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Malmangersnuten seen from Rosendal |
Many of the majestic mountains around Rosendal are very accessible thanks to good trails from central locations. Malmangersnuten is no exception, and provides unspoiled view of Rosendal, the Hardangerfjord and the higher neighbours Melderskin, Laurdalstind and Bjørndalstindane. You also have views towards Folgefonna glacier towards the west, behind Skeidsfjellet.
Malmangersnuten is a mountain for the people. The extraordinary views provide fuel and energy for the soul and mind, and as such, the strenuous and steep hike does not become a showstopper. A popular variation is also to hike the ridge to Skeidsfjellet and return down Muradalen.
Primary Factor
The lowest saddle towards the higher Skeidsfjellet is approx. 650m, just east of Grøthaug, giving Malmangersnuten a primary factor of 240m.
Note: Class ratings are in reference to YDS (Yosemite Decimal System).
The Rosendal - Malmangersnuten trail is a steep and strenuous - but not exposed - visible trail. The climb through forest from 700 to 800m has a few scrambling sections where hands are often used for support. Nothing that should scare you from going, but show caution on this section. When slippery, show caution throughout the trail. The trail isn't very wide, and grass might cover slippery rocks in the middle of the trail. Also, roots can be very slippery.
When icy, portions of the trail leading to the summit could be dangerous. An option is to head straight towards the summit, bypassing the "tourist section" that shows you the drop down towards Rosendal.
Rosendal - Malmangersnuten (summer/autumn)
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Access
From centre of Rosendal, follow the main road SW just a few hundred meters to the Rosendal Fjordhotell. Find parking at the hotel.
To get to Rosendal from Bergen: Follow E16 towards Oslo/Voss. At the Trengereid roundabout, exit onto highway 7 towards Norheimsund. A couple of km. (two tunnels) after Bjørkheim (by the Samnangerfjord), exit onto highway 48 towards Rosendal. At Mundheim, exit right towards Gjermundshamn. At Gjermundshamn, take the ferry across the Hardangerfjord to Løfallstrand. Drive towards the centre of Rosendal, and locate the fjord hotel just outside Rosendal centre, approx. 5km from the ferry.
The trail
The trail begins at the fjord hotel, on the other side of the road. Follow a narrow gravel road upwards. It is unsigned at the entrance, but after a minute or two, you pass "Malmangersnuten/Skeidsfjellet" trail sign. At the first fork, exit right, and follow a trail running SW. You pass a gate early on. You will pass through another gate and join a tractor road, still heading SW. Watch for a trailsign on the right hand side of the road. At this trailhead, exit left and enter the mountain trail.
The mountain trail is marked with red "T" paint on rocks here and there. Not for navigation, but to remind you that you are on the trail. Which should be quite obvious, anyway. After crossing power lines, you head into denser forest, and a steep section lies ahead of you. Some minor switchbacks doesn't cover the fact that this trail is nothing but hard work.
At approx. 700m, the terrain opens up and you get views towards Ørnafjellet straight ahead, and Malmangersnuten further to the left. The trail runs up Ørnafjellet's west side and continue north towards Malmangersnuten. The forest climb up to 800m is much harder work than anything so far. Finally, the trail climbs more gradually below Malmangernuten, takes you to a great viewpoint just above Rosendal before climbing the short reminding section to the summit.
Return the same way, or look at the map for an alternative route down.
This morning I said goodbye to my friend Arne at Haukeliseter on Haukelifjell. Yesterday's hike to Vassdalseggi had taken everything Arne had to offer, so Arne traded the planned Sunday hike for an early return to Stavanger. 30 minutes later, I stood below Store Nup and had mixed feelings about climbing up to the plateau in strong winds, and something I anticipated would turn into snow. So, I got in the car and decided to hike something closer to Bergen. Arriving Odda, I figured I should try the new tunnel under Folgefonna glacier, and when I realized I would end up in Rosendal, I quickly made the call that Malmangernuten would be a good hike. The front desk at the Rosendal fjord hotel could confirm that the trail began on the other side of the road. I expected that Troll would refuse to do this mountain. After all, he did a 8,5 hour walk in terrain quite unfriendly to small dogs, the day before. For some reason, he kept a pace that was rather hard to follow. We did the first 700m in less than one hour, which I suspect is a decent speed. As the views started to open up, I was all the more convinced that I had picked the right peak of the day. Bright sunshine, no winds and a hilarious view. We reached the summit in 1 hour and 20 minutes. Troll caved in 10 minutes away from the summit, and I was happy to carry him the remaining distance. He did a good job that day. After a while, several groups gathered on top. People come for the views. I was considering also hiking to Skeidsfjellet, but decided to return to Bergen and hike Ulriken for the 100th time this year. Troll ran all the way down, and we reached the car in 55 minutes.
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