Norwegian Mountains

Hordaland Mountains: Granvin

 granvin.kommune.no
Granvin herad is a small region by Granvinfjorden, a side arm of Hardangerfjorden. Granvin borders to Voss, Ulvik, Kvam and Ullensvang herads and kommuner

The highest mountain in Granvin herad - Olsskavlen, 1576m is shared with Voss kommune. In fact, all the significant mountains in Granvin herad are shared with another kommune. The 5 highest mountains (Raundalsegga ridge) are shared with Voss kommune. Another significant ridge, Oksen - Midtfjell, is partly shared with Ullensvang kommune

Granvin is the main village in Gran herad, located at the north end of Granvinfjorden. Voss is only a short drive away, and Granvin connects well with the villages on the other side of Hardangerfjorden through ferries from Kvanndal and Bruravik (Ulvik). 


Map of Hordaland. Copyright Hordaland Fylkeskommune.
Map design by Geir Ketil Lien

The Mountains

Below is the list of ranked kommune mountains, sorted by height. "Ranked" means mountains with a height >= 300m and with a primary factor >= 100m. I have chosen to include some of the mountains with primary factor < 100m in a separate table. Names and height originate from Statens Kartverk (M711)/Norgesglasset (20m contours) or Økonomisk Kartverk (part of Norgesglasset, 5m contours). Several mountains have a point higher than the trig. point marked on the maps. Note that if the high point of a mountain lies within another kommune, the mountain is listed under that specific kommune. If a mountain high point is shared by two kommuner, the mountain is listed under both kommuner.

Rank Name Height PF Map
1. Olsskavlen 1576m 586m 1416-II Ulvik
2. Seldalsnuten 1548m 198m 1416-II Ulvik
3. Skipadalsnuten 1496m 126m 1416-II Ulvik
4. Nordbotnnuten 1471m 221m 1416-II Ulvik
5. Horndalsnuten 1461m 231m 1416-II Ulvik
6. Oksen 1241m 573m 1315-I Ullensvang
7. Inegbjørgfjellet 1210m 307m 1315-I Ullensvang
8. Høgahorgi 1133m 575m 1416-II Ulvik
9. Olavsstølnuten / Strutseggi 1129m 114m 1416-II Ulvik
10. Herdabreida 1125m 135m 1315-IV Jondal
11. Kvasshovden 1065m 487m 1416-II Ulvik
12. Skamdalshorgi 1029m 419m 1416-II Ulvik
13 Steinsethorgi 796m 168m 1416-II Ulvik
14. Gråfjellet 723m 140m 1315-IV Jondal

** Map high point in Sogn og Fjordane. Exception made here until we know there is no higher point on the Fylke border.

The 5 highest based on primary factor

Rank Name PF Height
1. Olsskavlen 586m 1576m
2. Høgahorgi 575m 1133m
3. Oksen 573m 1241m
4. Kvasshovden 487m 1065m
5. Skamdalshorgi 419m 1029m

Observations

If you plan to choose go for all mountains in one herad or kommune, Granvin is the right choice. There are only 14 independent mountains, where 12 exceed 1000m elevation. The top 3 primary factor mountains are all on the top 25 list in Hordaland. In addition, the Raundalseggi and Oksen-Ingebjørgfjellet ridges are beautiful high-country terrain with dramatic views and nature. 

The majority of Granvin mountains are shared between Granvin and another kommune/herad. Only Høgahorgi, Strutseggi, Steinsethorgi and Gråfjellet lie completely within Granvin herad. Due to the characteristic south face, the large primary factor and the fact that Høgahorgi is completely within Granvin herad, I am tempted to nominate Høgahorgi as Granvin's primary mountain. Another strong contender for this "nomination" is Oksen, a very prominent landmark that splits Hardangerfjorden.

The sudden drop towards the south is another distinct feature. Herdabreida, Høgahorgi and Skamdalshorgi can easily be recogniced due to this feature. This also apply for Grønahorgi and a couple of other mountains in Voss kommune

There is a dispute regarding the Voss/Granvin high point. Some feel that the Voss/Granvin border do *not* run across Olsskavlen's high point. There are two summit cairns on Olsskavlen, and according to the dispute, the kommune/herad border runs across the northern cairn, which is not the high point. Looking at various maps, I agree there is room for some confusion. However, the Granvin/Voss border runs across the summit of all the other high points on Raundalsegga, so why not also on Olsskavlen. In any case, this should not matter, as the northern cairn is within the 1560m contour. Seldalsnuten and Bjørnafjell are both 1548m, so the highest mountain in Voss should not be at stake here.


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