Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Hyningane, 1018m
Messingeheida, 925m
 

Fylke/Kommune : Møre og Romsdal/Ørsta     
Maps : 1119-I Ålesund (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
1119-II Volda (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : Hyningane: 368m
Messingeheida: 55m
Hiked : May 2009
See also :
Liahornet/Grøthornet/Bergehornet Saudehornet
Liadalsnipa/Eggja Tverrfjellet
Levandehornet Vassdalstinden
Lidaveten Helgehornet
See also : Other Ørsta mountains

Hyningane

Hyningane
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Liadalsdalen valley, located a few kilometres northwest of Ørsta, is defined by the Hyningane - Eggja (Langeheida) - Liadalsnipa massif to the south, and the Liahornet - Grøthornet massif to the north. A lake, found at the top of the valley, drains to Lake Store Risaskarvatnet, which in turn drains to Vartdal and Vartdalsfjorden.

From Liadalsdalen, the tops 1018m and 925m are referred to as Hyningane (it mainly applies to the highest top), but people on the Skorgedalen side refer to the 925m top as Messingeheida (source: Skiturar i Sunnmørsalpane, Standal/Hagen).

On the map, unless already corrected, you will see the name Stabben on point 1018m. Apparently, this is incorrect. Stabben is the distinct hump 550m south/southeast of 1018m. The map shows Hyrningane (with the extra 'r') above point 925m. Ref. the text to the right, found on the internet, it is absolutely possible that Hyrningane (with 'r') could be the original name. For sure, the tops deserve a comparison with horns.

  Herringswell. Spelt Heringeswell, Ipm. ; Haringwell,
T.N. ; but older forms are Hernigaiuella, D.B., p. 223 ; Herningawella, D.B., p. 235 ; Eyrningwella, D.B., p. 156. As D.B. sometimes has e for A.S. y, these forms all. come from an A.S.
Hyrninga wella, i.e. ' Hyrnings' well,' or ' well of the Hyrniugs ' or ' of the sons of Hyrn ' ; or, possibly, ' of Horn.' At any rate, Hyrning is a similar name to Horning; for which see HORN-
INGSHEATH.

G. A. S. Octavo Series. No. XLVI. 8

This web page will describe routes to both tops from Liadalsdalen. The tops can also be reached from Vartdal via Store Risavatnet, and Skorgedalen (steep). Hyningane can also be reached from Eggja/Langeheida, but not along the ridge. However, it is possible to descend from Eggja before the rugged ridge begins, and ascend along the normal route from Liadalsdalen. Hyningane from Liadalsdalen is a straightforward hike. There are no airy or exposed sections. This is also a nice ski-trip, albeit that the final 200 vertical meters can be a bit steep.  

The ridge between the two Hyningane tops is rugged and airy, and should only be attempted by experienced hikers.

The north top (Messingeheida)

The north top (Messingeheida)
(Click for larger image)

Primary factor:

Hyningane (Norge 1:50,000: 1018m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 1018,33m, UTM 32 V 347716 6904826) has a primary factor of 368m towards the higher parent Grøthornet (1045). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 347968 6906809) is found on top of Liadalsdalen. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle point is within the range 640-660m, interpolated to 650m.

GPS measurement read 1020m (on the ground), averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 3,3m).

Messingeheida (Norge 1:50,000: 925m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 348144 6905348) has a primary factor of 55m towards the higher parent Hyningane (1018m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 348019 6905178) is found in the saddle between the two tops. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle point is within the range 860-880m, interpolated to 870m.

GPS measurement read 926m (on the ground), averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 2,7m).

 

Google map

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

 

Google maps
Google maps
(Click on image)

 

Trail descriptions

Route 1: Liadalsdalen - Hyningane round trip (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : YDS Class 2
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 5km round trip (2D distance)
Time : Approx. 3,5 hours round trip
Starting Elev.: Approx. 250m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 770m
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

 

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

Ålesund is the nearest larger city. From Ålesund, follow highway E39 towards Bergen/Volda to the ferry at Solavågen. Take the ferry over to Festøya. Turn right in the direction of Ørsta/Volda and follow highway E39  28,3Km, to the "Halse 1,2" road just after Liadal (this is 8,3km from the main roundabout in Ørsta).

Turn left towards Halse (signposted). Follow this road 1,2Km until you have a farm on your left-hand side and the road turns east. If the Liadalsdalen road is open, you can drive 1,3km up the valley. This road is a bit rough for small cars, but otherwise OK. Per May 2009, this was not a toll road.

The route

Part of the round trip route

Part of the round trip route
(Click for larger image)

From the parking, follow the marked path a bit to the west, down in the direction of the Liadalselva river. You cross the river early on (can be awkward after massive rain/snowmelt). The path continues in the direction of Liadalssætra and you have Liadalselva on your left. Ignore the Leitet signpost.

Any route up from Liadalssætra will do

Any route up from Liadalssætra will do
(Click for larger image)

At Liadalssætra, turn east/southeast, and pick your best route up the hillside up to your right. Aim for the Hyningane's west ridge, and follow it up to the summit, which is marked by a cairn. If you enjoy exposed ridge scrambling, visit the ridges in the direction of Messingeheida and/or Eggja.

Descend along the west ridge, then aim for Svenskedalen below Eggja. Head down to a small lake at approx. 500m. Follow the Fremsteelva river on the right-hand side for a while, then cross it and walk alongside the river down the valley. The valley gets gradually steeper, but does not present any problems. When the river makes a sharp right-hand turn, you're just 100m away from the trailhead.


Route 2: Liadalsdalen - Messingeheida along the north ridge (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : YDS Class 2
Exposure : Airy in a few places, not directly exposed
Distance : Approx. 3,6km to the top (2D distance)
Time : Approx. 2,5 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 250m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 6750m
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

 

Access

Same as for Hyningane. See route 1 above.

The route

The north ridge route (left)

The north ridge route (left)
(Click for larger image)

Follow the path up to Liadalsætra (see description on route 1 above).

From Liadalsætra, follow the marked path (red paint on rocs) up the valley. At approx. 500m elevation, leave the path and head east towards Messingeheida's north ridge. Follow the ridge to the summit, which is not marked. This is an easy ridge, although a one or two spots may seem airy to some.

Descending the south ridge (in case you want to) is slightly rougher. There are a few more airy spots, but no parts are difficult.

It is also possible to ascend directly from Liadalsdalen to the pass between Hyningane and Messingeheida. You can either head up the steep mountainside, or follow a distinct steep gully up to the saddle point.


Pictures and Trip reports:


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