Norwegian Mountains

Fossabotnsnakkane, 853m
Skorafjellet, 821m

Fylke/Kommune : Hordaland/Fusa
Maps : 1215-IV Samnanger (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : Fossabotnsnakkane: 150m
Primary factor : Skorafjellet: 103m
Hiked : Oct 04
See also : Grytefjellet
See also : Burlifjellet
See also : Ottanosi
See also : Tirsåsen
Fossabotnsnakkane seen from highway 48

Fossabotnsnakkane seen from highway 48

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Introduction

Fossabotnsnakkane, Skorafjellet, Trælafjellet, Burlifjellet and Grytefjellet are found on the west side of the vast mountain range that stretches from Kvamskogen in the north to Hålandsdalen in the south. The greater part of this region belongs to Fusa kommune in the south, while Samnanger and Kvam own the northern parts.

Strictly speaking, a corridor from Holmane in the north to Gjøn in the south separates the western mountains from the higher mountains (Tveitakvitingen, Loftet, Gavlen, Raudaberget) in the east. This corridor is the primary route for those who wants to walk from Samnanger to Fusa, or the other way around. The highest point on this corridor is approx. 643m, and determines the primary factor of Trælafjellet (highest on the west side) towards the higher Raudaberget on the east side.

There are numerous ways to get to these mountains. On this web page, I am describing a route from Dale. You can either go back the same way, or follow my suggestions for a round-trip hike via Ådlandssætret. An alternative route is to follow the gravel road along lake Sævellavatnet. I plan to document this hike when I go after Tirsåsen (point 429m on the map between Ådlandssætret and Dale)

The Ådlandssætret farm was in use up to 1949. The oldest buildings were built in the late 1880's while the newest building was built in 1943. The farm was in use for hundreds of years, and has been moved due to avalanches. The farm is now back in the original location. More info can be found on the information sign located at the farm.

On the M711 map, Fossabotnsnakkane is marked a bit north of the high point. I have used this name, being the nearest named point (related to the high point). Ref. Økonomisk Karverk, "Stemmefjellet" is also given, but west of the high point. The name nearest to the high point is "Austre Stemmefjellsnakken". The 853m height is only found on the M711 map. Økonomisk Karverk do show the 850m contour around the high point, so there is a certain accordance between the two maps.

Primary factor:

Fossabotnsnakkane (M711: 853m, Ø.K: -) has a primary factor of 150m towards the higher Trælafjellet (950m). The saddle is found west of lake Trollabotnstjørna. There is also a "competing" saddle south of lake Skadvatnet. On the M711 map (20m contours), you cross the 720m contours on the high route, but not 700m. Looking at Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), you cross the 705m contours west of Trollabotnstjørna, but not 700m. The saddle height has been interpolated to 703m. The saddle height south of lake Skadvatnet is interpolated to 718m, and it is the lowest saddle that define the primary factor.

Skorafjellet (M711: 821m, Ø.K: 821,21m) has a primary factor of 103m towards the higher Solafjellet (900m). The saddle is found south of lake Skadvatnet. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), you cross the 720m contours on the high route, but not 715m. The saddle height has been interpolated to 718m.

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.

Dale - Fossabotnsnakkane - Skorafjellet - Ådlandssætret round-trip (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : Class 2
Exposure : No
Comments : Partly off-trail
Distance : Approx. 14Km round-trip
Time : Approx. 5-6 hours (w/o pause)
Starting Elev.: Approx. 90m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 1050m (total)

Map of the area
Map of the area
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Detailed map
Detailed map
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Access

From Bergen, follow highway E16 towards Oslo. At the E16/highway 7 junction (roundabout) at Trengereid, turn right onto highway 7. Drive across Gullbotn, down to Samnangerfjorden, pass Bjørkheim and two tunnels before you turn right onto highway 48. Follow highway 48 for approx. 16,8Km. Then turn right towards "Dale". Follow the road to Dale to road end, approx. 1,9Km from the junction. A gravel road runs up to your left, and there is a gate (may be open, may be closed) just outside a farm.

You will be coming down the gravel road to your left, but you ascent route runs through the farm ahead of you. Find parking nearby. Consider asking for permission to park by the farm.

The route

This picture outlines the route from the farm. The path begins as an old forest road. When you see a small bridge across the stream, stay left (don't cross). You're now on a vague forest path. If you lose track of it, traverse back and forth to get back onto the path. If you understand the general route, then you are not dependent of the path. The birch forest is quite open, and it is easy to head up the forest.

At approx. 560m elev., you're on Sauaberget. There is no longer a path. You have a distinct, long ridge to the north. Follow this ridge up to the Fossabotnsnakkane plateau. Stay on the right hand side of the ridge, and enjoy views down towards lake Botnavatnet. At device driven by two solar cell panels is seen at approx. 770m. Continue northeast towards point 833m. Pass a significant lake on the right hand side before walking up to Fossabotnsnakkane high point (853m). The summit is marked by a few rocks.

Set a northern course towards lake 752m, but pass the lake on the east side. Pass over the ridge that is marked as "Fossabotnsnakkane" and descend northwest to a pond that drains to lake Trollabotnstjørna. Follow the drain down towards the lake and then head up towards Skorafjellet. The route selection is up to you. Skorafjellet is just a big hump. The summit is marked by a few rocks.

Descend back to the pass between Skorafjellet and Fossabotnsnakkane. Turn right and head down to a small lake at approx. 630m elev. I chose to follow the stream from the lake on the right hand side all the way down to lake Breidvatnet. Every time I ran into cliffs, I sought further to the right. I have been told that by staying north for a while, one will meet a high forest trail. This is probably the trail I ran into at 340m elev., This trail runs to lake Breidvatnet.

