Norwegian Mountains

Hordaland Mountains: Modalen

 modalen.kommune.no
 osterfjord.net

In Modalen kommune, you will find the northernmost point in Hordaland. Modalen borders to Lindås, Vaksdal, Masfjorden in Hordaland and Vik and Høyanger kommuner in Sogn og Fjordane. Modalen is truly a high mountain region, but connects to the sea via Mofjorden. The main village is Mo, located at the north end of Mofjorden.

Modalen stretches far into the vast Stølsheimen mountain range. The highest mountain is Runderabben (1292m), which by no means is the highest in Stølsheimen. A number of mountains exceed above 1300 and 1400m elevation. 

In general, the Modalen mountains are quite rounded, gentle and friendly. Above Mofjorden, you will however get the sense of the dramatic landscape that western Norway can offer. None of the Modalen mountains are technically difficult to reach on the easiest routes. High mountain roads will in the summertime offer convenient access to the Stølsheimen mountains. In winter, reaching the Modalen mountains is indeed a tougher challenge.

The Norddalshytten and Vardadalsbu DNT (The Norwegian Mountain Touring Association) self-served cabins are found in Modalen kommune, offering a play to stay for the night. These cabins are part of the extensive hut-to-hut trail system in Stølsheimen.


Map of Hordaland. Copyright Hordaland Fylkeskommune.
Map design by Geir Ketil Lien

The Mountains

General information:
Below is the list of independent mountains, sorted by height. "Independent" means mountains/hills whose elevation >= 300m and with a primary factor >= 100m. I have chosen to include some of the mountains/hills with primary factor < 100m, and put these in a separate table. Names and heights originate from Statens Kartverk (M711)/Norgesglasset (20m contours) or Økonomisk Kartverk (part of Norgesglasset, 5m contours). The height from Ø.K. override the M711 heights. A number of mountains may have a point higher than the M711 trig. point marked on the maps. Note also that if the high point of a mountain lies within another kommune, the mountain is listed under that specific kommune. If a mountain high point is shared by two kommuner, the mountain is listed under both kommuner. The asterix (*) means that the high point is (exactly) found on a kommune border.

Rank Name Height PF Map
1. Runderabben * 1292m 342m 1217-II Høyanger
2. Storfjellet 1259m 295m 1216-I Eksingadalen
3. Sundagsfjellet * 1257m 227m 1217-II Høyanger
4. S of Nordalssvatnet 1247m 117m 1217-II Høyanger
5. Gavlafjellet 1244m 234m 1216-I Eksingadalen
6. Sørdalsfjellet 1215m 145m 1216-I Eksingadalen
7. Høgdi 1211m 221m 1216-I Eksingadalen
8. SW of Åsabotnen 1208m 118m 1216-I Eksingadalen
9. Eldhusfjellet 1206m 176m 1216-I Eksingadalen
10. NE of Storfjellet 1204m 114m 1216-I Eksingadalen
11. Askjellfjellet * 1201m 131m 1216-I Eksingadalen
12. SE of Fridalsnovi 1184m 134m 1216-I Eksingadalen
13. Gråsida 1165m 155m 1216-I Eksingadalen
14. Hornafjellet 1138m 168m 1216-I Eksingadalen
15. Sørskardfjellet 1100m 130m 1216-I Eksingadalen
16. Blånipa 1071m 101m 1216-I Eksingadalen
17. Høganipa 1039m 229m 1216-IV Matre
18. Høgafjellet / Gjøttafjellet * 1020m 337m 1216-I Eksingadalen
19. Torrisskarfjellet 1001m 173m 1216-IV Matre
20. Vetlevasseggi 980m 132m 1216-IV Matre
21. Hornafjellet 936m 206m 1216-IV Matre
22. Joskardfjellet * 887m 117m 1216-I Eksingadalen
23. Nåmdalsfjellet 839m 321m 1216-I Eksingadalen
24. Raunefjellet 826m 163m 1216-IV Matre
25. Midtnakken / Salsfjellet * 723m 330m 1216-III Stanghelle
26. Toppfjellet 616m 163m 1216-IV Matre
27. Storlifjellet * 565m 112m 1216-IV Matre

Tops w/Primary factor >= 90m

There are no tops with pf in the range 90-99m

Misc. tops w/Primary factor < 90m

Rank Name Height PF Map
1. Hellesåta 1169m 79m 1216-I Eksingadalen
2. Tverrfjellet 1010m 70m 1216-IV Matre

The 5 highest based on primary factor

Rank Name PF Height
1. Runderabben * 342m 1292m
2. Høgafjellet / Gjøttafjellet * 337m 1020m
3. Midtnakken / Salsfjellet * 330m 723m
4. Nåmdalsfjellet 321m 839m
5. Storfjellet * 295m 1259m

Observations

Of Modalen kommune's 27 mountains on this list, 19 are > 1000m. Noteworthy is that 11 of these mountains are in the range 1209-1292m, all part of the Stølsheimen mountain range. The many high mountain plateau summits make a poor primary factor, and the mountain with the highest PF does not make it on the top-80 Hordaland list. It is also noteworthy that 4 of the 12 highest mountains do not have a name. There are no tops < 500m elev, indicating that the Modalen terrain rises steep from the fjords and stays high.

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