Planning for a summit hike
Planning is important to ensure that your trip is as enjoyable and safe as possible.
Remember to:
- check the weather, wind and avalanche risk
- study the steepness map for the relevant hike
- wear clothing that protects you from the weather and wind - read DNT's article "Packing list for ski touring"
- have your safety equipment in place in your rucksack
- follow The Norwegian Mountain Code
All travelling is at your own risk. You are responsible for your own safety and should have experience of skiing.
Before setting out on a summit hike, we recommend that you enrol in a randonée ski tour course and seek training in companion rescue and the use of emergency equipment such as avalanche beacons, probe poles and shovels.
1. Brekkestølsnuten, Nordstøldalen valley
Brekkestølsnuten (1044 masl), located on the other side of the more well-known Hovlandsnuten, is a great randonée ski tour for beginners.
The ski tour starts from the car park at Brekkestølsbråte and follows relatively flat terrain towards Skeivane. Follow the track to Risbruna before turning right and following the river upwards on your right. From the top you have a great view of Saudafjorden.
2. Bjørnanuten, Breiborg
Breiborg is a popular high mountain area along the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke. The great randonée ski tour starts from the car park at Breiborg and follows "Nasjonalen" towards Botnavatnet lake.
From Easter, you can drive a little further in and start the ski trip at the barrier. From Botnavatnet you can ski on both sides of the river up towards Flåna. Here the terrain opens up and you are skiing in gentle terrain towards Bjørnanuten (1119 masl). A magical descent awaits in open high mountain terrain.
3. Sauanuten, Svandal
The randonée ski tour to Sauanuten (1187 masl) starts from the car park at Sauda Ski Centre in Svandal and runs on the east side of the ski centre in the direction of Bakkavatn. The ski tour goes through somewhat hilly terrain in wooded slopes before you reach the forest border. The trail climbs steadily towards Sauanuten, which offers great views of Svandal and the Sauda fjord. The randonée ski tour is relatively easy and has several descent options.
Be aware of some cliffs and the riverbed on the left side as you descend.
4. Lauvåsnuten, Maldal
The randonée ski tour to Lauvåsnuten (831 masl) starts from the car park in Maldal. You ski through wooded slopes up towards Maldalsstølen. Keep right for Lauvåsnuten and ski up the backside.
From the top you have a great view down towards Maldal. The 400 metres of altitude on the way down are through varying terrain.
5. Kjelabotnheia/Lågaheia, Slettedalen
The randonée ski tour to Kjelabotnheia/Lågaheia (907 masl) starts from the car park in Slettedalen in Sauda. You are skiing a few hundred metres on a marked trail before turning left onto a forest road and past some cabins. Then ski uphill in wooded terrain to the left of Nevroldsnuten.
At the top there are great views and a lovely descent, in partly open and wooded terrain, awaits you.
For the more experienced
To explore these summits, you must have experience of randonée ski tours:
- Ravnafjell (983 masl)
- Hovlandsnuten (931 masl)
- Tengdalsnuten (992 masl)
- Nevroldsnuten (1094 masl)
- Reinaskarnuten (1241 masl)
- Reinsnuten (1167 masl)
