Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Liadalsnipa, 924m
Bjørnastighornet, 940m
Eggja, 982m (Langeheida)

Fylke/Kommune : Møre og Romsdal/Ørsta
Maps : 1119-II Volda (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : Liadalsnipa: 131m
Bjørnastighornet: 90m
Eggja: 72m
Hiked : July 2008
See also :
Bergehornet/Liahornet Saudehornet
Hyningane Melshornet
Tverrfjellet Veirahaldet
Helgehornet Lidaveten
Snøhornet  
See also : Other Ørsta mountains

Liadalsnipa roundtrip

Liadalsnipa roundtrip
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Liadalsnipa is famous for its sugar loaf appearance, rising more than 900m above the place Liadal and Ørstafjorden. The peak is also renowned for the scenic and airy Liadalsruta route (normal route) and the even more airy east ridge. You may see Ørsta locals run up and down along the ridge, while you scratch your eyes..

The east ridge can be ascended from the normal route (you just pass Liadalsnipa and head up to Lake Nykkjavatnet) or via a couloir (to the west) that divides Liadalsnipa and Blåfjellet. This web page will describe ascent via Liadalsruta and descent via the east ridge.

Bjørnastighornet is tucked away behind Liadalsnipa and does not receive a lot of visitors. This top can also be reached from Skorgedalen. 

Langeheida (Eggja on the 1:50,000 map) is the southern part of the ridge that also spans the two Hyningane peaks. On the 1:50,000 map, Stabben is misplaced. Point 1018m is the highest of the two Hyningane peaks. The map name is Hyrningane, but apparently, the 'r' does not belong in there. Point 982m is the only official height on Langeheida, and a more precise measurement may reveal that it is even higher. Another point on Eggja - 600m to the east/northeast should also be measured closely.

Primary factor:

Liadalsnipa (Norge 1:50,000: 924m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 923,92m, UTM 32 V 345445 6903361) has a primary factor of 131m towards the higher parent mountain Bjørnastighornet (940m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 346235 6903041) is found on the ridge, south of Nykkjavatnet. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 790-795m, interpolated to 793m.

Bjørnastighornet (Norge 1:50,000: 940m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 940m, UTM 32 V 346878 6903221) has a primary factor of 90m towards the higher parent mountain Eggja (982m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 346677 6903378) is found between the two tops. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 840-860, interpolated to 850m (The GPS track log supports that this is a fair interpolation).

Eggja (Norge 1:50,000: 982m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 982m, UTM 32 V 346951 6904146) has a primary factor of 72m towards the higher parent mountain Hyningane (1018m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 347517 6904470) is found between the two tops. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 900-920, interpolated to 910m.

GPS reading on Eggja, point 982m read 989m as average over a 5-minute period, with 1,5m error margin. For reference; Liadalsnipa measured 928m (on top of the small summit cairn) and Bjørnastighornet measured 950m (on top of the 1m cairn). Either the GPS reported too high elevations throughout, or these tops are higher than the map states. Liadalsnipa's official height (924m) may be from the viewpoint cairn. The summit is 3-4m higher and has only a small cairn.

Google map

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

 

Google maps
Google maps
(Click on image)

 

Trail descriptions

Notes: Class ratings are in reference to YDS. Click here for more information.

The trails described below are not necessarily the *easiest* trails to this mountain.

Route 1: Halse - Liadalsnipa traverse (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : Class 3 (YDS) to Liadalsnipa
Class 4 for the traverse
Exposure : Yes!
Distance : Approx. 2,2Km to Liadalsnipa (2D distance)
8,3Km round trip, all tops
Time : Approx. 2 hours to Liadalsnipa
Starting Elev.: Approx. 130m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 800m (Liadalsnipa)
Approx. 1100m (all tops)
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. Ask for permission to park, or park considerately away from the farm, and without blocking for other traffic.

The route

Part of the route

Part of the route
(Click for larger image)

 

Liadalsnipa via Liadalsruta:

From the farm at Halsa, follow a tractor road upwards. Continue along a fence and pass through a gate on the far side. Follow the forest path up to an intersecting forest road. Follow this road a few meters, then continue on the forest path (marked by red paint on a rock). Follow the forest path up to Lake Nakkevatnet, where the path joins Liadalsnipa's north ridge from the east.

Along Liadalsnipa's north ridge, you'll soon run into parts where scrambling is required. The most awkward sections may earn an YDS class 3 rating (the use of hands is essential for forward progess..). The path presents itself. In some places, you have options. Passing 800m elevation, the route turns to the southeast and then runs northwest back onto the ridge through a steep gully. The gully is exposed, but as long as you remain on the path, you're fine.  Proceed on easy terrain to the summit. The viewpoint marker is not the highest point. The true summit is marked by a small cairn, 20m (or so) east of the viewpoint marker.

The ridge traverse

Proceed eastbound along the ridge, which gets gradually more narrow. The first exposed section is passed on the left-hand side. After a little while, you'll be on top of 5m drop on the ridge. Lower yourself down (face in and use your feet!) to the ledge below by the use of a fixed chain. Getting from the ledge below to the next ledge is possibly the most exposed point on the route. Climb down face in, and locate the few handholds there are. The final section before the lowest point on the ridge is ascended by passing a rock on the left-hand side, then a small drop on the ridge before you climb along the ridge (not down to your right) down to the gap.

From the gap, climb directly up a steep cliff. The "crux" of this route may earn an YDS 4 rating. Once you're above the crux point, the climbing gets easier and moves on to scrambling. Those who ascend Liadalsnipa on this route, may choose to rappel down this cliff. There is a good rock for slings just above the climbing section. The rest of the route to Blåfjellet is easy scrambling terrain.

Descent

Descend to Lake Nykkjavatnet and then down to Lake Nakkevatnet. There may be a path. If you want to extend your hike, aim for Bjørnastighornet and follow a faint path up along the ridge. Consider stopping by Eggja upon your return. It'll only cost you 130 additional vertical meters. There is no pronounced path down from Eggja. Head off-trail in the direction of Nakkevatnet, and then along and above (hopefully on a path) the lake until it's time to join the Liadalsnipa path.

Pictures and Trip reports:


westcoastpeaks.com Other Møre & Romsdal mountains Other Norwegian mountains