Norwegian Mountains, Møre og RomsdalEidskyrkja, 1482m (Kyrkjefjellet)
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| Fylke/Kommune : | Møre og Romsdal/Volda | ||||||||||||||||
| Maps : | 1219-III Hjørundfjord (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000) | ||||||||||||||||
| Primary factor : |
Eidskyrkja: 1037m Tårnet: 80m Litle-Eidskyrkja: 133m Middagshornet: 130m Måsegga: 51m |
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| Hiked : | Eidskyrkja: Mar 2009, Tårnet/Litle-Eidskyrkja/Middagshornet: July 2010 | ||||||||||||||||
| See also : |
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| See also : | Other Volda mountains |
Eidskyrkja massif
(Click for larger image)
Eidskyrkja (Kyrkjefjellet) is the highest mountain in the municipality of Volda, and the dominating mountain between Voldsfjorden and Hornindalsvatnet. The main trailheads are Grøndalsstølen (440m) to the south and Skinnviksætra (390m - spring parking at 350m) to the north. Eidskyrkja is foremost a skiing mountain, and you can look forward to a 1000m descent on skis, all the way to your trailhead. The roads to Grøndalsstølen and Skinnviksætra are normally plowed as Easter is approaching. Should you choose to ascend from Skinvika before the road to Skinnviksætra is plowed, you can count on a 1400m descent! Not many Sunnmøre mountains can offer that!
On the Eidskyrkja massif, you'll also find the peaks Middagshornet, Litle-Eidskyrkja (1243m), and Tårnet (1310m). Tårnet is alpine, and said to be the most challenging top in Volda municipality. Routes to these tops can be found further down on this page.
Eidskyrkja seen from the air
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According to the book Sunnmøre (K. Randers), the mountain is called Kyrkjefjellet, and Eidskyrkja is point 1368m - 1,3km north of the high point. Nowadays, the mountain is generally known as Eidskyrkja. Point 1344m is on recent maps referred to Kollefjellet, while Randers refers to this top as Blåfjellet.
The two main skiing routes to Eidskyrkja are in general regarded as safe in respect of avalanches. The route from Skinnviksætra (described on this page) runs across a small glacier, and even if this is a popular skiing route almost until summer, there are crevasses that must be taken into consideration.
Eidskyrkja (right)
(Click for larger image)
Eidskyrkja (Norge 1:50,000: 1482m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 356723 6879106) has a primary factor of 1037m towards the higher parent Storhornet (1600m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 357983 6874155) is found south of Grøndalsvatnet, between lakes Instetjønna and Fremstetjønna. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is defined through a fixed point - 445,0m.
GPS measurement read 1485m (on the cairn, 1,5m high), averaged over a 3-minute period (error margin +/- 2,2m).
Tårnet (Norge 1:50,000: 1300m contour, Økonomisk Kartverk: 1300m contour, UTM 32 V 355940 6881390) has a primary factor of 80m towards the higher parent Eidskyrkja. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 355950 6881357) is found between these two tops. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 1220-1240m, interpolated to 1230m.
GPS measurement read 1318m (on the cairn, 1m high), averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 4,4m). The suggested height has been interpolated to 1310m.
Litle-Eidskyrkja (Norge 1:50,000: 1243m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 1243,35m, UTM 32 V 356241 6882064) has a primary factor of 133m towards the higher parent Tårnet. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 356130 6881681) is found between these two tops. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 1100-1120m, interpolated to 1110m.
GPS measurement read 1248m (on the cairn, 1m high), averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 4,0m).
Middagshornet (Norge 1:50,000: 880m contour, Økonomisk Kartverk: 880m contour, UTM 32 V 358748 6881900) has a primary factor of 130m towards the higher parent Eidskyrkja. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 358951 6881354) is found between these two tops. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 740-760m, interpolated to 750m.
GPS measurement read 884m (on the ground), averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin not recorded).
Eidskyrkja has the 8th highest primary factor in Møre og Romsdal county.
Tårnet and Litle-Eidskyrkja
(Click for larger image)
Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
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Route 1: Skinnviksætra - Eidskyrkja (spring, on skis)
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Access
(all distances are approx. distances)
The starting point for this description is Volda. Follow RV651 southeast to Austefjord/Fyrde. At Fyrde, turn right towards Straumshamn (signposted). Drive 2,4km to Skinvika. To your left, you see the mountain toll road. Pay toll (NOK 30,- for passenger cars per March 2009), turn right at the junction and drive 2,7km up to the Skinnviksætra parking (N62.05386 E6.28230). If the road has not been plowed, then find parking at the start of the mountain road.
The route
The route from Skinnviksætra (ski-tracks are visible)
(Click for larger image)
From the parking, head up to the Skinnviksætra cabins, head southwest up to 900m and pass a hump on the right-hand side. Proceed up the glacier, and pass another hump on the left-hand side. Enjoy the view to Kollefjellet up to your left and Tårnet and Litle-Eidskyrkja further to your right. At 1360m, proceed south towards the summit, marked by a proper cairn. Descend your ascent route.
The route from Skinnviksætra
(Click for larger image)
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Route 2: Skinnviksætra - Litle-Eidskyrkja
& Tårnet (summer/autumn) +
Middagshornet (optional)
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Access
Same as for route 1, see above.
The route
The route from Skinnviksætra
(Click for larger image)
Litle-Eidskyrkja:
From the parking, follow the road upwards for 150 meters. At the next fork (N62.05267 E6.28088), do not turn left towards Skinnviksætra, but go straight ahead and follow a tractor road until it ends. Continue upwards (off-trail) in the direction of Litle-Eidskyrkja. Pass the mountain on the south side and proceed up to the Tårnet - Litle Eidskyrkja saddle. Turn right and follow the ridge up to the summit (N62.04342 E6.25082), marked by a medium-sized cairn. The ridge is overall gentle, but there is one point where you should not stumble. There is also a viewpoint cairn (N62.04366 E6.25007) 50 meters northwest of the main summit.
Alternatively, go to the Skinnviksætra cabins and follow a path upwards. When you see fit, leave this path and head for Litle-Eidskyrkja.
Tårnet:
From the Tårnet - Litle-Eidskyrkja saddle, follow the ridge upwards until you see a distinct, overhanging rock to your right. Pass under this rock and look for a vague track that takes you to a short climbing section (YDS class 4). From a distance, this section may seem intimidating, but upon closer inspection you will see fantastic handholds. Scramble up to the west ridge, turn left and scramble up to the summit (N62.03726 E6.24561), marked by two medium-sized cairns.
Upon descent, consider following the west ridge all the way to a viewpoint (N62.03761 E6.24220) which is marked by 3 cairns. An obstacle on the ridge can be bypassed on the left-hand side (see the below picture).
Obstacle on Tårnet west ridge
(Click for larger image)
Middagshornet/Nonshornet:
If you want to visit a third top, then aim for the Småvatna lakes below Middagshornet. You can do a round trip by going (off-trail) up Middagshornet's west ridge. The summit (N62.04251 E6.29734) is marked by a small cairn. There is a second top (N62.04289 E6.29883) 90 meters to the northwest. Visit this top too, then descend south into the valley. Follow the valley to the west west and search for a path between the two easternmost streams. This path runs down to Skinnviksætra.
Skinnviksætra
(Click for larger image)
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