From Breidvatnet, follow an old forest road that forks soon after. Stay left. The fork to the right will connect to the gravel road that runs along lake Sævellavatnet. Follow the forest road until you see a stone bridge to your left. Cross the stream here. Cross a meadow and cross over yet another stream. Note! If the water level in the stream you cross is high, the rocks you're supposed to walk on, is under water. The "workaround" is to go back to the forest road (go back over the rock bridge), continue until you have a small lake on your right, then walk across a forest ridge on your left. This will take you to Ådlandssætret.

Providing you are able to cross the mentioned stream; Continue on a forest trail to the Ådlandssaelig;tret cabins. From Ådlandssætret, follow a forest trail towards Dale. The forest road turns into a forest trail in a canyon, but you enter the forest road again, once past the canyon. The forest road takes you directly to the trailhead at Dale.

Trip report Oct 17 2004

The weather this Sunday was good enough to go for some high mountains, but I was keen on wrapping up the regions close to Bergen. I wanted to tick these two Fusa mountains off my to-do list, and planned a round-trip hike from Dale. I had asked a friend of mine to come along on this hike, but he sent me a SMS early Sunday morning, passing on the opportunity. His visit to the local pub the night before was obviously of the merrier sort.

At Dale, I asked about the trail at the farm by the end of the road. I had a long and pleasant chat with the farmer, and his trail description was precise. Troll had no intention of walking - at all. Not even for a pee. I wondered if he was still punishing me from spending 4 hours in the car while Torbjørn and I hiked Dustingen the day before. I didn't bother more with the dog. If he wanted to spend the day in the backpack, then fine by me.

I left the farm 10:30AM. The steep forest up to Sauaberget was a killer. The local farmer told me it took him only 45 minutes a few days ago. With the dog on the back, and after searching for the path on numerous occations, I reached Sauaberget 1 hour after leaving the trailhead. I felt a bit tired, and slightly annoyed that I was "beaten" by the local farmer, even with a 10Kg backpack.

I started heading up the long ridge towards Fossabotnsnakkane. For awhile, I thought this ridge would never end, but eventually I was on the high plateau. I reached point 833m 12:30PM and the high point 20 minutes later - 12:50PM. The plateau was downright boring, but the views were great. The terrain was easily traveled, and I made good progress. I had a lunch break before ascending Skorafjellet. I reached this summit 13:40PM, and could see a hiker on Burlifjellet, the next mountain towards the north.

I headed down westbound, following the path from a lake at approx. 630m. elevation. High up, I was just walking on grass, but the forest got gradually steeper the further down I came. In a few places, I found myself on top of a cliff, but by seeking further to my right, I was able to descend to the next level. It was still steep forest, and I kept on falling here and there. The descent turned more and more into a bush war, and then I found myself on top of a huge cliff. Below, I saw a trail and two hunters heading down towards lake Breidvatnet. After a (long) search to my right, I was able to get down to the forest trail. Troll decided to start walking and followed the hunters' tracks. I caught up with the hunters and just as I was about to shout "Hey" to inform about my precense, I stepped on a branch. The loud "snap" caused one of the hunters to spin around, with the shotgun ready in position. I went "Hooooo" (abbreviation for "Hold your horses", when time is essential), and started waving my arms to make a clear distinction between myself and a deer. The hunters were nice fellows, and we had a short chat before they pointed out the route that I should follow to Ådlandssætret.

The forest trail from lake Breidvatnet back to Dale was easy to find and follow. We were back at Dale 15:35PM, 5 hours after we started. The local farmer came out, curious to know if I had been able to follow the path up to Sauaberget. He was mighty pleased when I told him it taken me a full hour to hike up the forest. He told me once more that it had only taken him 45 minutes. AS IF I DIDN'T KNOW!

Pictures from the Oct 17 2004 hike

Move cursor to read notes, and click on the images to see full version.
Some of the thumbnails may have been cropped to fit the format.

1. The Dale trailhead (120KB) 2. View down towards Dale (140KB) 3. The Dale trailhead (113KB) 4. A long ridge walk ahead (237KB) 5. Halfway up the ridge (206KB) 6. Grytefjellet seen from the Fossabotnsnakkane plateau (150KB) 7. Lake Botnavatnet and Ottanosi (316KB) 8. What can I plug in here? (98KB) 9. On Fossabotnsnakkane high plateau (224KB) 10. Panorama from Fossabotnsnakkane (304KB) 11. Panorama from Fossabotnsnakkane (260KB) 12. Troll on Fossabotnsnakkane (222KB) 13. Rosendal mountains seen from Fossabotnsnakkane (173KB) 14. Ulvanosa & Englafjell seen from Fossabotnsnakkane (121KB) 15. Panorama from Fossabotnsnakkane (647KB) 16. Lake on Fossabotnsnakkane plateau (66KB) 17. Info board about WW2 air-drop (98KB) 18. Panorama from Fossabotnsnakkane (389KB) 19. Fossabotnsnakkane high point (174KB) 20. Arriving Skorafjellet (132KB) 21. Lake Trollabotstjorna and Ottanosi (148KB) 22. Skorafjellet summit views (480KB) 23. Skorafjellet summit views (328KB) 24. Hiker on Burlifjellet (158KB) 25. Descending Skorafjellet (262KB) 26. On the way to Aadlandsaetret (146KB) 27. Aadlandsaetret (196KB) 28. Arriving Dale (180KB) 29. The mountain seen from the road to Dale (123KB)

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Pictures from other hikes:

1. Southeast view from Hananipa (1121KB) 2. Fusa mountains (292KB) 3. Fusa mountains (212KB)

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