Norwegian Mountains

Livarden, 683m

Fylke/Kommune : Hordaland/Bergen
Map : 1115-I Bergen; (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Map : 1215-I Samnanger; (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary Factor: 205m
1st hike : Jan 1999
See also : Skardalsfjellet
See also : Austrerinden
See also : Sletteggi
Livarden seen from Arnanipa

Livarden seen from Arnanipa

(No Javascript)

Introduction

I accept that Livarden logically has nothing do with Gullfjellet, but for convenience, I recognize Livarden as part of the Gullfjellet massif. The lowest point on the cairned trail between Livarden and Gullfjellet is approx. 470m, which is quite high.

One of the first classic hikes/ski trips I heard about, after moving to Bergen, was from Livarden to Redningshytten on Gullfjellet. And it is a wonderful hike, with great views all around. The Riple - Livarden route is also a popular hike, and on a sunny week-end day, the crowds find their way up the gentle slopes from Riple. This is a typical family trail, although the ridge to Livarden is quite long.

This page will only describe how to get to the Livarden summit via a couple of routes.

Primary Factor

Livarden's factor towards Sletteggi is 205m in the saddle NE of Livarden. Last 5m contour line is 480, giving an interpolated saddle of 478m.

Trail descriptions:

Note: Class ratings are in reference to YDS (Yosemite Decimal System).

ROUTE #1
Riple - Livarden (winter)

Difficulty : Class 1
Risk : Easy hike all the way
Distance : Approx 4.5Km to the top
Time : Approx 2,5-3 hours round-trip
Starting Elev.: Approx. 250m

Map of Livarden

Click for detail map


(No Javascript)

Access

On highway 580 between Nesttun and Indre Arna, exit towards Totland just north of Nesttun (south of Midttun). Follow signs towards Totland, which is approx. 7Km from the 580 exit (per February 2004, the Totland exit is no longer signed).

The road ends at Riple, and parking is limited. Do not park at the road end, as the bus needs space to turn around. There is a road going up to the right that you can park on the side of. Alternatively, follow the road for approx. 350m up to a large parking area. You may have to pay a fee (NOK 30,- per Feb. 2004), but I don't know when a fee is required. I paid the fee on a winter's day, and the fees are meant to cover cost for maintaining the parking area (snow plowing, etc.)

The trail

From the bus stop, follow a road going to your left (not the one to the right). Exit right onto a forest road immediately after. A bridge takes you over the stream coming down. Head towards another small forest road that leads upwards. At the top of the hill, go through a gate and onto a forest road.

From the upper parking, go towards the lit trail and turn left. Follow this trail/ ski track until you have a gate on your right. Descend to another gate, and follow the forest road mentioned above.

The forest road curves upwards, until you enter open space. When you can see the other side of the valley, follow the Livarden ridge up to your left. This trail is easy to spot, and mostly cairned all the way to the top. The ridge is long, nearly 4Km.

ROUTE #2
Unneland - Livarden via one of the north ridges (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : Class 1, Steep in upper gully
Risk : Low
Distance : Approx 2Km to the top
Time : Approx 1-1,5 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 80m

Map of Livarden

Click for detail map


(No Javascript)

Access

On highway 580 between Nesttun and Indre Arna, exit towards Bjørndalen/Unneland. Follow this road for 1,45Km and locate a gravel road going up to a house on the right. Find parking a little further ahead on the road.

The trail

Follow the gravel road towards the house, and locate a forest trail up to the right before the house. Follow the forest trail upwards and when the trail makes a Y fork, go right and head for a power mast. Cross a stream where the stream makes a little pond. Find the trail on the other side of the stream. Next, you must go through a fence. When this was written, there trail led to a large opening in the fence.

Up to your left you have a wide gully, and the trail switchbacks on the right hand side of this gully. The trail turns right higher up, taking you up to the ridge to your right. You arrive a cabin where the views are great. The trail runs further up to the upper gully, but ends at the bottom of the gully. From this point, either hike up in the middle of the gully, or hike up to the ridge on your right hand side where the views are better. This route leads all the way to the summit.

A possible variation to this route is to climb up a steep gully to the left, soon after you enter the upper gully (above the cabin). This route is for dare-devils, and should be avoided unless you seek challenges. The route is probably much easier when there is no snow.

Trip reports and pictures

Various pictures

1. Gullfjellet region, Bergen (317KB) 2. View from above Turnerhytten (1668KB) 3. View from above Turnerhytten (703KB) 4. Gullfjellet (219KB)

No Javascript:

1 2 3 4


Other hordaland mountains Other hikes in this area westcoastpeaks.com