Norwegian Mountains

Hjortåsen, 208m

Mountain area : Strøno, Os
Fylke/Kommune : Hordaland/Os
Maps : 1115-II Austevoll (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : 208m
Hiked : July 2004
See also : Ulvenfjellet
See also : Møsnuken
Hjortaasen seen from Askvik

Hjortåsen seen from Askvik

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Introduction

Hjortåsen is the highest point on Strøno island, southwest of Osøyro. A number of forest hills can be found near Osøyro, and even if I normally don't cover hills < 300m on this web-site, I enjoy the occasional exception.

Like many of the other forest hills, the trees take away the superb views that are out there. You will however get an odd glimpse of familiar scenery now and then, and with these forest hills - it is almost exciting to find out *if* you get any views.

There are two high points on Hjørtåsen, both 208m. The mailbox with the trail register is found on the southernmost of these two tops. On the northernmost is a large antenna, and by the looks of the path, people don't visit this top. You can reach Hjortåsen from both east and west, and on this page you will get the route description for the eastern access (Sørstrøno).

Primary factor:

Hjortåsen (M711: 208m, Ø.K: 207,89m, N60 10.080 E5 21.448) has a primary factor of 208m, being the highest point on Strøno island.

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.

Sørstrøno - Hjortåsen (summer)

Difficulty : Class 1
Exposure : No
Comments : Very easy family hike
Distance : Approx. 1,3Km to the summit
Time : Approx. 30 mins to the summit
Starting Elev.: Approx. 80m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 160m (both tops)

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

From Bergen, follow highway E39 towards Stavanger. From the E39/580 junction (roundabout near an ESSO station), follow E39 for approx. 15,2Km. Exit right towards "Strøno/Hagavik". Follow this road for 7Km. Cross the bridge to Strøno and continue approx. 300m up to a road junction. Drive straight ahead here - towards Sørstrøno. Continue approx. 1,6Km and exit right onto an unsigned gravel road (there is a bus stop further ahead - on the left hand side of the road). Follow this gravel road for 300m and find parking in a sharp right turn.

Per July 2004, a new road junction is being constructed just a few hundred meters after the "Strøno/Hagavik" exit, and this will be the recommended route to Strøno. I don't know what happens with the exit described above.

The route

Follow a forest trail that starts in the right turn. After a short climb, the terrain levels out, and you find yourself in a "corridor". The forest trail turns left after a while. You go straight ahead on a visible path. Continue until the trail starts to descend and you see the ocean clearly. Then locate a "Hjortåsen" trailsign and follow the signs to the top.

If you want to visit both tops, locate a path that runs from the summit (w/mailbox) to the top with the antenna.

Trip Report July 16 2004

I've seen this area hundreds of times from Ulriken, and had wanted to take a trip down here for quite some time. This Friday afternoon was a good occasion. The weather was clearing up, and I expected I could get some good pictures in the afternoon light. I stopped by a house and asked for trail directions, and - it doesn't happen too often - the directions I got were "right on!".

It took us less than 30 minutes to reach the top. Troll tried to play his usual "get my owner mental" game, but I outmanoeuvered him. Every time he sat down, I shouted LOOOK and pointed eagerly up the trail. These small evil monsters have a profound weakness. They're just too damned curious.

So Troll did his part of the walking, and once he gets going, he goes. I was busy looking for any views, and found a few near the top. I was a bit puzzled by the thermometer on top. The text on the mailbox invited the hikers to write about the trip and the weather in the trail register. It was 16 deg. C. on top. A pleasant evening. I decided to visit the northern top just to be on the safe side before we headed back. Troll was very confused when there was no lunch box at the summit. I tried to explain that we don't serve lunch below 500m, but he didn't seem to understand. We returned the same way we came. A direct return through the forest didn't seem tempting.

I took a drive around on the island. To be precise, I didn't drive *around* the island. You can't. I concluded that I didn't belong here. This was boat land. I did a quick detour via Lepsøy island to get a good shot of Strøno. I found a good spot on the bridge to Lepsøy, but it was getting a bit too late in the afternoon for a good picture. I got back on E39 between Halhjem and Osøyro before I returned to Bergen.

Pictures from the July 16 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. Bergen mountains seen on the way to Hjortaasen (272KB) 2. On the trail to Hjortaasen (174KB) 3. Approaching the top (141KB) 4. North view from Hjortaasen (204KB) 5. Just below the top (283KB) 6. Close-up of Ulriken from Hjortaasen (112KB) 7. The mailbox on top (197KB) 8. Close-up of Tysnes from Hjortaasen (139KB) 9. Second high point on Hjortaasen (234KB) 10. Tysnes seen from Strono (97KB) 11. Strono & Hjortaasen seen from Askvik (122KB) 12. Strono seen from Lepsoy (dark picture) (125KB) 13. View from Lepsoy (193KB) 14. Internal computer humor (156KB) 15. Ulvanosa seen from Os (77KB) 16. Melderskin seen from Os (80KB)

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Pictures from other hikes:

1. Strono island seen from the Tysnes ferry (311KB) 2. Liafjellet summit view (370KB)

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