Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal
Grøtdalstindane

Søre Grøtdalstind, 1331m
Midtre Grøtdalstind, 1328m (ca.)
Nordre Grøtdalstind, ?

Grøtdalstindane
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Introduction

A rugged mountain massif is found between Standalsdalen and Frølandsdalen/Bondalen, where Dalegubben (1344m) is the highest peak. Grøtdalstindane are located 3km to the southwest of Dalegubben and Søre Grøtdalstind (1331m) - the highest of the three Grøtdalstindane tops - is the 2nd highest peak on this massif.

Søre Grøtdalstind is popular in spring (skiing) and in summer. Midtre Grøtdalstind is an easy bonus top when you hike or ski Søre Grøtdalstind. Nordre Grøtdalstind is (ref. various sources) far more challenging (read: climbing/advanced scrambling). This page will describe the normal route from Frølandsdalen up to Søre and Midtre Grøtdalstind, and Nordre Grøtdalstind will hopefully be added sometime in the near future....

Grøtdalstindane
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The ascent of Søre Grøtdalstind involves easy scrambling (YDS class 2+) on a short section just below the summit. Those with a low tolerance for heights might not feel comfortable here. But again - the scrambling is easy, so just take the time to find the easiest route. There are a couple of alternatives to choose between.

The views are tremendous. Dalegubben "steals" some of the view towards Hjørundfjorden, but you have an unobscured view towards Slogen and the surrounding peaks. In all other directions than  to the east, you can enjoy the view to the majority of the peaks in the Sunnmørsalpane mountain range.

Grøtdalstindane seen from the air
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Heights:

According to the maps, there exist two FASTMERKE points on Grøtdalstindane; C28T0343 (1330,24m) represents Søre Grøtdalstind, but is located on the 1200m contour on the map (in other words, way off!). Point C28T0124 (1330,70m) is found south of Midtre Grøtdalstind and southwest of Søre Grøtdalstind. Nordre Grøtdalstind has a 1280m contour, but based on visual observations, this peak is slightly lower than the others.  On the Garmin GPS map, both Søre and Midtre Grøtdalstind has a height of 1331 meters.

Based on personal GPS readings, it is reasonable to assume that Søre Grøtdalstind is approx. 1331m, and that Midtre Grøtdalstind is approx. 3 meters lower. It is also assumed that Nordre Grøtdalstind is the lowest of the tops.

Grøtdalstindane (not a scientific method!)
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Primary factor:

Søre Grøtdalstind (Norge 1:50,000: 1331m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 364125 6900807) has a primary factor of 555m towards the higher parent mountain Dalegubben (1344m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 365598 6901755) is found between Nøvedalstinden/Høgrestinden and Dalegubben. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is defined through a fixed point - 776m.

Midtre Grøtdalstind (Norge 1:50,000: 1331m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 364065 6900870) has a primary factor of 28m towards the higher parent mountain Søre Grøtdalstind. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 364082 6900795) is found between these two tops. Ref. GPS readings, the summit is slightly lower than Søre Grøtdalstind, and has been estimated to be approx. 1328m. Also based on GPS readings, the saddle is defined to be approx. 1300m.

Grøtdalstindane
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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 Sep 2010.

Route 1: Frølandsdalen - Søre & Midtre Grøtdalstind (summer/autumn) Difficulty : YDS Class 2+ Exposure : Some near the summit of Søre G. Distance : Approx. 3,6km to Søre Grøtdalstind (2D distance) 7,3Km round trip, incl. Midtre Grøtdalstind Time : Approx. 3 hours to Søre Grøtdalstind Starting Elev.: Approx. 280m Vertical Gain : Approx. 1080m (incl. Midtre Grøtdalstind)

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

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The starting point for this route description is Ørsta. From the main roundabout in Ørsta, follow highway RV655 towards Sæbø. 3,4km west of Sæbø, turn left when you see the Kvistad signpost (N62.19468 E6.41717). Drive past the Ner-Frøland farms and up Frølandsdalen valley on a forest road. Find parking next to a bridge (N62.19655 E6.37532), 2,3km from RV655. You will see the first Grøtdalstindane signpost here.

The nearest airport is Hovden Lufthavn, located just west of Ørsta.

The route

The route to Grøtdalstindane
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From the parking, cross the bridge and follow the forest road 170 meters to the west. Turn right onto a forest path (N62.19704 E6.37220), marked by another Grøtdalstindane signpost. Follow the path through the forest and up Bjørndalen. At 590 meters, you cross a dry river (N62.20530 E6.36968) and continue up a distinct ridge. At 880 meters, the route turns east and the path fades out.

Follow small cairns that lead the way up Grøtdalstindane's southwest ridge. Pass through "Himmelporten" - a "gateway" between a pinnacle and the ridge, then head up in the direction of the col between Søre and Midtre Grøtdalstind. Some climb up a tricky point from the col, but it is far easier to get up on the ridge to your right (before you reach the col) and scramble a short and easier section (YDS class 2+: easy, but be careful) before you take the final steps up to the summit of Søre Grøtdalstind (N62.21440 E6.38696) - marked by a cairn and a trignometric point.

Midtre Grøtdalstind (N62.21494 E6.38575) is an easy bonus hike from the col. The summit is marked by a proper cairn.

The route to Grøtdalstindane
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Pictures and Trip reports:

• Søre & Midtre Grøtdalstind, July 5 2017
• Søre & Midtre Grøtdalstind, Sep 25 2010
• Grøtdalstindane seen from other mountains

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