Norwegian Mountains

Storegrøeggi, 1094m
Vetlegrøeggi, 1015m
Gråeggi, 1182m
Fagraseteggi, 1037m
Pyttafjellet, 1130m*
Klyvenuten, 976m

Fylke/Kommune : Hordaland/Kvam
Maps : 1315-IV Jondal (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : Storegrøeggi: 164m
Primary factor : Gråeggi: 292m
Primary factor : Pyttafjellet: 100m
Primary factor : Fagraseteggi: 42m
Primary factor : Klyvenuten: 66m
Hiked : Nov 2004, Oct 2005
See also : Karaldenuten
See also : Skrott
See also : Samlen
See also : Vesoldo
See also : Melstveitåsen

Storegrøeggi and Gråeggi seen from Samlen

Storegrøeggi and Gråeggi seen from Samlen

(No Javascript)

Introduction

These mountains are located above Ytre Ålvik by Hardangerfjorden, and fall down towards lake Bjølsegrøvvatnet to the north. The Hardangerfjord view from these mountains are second to none. No higher mountain blocks the eastern view, which means that you can enjoy a tremendous panorama from Vassfjøra in Ulvik to Skrott above Øystese. This panorama includes Oksen, Folgefonna glaciers and mountains, Rosendal alps, Vesoldo above Norheimsund, Tveitakvitingen and Fuglafjellet on Kvamskogen. Looking north from this mountain, the views are obscured by the higher Hjortahorgi massif. You get a good view towards Karaldenuten in the northeast, and some of the Raundalsegga mountains can be seen in the background.

You can reach these mountains from Bjørke above Fyksesund or from Ytre Ålvik. This web page describes the route from Bjørke, which is the highest of the two trailheads. A summer trail runs from Bjørke and all the way to lake Bjølsegrøvvatnet. The trail runs up a valley between Gråeggi and Storegrøeggi.

This web page describes two hikes - one to Storegrøeggi and the second is a round trip across Fagraseteggi, Gråeggi, Pyttafjellet and Klyvenuten. All routes start and end at Bjørke.

Primary factor:

Storegrøeggi (1315-IV: 1094m, Ø.K: -) has a primary factor of 164m towards the higher Gråeggi (1182m). The saddle is found between the two mountains, at the top of the valley described above (lake Bjølsegrøvvatnet does not drain south down this valley) Ref. the 1315-IV map (20m contours), you cross the 940m contours on the high route, but not 920m. The saddle height is interpolated to 930m. The high point is found at UTM 32 V 353828 6703047.

Vetlegrøeggi is just a named hump and should not be considered a mountain. The high point is located at UTM 32 V 353377 6702228.

Gråeggi (1315-IV: 1182m, Ø.K: -) has a primary factor of 292m towards the higher Kistefjellseggi. The saddle is found N of Tjørnadalane. Ref. the 1315-IV map (20m contours), you cross the 900m contours on the high route, but not 880m. The saddle height is interpolated to 890m. The high point is located at UTM 32 V 352090 6703470.

Pyttafjellet (1315-IV: highest contour is 1120m, interpolated to 1130m, Ø.K: -) has a primary factor of 100m towards the higher Gråeggi. The saddle is found N of Gråeggi. Ref. the 1315-IV map (20m contours), you cross the 1040m contours on the high route, but not 1020m. The saddle height is interpolated to 1030m. The high point is located UTM 32 V 350447 6703849.

Fagraseteggi (1315-IV: 1037m, Ø.K: -) has a primary factor of 66m towards the higher Gråeggi. The saddle is found between the two tops. Ref. the 1315-IV map (20m contours), you cross the 1000m contours on the high route, but not 980m. The saddle height is interpolated to 995m because of the terrain.

Klyvenuten (1315-IV: -, Ø.K: 975,5m ~ 976m has a primary factor of 42m towards the higher Pyttafjellet. The saddle is found between the two tops. Ref. the 1315-IV map (20m contours), you cross the 920m contours on the high route, but not 900m. The saddle height is interpolated to 910m.

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.

Access to the Bjørke trailhead

From Bergen, follow highway E16/RV7 towards Oslo. At the Trengereid junction, turn right onto highway 7. Follow highway 7 all the way to Norheimsund by Hardangerfjorden. From the RV49/RV7 junction in Norheimsund, continue northeast on RV7. Pass Øystese and cross over Fyksesundet (bridge). Shortly after the brige (15,1Km from the junction in Norheimsund) turn right towards "Klyve". Follow this road upwards 650m (over RV7 by a bridge). Turn right onto "Bjørkevegen" and follow this road for 2Km. There is parking straight ahead. Park here.

Bjørke - Storegrøeggi (late autumn)

Difficulty : Class 2
Exposure : No
Comments : Mixed trail/off-trail
Distance : Approx. 6,5Km to the summit
Time : Approx. 3 hours to the summit (w/o pause)
Starting Elev.: Approx. 290m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 850m (total)

Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

The route

Follow a road up to the nearest farm. Follow a tractor road from above this farm. After approx. 300m, the tractor road forks. Go right. Cross a stream by a bridge. Follow this tractor road until it ends at upper Nyastølen.

