Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Urdfjellet / Kaldbaken, 979m

Urdfjellet / Kaldbaken
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Urdfjellet, also known as Kaldbaken is the 2nd highest top in Fræna municipality, only 120 cm lower than Kvannfjellet. Urdfjellet is located in a mountain range stretching between Malmefjorden and Gjemnessundet. Snøtinden and Harstadfjellet are the more prominent tops in this range.

Urdfjellet has a steep face to the north, and is normally accessed along the south flank (Melsetra), the southeast ridge (Malmesetra) or the northeast ridge (Rødalssetra). This web page will describe the winter route from Melsetra. A good summer round trip can be both the eastern ridges, starting from Malmesetra (toll road). In winter, this road is closed, and many chose to ski directly up the steep forest above Melsetra.

Pictures (ref. the trip report section) will show that the view from the top is superb (bring a binocular!). The massive "wall" of (a.o) Trollheimen, Sunndalen, Romsdalen, Tresfjord, Sykkylven and Vestnes peaks is impressive. In the trip report section (see link below), most of the most prominent peaks have been identified by name).

Urdfjellet (Norge 1:50,000: 979m, Økonomisk Kartverk.: 978,74m , UTM 32 V 413957 6966614) has a primary factor of 519m towards the higher parent Kvannfjellet (980m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 415928 6967701) is found in Gjengkleiva, east of Urdfjellet. The high route continues across Bjørnen, Luten and Heklatinden. Ref.  Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is defined through a fixed point - 460,4m.

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.

Route #1: Melsetra - Urdfjellet (winter) Difficulty : Class 2 (YDS) Exposure : No Distance : Approx. 3Km to the top Time : Approx. 2-3 hours to the top Starting Elev.: Approx. 230m Vertical Gain : Approx. 800m (total)

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

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

From the city of Molde, follow highway E39 eastbound. Approx. 4Km east of Molde, turn left onto highway RV64 (Eide/Elnesvågen). Drive 2Km up Årødalen valley and turn right (Eide/Årødalen) just before the tunnel (toll road) through Tussen.

Drive 5,6Km and turn onto the Lysgården parking area at Skaret. Park here, or drive along the road to Malmesetra and try to find parking along the way. This way, you can save up to 450m of walking (one way).

The route

The route from Melsetra
(Click for larger image)

Almost the entire route is seen from Skaret. Follow the road towards Malmesetra. This road is closed in winter, but plowed to Melsetra. After 450m, turn left onto the road towards Melsetra (unsigned). Cross the river on a bridge and once the road turns westbound, leave the road and head for the normal forest entry point. 

The first forest section is steep. Some choose to walk on foot here. But soon, the terrain levels out and real skiing can begin. You can now maintain a steady north/northwest course to the summit, which is marked by a proper cairn.

If the snow conditions are favorable, look forward to 500m of delightful skiing back down to the forest. Alternatively, you can descend the southeast ridge towards Malmesetra, and follow the road or prepared tracks back to the trailhead.

Trip reports and pictures

• Urdfjellet, Dec 15 2007
• Urdfjellet seen from other mountains

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