Norwegian Mountains, Sogn og Fjordane

Kjeringafjell, 1314m (Kjeringi)
Høgehaug, 546m
 

Fylke/Kommune : Sogn og Fjordane/Leikanger     
Maps : 1317-I Fjærland (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
1317-II Leikanger (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : Kjeringi: 202m
Høgehaug: 63m
Hiked : Jan 2010 (Kjeringi), Jan 2013 (Høgehaug)
See also :
Storehaugfjellet Molden
Stedjeåsen Amlaholten
Meneseggi Store Haugmelen
Bondehaug Vorfjellet
Tylderingen Blåfjellet
Fivlenosi Hest & Grøndalseggi
Vetanosi Nipa
Slakkafjellet Smørhovden
Kaupangsholtane Skriki
Lusaskard Torstadnakken
Synnevaskjer Steindalsbreen
Smørklett
See also : Other Sogn og Fjordane  mountains on westcoastpeaks.com

Kjeringi summit ridge

Kjeringi summit ridge
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Kjeringafjell (or Kjeringi as the locals say) is located just north of Leikanger by the Sognefjord. It is one of the southernmost tops in the vast mountain region that stretches north towards the Jostedalsbreen glacier. This region has a logical end at the Supphelleskaret pass, between Snauedalen (Veitastrondvatnet) and Supphelledalen (Fjærlandsfjorden). Fremsta Ryssenipa (1684m) is the highest mountain in this range.

Kjeringi is also well known for it quadrathlon which takes place every spring. The competitors ski (Telemark style or as fast as it goes) down Kjeringi and Fagreggi, switch to cross-country skiing at the end of the Damefall hill (where women apparently fall..), then run (on foot) down from Kleppa to the sports field where they get on their bikes and finish the race down in Leikanger. See the Kjeringa Open website (external link, Norwegian text) for more information.

The route to Kjeringi is fairly long (9km), but runs across easy terrain. From the top, you will see many of the huge mountains that rise above Sognefjorden, as well as a number of 2000m peaks on Sognefjell and in the western Jotunheimen range. Even Galdhøpiggen (the highest peak in Norway) can be seen from here.

 

Hurrungane seen from Kjeringi

Hurrungane seen from Kjeringi
(Click for larger image)

 

Høgehaug is a nice viewpoint that you pass close to on your way to Kjeringi (if you follow the route described on this page). Approx. 0,5km after leaving Kleppa, the route to Kjeringi turns northeast (sharp right). Continue northwest for 0,3km instead, then turn left and follow the forest trail 0,5km up to Høgehaug. See also the map below.

 

On Høgehaug

On Høgehaug
(Click for larger image)

 

Primary factor:

Kjeringi (Norge 1:50,000: 1314m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 382204 6792625) has a primary factor of 202m towards the higher parent Kaldekletten (1320m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 382252 6793561) is found between these two mountains. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is defined through a fixed point - 1112m.

Høgehaug (Norge 1:50,000: 546m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 546,36m, UTM 32 V 381763 6786569) has a primary factor of 63m towards the higher parent Kjeringi. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 382052 6786854) is found between these two mountains. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 480-485m, interpolated to 483m.

 

Sognefjorden view

Sognefjorden view
(Click for larger image)

 

Google map

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

 

Google maps
Google maps
(Click on image)

 

 

Trail descriptions

Route 1: Kleppa - Kjeringi (winter)

Difficulty : YDS Class 1
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 9km to the top (2D distance)
Time : Approx. 3-3,5 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 400m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 950m (total)
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

This route description is valid per Jan 2010

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The nearest bigger town is Sogndal (has an airport). Follow highway RV55 west to Leikanger (20-22km). Turn right towards Kleppa and follow the main road up to Kleppa (5,2km).

The route

From Kleppa, follow the main trail 500m to the northwest, then make a sharp right-turn. This turn is signposted (a.o.) Stokksete. In a little while, you'll join the prepared tracks across Viddmyrane. Pass point 591m slightly to the west and head north for the ridge towards Rjupeskard. Well before Rjupeskard, head north up Fagreggi.

Pass the Fagreggi high point a little to the west and continue up Kjeringi. The high point is marked by a medium-sized cairn. Descend your ascent route.

 

Fagreggi

Fagreggi
(Click for larger image)


Pictures and Trip reports:


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