Locate a path just left of the cabins at Nyastølen. If you have problems locating it, switchback along the stream that runs near the cabins. The trail crosses the stream twice before it heads towards a distinct forest ridge. At approx. 690m elevation, the trail leaves the stream and runs up to the ridge that is up to your left. Leave the trail and continue in the small valley you are in (follow the stream).

You are now heading towards a ridge that runs all the way to Storegrøeggi. As I hiked this ridge in deep snow, it is difficult to outline any specific features on this ridge. Follow the terrain where you see fit. Once you see Vetlegrøeggi, the general direction is straight ahead.

A very distinct feature is a couloir that splits Vetlegrøeggi in two. This couloir also splits Storegrøggi and runs all the way to lake Bjølsegrøvvatnet. Stay on the right hand side of this couloir. Climb Vetlegrøeggi on the left hand side (with the couloir down to your left). High on Vetlegrøeggi - either walk across the summit, or descend into the couloir. Pass a pond and continue on the ridge to the right of the couloir that runs upwards. This ridge runs all the way to the Storegrønovi summit.

When you arrive at the first cairn (a few rocks) on Storegrøeggi, you will see the point which is marked as 1094m on the map, 170m ahead. My GPS indicated that the first point was 1m higher (1097m) than the northernmost (1096m). Due to error margin, I am not claiming that 1094m is not correct, but in opinion, the southernmost point is the higher.

Descend your ascent route, or find a way to get down the valley between Gråeggi and Storegrøeggi. Follow the trail back to Nyastølen and then the forest road back down to the trailhead. Should you choose to also ascent Gråeggi, you may follow the ridge across Fagraseteggi before you descend steep down to Stavdalsstølen and follow the trail back to Nyastølen. More on this route after I have visited Gråeggi.

Bjørke - Gråeggi - Pyttafjellet - Klyvenuten (late autumn)

Difficulty : Class 2
Exposure : No
Comments : Mixed trail/off-trail
Distance : Approx. 24Km round trip
Time : Approx. 8-10 hours round trip (w/o pause)
Starting Elev.: Approx. 290m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 1500m (total)

Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

The route

Follow a road up to the nearest farm. Follow a tractor road from above this farm. After approx. 300m, the tractor road forks. Go right. Cross a stream by a bridge. Follow this tractor road until it ends at upper Nyastølen.

Locate a path just left of the cabins at Nyastølen. If you have problems locating it, switchback along the stream that runs near the cabins. The trail crosses the stream twice before it heads towards a distinct forest ridge. At approx. 690m elevation, the trail leaves the stream and runs up to the ridge that is up to your left.

Fagraseteggi

Follow the trail down to the valley between Storegrøeggi and Fagraseteggi. Cross the stream in this valley and hike up the south side of Fagraseteggi. You see ledges form a zig-zag contour high up the mountain at the northwest ridge. Aim for these ledges. Halfway up the mountain, you should run into a path from Syrdalstølen. Follow this path up to Fagraseteggi. The path passes the summit, so you will have to leave the path in order to visit the summit cairn.

Gråeggi

Follow the ridge from Fagraseteggi and stay on the west side so you'll end up on a path that takes you towards Gråeggi. In front of Gråeggi, leave the path (which is heading in a different direction) and aim for a distinct gully on the middle of the mountainside. Halfway up, seek left to get away from the more complex and steep part of this gully. Continue up to the high point which is marked by a small cairn.

Pyttafjellet

Descend Gråeggi to the west. At 1090m elevation, turn north and head down a narrow gully which takes you towards the lower valley. Turn westbound in this valley and head for Lake Svartaputten. Pass the lake on the north side and follow a distinct ledge up towards Pyttafjellet. The mountain consists of two summits. The westernmost is the higher.

Klyvenuten

Descend Pyttafjellet's southwest ridge and continue across the Klyvenuten plateau up to the unmarked high point. Descend to the viewpoint cairn for great views. Route finding may be required on the way down from Klyvenuten, as you may run into cliffs. Besides the cliffs, the terrain is easy to follow.

Descent

Head eastbound towards the lake by Nødalen/Mødalen. There are some steep cliffs above the cabins, so you will have to stay south of the lake and descend via a ridge. Proceed eastbound to Lake Grønhovdetjørni. Pass a small lake south of this lake on the south side. A path will lead you into nasty terrain above Hestdalen. When you see Hestdalen below you, seek right and find a convenient route down to the valley.

Follow the river until it becomes a waterfall. Seek right and locate a vague path that runs 50-100m west of the waterfalls. Down by the meadows (530m elevation), find a place to cross the river and head eastbound in the direction of your ascent route. You'll pass Syrdalstølen along the way. Locate a vague path on the north side of the stream.

Pictures and Trip reports

Pictures from other hikes:

1. Storegroeggi/Graaeggi seen from Karaldenuten (196KB) 2. Storegroeggi (far right) seen from Vikoy (331KB) 3. Oystese mountains seen on the way to Jondal (421KB) 4. Summit view from Kaldenuten (871KB)

No Javascript:

1 2 3 4


Other hordaland mountains Other Kvam K. mountains westcoastpeaks.com