Norwegian Mountains, Sogn og Fjordane

Haukåbøra, 1065m (Børanipa, Børa)
 

Haukåbøra
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Introduction

A spectacular mountain region is found south of the western part of Nordfjord. A popular name for this region is Ålfotmassivet - or Ålfotbremassivet. Gjegnen (aka Blånibba, 1670m) is the highest top in this region and also in the western part of Sogn og Fjordane county. Two glaciers are found in this area; Gjegnalundsbreen and Ålfotbreen. West of Ålfotbreen are the characteristic peaks Keipen, Plogen and Saga. And in the southwestern outskirts, you find Haukåbøra.

Characteristic for this area are the Devonian sandstone rock (400 million years old) and distinct shelf formations. The sandstone rock is perfect for climbing, and although Florø Klatreklubb has developed a number of routes in this region, there are still numerous unclimbed routes to choose from. If you're a climber - do bring climbing gear and stay overnight. There are lots of good places to camp by Grisebotsvatnet.

Wall by Grisebotsvatnet
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The shortest route to Haukåbøra runs from Haukåvatnet near Norddalsfjorden. This is the route described on this page (as well as in the excellent guidebook Opptur - Sogn og Fjordane). Another, much longer route runs from Indrehus (Midtgulen). The Haukåvatnet route is also long (15,3km total), but there are no difficult sections. One point requires a couple of scrambling moves, but a chain is there to help. If there is an unusual amount of water in Haukåvatnet, a short pitch must be forded. The hike is adventurous from beginning to end, as the terrain keeps changing all the time.

The route passes Børevatnet, where the Børabu cabin is located. This cabin was formerly available to the public as a self-service hut, but per Aug 2009, it isn't anymore.

Børabu by Børevatnet
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Primary factor:

Haukåbøra (Norge 1:50,000: 1065m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 303887 6843261) has a primary factor of 395m towards the higher parent Rikeloftet (1154m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 305832 6844838) is found between Børefjell and Nipa. Ref. Norge 1:50,000, the saddle is within the range 660-680m, interpolated to 670m.

GPS measurement read 1072m (on the summit cairn, 2,5m high), and 1068m on the ground, averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 1,2m)

Haukåbøra summit cairn
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Google map

Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
 

Trail descriptions

Route 1: Haukåvatnet - Haukåbøra (summer/autumn) Difficulty : YDS Class 3 (one point) Exposure : Not really Distance : Approx. 15,3km total (2D distance) Time : Approx. 7-8 hours total Starting Elev.: Approx. 60m Vertical Gain : Approx. 1100m (total)

Map of the area (No Javascript) Detailed map (No Javascript)

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The nearest bigger city is Flørø (has an airport). From Florø, follow highway RV5 to the east and turn left at the RV5/RV14 junction near Flåten. Drive approx. 5,5km to the Norddalsfjorden junction. Find parking nearby this junction. 

The route

From the Norddalsfjorden junction, follow RV614 130m to the north, and turn right onto a forest path. Head north towards Straumsnesstølen, where you cross Haukåvatnet by the means of two bridges. Depending on the amount of water, you may need to ford one section. Note the marvellous Brudesløret waterfall to the west...

Once on the other side of the lake, follow the path 900m to the west, until it heads northwest into the forest. After a while, the path (Dyrestien) turns north/northwest and climbs up to a plateau near Lake Grisebotsvatnet. One pitch requires easy scrambling (YDS class 3) unless you use the fixed chain. A proper cairn marks the entry to the plateau. Remember this cairn upon your descent.

Follow the north side of Grisebotsvatnet, in the direction of Børevatnet. The path you're on leads to Børabu (private hut) by Børevatnet. Look for a fork 200m east of Børevatnet, near a small lake. Turn right onto this (also "T" marked) path and follow it up to a plateau above Børevatnet. After a little while, the path follows a distinct ledge above Børevatnet before it turns east towards an unnamed lake. The path runs over a big rock. Watch out for spiders..

From this unnamed lake, the route goes northeast - north - northwest to the Haukåbøra summit ridge. Consider following the massive slab area left of the path. Haukabøra summit is marked by a proper cairn. Descend your ascent route.

The route along Grisebotsvatnet
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Pictures and Trip reports:

• Haukåbøra from Haukåvatnet, Aug 22 2009
• Haukåbøra seen from other mountains

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