Norwegian Mountains, Sogn og Fjordane
Utvikfjellet

Fløtravarden, 869m
Snøfjellet, 1006m
Dunheia, 1165m
Svinestranda, 1140m

Fylke/Kommune : Sogn og Fjordane/Gloppen & Stryn   
Maps : 1318-IV Hornindal  (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : Fløtravarden: 59m
Snøfjellet: 176m
Dunheia: 530m
Svinestranda: 170m
Hiked : Feb 2011
See also :
• Skavegga/Nuken • Eggjenibba
• Glitregga • Bolberg
• Hogden • Ryssdalshornet
• Heida
See also : Other Sogn og Fjordane  mountains on westcoastpeaks.com
 

Snøfjellet and Dunheia

Snøfjellet and Dunheia
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Snøfjellet, Dunheia and Svinestranda are the highest tops in the region between Utvikfjellet and Anda. During winter and spring, Utvikfjellet (Breimsbygda Skisenter) is a popular skiing area and the prepared tracks may extend all the way to Snøfjellet to the west and Svartebotnen to the east.

Every year, in April, Fjellhug/Vereide IL organizes Rypeskarrennet on Utvikfjellet. The original route went from Utvikfjellet to Sandane, via Rjupeskaret below Blånibba. Today, the race starts and finishes on Utvikfjellet. Those who does not want to participate in the race, can follow prepared tracks all the way from Utvikfjellet to Kleivane, and take the bus (normally made available for this event) back to Utvikfjellet. This page describes a skiing route from Utvikfjellet to Sandane, via all of the tops and independent of prepared tracks.

The easiest skiing route across the tops does not involve steep or avalanche-prone sections. The views are fabulous all the way, with the Sunnmøre peaks to the north and Gloppen & Jølster peaks and glaciers to the south. And the beautiful Nordfjord is just the icing on the cake...

 

Skiing on Utvikfjellet

Skiing on Utvikfjellet
(Click for larger image)




Svinestranda "suffers" from a slight naming confusion. Folks on the Gloppen side refer to point 1074m as Svinestranda (the reason could be that they don't see the true summit) while those on the north side of Nordfjord refer to the highest point (1140m) as Svinestranda. This is the second highest mountain on the ridge, with only Dunheia (1165m) rising taller. Haugsvarden (862m) is an easy ski-trip/hike from Kleivane, and will be described in further detail when visited.

The Gloppen-Stryn municipality border runs along this ridge, but does not follow the watershed. Fløtravarden, Snøfjellet and Dunheia belong to Gloppen, while Svinestranda summit is shared between the two.

If you are in luck, you might get a glimpse of the Utvikfjellet reindeer herd. They are wild, but do not spook easily. They wander about on both sides of the road across Utvikfjellet, summer as well as winter.


 

Reindeer on Utvikfjellet

Reindeer on Utvikfjellet
(Click for larger image)


 

Primary factor:

Fløtravarden (Norge 1:50,000: 869m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 365698 6852077) has a primary factor of 59m towards the higher parent Snøfjellet (1006m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 364973 6852213) is found in Rjupeskaret, between the two mountains. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 800-820m, interpolated to 810m.

Snøfjellet (Norge 1:50,000: 1006m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 363785 6853192) has a primary factor of 176m towards the higher parent Dunheia (1165m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 363055 6852978) is found in Tisthammarskaret, between the two mountains. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 820-840m, interpolated to 830m.

Dunheia (Norge 1:50,000: 1165m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 361282 6853447) has a primary factor of 530m towards the higher parent Nuken (1300m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 368317 6850552) is along the top of the road across Utvikfjellet. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is defined through a fixed point - 635m.

Svinestranda (Norge 1:50,000: 1140m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 358620 6854535) has a primary factor of 170m towards the higher parent Dunheia (1165m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 359040 6853955) is by lake Svinestrandvatnet, between the two mountains. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 960-980m, interpolated to 970m.

 

 

Dunheia

Dunheia
(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: Utvikfjellet - Fløtravarden - Snøfjellet - Dunheia - Svinestranda  (winter/spring)

Difficulty : YDS Class 2
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 23km (2D distance)
Time : Approx. 6-7 hours
Starting Elev.: Approx. 635m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 1000m (total)
Map of the area
Map of the area
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 Detailed map
Detailed map
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This route description is valid per Feb 2011

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The nearest bigger village is Sandane (has an airport). From Sandane, follow highway E39 east to Byrkjelo. Turn left in the main junction and follow highway RV60 to the top of Utvikfjellet. There is a skiing centre here, so you will find plenty of parking opportunities (N61.76566 E6.50319). Pay the parking fee (NOK 50,-) in a mailbox. Cash only. 
 

The route from Utvikfjellet

The route from Utvikfjellet
(Click for larger image)

 

The route

Chances are good that there are prepared tracks all the way to Fløtravarden (N61.77798 E6.45391) and Snøfjellet (N61.78730 E6.41686), so the first part of the route is straightforward. Both Fløtravarden and Snøfjellet has summit cairns.

From Snøfjellet, descend southwest and pass lake Skarvatnet on the south side. You are now facing 335 vertical meters before you reach the top of Dunheia (N61.78869 E6.36926). Pick an ascent route that you are comfortable with. Head on will do nicely. There seems to be no cairn on Dunheia's high point (if there is one, it's buried under the snow). There is -possibly- a viewpoint cairn a bit southwest of the high point.

After Dunheia, the terrain becomes a bit more rugged. Descend to the northwest, follow the Eggene ridge and descend towards lake Svinestrandvatnet. If you pass the lake on the east side, you'll save a few vertical meters.

Continue directly up to Svinestranda. If you find the direct route a bit too steep, then aim for the southwest ridge. You will find a proper cairn on the summit (N61.79747 E6.31798).

Descend into Kvanndalen (see picture below), then keep heading west somewhere between 740-820 meters. Turn southwest near point 646m and keep that bearing until you reach the Kleivane parking (approx. 460m - N61.79017 E6.23240). Unless you have organized transport, you can hitch-hike or call Sandane taxi (+47 948 55 555) to get back to Utvikfjellet.

 

In Kvanndalen, looking back on Svinestranda

In Kvanndalen, looking back on Svinestranda
(Click for larger image)

 


Pictures and Trip reports:

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