Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Koppefjellet, 940m
Hestehornet, 688m
Tverrfjellet, 627m

Fylke/Kommune : Møre og Romsdal/Volda
Maps : 1119-II Volda (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : Koppefjellet: 602m
Hestehornet: 55m
Tverrfjellet, 64m
Hiked : Dec 2008 (Koppefjellet), Apr 2009 (Hestehornet), June 2011 (Tverrfjellet)
See also :
Snøhornet Melshornet
Liadalsnipa Liahornet
Veirahaldet Saudehornet
Skarphornet Instehornet/Rotsethornet
Matøskja Eidskyrkja
Hornet Blåfjellsegga
Skaphornet Sunndalsnipa
Høgåsen  
See also : Other Volda  mountains

Koppefjellet seen from Saudehornet

Koppefjellet seen from Saudehornet
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Koppefjellet is the highest mountain between Aldalen and Volda, and is the "parent" to the lower tops Hornet, Skarphornet and Instehornet/Rotsethornet. While there are many ways to get to the summit, Aldalen offers the fastest route. This page will describe a winter ascent from Aldalen.

Although its neighbour Snøhornet (1309m) blocks for the eastern view, Koppefjellet offers great views towards Volda, Vanylven, Herøy, Ulstein and Ørsta peaks. Especially towards Saudehornet (Ørsta) and Eidskyrkja (Volda). 

 

Koppefjellet seen from Skarphornet

Koppefjellet seen from Skarphornet
(Click for larger image)

Hestehornet is a characteristic top located on the north side of the Koppefjellet massif. This page will describe the route the road across Krøvelseidet and up the steep Aksla ridge. Tverrfjellet (Adamshorn) is a small top located above the highest point on the road between Austefjorden and Åmdalen. See separate trip report for a description of the route up the southeast ridge.

 

Hestehornet

Hestehornet
(Click for larger image)

 

Primary factor:

Koppefjellet (Norge 1:50,000: 940m, Økonomisk Kartverk (ØK): 939,87m, UTM 32 V 353998 6890451) has a primary factor of 602m towards the higher parent mountain Snøhornet (1309m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 355942 6889993) is found at the highest point on the Aldalen road. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk map (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 335-340m, interpolated to 338m.

Hestehornet (Norge 1:50,000: 688m, Økonomisk Kartverk (ØK): 687,58m,  UTM 32 V 354446 6892741) has a primary factor of 55m towards the higher parent mountain Koppefjellet. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 354602 6892521) is found 280m southeast of Hestehornet (on the ridge towards Koppefjellet).  Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk map (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 630-635m, interpolated to 633m. The saddle point isn't 100% certain, as the ØK map doesn't fully cover the saddle point.

Tverrfjellet (Norge 1:50,000: 627m, Økonomisk Kartverk (ØK): -,  UTM 32 V 355195 6890379) has a primary factor of 64m towards the higher parent mountain Koppefjellet. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 355028 6890407) is found between these two tops.  Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk map (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 560-565m, interpolated to 563m.

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: Aldalen - Koppefjellet (winter)

Difficulty : YDS Class 2
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 2,4km to the top (2D distance)
Time : Approx. 1,5-2 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 270m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 670m
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

 

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The nearest larger city is Ålesund. 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. Follow highway E39 approx. 35,5Km to a junction in Ørsta. Turn right and continue to Volda.

From Volda, follow highway RV651 (Fyrde). At the roundabout just after the centre of Volda, take the first exit (RV651) and drive 11,5km. Turn left towards Vatne (signposted) and follow the road up Aldalen for 2,4km. Find parking along the road near Lake Ullalandsvatnet.

Note that it might be faster to reach Aldalen via Ørsta and Åmdalen. Information will soon be added.

The route

Route to Koppefjellet

Route to Koppefjellet
(Click for larger image)

From the trailhead, head northwest up the valley. It doesn't make a big difference on which side of Nestehaugen (340m) you pass. Aim for the col between Koppefjellet and point 819m. Above 750m, the terrain gets steeper, and you need to consider any avalance danger. Seek the ridge when in doubt. Follow the ridge until you reach the high point, which is marked by a cairn with an integrated trigonometric point.


Route 2: Krøvelseidet road - Hestehornet (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : YDS Class 2
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 2,7km to the top (2D distance)
950m if you drive the toll road
Time : Approx. 1,5 hours to the top.
Less if you drive the toll road
Starting Elev.: Approx. 190m or 330m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 500m or 360m
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

 

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

From Ålesund, follow highway E39 towards Bergen/Volda to the ferry at Solavågen. Take the ferry over to Festøy, turn right at Festøy and follow E39 towards Ørsta (38,3km). At the RV655/E39 junction in Ørsta, follow RV655 (Sæbø). Follow this road 8,8km up Åmdalen and turn right towards Volda.

Drive 2km up the Krøvelseidet road, and turn left onto the Nygjerdsvegen toll road. If the road is closed, park here. If the road is open, you can pay toll (NOK 25,- per April 2009) and drive 1,6km until you see the Aksla signpost. Find parking further up the road.

The route

Route to Hestehornet

Route to Hestehornet
(Click for larger image)

Head up the path that begins by the Aksla signpost. The path is marked with (old) red paint on trees here and there. The path heads southwest before it turns southeast. The path is not so easy to follow once it turns southeast, and if you lose track of it, head up the forest and locate a stone fence at approx. 400m. From here, the paths runs along the fence until you're out of the forest.

The path up the Aksla ridge is also vague, but isn't too hard to follow. The ridge gets steeper the higher you get, but there are no difficult or airy points. Hestehornet summit is not marked by any cairn or trig. point, but you will find a canister that may or may not hold the visitor register.

Descend your ascent route, or follow the path on the south side. This path will most likely take you down to Krøvelsætra and not up Koppefjellet. From Krøvelsætra, head down the Nygjerdsvegen road.


Pictures and Trip reports:


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