|
Snøhornet is the westernmost top in a mountain region defined by Bondalen/Aldalen, Austefjorden, Skråstaddalen and Storfjorden. Other known tops in this region are; Skårasalen, Dukhornet, Storetinden, Sandegga and Kvasstinden. The lowest saddle in this region is Revskardet (approx. 593m), which also defines Snøhornet's primary factor. The Ørsta/Volda kommune border cuts through part of this region, and Snøhornet is located on the kommune border.
The mountain is renowned for its views, and you will not be disappointed! Snøhornet is also renowned for being a fine skiing mountain. You'll have a 750 vertical meters unobstructed snowslope before the brakes need to come on. With pleasure, comes often pain. The forest between Årsetsætra and the trailhead is not well suited for enjoyable skiing, but unless you are a completely novice - you'll manage. Both up and down.
The route via Årsetsætra is still the easiest skiing route to the top. Another route runs up the southwest ridge, but this route has a steep section in the beginning. Both routes are well described in the book Skiturar i Sunnmørsalpane. This page describes the route via Årsetsætra (south).
Snøhornet (Norge 1:50,000: 1309m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 1308,81m, UTM 32 V 357811 6889712) has a primary factor of 716m, towards the higher parent Storetinden (1408m). The saddle is found east of Snøhornet - in Reveskardet pass. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 590-595m, interpolated to 593m.
Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
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.
|
Snøhornet via Årsetsætra (winter)
|
|
Access
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 651.
Pass Hjartabygda, and approx. 1,8Km after the Vatne junction (signed), you have a short tunnel in front of you. Turn right before the tunnel, drive 300m along a narrow bypass road. Just before the road begins to run downhill, locate a side-road to your left. You'll be heading that way. If you can't find parking here, then park by the main road.
The route
Follow an old road eastbound 200m. Then turn left on a forest road, which runs northwest in the beginning, but turns eastbound after a bend. The forest road ends at approx. 210m elevation. Proceed northbound up the forest, follow the terrain where you find it easiest. Pass Litlesætra at approx. 360m elevation, turn northwest and head up a small valley.
At the top of this small valley, you'll get an impressive view towards Litledalshornet and Blåfjellsegga. Continue further 400m, then begin ascending up towards Årsetsætra (approx. 550m elev.). From here, head northbound up the mountain, possibly slightly northwest to avoid the steepest section. Pass Keipen to the right, and gain the southwest ridge above 1100m elev. The remaining section is easy.
The summit is marked by a large cairn. The high point -MAY- be 100m south of the cairn, and you pass it along the way. Hard to tell in winter. Make up your own mind. In any case, be very aware of the cornices facing east. Descend your ascent route.
westcoastpeaks.com
Other Møre & Romsdal mountains
Other Norwegian mountains
