The beauty of living between mountains

Many thought I was crazy moving to a small place like Sunndalsøra: What was I going to do there and why would I want to live so far away from everything?

One of the privileges of living in a rural area is the short amount of time spent between work and home and the short amount of time needed to get to any outdoors activity. For me it takes more or less 10 minutes of cycling to get to work, depending on the direction and strength of the wind. Some hikes starts within walking distance from home, and within a 20 minutes drive I can just pick and choose hiking options. This makes it possible and easy to go hiking after work, even when the days get shorter. An other great thing about this place is that many other people like to do outdoors activities. So of course we have a facebook group for those of us who like getting on top of summits both winter and summer=) It is very easy to find someone who wants to join a trip! And hiking with others is the best way to learn shortcuts and to learn more about the mountains:)

One of the hikes I've done after work was to Salsnebba. This was a nice hike that started in a neighbouring valley, Øksendalen. On the way to the top you pass a mailbox at Prestgaardssætra, where many people choose to turn and head back down. The rest of the hike is without any path, but is in a lovely terrain and without difficulties. From the summit at 1020 masl there is a nice view in all directions. Unfortunately there was a change in weather while we did the hike, from sun to rain and then all of a sudden snow at the top. So we did not get to see much:(  The hike took approximately 2 hours to the top and is definitely manageable for more people than the once who had been there so far this year. It's sad that people that have this opportunity at their front door does not take advantage of it. I'm glad I did because it was a lovely afternoon and the evening had just begun by the time I was home=) love it!

At the summit, a bit chilly...

Lovely on the way up, plenty of places to refill the water bottle

Salsnebba to the left

A taste of the view we did not get at the summit

Børsetkjerringa, just above 1000masl

From Ålvundeie, a small place 15 minutes away by car, there are plenty of hiking opportunities that are not too steep. One of them is Børsetkjerringa with several paths leading to the top. When I did the hike this September I took the steep option on the way up. It starts at Børsetlauvet where it is easy to follow the much used path to the two mailboxes you pass on the way up. So, if you like to get your name in as many books as possible, this is a hike for you=) It's not a very long hike, but as usual you get a nice view in all directions at the top. The view was amazing this time, as the summits had snow on them and the colours of autumn had started to come. To make the hike a bit longer it is possible to make a lap out of it by taking a different way down. This path leads you past two lakes where I have heard that at least one of them is good for fishing. Taking this path you end up in the alpine skiing area, but before you get there you have to cross some mires so wear good hiking boots if you don't want to get wet.

The view towards Oppdøl and Sunndalsfjorden

The most important book is the one at the top:)

A bit slippery on the way down

What a nice place to have a cabin!

Fjellenern, the last of a three-parted competition

Fjellenern is the last of a three-(or four) parted competition. Before the run, there had been three other competitions: cross country, randonee and cycling. So the competition is very similar to the triple in Birkebeineren. This last competition was an 8 km long run that started in the centre of Oppdal with the finish line at the top of one of Norway's largest alpine ski area. A lovely run, if it hadn't been for the extra challenges that day. Before we arrived at Oppdal, it started snowing, but being optimistic we did not think it was cold enough for it to stay on the ground. We were wrong! The snow made the path very slippery and made it was difficult to run at times and many chose to walk instead of running. As if the snow in itself did not make it difficult enough, it got more and more windy the higher we got. As a result the run had to be shortened down to 7km since it was impossible to see where the path was supposed to be. The organizers handled the challenges very well and all the other competitions have also been well organized. A very good alternative to the Birkebeiner competition with less people and less hassle.
Of course the weather improved after the run. Looking at the skiing area it almost looked like the season could start very early, this was the first weekend in September! Just to make it clear: even in Norway it is not normal to have snow this early...

Almost at the top, those shoes were not made for running in snow...

Turn around and go back home? looks very cold!

My mother, supportive as always:)

The snow disappeared quickly AFTER the run

Snow also in Dovre

Torbudalen, a nice place for recreation=)

One of the valleys leading into the mountains from Sunndalsøra, is Torbudalen. Many have made this calm and relaxing valley in a spectacular scenery their place for recreation. Although there are several areas for cabins, you hardly notice them when you're driving along the road. This is because the size and number of cabins is strictly regulated. I am ashamed to say it, but for the 10 years I have called Sunndalsøra my home, I have never visited this valley so of course I had to say yes when I was invited this autumn. To get to my friend's cabin I cycled so that I would get the time to enjoy the scenery and really see the nature. The road in itself is actually a tourist attraction, Aursjøvegen, that is worth a visit. If you also make it to Stakrafts power plant in Sunndal, you get to see photoes of how challenging it was to get equipment up the valley when the dams where built. There are several dams along the road, the largest one is Aursjødammen where you also find a cabin for tourists. There are several other cabins in the mountains nearby for those who does not mind a short hike. 
The time spent at the cabin was lovely. Not only was the company impeccable, but the activities was just how I like it: We had a hike to Håkådalshøa. A nice hike, but a bit rocky at the top. Of course games were played and lots and lots of food was eaten. A dip in the lake followed by a visit to the outdoor tub removed every last bit of tension=) On our way home we was lucky to have my friends father arrange some shooting exercise for us. There are also other possibilities in Tobudalen, like picking berries, fishing, photography etc, but there are only so much you can do during a weekend while relaxing...=)

The view down towards Sunndal.

