Norwegian Mountains, Sogn og Fjordane

Kaupangsholtane, 423m (Kaupangerholten)

Kaupangerholten
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Introduction

Kaupangsholtane is a forest ridge on the Fimreitehalvøya peninsula just south of Sogndal. This ridge has numerous paths and forest roads and is an Eldorado for biking, hiking and skiing. The high point (423m) is an anonymous spot where no one seems to go, while point 294m (Kaupangerholten) attracts many visitors. This is also the only place on the forest ridge where you can get some descent views towards Sognefjorden and the surrounding mountains.

Hiking on Kaupangsholtane
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With so many paths and forest roads, there is no specific route. From the road to Sogndal Lufthavn Haukåsen (airport road), there are at least two forest roads leading to Kaupangsholtane. There are also a couple of roads from Kaupanger. This page will describe a highly unusual (but fun) ascent route (off-trail) and a description of how to get to the highest point.

Kaupangerholten viewpoint
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Primary factor:

Kaupangsholtane (Norge 1:50,000: 423m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 403339 6783534) has a primary factor of 65m towards the higher parent Storehaugfjellet (1173m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 402957 6784112) is found between Kaupangsholtane and Trollhaug. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 355-360m, interpolated to 358m.

GPS measurement read 421m (on the ground), averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 2m).

A forest road on Kaupangsholtane
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Google map

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

Trail descriptions

Route 1: Kaupanger - Kaupangsholtane (summer/autumn) Difficulty : YDS Class 2 Exposure : No Distance : Approx. 3,5m to the top (2D distance) Time : Approx. 1,5 hours to the top Starting Elev.: Approx. 3m Vertical Gain : Approx. 420m

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

This route description is valid per Nov 2010

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The nearest bigger town is Sogndal (has an airport). From Sogndal, follow highway RV5 southeast in the direction of Kaupanger. At Kaupangerskogen, turn right towards Kaupanger/Sogndal Lufthavn (signposted). Proceed to the roundabout (200m) and continue straight ahead for  400m. Follow the main road down to Kaupanger for 1,6km. Turn right onto the road signposted "Stavkyrkje/Knaken kafe og Kulturformidling". Turn left after 150 meters and then drive 700 meters to the end of the road. Park here (N61.17925 E7.24037).   

The route

Our route up Kaupangsholtane
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Head towards the forest, cross a fence and head up the forest (off-trail). Aim for the centre of the ridge and follow it all the way up to the Kaupangerholten viewpoint (294m, N61.17358 E7.23800). From here, follow a path to the west. After 250 meters, you join a forest road (N61.17381 E7.23349). 50 meters later, turn left onto a marked forest path. Follow this path for 600 meters until you join the forest road again.

Follow the forest road for 300 meters until it turns sharply to the right. Go straight ahead along another forest path. After 180 meters, you cross another forest road. Stick to the forest path and proceed up to the antenna (N61.17425 E7.21189). From here, follow the forest path to the west for 300 meters until you reach (yet) another forest road which ends here. Aim for the forest ridge and head off-trail up to the unmarked summit point (N61.17434 E7.20280) - see the picture below.

Kaupangsholtane high point
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Pictures and Trip reports:

• Kaupangsholtane & Trollhaug, Feb 1 2025
• Kaupangsholtane (from the fjord), Dec 25 2024
• Kaupangsholtane, Aug 9 2024
• Kaupangsholtane, Nov 29 2022
• Kaupangsholtane, May 6 2022
• Kaupangsholtane, Apr 6 2021
• Kaupangsholtane, Nov 14 2010

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