Norwegian Mountains

Hordaland Mountains: MASFJORDEN

 masfjorden.kommune.no
 nordhordland.no
 visitnordhordland.no (map)
 nordhordland.net
The Romarheimsdalen valley (highway E39) logically divides the Masfjorden mountains into two regions. The western mountains have close proximity to the Masfjorden and Austfjorden fjords, while the eastern mountains stretch into the vast Stølsheimen mountain region. All mountains can be done in day-hikes, and via the easiest routes, no mountains should be considered difficult. Many hiking trails are available and span from vague paths to visible, marked trails. Thanks to all who has put effort into this work. For the time being, I only know of Fjon Ungdomslag who is preparing trails in the Masfjorden area. I am sure there are others as well.

The "Matre mountains" or "Bjørn West mountains" are well known from the second World War. Bjørn West was a guerilla group established near the end of the war and the purpose was to operate behind German lines in case of an allied invasion. The activities of this group were closely linked to the Matre mountains. Visit the Bjørn West museum in Matre or their website for more information.

Storevasseggi (1044m) is the highest mountain, completely within Masfjorden kommune. However, the highest point is found approx. 340m southwest of Årsdalsryggen (1100m) summit. The Sogn og Fjordane/Hordaland county border runs here, between the 1080m and 1060m contours. Without more accurate information, it is fair to say that the highest point in Masfjorden kommune is 1070m.  Masfjorden kommune's website states that the highest mountain is Årsdalsryggen - 1047m. This is the southern spur on the Årsdalsryggen ridge. 


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

The Mountains

General information:
Below is the list of independent mountains, sorted by various categories. Names and heights originate from Statens Kartverk (M711)/Norgesglasset (20m contours) or Økonomisk Kartverk (part of Norgesglasset, 5m contours). The height from Ø.K. override the M711 heights. A number of mountains may have a point higher than the M711 trig. point marked on the maps. Note also 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. The asterix (*) means that the high point is (exactly) found on a kommune border.

Independent Mountains (elevation >= 300m, primary factor >= 100m) 

Rank Name Height PF Map
1. Storevasseggi 1044m 174m 1216-IV Matre
2. Sørdalseggene 1027m 137m 1216-IV Matre
3. Storhaug 914m 124m 1216-IV Matre
4. Inste Kvitevasseggene 914m 104m 1216-IV Matre
5. Gråsida 855m 165m 1216-IV Matre
6. Storevarden 836m 113m 1216-IV Matre
7. Dukefjellet 835m 105m 1216-IV Matre
8. Torhaugen 834m 226m 1116-I Masfjorden
9. Bjørnshiklanten 817m 127m 1216-IV Matre
10. Blåfjellet 816m 101m 1216-IV Matre
11. Horgi 804m 151m 1216-IV Matre
12. Ådneburen 797m 267m 1116-I Masfjorden
13. Gleinefjellet 792m 142m 1216-IV Matre
14. Båtevassfjellet 784m 231m 1216-III Stanghelle
15. Skarpefjellsnakken 782m 529m 1116-I Masfjorden
16. Rustefjellet (Fjellet) 774m 164m 1216-IV Matre
17. Sætrefjellet 770m 102m 1216-IV Matre
18. Austrefjellet 766m 102m 1216-IV Matre
19. Brydalsfjellet 762m 132m 1216-IV Matre
20. Svartetjørnfjellet 745m 172m 1216-IV Matre
21. Skarpefjellet 744m 136m 1216-IV Matre
22. Lauvtonipa 724m 106m 1216-IV Matre
23. Storevasseggene 709m 266m 1116-I Masfjorden
24. Yndesdalsnakken/
Stendarskarfjellet
683m 130m 1116-I Masfjorden
25. Blådalsnipa 679m 106m 1116-I Masfjorden
26. Grønefjellet 655m 102m 1116-I Masfjorden
27. Vardefjellet 638m 200m 1116-I Masfjorden
28. Sætrelifjellet 628m 140m 1216-IV Matre
29. Hisbotnsnuken 622m 169m 1116-I Masfjorden
30. Nonklettfjellet 612m 399m 1216-IV Matre
31. Nipa (Matrenipa) 587m 184m 1216-IV Matre
32. Gulbrekkfjellet 566m 108m 1116-I Masfjorden
33. Storenova 559m 146m 1116-I Masfjorden
34. Austrefjellet 528m 225m 1116-I Masfjorden
35. Skjeggedalsfjellet 525m 317m 1116-I Masfjorden
36. Vardefjellet 513m 123m 1116-I Masfjorden
37. Bergdropen / Blåfjellet 512m 102m 1116-I Masfjorden
38. Litlefjellet 433m 142m 1116-I Masfjorden
39. Heinakken 427m 284m 1116-I Masfjorden
40. Snaufjellet 425m 277m 1116-I Masfjorden
41. Kvamsfjellet 400m 142m 1116-I Masfjorden
42. Kjerringefjellet 388m 110m 1116-I Masfjorden
43. Pynten 396m 126m 1116-I Masfjorden
44. Dalsfjellet 359m 111m 1116-I Masfjorden

Notes: 

High Tops (elevation >= 300m, primary factor >= 90m)  

Rank Name Height PF Map
1. Illestigfjellet 663m 95m 1116-I Masfjorden
2. Gygrefjellet 963m 93m 1216-IV Matre
3. Svadfjellet 960m 90m 1216-IV Matre

Low Tops (elevation < 300m, primary factor >= 100m)   

Rank Name Height PF Map
- Melshovden 183m 140 1116-II Sæbø

 

The 5 highest based on primary factor

Rank Name PF Height
1. Skarpefjellsnakken 529m 782m
2. Nonklettfjellet 399m 612m
3. Skjeggedalsfjellet 317m 525m
4. Heinakken 284m 427m
5. Snaufjellet 277m 425m

Observations

Masfjorden kommune has only two independent mountains above 1000m. Most of the mountains have less than 300m primary factor, which suggests that there are large mountain regions with low vertical rise between the mountains. In practice, this is also true. You can walk for miles, collecting peak after peak without going too much up and down. Skarpefjellsnakken has the highest primary factor (525m) and ranks high in Hordaland (top 30). These mountains typically dominate a large mountain plateau enclosed by fjords and valleys, both west of hwy E39. All mountains east of E39 will have a modest primary factor towards the higher Stølsheimen mountains further east. Note that the two highest mountains do not have primary factor above 200m.

A different view on this is that Masfjorden has 22 mountains exceeding 700m elevation. 4 of the top-5 mountains on the primary factor list are below 700m elevation. 


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