Norwegian Mountains, Nordland
Dønna
 

Dønnmannen, 856m (Dønnamannen)
Dønnesfjellet, 128m
 

Dønnmannen
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Dønnmannen is guaranteed a place on "the list" of "distinct Nordland county coastal peaks", and from the summit, you can see most of the other tops on "this list", including Trænstaven, Rødøyløva, Lovund, Hestmannen, De Syv Søstre, the Vega tops and Torghatten - to name a few.

When seen from the north, the mountain resembles the face of a man (hence: Dønnmannen) sleeping on his back. The westernmost of the 4 Dønnmannen tops is called Nasen (the nose). Just search the internet for pictures of Dønnmannen or Dønnamannen, and you'll soon understand. And of course, the mountain takes part in the myths that also include most of the tops listed above.

Dønnmannen and Litltinden
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The normal starting point for Dønnmannen is Teistadvika. From here, a well marked path guides you up to Dønnmannen's east top (845m). From here, you follow the summit ridge 500 meters to the high point (856m). There is a steep section just before the east top that is secured by ropes. Seen from a distance, this section may seem intimidating, but it all gets simpler once you're up there. An experienced hiker will not feel a need to use the ropes.

You cannot (easily) reach Nasen from the Dønnmannen high point. If you want to visit both Nasen and the high point, then consider Breidvika as your starting point, and then ascend via Hagen. This page will describe the normal route from Teistadvika.

The rope section
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Dønnesfjellet is the northernmost top on Dønna, and a car road brings you to the Dønnesfjellstua restaurant on top. Dønnes Kirke (church) is found close by, and so is Dønnes Gård - which offers accommodation.

Dønnesfjellet
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Primary factor:

Dønnmannen (Norge 1:50,000: 858m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 856m, UTM 33 W 382030 7327623) has a primary factor of 856m, being the highest point on Dønna island.

GPS measurement read 859m (on the cairn - approx 1 meter high), averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin not recorded)

Dønnesfjellet (Norge 1:50,000: 128m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 127,60m, UTM 33 W 390527 7344664) has a primary factor of 115m towards the higher parent mountain Ørntuva (263m). There are at least two saddle candidates along the way. Picking the closest one, the defining saddle (approx. UTM 33 W 391693 7344301) is found just south of Dønnes, close to point 29m. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 10-15m, interpolated to 13m.

There is a top 200m west of Dønnesfjellet which has a 125m contour on Økonomisk Kartverk. In lack of a more precise height, Dønnesfjellet should be regarded as the highest point.

Dønnmannen east top
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Google map

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

Trail descriptions

The route descriptions are valid per July 2010.

Route 1: Teistadvika - Dønnmannen  summer/autumn) Difficulty : YDS Class 2 Exposure : No Distance : Approx. 3,7km to the top (2D distance) Time : Approx. 2,5-3 hours to the top Starting Elev.: Approx. 30m Vertical Gain : Approx. 950m (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 Sandnessjøen, which has an airport. By car, you take the ferry from Sandnessjøen to Dønna. At the first junction (N66.08148 E12.58355), turn left. Drive 8,8km to the Dønnmannen trailhead at Teistadvika. Find parking here (N66.03836 E12.43324).

The route

The route from Teistadvika
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From the parking, the well marked path runs east for 400 meters, until it climbs northwest towards the drain from Teistadvatnet. You cross the drain below the lake, and continue west directly towards Dønnmannen. There are "T"'s marked with red paint all the way up, so it's difficult to get lost.

The path joins the southeast ridge at approx. 700m, and the route is much steeper from here. 60-80 meters above, you come to a fixed rope section. Once past the ropes, the walk up to the east top (845m - N66.04511 E12.40498) is easy. This point is marked by a medium-sized cairn, and there is a mailbox saying that you're at 858m. This is however not the case.

From the east top, continue west for 500 meters (first down, then ..) up to the high point (856m - N66.04721 E12.39537) - marked by a medium-sized cairn. Along the way, you have to scramble a small (and slightly airy) section, but if you were comfortable in the rope section, chances are good that you will be comfortable here too. You also pass a minor top (N66.04626 E12.39964) before reaching the high point.

The east top and the summit ridge
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Pictures and Trip reports:

• Dønnmannen, Jul 11 2010
• Dønnmannen seen from other mountains

westcoastpeaks.com Other Nordland mountains Other Norwegian mountains