The firs dam, I'm excited:p

Signs along the road telling the name of almost every hill. "Beautifullvalley hill"

Torbudalen seen from Håkådalshøa

Relaxing, again, after the hike=) 

cool:)

=)

Jokran: A hike for the (many) days with poor weather

The marked tourist path from Grøa to Vangshaugen is an excellent place for a run. Compared with other paths in the area it's not slippery in wet weather. The hike/run is a bit steep in the beginning but after a while it gets flat and then it's just to follow the path along the valley. Along the path there are several signs telling the name of the places you pass, some of them are really funny! So you're actually entertained=) At Jokran there is of course the obligatory book to sign ones name in. This is where many people stop and head back home, but I would recommend to follow the path a bit further until you get to Dalavatnet. Both the path and the nature is lovely from Jokran to Dalavatnet. The path also passes a dam for those of you who are nerds like me and like to check out how it's built :p

 

Dalavatnet

I think it's been a while since the last bus arrived

The path is marked all the way so it's easy to follow:)

Jokran

A dam=)

The winter is not far away=)

Excellent for running!

The birkebeiner competition

The Birkebeiner competitions has its roots in the story about how the future king, Håkon Håkonsson, was moved to safety by a dangerous trip over the mountains when he was only 2 years old. This background is made clear by the competition rule that everyone has to wear a backpack weighing 3.5 kg for both the skiing and the cycling competition. For the last competition, the run, you do not have to wear it. The skiing competition was held last winter, and the cycling and running this autumn. You can choose whether you want to take part in one, two or all three competitions. If you take part in all three there is also a combined competition of the three: "the triple". In each competition you have to be below a maximum finish time (based on the best ones in each group) to get an award. If you manage this in all competitions, you get the title "Birkebeiner of the year".

The cycling competition was great fun! And I both understand why the it's sold out within minutes and why people sell their tickets when it's bad weather. Luckily the weather was nice this year and I could only enjoy the beautiful route and the lovely scenery along it. The same also applies for the run which was a 21 km route mostly in the terrain. Much better than running on concrete or asphalt! And much more fun=)

I am very impressed by how well it all has been organized. Especially considering the logistics with having the start and finish at two different locations and also the amount of people participating in the competitions. Well done!

My goal was to become a Birkebeiner of the year, and after managing the requirements in the first two competitions I had only the run left. I got a good night sleep at Suttestad gård, a charming old building  away from the noise. I would recommend a stay at this place for anyone who likes to feel at home and are tired of big hotels. I charged the batteries well, managed to do a good run and reached my goal! It was a lovely feeling=)
What next?

Ready!

FOOD!=) Very important before a long competition

My mother, the sports journalist...? This is where I was some seconds earlier

bikes everywhere

Suttestad gård

The start of the run, many nervous competitors

Besseggen -an overrated hike?

The hike across Besseggen is rated as one of the most beautiful hikes in Norway and is therefore also one of the most popular ones. The hike goes from Memurubu to Gjendesheim in Jotunheimen National park. To get to Memurubu most people take the ferry from Gjendesheim. It is possible to make the trip one day longer by taking the ferry a bit further and starting the hike at Gjendebu. Then you hike across Bukkelægret to get to Memurubu. A rather steep hike at times, but nice indeed:)

Besseggen is famous for its wonderful view with a green lake on one side and a blue one on the other. The view was beautiful, but the rest of the hike was disappointing. For me the hike got ruined by all the people everywhere, it was like walking down the main shopping street in a big city on a Saturday. Not what  I prefer when I am up in the mountains. So even though I understand why it has become so famous, I think the popularity is damaging the experience.

One of the most positive things about Besseggen, was that it gave a great view over to Knutshøe. This mountain seemed so fun to hike that the trip was extended by an extra day. And it was absolutely worth it! The hike was very nice, but maybe a bit more difficult than Besseggen. We only saw a handful of other people on the hike so it was hard to imagine that Besseggen was only minutes away.  

The cabins around Besseggen are very big and nice, but for me they were to similar to a hotel. They lacked some of the personality and charm the cabins in Trollheimen have.

All in all a nice trip, but Besseggen will never be one of my favourites. It is a hike that is fun to have walked, but that I will never do again. I can only recommend the hike to those who doesn't mind hiking in a huge crowd.

Besseggen

On my way to the top of Knutshøe=)

Satisfied with the hike 

Knutshøe