Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Åvasstinden, 1233m
Gopehornet, 998m
Litle Gophornet, 781m
 

Introduction

Åvasstinden is the highest point on the mountain massif rising up from the Årsetdalen and Årskogdalen valleys. Via the Ørstaskaret pass, Åvasstinden connects to the mountain ridge between Langedalen and Romedalen. Traversing the entire ridge from Vartdalsfjorden to Follestaddalen near Ørsta, is a serious mountaineering effort! Being located in the center of the Ørstahalvøya (Kolåshalvøya) peninsula, the view from is outstanding!

Other named points on this ridge are; Vardehornet (986m), Isflåna (964m), Grøthornet (1013m) and Fossholtinden (1200m). None of these tops are difficult to reach on the easiest routes. Åvasstinden's south ridge extends to the distinct peak Gopehornet (998m). Litle Gophornet (is the absence of the 'e' intentional?) is a less prominent top below Åvasstinden and Gopehornet. The easiest route to Gopehornet is exposed and airy, but only requires easy scrambling.

Åvasstinden and the Langedalen peaks
(Click for larger image)

The normal route to Åvasstinden (from Vartdalsætra, via Store Kuven) is fairly easy, despite the wild terrain surrounding the upper part of the mountain. You may want to use your hands to maintain a good balance, and you should definitely avoid stumbling! The normal summer routes to Åvasstinden and Gopehornet are described on this page. Åvasstinden's east ridge is a popular ski-trip in spring, as snow remains in this mountainside long after it has melted elsewhere.

Gopehornet
(Click for larger image)

Primary factor:

Åvasstinden (Norge 1:50,000: 1233m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 355998 6908090) has a primary factor of 695m towards the higher parent mountain Vassdalstinden (1277m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 355764 6905808) is found in Bjørnaskaret. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 535-540m, interpolated to 538m.

Gopehornet (Norge 1:50,000: 998m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 355981 6906452) has a primary factor of 88m towards the higher parent Åvasstinden. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 356152 6906634) is found between these two peaks. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 900-920m, interpolated to 910m.

Litle Gophornet (Norge 1:50,000: 781m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 355355 6907037) has a primary factor of 68m towards the higher parent Gopehornet. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 355771 6906987) is found between these two peaks. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 700-720m, interpolated to 710m.

Åvasstinden seen from the air
(Click for larger image)

Google map

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

Trail descriptions

This route description is valid per Oct 2006.

Route 1: Vartdalsætra - Åvasstinden (summer/autumn) Difficulty : YDS Class 2+, possibly 3 Exposure : Airy summit! Distance : Approx. 3,7km to the top via Ørstaskaret Time : Approx. 3 hours to the top Starting Elev.: Approx. 410m Vertical Gain : Approx. 850m (total)

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

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The starting point for this route description is Nordre Vartdal along highway E39 between Ørsta and Festøy. Locate the "Årskog" signpost and follow this road. After 100 meters, turn left and cross a bridge. After 1,6km, pay toll (NOK 20,- per Oct 2006) at a self-served booth. Proceed 3,7km on a gravel (and partly bumpy) road to Vartdalsætra / Høgebakken (N62.29948 E6.22484).

The route

The route to Åvasstinden follows the ridge to the right
(Click for larger image)

Ascent

From Vartdalsætra/Høgebakken, follow the path towards Romedalen for approx. 700 meters. Turn right (south) and aim for the pass between the tops Store and Litle Kuven. You will find a vague path on the east side of the creek coming down between the two tops. Small cairns guide you all the way to the top of Ørstaskaret pass.

At Ørstaskaret, turn southwest and head towards Åvasstinden's northeast ridge. A vague path runs up the ridge, and the ridge is easy to follow. As you approach the summit, you have to leave the ridge you're on, and traverse over to a gully that leads you up to the summit - marked by a medium-sized cairn (N62.27667 E6.22487).

Traversing to the gully mentioned above means descending slightly before you ascend to the summit. Finding the correct route is essential. Once you find the place to descend into the gully (marked by a small cairn nearby), the rest is obvious. This is class 2+ (YDS) terrain, but the spot where you descend might be seen as a class 3 move upon return. The distinct gully tops out on the summit ridge. Turn left and the summit cairn is just meters away.

Descent (variation)

Descend your ascent route until you reach the point when you arrived on Åvasstinden's northeast ridge. Rather than descending into Ørstaskaret, continue north towards Store Kuven (enjoy fine views from here) and keep heading north, down the ridge to 690m elevation. Cliffs run across the upper part of the ridge. As you approach these cliffs, stay left and find a good route (eastbound) past the cliffs. This is not the only way past the cliffs, but probably the easiest. At 690m elevation, turn east and join your ascent route.

Follow the path northwest down to 400m elevation. Leave the path and go off-trail to the Høgebakken trailhead.

This route description is valid per June 2011.

Route 2: Årsetdalen - Gopehornet (summer/autumn) Difficulty : YDS Class 2+, possibly 3 Exposure : Airy and exposed ridge walk Distance : Approx. 3,7km to the top Time : Approx. 2,5 hours to the top Starting Elev.: Approx. 300m Vertical Gain : Approx. 900m (total)

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

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The starting point for this route description is Vartdal along highway E39 between Ørsta and Festøy. Locate the "Årsetdalen" signpost and follow this road. The road forks after 2,1km - stay left. After 2,2km the road forks again. Stay left. After 850 meters, pay toll - (NOK 20,- per June 201) at a self-served booth. Continue 1,4km until you cross Grytaelva river. Find parking here (N62.26764 E6.18584).

The route

The route to Gopehornet
(Click for larger image)

Short version; follow the river all the way to 600 meter elevation, ascend Litle Gophornet (N62.26698 E6.21337) along its northwest ridge, continue across the top, descend into Gopen and hike directly up to the ridge between Åvasstinden and Gopehornet. Follow this ridge towards the summit (N62.26198 E6.22590), which is marked by a medium-sized cairn.

Longer version; if you don't want to hike in the river, then follow the river bed on the south side - through the bush. If you're lucky, you can follow a very vague path. Between 440 and 600 meters, the route along the river is a bit steep and the grass can be slippery. There are a few places where you shouldn't slip - but all in all, the route to Litle Gophornet is quite easy.

From Gopen, it is tempting to pick the (seemingly) easiest route up to the ridge crest. But if you stay too far to the left (north), you will have to a) scramble across some nasty (loose) rock or b) bypass this section in the steep, grassy hillside.

Once on the ridge proper, you can stick to the ridge (which involves some exposed scrambling) all the way to the summit - or bypass these sections by staying on the right-hand side of the ridge. An ice-axe could be a good friend in the slippery grass! Note that from the point where you arrive on the ridge, you descend 50-60 meters before the ridge rises towards the summit. One scrambling section near the top cannot be avoided, but it is easily negotiated by entering "the problem" from the right-hand side. The ridge route is airy and exposed, but not difficult. Anyone with a head for heights can do this route.

Pictures and Trip reports:

• Åvasstinden w/Arngeir & Karma, Aug 14 2013
• Gopehornet from Årsetdalen, June 17 2011
• Åvasstinden from Vartdalsætra, Oct 14 2006
• Åvasstinden seen from other mountains

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