Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Saksa, 902m (Blåfjellet, Saksen, Saksin)

Fylke/Kommune : Møre og Romsdal/Surnadal, Halsa
Maps : xxx (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : 696m
Visited : May 2007
See also : Hjelmen
See also : Bølia
See also : Freikollen
See also : Mekknøken
See also : Melen/Sjurvarden
See also : Snøtinden
See also : Reinsfjellet

Saksa

Saksa

Introduction

Saksa, along with its neighbour Hjelmen (978m), are two outstanding viewpoints located centrally on Nordmøre. Saksa is located on the Surnadal/Halsa kommune border, just southeast of the place Halsa. Saksa is the 2nd highest top in Halsa kommune, but because of the high Trollheimen peaks, Saksa is found far down on the Surnadal list of tops. In terms of primary factor, Saksa ranks as #1 both in Surnadal and Halsa, beating Hjelmen by 1m.

Saksa's view (and Hjelmen's for that matter) towards the Trollheimen, Sunndalen and Romsdalen mountain ranges is first class. In terms of same field of view, Saksa falls into the same league as Reinsfjellet and Skåla. Please visit the trip report link at the bottom of this page, which contains several annotated zoom panoramas towards the mountain ranges mentioned above.

There are several ways to get to Saksa. One route runs from Volem across Varden, and one route runs from Dragset (southeast) and up Dragsetdalen. This page will describe a route from Innreitan, possibly the finest route of them all. At least according to some locals. The first part of this route runs on a forest road. The rest of the route is a nice mountain path. There are no difficulties (other than the length) involved in this route.

Saksa (left of center) seen from Freikollen

Saksa (left of center) seen from Freikollen

Primary factor:

Saksa (Norge 1:50,000: 902m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 901,94m, UTM 32 V 463745 6989166) has a primary factor of 696m, towards the higher parent Hjelmen (978m). The saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 470575 6992904) is found in Haugaskaret pass, north of Lake Haugavatnet. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours) this saddle is defined through the fixed point 205,5m ~ 206m.

Google map

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

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.

Innreitan - Saksa (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : Class 1 (YDS)
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 5Km to the top
Time : Approx. 2,5-3 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 90m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 860m (total)
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

Locate the place Halsa. If you drive from Molde or Kristiansund, take the Kanestraum - Halsa ferry. When you leave the ferry, drive 250m and then turn right towards Innreitan. Follow the Innreitan road 3Km. Locate a forest road up to your left, and find parking here. This is 150m before the road ends.

The route

Follow the tractor road upwards. Go straight ahead at the first fork (230m elev.), and stay left at the next fork (the road to the right runs down to Kvalnesvika). Pass a cabin and continue until the forest roads ends.

Head onto a marked forest path that climbs gradually southbound up to 520m elev., before it turns eastbound. Now that you're on Saksa's west ridge, the route gets sort of obvious. Make sure you don't get onto a path that runs northeast *below* the upper section on the mountain. Stay true to the ridge all the way. The path up the last hill (from 840m and up) is vague, but the direction should be obvious. Saksa's summit is marked by a large cairn.

Trip reports and pictures

Other pictures:

1. View from the Hjelmen path 2. View from the path to Bølia

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1 2


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