Norwegian Mountains - Route Descriptions

Norwegian Mountains, Hordaland

Kongsberg, June 24 2007

For Information, maps, trailhead and route descriptions, click HERE.

I had taken the trip from Ålesund to Ulvik, to attend the wedding of my friends Torbjørn and Arnhild. Besides the couple, I knew no one. But that's not a problem in places like Ulvik. They treat you just as if you've always been a part of the family, and I - who by default dislike events like weddings - had a great evening in beautiful Hardanger. It was absolutely worth the trip.

The next morning, I checked out of the hotel 07:15AM, with the ambition to visit Kongsberg on the way back to Ålesund. No, not the town Kongsberg, but the mountain just above Ulvik. Just like before, this Sunday was a semi-grey day too. It wasn't raining (much), but the fog hung low on the mountains. Torbjørn had described the trailhead, and I found it right away. 07:40AM, I was on my way to Kongsberg.

The stroll up the forest was nice. Birds were singing and the air was fresh. Besides the birds, there was total silence. My condition wasn't optimal, although I'd been quite easy on the beer the night before. But I hardly slept at all. The first part of the night, due to party people, the rest due to allergy. This was my second sleep-over in Ulvik. Total amount of hours slept: 0.

While walking the forest road, I thought back on this morning's breakfast at the hotel. Two bus-loads of Italian and German tourists were "fighting" to get the best food, or keeping the schedule. Or both. I guess that's how Norwegians behave when the shops open in Strømstad. A senior employee at the hotel tried her best to keep control of the various situations. After finishing my breakfast, I walked over to her, laid my around on her shoulder, and said - You have my sympathy. THANK YOU!!! she replied, probably happy about someone taking notice in her work.

At the Kleppe buildings, the forest road ended, but locating the forest path wasn't difficult. There was sheep poo all over the place. I've never seen so much poo in my life. It was virtually impossible to get across the yard without stepping into it. I always thought sheep just dropped it whenever and wherever. But this looked like the valley toilet. That old Oluf joke came to mind. .. Og Bjørnen sa til Ekornet - Sitt du hær og skit? Ekke du på latrina sånn som de ainner dyran? ... I had a quiet laugh.

I reached the top of Konsgberg 08:40AM. There wasn't much to take pictures of, fogged in as the mountains were. I turned quickly around and descended my ascent route. I was back at the trailhead 9:30AM, changed my clothes and drove back to Ålesund. It felt very nice to visit a Hordaland mountain again, and promised myself to visit new Hordaland mountains every year from now on.