Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Smørhylla, Søre, 871m
Smørhylla, Nordre, 781m (ca.)

Fylke/Kommune : Møre og Romsdal/Vestnes
Maps : xxx (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : Søre Smørhylla: 201m
Primary factor : Nordre Smørhylla: 51m
Visited : Jun 2007
See also : Høgsvora
See also : Sprovstinden
See also : Gjølbotntinden

Smørhylla (right of center) seen from Gjølbotntinden

Smørhylla (right of center) seen from Gjølbotntinden

Introduction

Smørhylla is located on Ørskogfjellet, and consists of two tops - Søre and Nordre. Søre Smørhylla is a popular destination from skiers that head out from highway E39 during winter, but is also visited from the Tresfjord side during summer/autumn. This web page will describe the route from Tresfjord.

The route from Ørskogfjellet is fairly easy, yet long (6Km); head out from the large parking area just south of the Ørskogfjellet ski-centre, follow path/ski tracks towards Måslia, and continue eastbound up to Søre Smørhylla. The route from Tresfjord is considerably shorter - 3,6Km.

While the higher neighbour mountains (Næremstindan, Høgsvora, Sprovstinden, etc.) block for any extensive views, the view towards Ålesund is rather good. Smørhylla is a typical family-hike mountain, but the distance to the top rules out the youngest members of the family.

Smørhylla (left of center) seen from Storknubben

Smørhylla (left of center) seen from Storknubben

Primary factor:

Søre Smørhylla (Norge 1:50,000: 871m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 870,75m, UTM 32 V 399727 6934214) has a primary factor of 201m towards the higher parent Næremstindan (1164m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 399447 6933547) is found between the two tops, south of Søre Smørhylla. Ref. the Norge 1:50,000 map (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 660-680m, interpolated to 670m.

Nordre Smørhylla (Norge 1:50,000: -, Økonomisk Kartverk: Highest contour is 780m ~ 781m, UTM 32 V 400798 6934368) has a primary factor of 51m towards the higher parent Søre Smørhylla (871m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 400371 6934170) is found between the two tops. Ref. the Norge 1:50,000 map (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 720-740m, interpolated to 730m.

Google map

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

Trail descriptions:

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.

Tresfjord - Smørhylla (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : Class 1/2 (YDS)
Exposure : No
Comments : Easy terrain, easy hike
Distance : Approx. 3,7Km to the top
Time : Approx. 1,5-2 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 150m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 720m
Map of the area
Map of the area
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Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

Smørhylla (right, unnamed) seen from Høgsvora

Smørhylla (right, unnamed) seen from Høgsvora

Access

All distances are approx.

From Ålesund, follow highway E136->E39 towards Åndalsnes. From the E136/E39/Olsvika roundabout near Breivka, follow E39 47,1Km (passing the place Sjøholt along the way). Turn right towards "Åndalsnes". Drive 6,9Km to Tresfjord.

Just after crossing Sjøelva on a bridge, turn right onto a smaller road. Follow this road 1,4Km upwards to the trailhead. Parking is on your left, and two forest roads run from here.

Note that after 700m, you cross Sjøelva again. There is an information board here.

The route

From the trailhead, follow the forest road to the right (north). After a few curves, this forest road heads northbound, in the direction of Eidhammarsætra. Look for a trail that forks to your left, with trailsigns.

Follow the forest path 650m in the SW direction, until it ends. You must continue straight ahead, but go a little left to find the path. Note that one path runs down (and across) Sjøelve. That is not your path. The correct path continues up the forest, on the north side of Sjøelva, and marked with yellow paint on trees.

At 420m elevation, you're out of the forest, and sticks with yellow paint have replaced the marking on the trees. Between you and the mountain ridge is a band of dense bush. The path (still marked by sticks) continues, but don't be alarmed if you lose it after a while. The route upwards is obvious, and the terrain is fairly trivial. Once you're above the bush, the route to S. Smørhylla is obvious.

The summit has no cairn or a trigonometric point. A huge rock marks the high point. Descend your ascent route, or follow the ridge over to N. Smørhylla. You pass the highest point before you reach the viewpoint cairn. Either make a shortcut down the hillside, or head back to your ascent route.

Trip reports and pictures


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