Norwegian Mountains

Almeskilet, 320m

Fylke/Kommune : Hordaland/Lindås
Maps : 1216-III Stanghelle (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : 182m
Hiked : Sep 2004
See also : Gråsida
See also : Steinhusfjellet
See also : Stusfjellet
See also : Rundesteinen
See also : Rundesteinen
See also : Geitfjellet
Almeskilet seen from Hiklettane

Almeskilet seen from Hiklettane

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Introduction

Almeskilet is a low forest hill with a telcommunication installation on top. The mast can be seen as you head northbound from Vikanes by Romarheimsfjorden. Most likely are the drivers focused on the narrow road, and this forest hill goes unnoticed.

The views are not exactly spectactular, as trees dominate the high point. The hill is however quite accessible, located just above highway E39. A vague forest path (marked) will guide you to the top, should you choose to visit Almeskilet.

A more challenging variation is to hike Almeskilet from Vetle-Aurdal, south of Almeskilet. This involves - as I understand it - careful route finding up along steep cliffbands.

Primary factor:

Almeskilet (320m) has a primary factor of 182m towards the higher Snøyo (389m). The saddle is found between the two forest hills, in Austredalen. Ref. Økonomisk Karverk (5m contours), you cross the 140m contours on the high route, but not 135m. The saddle height has been interpolated to 138m. It should be noted that the 5m contour map does not show a height, and the contours do not match the 320m height given on the M711 map (20m contours).

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.

Hwy E39 - Almeskilet (summer)

Difficulty : Class 1
Exposure : No
Comments : Short and easy forest walk
Distance : Approx. 1,5Km to the top
Time : Approx. 30-60min. to the top (w/o pause)
Starting Elev.: Approx. 30m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 290m

Map of the area
Map of the area
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Detailed map
Detailed map
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Access

From Bergen, follow highway E39 northbound (Førde/Ålesund). Cross Nordhordlandsbrua bridge and pay toll on the north side (NOK 45,- for passenger cars per Sept. 2004). Follow E39 for 38,9Km. You're now on the way up Romarheimsdalen valley. Locate a parking area to your right. Rocks are put in place on this parking area. The "Romarheim/Mo" junction is 900m further up the road.

The route

The trail begins 50m further south, near a boulderfield. Look for a yellow part of a plastic tube on a tree. These yellow pieces can be followed all the way to the summit telecom building on a vague, but visible path.

If you can't locate the markers, simply head up the valley between Almeskilet and Snøyo. Move gradually up to the left early on, and you will stumble onto the visible path.

Trip Report Sep 12 2004

This trip started a bit peculiar. I had been driving for more than 1Km when the driver of a passing car was waving with his arm out of the window. I noticed he did a U-turn and followed after. I turned out and rolled down the window when he came up on the side of me.

"Your boots are on the car roof", he said
Somehow, this didn't come as a big surprise to me, and with a calm appearance, I responded:
- Both of them?
"If there had been only one, I wouldn't have turned", he said.

I had been driving through a tunnel, on a curved road, stopping for red light, making a 90 deg. turn onto the highway, etc. It's just amazing that the boots were still standing. Scarpa folks - if you read this: Good grip!

My knee was a bit sore after the incident on Solnuten the day before. And considering the really, really bad weather, I decided to go for an easy walk this Sunday. I chose Almeskilet. I also needed to do some research in the area - finding out how to get to Osterøy from Vikanes by boat. I would collect the last hill (Verafjellet) on Osterøy in a slightly different style.

My source of information for the Romarheimsdalen area - Anders Stusdal - had explained the route up to Almeskilet. After locating the trailhead, I remembered that the hunting season had started, and I knew there were lots of deer (thus - potential hunters) in the forest. I drove to a nearby farm and tried to find out if I would make anyone frantic by going up the forest. I was met with sceptisism, as they mistook me for a hunter. When I explained that I was out in a "peaceful mission", they lightened up, and gave the answer I needed. It was a green light.

I left the trailhead 13:45PM and couldn't locate the trail at first. I headed up the forest while the rain was pouring down. After 10 minutes, I found the trail and gave Troll the option to walk on his own. He politely declined, and spent the rest of the trip studying the forest from a high position on my back.

The neighbour forest hill - Snøyo - was also on the to-do list, but the necessary inspiration failed to come over me. I was quite happy with the walk when I reached the top of Almeskilet 14:20PM. There were no views and I returned immediately. I was back at the car 14:55PM and drove up to Stusdal to chat with Anders. He gave me the necessary information about how to get to Osterøy by boat, so hopefully, Osterøy is completed sometime this autumn.

Pictures from the Sep 12 2004 hike

Move cursor to read notes, and click on the images to see full version.
Some of the thumbnails may have been cropped to fit the format.

1. Almeskilet seen from highway E39 (109KB) 2. Verafjellet - my last hill on Osteroy (134KB) 3. Almeskilet seen from northeast (136KB) 4. A misty Snoyo seen on the way to Almeskilet (90KB) 5. Snoyo seen high on Almeskilet (135KB) 6. Paddoyni seen from Almeskilet (130KB) 7. The building on Almeskilet (140KB) 8. Trail markings (215KB) 9. View from the Almeskilet trailhead (133KB)

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Pictures from other hikes:

1. Romarheimsfjorden mountains (118KB) 2. Passing Almeskilet on the way from Geitfjellet (200KB) 3. Summit views from Rundesteinen (820KB) 4. Snoyo and Almeskilet seen from Skinahaugane (191KB) 5. South view from Storlifjellet (497KB) 6. Almeskilet seen from Storlifjellet (102KB) 7. South view from Raunefjellet (284KB)

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