the RV61/RV654 junction 1Km after the Dragsundet bridge. You pass Ulsteinvik and make a sharp right turn (Måløy) along the way.
From the RV61/RV654 junction, drive 12,6Km and when you reach the Gursken fjord, turn right towards "Haugsbygda/Moldtustranda" Proceed 3,9Km and turn right towrds "Haugsbygda/Vonheim". After 1,4Km on this side road, turn right and drive a narrow road to the uppermost houses. Ask for permission to park here.
The route
The route runs up between the two houses, and continues northwestbound through forest. You cross a creek and join another path from the south (make sure you find your path on the way down). After a leg to the northwest (the correct direction), the path turns northeast, towards Haugshornet. At some point, leave the path and aim for Saursegga.
Once on the Saursegga ridge, locate the path which runs on the south side of the ridge. Pass point 514m and proceed to the high point on Egga before descending down to the Egga - Nipa pass. The path runs steep up the Nipa side, and if it gets too steep for comfort, seek north to bypass the steepest sections. Continue across the Gjøna ridge, pass the point where the ridge is at its smallet and ascend the final meters up to Nipa, marked by a mailbox.
Descend your ascent route. As you descend from Nipa, you may see an exposed path that runs on the south side of Egga. This path is fairly trivial in the beginning, but then gets quite exposed. At this point, you can head straight up to Egga, or proceed (at your own risk) in the exposed wall.
If you run into sheep or goats on Nipa, show caution on behalf of the animals. They might not be dumb enough to run off the cliff, but they get easily scared, so you never know. And Nipa is a small spot!
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