Norwegian Mountains, Sogn og Fjordane

Torstadnakken, 1566m
Spefjell, 1104m

Torstadnakken and Dalavatnet
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Torstadnakken is the dominating mountain on the east side of Sogndalsdalen valley. The name does not refer to a fixed point, but the entire ridge from Tverrdalsreset and up to the high point - and possibly all the way to Yngsdalsskaret before Tverrdalstind. All in all, a total distance of 7,7km along the ridge. The name refer to the place Torstad by lake Dalavatnet.

The Luster/Sogndal municipality border runs along the ridge, but it does not follow the watershed slavishly. Torstadnakken summit plateau has two cairns, both 1565m on the maps. The north cairn is located within Luster, the south (west) cairn is located on the border, but the high point seems to be 145 meters east of the south/west cairn. A conservative estimate is that this point (N61.37156 E6.94955 - within Luster) is at least 1 meter higher than the points where the cairns are located, and thus, the mountain height has been set to 1566m.

On some maps, there is a 1580 meter contour around the high point, and GPS readings also suggest that the mountain is considerably higher than 1565m (the official trigonometric points).

Torstadnakken seen from Storehogen
(Click for larger image)

 

Torstadnakken is a popular skiing mountain, and the normal route runs from Svedal, alongside Svedalselvi, via the Grøssete cabins and point 1328m before it continues along the watershed to the summit. This is the route described on this page. There are no particular steep or difficult sections along this route, but the distance to the summit is 8,5km and the total vertical gain is more than 1200 meters. As such, skiers should be reasonably fit, well prepared and well equipped. 

Those who are looking for a shorter trip could consider Spefjell - located above the Navarsete cabins. This route also starts at Svedal but takes an east direction in the valley between Grøssete and Navarsete. See the bottom of this page for a route description.

Grøssete
(Click for larger image)

Primary factor:

Torstadnakken (Norge 1:50,000: 1565m, Økonomisk Kartverk: Highest contour: 1580m, westcoastpeaks: 1566m, UTM 32 V 390410 6805896) has a primary factor of 223m towards the higher parent point 1643m. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 390597 6809090) is found in Yngsdalsskaret. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is defined through a fixed point - 1343m.

Spefjell (Norge 1:50,000: 1103m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 1104,43m, UTM 32 V 394568 6800541) has a primary factor of 54m towards the higher parent Grøthovden (1128m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 394069 6801712) is found between these two tops. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 1040-1060m - interpolated to 1050m.

Torstadnakken
(Click for larger image)

Google map

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

Trail descriptions

Route 1: Svedal - Torstadnakken (winter) Difficulty : YDS Class 2 Exposure : No Distance : Approx. 8,5km to the top (2D distance) Time : Approx. 4-5 hours to the top Starting Elev.: Approx. 440m Vertical Gain : Approx. 1250m (total)

Map of the area (No Javascript) Detailed map (No Javascript)

This route description is valid per Feb 2011

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The nearest bigger town is Sogndal (has an airport). From the RV5/RV55 roundabout in Sogndal, follow RV5 towards Fjærland for approx. 11,2km. Turn right by the Kvam signpost. Cross Sogndalselvi on Hollekvebrui bridge and turn left in the upcoming junction. Drive 3,5km and locate the road up to Svedal on your right-hand side. Either drive up to the farm and ask for permission to park, or find parking down by the road.
 

Heading out from Svedal
(Click for larger image)

The route

There is no prepared track to Torstadnakken. During a good weather period, chances are that someone has broken the trail.

The general direction from Svedal (N61.32491 E6.98739) is north up the forest, then cross Svedalselvi at approx. 660 meters and continue directly towards Grøssete (N61.33783 E6.99085).

From Grøssete, continue north (slightly northwest) until you reach the Torstadnakken ridge and point 1328m (N61.35753 E6.97859). Continue west to a pass (a slight descent) before you follow the ridge up to the summit plateau.

The two cairns (N61.37161 E6.94682 and N61.37360 E6.95005) are 280 meters apart. The high point (N61.37156 E6.94955) is found approx. 145 meters east of the south cairn and is not marked. Take the time to visit all three points to fully enjoy the spectacular views from this summit plateau. You can see a number of glaciers; Jostedalsbreen, Steindalsbreen, Harbardsbreen, Jostefonni, Grovabreen, Syrdalsbreen, Fresvikbreen - to name a few.

The winter route to Torstadnakken
(Click for larger image)

 

Route 2: Svedal - Spefjell (winter) Difficulty : YDS Class 2 Exposure : No Distance : Approx. 4km to the top (2D distance) Time : Approx. 2-2,5 hours to the top Starting Elev.: Approx. 440m Vertical Gain : Approx. 670m (total)

Map of the area (No Javascript) Detailed map (No Javascript)

This route description is valid per Feb 2012

Access

Same as for Torstadnakken above.
 

The route

The Spefjell route - seen in Google Earth
(Click for larger image)

There is no prepared track up from Svedal. During a good weather period, chances are that someone has broken the trail.

The general direction from Svedal (N61.32491 E6.98739) is north up the forest, then turn east at Svedalselvi (approx. 660 meters) and head through a small birch forest before ascending towards the Navarsete cabins (850m - N61.32915 E7.00482). The terrain directly above Navarsete is steep, so continue southeast and find the least steep section that gives you access to the summit ridge. When there is general avalanche hazard in the local mountains, this section should be avoided (go north from Navarsete instead). Continue southeast towards the summit - marked by a large cairn (N61.32467 E7.03032).

Above Navarsete
(Click for larger image)

Pictures and Trip reports:

• Spefjell on skis, Feb 26 2012
   
• Torstadnakken on skis, Feb 13 2011
   
• Torstadnakken seen from other mountains

westcoastpeaks.com Other Sogn og Fjordane mountains Other Norwegian mountains