Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Liahornet, 961m

Fylke/Kommune : Møre og Romsdal/Stranda
Maps : 1219-I Stranda (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : 91m
Visited : Nov 2008
See also :
Jolgrøhornet  
Medhornet  
See also : Other Stranda mountains

Blåtinden and Liahornet

Blåtinden and Liahornet
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Liahornet, located just above the place Liabygda by Norddalsfjorden, is the southwest gateway to a large mountain range that stretches all the way to Åndalsnes. This mountain range contains tops such as Geitebottinden, Seljebottinden, Ådalstinden, Taskedalstinden, Høgstolen, Hesten, Storfjellet, Alnestinden, Finnan, Bispen and Kongen. Liahornet is the only independent top (primary factor >= 100m) which is below 1000m elevation.

To be precise, Liahornet lacks 9m on its primary factor to reach "independent" status, but this is only because of interpolation between contours. The summit *could* be higher than 961m (map height), as the summit is 2-3m meters higher than the point where the cairn is located. Thus, if the saddle towards Blåtinden proves to be closer to 860m (opposed to the 870m interpolation), Liahornet would become a fully independent top, and earn a rank on this site's list of Stranda mountain tops.

The low primary factor gives a hint about a larger mountain obscuring some of the views from the top. In Liahornet's case, Blåfjellet (1338m) takes away most of the view towards the northbound mountain range . On the other hand, Liahornet offers great views towards the peaks south of Norddalsfjorden, and especially the Jolgrøhornet - Medhornet massif.

The main route to Liahornet is along the west ridge, starting at Liasætra. There are several ways to get to Liasætra, but the road from Liabygda is the normal approach. The road from Liabygda may be closed by a gate (only accessible to cabin owners), and you're free to investigate this for yourself. The route described on this page starts at a higher elevation, and assumes that you walk or ski from the highway.

Liahornet

Liahornet
(Click for larger image)

 

 

Primary factor:

Liahornet (Norge 1:50,000: 961m, Økonomisk Kartverk (ØK): -,  UTM 32 V 402569 6910854) has a primary factor of 91m towards the higher parent mountain Blåtinden (1338m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 402923 6910823) is found between the two peaks, 350m east of Liahornet. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 860-880m, interpolated to 870m.

GPS measurement on the summit (on ground) read 964m, averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 1,2m).

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: RV650 - Liahornet (all seasons)

Difficulty : YDS Class 1
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 5,5Km to the top
Time : Approx. 5 hours (total)
Starting Elev.: Approx. 275m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 700m (total)
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

 

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The nearest larger city is Ålesund. From Ålesund, follow highway E136->E39 towards Åndalsnes. From the E136/E39/Olsvika roundabout near Breivka, follow highway E39 28Km to the RV650 junction just after Sjøholt. Turn right onto RV650 (Geiranger/Stordal) and continue 32,7Km on this road (passing Stordal along the way).

You're now on your way down towards Norddalsfjorden, and you see a forest road to your left. You'll find parking 200m up the road, just before a gate. In winter, you may have to park at the beginning of the road, or elsewhere, if there is too much snow.

The route

Follow the forest road 850m until you join the road from Liabygda. Turn left, and follow the Liabygda road upwards. After 400m, you reach the Nakkesætera junction. Go straight ahead. Continue up to the Liasætra cabins. Near the upper cabin, you'll see the Liahornet trail signs. Two routes start from here. This page describes the path to the left.

Go left and follow a path marked with red paint on rocks (sticks higher up in the forest) to the east. The path takes you up on Liahornet's west ridge, and from here on, follow the west ridge to the summit. The summit is marked by a small cairn, 2-3m lower than the high point (marked by a bolt). 

Pictures and Trip reports:


westcoastpeaks.com Other Møre & Romsdal mountains Other Norwegian mountains