Norwegian Mountains, Nordland

Elgen, 534m

Fylke/Kommune : Troms/Harstad
Maps : 1332-IV Harstad (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : 446m
Visited : July 2007
See also : Sætertinden
See also : Middagstinden
See also : Hinnstein/Vardheia

Elgen

Elgen

Introduction

Elgen ("The Moose") is located on the Elgsneshalvøya, a peninsula on Hinnøya - Norway's largest mainland-connected island. Elgen is also the northernmost top on the eastern part of Hinnøya.

Elgen is a characteristic top, and one of the most popular tops in the Harstad region. Harstad is located in Troms fylke (county). Rumour has it that when seen from above, Elgen resembles an animal lying down (it would be fair to guess that animal in question is a moose?).

The views from the top are good. You see a lot of peaks from up there. The view towards the Grytøya islands are excellent. You also see 500m straight down on the houses and buildings at Indre Elgsnes, abandoned in the 60's. No roads led to this place.

The normal route to Elgen runs from the church at Ytre Elgsnes. This web page describe more or less the same route, but from a different trailhead. The overall distance is roughly the same.

Elgen seen from the air

Elgen seen from the air

Primary factor:

Elgen (Norge 1:50,000: 534m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 534,24m , UTM 33 W 550923 7643020) has a primary factor of 446m, towards the higher parent mountain Høgfjellet (615m). The saddle (approx. UTM 33 W 555712 7635472) is found near Høgda, between lakes Kasfjordvatnet and Møkkelandsvatnet. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), this saddle is within the range 85-90m, interpolated to 88m.

Google map

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

Elgen (left) seen from Hinnstein

Elgen (left) seen from Hinnstein

Trail descriptions:

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.

Elgen from the east (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : Class 2 (YDS)
Exposure : No
Comments : Family hike
Distance : Approx. 2,9Km to the top
Time : Approx. 1,5 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 10m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 525m (total)
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The closest larger city is Harstad. From Harstad, follow highway RV83 west/northwest. At the RV83/RV867 junction, turn right (north), signed a.o. Grytøya. At Vågen, the road to Grytøya forks right. Continue straight ahead (west). Pass Lake Møkkelandsvatnet and then turn right towards Elgsnes.

This road reaches 300m elevation before it descends. Close to sea level, notice the road forking right towards Aun. Continue on the main road 1,4Km. You'll see a forest road up to your left. Park here (UTM 33 W 551807 7643567).

The route

Follow the forest road to the northwest. Stay right in all forks. At 150m elevation, just as the forest road begins to descend, turn left onto a vague forest path. Follow this path southwest towards the mountain. Close to the mountain, the path turns west and heads for Elgen's north ridge. Follow the path up the ridge and up to the summit cairn and trigonometric point.

There is high point high on Elgen's north ridge where most people would use their hands for balance and support. This is why the route has been graded YDS class 2. Besides this point, it's a trivial path all the way.

The path between the forest road and the north ridge can be vague at times. You are hereby recommended to drive to the church and follow the normal path from there. The path from the church joins the path described above.

Trip reports and pictures

Other pictures


westcoastpeaks.com  Other Norwegian mountains