Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Seten, 723m
Kyrfjellet, 768m
 

The ridge from Seten to Kyrfjellet
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

The Seten - Kyrfjellet ridge rises steep up from Saurdalen (Sørdalen) by Syvden and joins the vast mountain region between Vanylven and Nordfjord. The normal starting points are at the valleys Saurdalen (north) and the south end of Ripsdalen (southeast). As you can drive into Ripsdalen (summer/autumn), an ascent from this side is easy but also very little challenging. However, the ascent from Saurdalen, across Seten is much more fun. Especially on skis. This is not classical skiing terrain but those who are comfortable with skiing wherever the route goes, will most likely love this trip. It's quite rare to find a ridge this "narrow" at such a low elevation. This page will describe a round trip, ascending from Saurdalen and descent via Ripsdalen. 

Seten and Kyrfjellet seen from Syvden
(Click for larger image)

Primary factor:

Kyrfjellet (Norge 1:50,000: 767m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 768m, UTM 32 V 328664 6884130) has a primary factor of 195m towards the higher parent Nipa (877m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 328656 6881980) is found between these two tops. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 570-575m, interpolated to 573m.

GPS measurement read 773m (on the ground), averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 1,3m)

Seten (Norge 1:50,000: -, Økonomisk Kartverk: 723m, UTM 32 V 329486 6885432) has a primary factor of 60m towards the higher parent Kyrfjellet. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 329026 6884670) is found between these two tops. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 660-665m, interpolated to 663m.

GPS measurement read 723m (on the ground), averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 1,7m)

Kyrfjellet seen from Seten
(Click for larger image)

Google map

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

Trail descriptions

Route 1: Syvden - Seten - Kyrfjellet (summer/autumn) Difficulty : YDS Class 2 Exposure : Some, between Seten and Kyrfjellet Distance : Approx. 4,7km to Kyrfjellet (2D distance) Approx. 14,1km round trip Time : Approx. 2-2,5 hours to Kyrfjellet Approx. 4,5-5 hours round trip Starting Elev.: Approx. 35m Vertical Gain : Approx. 800m to Kyrfjellet Approx. 950m round trip

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

This route description is valid per Oct 2009

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The nearest larger city is Ålesund. From Ålesund, follow highway E39 towards Bergen, and then RV61 towards Hareid. Take the Sulesund - Hareid ferry, and from Hareid, follow RV61 (roughly) 42Km to Årvika, 5,1km from Larsnes.

Take the Årvika - Koparneset ferry, and follow RV61 6,5km to a junction at Eidså. Turn left onto highway RV652 and drive 5km to Syvden. Turn right towards Sørdalen (signposted). Drive 1km up the valley and turn right in a road fork. Drive 800m and locate a forest road on your left-hand side, going steep upwards. Either park at the bottom of the road or follow it up to 160m (elevation), in a sharp right-hand curve.

The route

The route up Seten & Kyrfjellet
(Click for larger image)

Follow the road up to 160m, where the path to Seten is signposted. The path up the forest is vague, so be prepared to head off-trail up the forest in case you lose the path. Once on the Seten summit ridge, the route is obvious. There is a slightly narrow point just before Seten, and people with absolutely no tolerance for heights may feel uncomfortable. But this is the only narrow point on the entire route.

From Seten (723m) (there is seemingly no cairn nor a trigonometric point), proceed south/southwest in the direction of Kyrfjellet. You will descend to approx. 633m before the ridge climbs steeply up to Kyrfjellet. On hard snow, ice-axe/crampons are mandatory. There is no summit cairn (at least not seen when there is snow) and no trigonometric point) on Kyrfjellet.

Continue across the ridge, then at approx. 650m elevation, turn southeast and aim for the creek that drains from Kvitehamrane. Find the best route into Ripsdalen, cross the Ripsdalselva and join the Ripsdalen road. Alternatively, walk along the river until you find the bridge that takes you across.

Follow the Ripsdalen road, pass Ripsdsalssætra cabins then cross the river again (on a bridge) at Trøvelsletta (200m). Follow the forest road that climbs almost up to 300m before it descends and joins your ascent route from Saurdalen.

Pictures and Trip reports:

• Seten, Kyrfjellet, Oct 11 2009
• Kyrfjellet seen from other mountains

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