Norwegian Mountains, Møre og RomsdalVardehornet, 986m
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| Fylke/Kommune : | Møre og Romsdal/Ørsta | ||||||||||||
| Maps : | 1119-I Ålesund (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000) | ||||||||||||
| Primary factor : | Vardehornet: 136m | ||||||||||||
| Primary factor : | Isflåna: 29m | ||||||||||||
| Hiked : | Mar 2008 | ||||||||||||
| See also : |
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| See also : | Other Ørsta mountains |
Vardehornet seen from Melshornet
(Click for larger image)
Vardehornet (Cairn horn/peak - a frequently used mountain name in Norway) is the westernmost (and northernmost) top on a 10Km long mountain ridge where Åvasstinden (1233m) is the highest point. This long ridge rises above the Langedalen, Årskogdalen and Årsetdalen valleys, and in turn connects to the Vassdalstinden massif via the Bjørnaskaret pass.
Vardehornet is easily accessible from Vartdal by Vartdalsfjorden. The mountain is an easy walk on foot, and you can ski 500-600m down the mountain until you have to consider the forest. The route described on this page allows for skis to be carried on the backpack through the forest.
| Isflåna (964m) is
the next top on the ridge towards Åvasstinden. Below Isflåna (facing
Årskogdalen), you'll find Isflåmannen.
Continuing further along the ridge, you'll find the Julian Fort. See the gonorway link in the tab to the right for more info. |
Isflåmannen (Årskogsfjellet at Nordre-Vartdal), a phenomenon whereby, under certain weather conditions. Great jets of water are spouted from halfway up the mountainside, accompanied by loud bangs, like shots from a gun. Legend has it mat on a lake inside the mountain sails a ship loaded wim gold. One day the water will flow from the lake and the vessel will appear (source: gonorway.no) |
You can easily reach Fossholtinden (ca. 1200m) before the ridge towards Åvasstinden turns into a climbing project. There *may* be established routes down to Årsetstøylen, but these are not (yet, at least) described on this page.
Vardehornet (M711: 986m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 985,50m, UTM 32 V 352124 6911535) has a primary factor of 136m towards the higher parent mountain Grøthornet (1013m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 353120 6910475) is found between Isflåna and Grøthornet. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 840-860m, interpolated to 850m.
Isflåna (M711: 964m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 964m, UTM 32 V 352866 6911110) has a primary factor of 29m towards the higher parent mountain Vardehornet (986m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 352534 6911310) is found between the two tops. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 920-940m, and would normally (on this site) be interpolated to 930. However, the saddle height has been estimated to 935m, based on the actual terrain.
Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
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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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Route 1: Vartdal - Vardehornet (spring)
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Access
(all distances are approx. distances)
From Ålesund, follow highway E39 towards Bergen/Volda to the ferry at Solavågen. Take the ferry over to Festøya.
At Festøya, turn right in the direction of Volda and follow the road 15,5Km to Vartdal. Turn left (signed "Årsetdalen"), and drive 500m. There is a house to your left and the forest path begins behind this house. There is room for one or two cars on the left-hand side of the hedge (no: hekk). If in doubt, ring the doorbell or park further away.
The route
The route from Vartdal
(Click for larger image)
Cross the property of this house as undisturbing as you can, and locate the signed forest path behind the house. The path (Risanakkråsa) is visible and marked by blue paint (there may be other markers too, but follow the blue) all the way up to a viewpoint at approx. 440m (above the forest). Note that you will cross a forest road soon after leaving the trailhead. This crossing is signed "Kanalen", and you should just cross the forest road.
From the 440m viewpoint, follow the path upwards, now marked by short sticks. The direction gradually turns eastbound, towards the ridge up to Sætshornet (838m). From the Sætshornet cairn, you'll have to walk/ski 1Km before you reach the top of Vardehornet.
Note 1: In winter/spring, be aware of avalanches from the ridge to Sætshornet, and be extremely aware of cornices facing north on the Vardehornet - Åvasstinden ridge.
Note 2: The Vardehornet high point may be located 60m NE of
the the cairn. This observation was done in spring, so things may appear
differently in summer.
westcoastpeaks.com
Other Møre & Romsdal mountains
Other Norwegian mountains
