Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Skalten, 692m

Fylke/Kommune : Møre og Romsdal/Fræna
Maps : 1220-I Hustad (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)  
Primary factor : 639m
Visited : Apr 2007
See also : Skardsettinden
See also : Raudtua
See also : Talstadhesten
See also : Melen/Sjurvarden
See also : Tussen
See also : Urdfjellet
See also : Jendemsfjellet
See also : Snøtinden
See also : Mekknøken
See also : Julaksla
See also : Kvannfjellet
See also : Sandnestindan
See also : Gulberget
See also : Jærmannburet

Skalten (left) seen from Jendemsfjellet

Skalten (left) seen from Jendemsfjellet

Introduction

Skalten is a standalone mountain, located 17Km north/northwest of the city of Molde. The views are phenomenal; from Sør-Trøndelag tops far in the northeast, to Ørsta peaks in the southwest. In-between, you can see landmark peaks from a number of kommuner, especially Sykkylven, Norddal, Nesset, Haram, Vestnes and Rauma.

As on many other standalone mountains, you will find an antenna up here, but fortunately not on the high point. The Skalten ridge form a horseshoe around Lake Botnavatnet (north), and from west to east, you will find Skardsettinden (554m - a very interesting satellite peak that will be presented later), point 634m (steep south side, but merely a hump on the ridge), Skalten high point (692m), Nørdre Varden (623m) where the antenna is located, and finally Lauvhornet (593m). On some maps, Lauvhornet has (mistakingly) been put where the antenna is. Subsequently - a number of pictures on this web-site has the same error.

And as on many other standalong mountains with an antenna on top, a service road leads to the top. More precisely, the service road leads to Nørdre Varden. The final 100 vertical meters to Skalten high point is off-trail. The route is good for winter as well as summer, although snow conditions can be poor, so close to the ocean.

Skalten is the 12th highest independent top in Fræna kommune, but because of its independence towards higher mountains, it ranks as #3 in terms of primary factor, only preceeded by Talstadhesten and Melen. This top is well worth a visit, and mountaineers will surely enjoy the Skalten - Skardsettinden traverse.

Skalten is well described in the book Turbok for Molde og Omegn (Olsen/Pedersen)

Skalten (right of center) seen from Trolltinden

Skalten (right of center) seen from Trolltinden

Primary factor:

Skalten (Norge 1:50,000: 692m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 692,19m, UTM 32 V 403122 6974722) has a primary factor of 639m, towards the higher parent Talstadhesten (913m). The saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 402922 6971308) is found east on a large meadow west of Litlevatnet and northwest of Klempertåsen. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 50-55m, interpolated to 53m.

Personal GPS measurement read 692m on top of the cairn (1m high) as average over a 10-minute period.

Google map

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

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.

Lake Skjellbreia - Skalten (all seasons)

Difficulty : Class 1 (YDS)
Exposure : No
Comments : Very popular hike/ski-trip
Distance : Approx. 4,6Km to the top
Time : Approx. 1-1,5 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 45m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 650m (total)
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

Access

(All distances are approx.)

From the city of Molde, head eastbound along E39 until you see the "Eide/Elnesvågen" sign. If you come via via the Vestnes-Molde ferry, drive 400m to a junction, and turn right on E39. The "Eide/Elnesvågen" sign is 4,3Km from this junction.

Turn left by the "Eide/Elnesvågen" sign. After 6,1Km, you pass a served toll station (NOK 15,- for passenger cars per Apr 2007). 12,2Km after you left E39, you enter a roundabout (after having passed Sylteosen). Follow sign towards Elnesvågen.

After 6,2Km, shortly after having passed Elnesvågen, turn right onto RV663 (Farstad). Follow this road 1,1Km and turn left towards "Ås". Drive 1,1Km and locate the Skalten trailhead by Lake Skjellbreia.

The route

Follow the forest road 300m to the northeast, then turn left and enter the mountain service road. No motorized transport without permission from the landowner. Follow the mountain road all the way to the antenna at Nørdre Varden, and then follow the ridge to Skalten, or - more likely, leave the mountain road as you see fit, and head directly to Skalten summit.

Descend your ascent route.

Skalten (left) seen from Blåskjerdingen

Skalten (left) seen from Blåskjerdingen

Trip reports and pictures


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