Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Sunndalsnipa, 1396m
 

Fylke/Kommune : Møre og Romsdal/Volda     
Maps : 1219-III Hjørundfjord (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : 566m
Hiked : June 2009
See also :
Eidskyrkja Snøhornet
Matøskja Rotsethornet
Koppefjellet Hornet
Skarphornet Storetuva
Blåfjellsegga Skaphornet
Storetinden Skardhornet & Humpen
See also : Other Volda  mountains

Sunndalsnipa

Sunndalsnipa
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Sunndalsnipa is the 3rd highest mountain in the municipality of Volda, and Eidskyrkja's neighbour to the east. The mountain is a popular skiing mountain in spring, especially when the road into Grøndalen opens. Grøndalen is also the normal starting point for hikes to Sunndalsnipa and Eidskyrkja.

The flat-topped Sunndalsnipa is quite different from other mountains in this region. From the 1366m cairn on the south side of the summit plateau, to the 1395m cairn, the distance is almost 1km. The (unmarked) high point is found 150m south of the 1395m trigonometric point on the north side of the mountain. Further north (just before the steep drop towards Austefjorddalen), you will find a couple of viewpoint cairns.

Eidskyrkja seen from the air

Eidskyrkja seen from the air
(Click for larger image)

Sunndalsnipa offers no airy or difficult parts on the normal route from Grøndalen. A well-worn path takes you up to Bygdaskaret, from where you can hike both Sunndalsnipa and Eidskyrkja. The route to Sunndalsnipa gets a bit rocky as you rise above 1100m elevation, but must still be considered fairly easy.

The mountain falls steeply to the west, so be aware of cornices during winter and spring.

Sunndalsnipa

Sunndalsnipa
(Click for larger image)

Primary factor:

Sunndalsnipa (Norge 1:50,000: 1396m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 1396m, UTM 32 V 359809 6878937) has a primary factor of 566m towards the higher parent Eidskyrkja (1482m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 358239 6877511) is found between lakes Fantekrålatnet and Skarevatnet. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 820-840m, interpolated to 830m.

GPS measurement read 1400m on the high point (on the ground), averaged over a 3-minute period (error margin +/- 1,4m). Measurement on the trigonometric point 150m to the north read 1404m (on the cairn, approx. 1m high), averaged over a 10-minute period (error margin +/- 0,9m)

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: Grøndalen - Sunndalsnipa (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : YDS Class 2
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 6km to the top (2D distance)
Time : Approx. 3 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 430m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 970m
Map of the area
Map of the area
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Detailed map
Detailed map
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Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The nearest bigger city is Ålesund. From Ålesund, follow highway E39 towards Bergen/Volda to the ferry at Solavågen. Take the Solavågen - Festøya ferry, turn right at Festøy and follow highway E39 towards Ørsta (38,3Km). At the highway RV655/E39 junction in Ørsta, follow E39 9Km to the Folkestad/Lauvstad ferry junction in Volda. Follow highway RV651 through Volda to the Vikebygda/Fyrde roundabout just above the centre of Volda.

At the roundabout, take the first exit (right) and follow RV651 26,5km until you reach the Viddal/Nordfjordeid junction at Kalvatn (when you pass Fyrde/Austefjord, drive straight ahead, in the direction of Viddal). At Kalvatn, turn right towards Nordfjordeid and follow the narrow and curvy road 10,4km up to Grøndalsvatnet. Turn right onto the Grøndalen toll road (NOK 10,- for passenger cars per June 2009). Drive 1,6km to Grøndalsstølen and park there.

The route

The final hill before the plateau

The final hill before the plateau
(Click for larger image)

Follow a path from the Grøndalsstølen cabins. This path takes you to the Bygdaskaret pass and Lake Fantekrålvatnet, where you can choose between Eidskyrkja (turn left) or Sunndalsnipa (turn right). From this point on, the path is vague. Head upwards and pass a small lake (approx. 900m) on the south side. Then aim for the main ridge.

At 1100m elevation, the terrain gets a bit steeper, and the route changes direction to the east to bypass the steepest section. Above this section, you have the final hill in view (picture above). There are plenty of cairns along this route, but don't rely on them in case of fog.

Soon after you've reached the upper plateau, you pass the 1366m cairn (32 V 359482 6878236). The unmarked high point is 772m to the north/northeast, and the summit cairn is found 160m north of the high point.


Pictures and Trip reports:


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