[11-3 |] Across Trollheimen on «spring skis» [11-4]
[11-5 |] Oppdal - Surnadal [11-6]
[11-7] The days are getting longer and the sun warmer. [11-8] The skies are bluer than they have been for a long time, and the sun is having a grill party with our faces. [11-9] It is spring. [11-10] That's the time when the mountains beckon us most. [11-11] Ski trips at Easter and into May are the best. [11-12] Trollheimen is one of the surest areas we have to find snow. [11-13] Here, skiing conditions can be good until the end of May. [11-14] In the alpine mountains, conditions may be good until far into June. [11-15] Longer days provide greater opportunities to complete ski trips such as across Trollheimen from Oppdal, via Trollheimshytta and all the way to Surnadalsøra (Skei). [11-16] The last day's stretch is too far to be suitable for children. [11-17]
[11-18] You can get to Oppdal by car, bus and train. [11-19] Take the route up toward Hovden or Vangslia. [11-20] If the ski lift or cable lift is in operation, you can take that. [11-21] The 15-km-long trip goes through beautiful alpine terrain over Blåøret and down to the Viongen lodge, unstaffed, TT, private. [11-22] Viongen is part of the charming cluster of lodges comprising altogether nine log buildings in the area of Skuggelia, north of Skaret. [11-23]
[11-24] The next day, the trip goes west through Grøndalen. [11-25] Here, one comes upon winter markers at Svarthamran, and these are followed over the mountain and down through Slettådalen. [11-26] After a day's trek of 18 km, the Trollheim Lodge appears, attended during the Easter season, otherwise unstaffed, TT, located among dense pine forests and powerful mountaintops. [11-27] On the way, a detour up to Blåhø from Svarthamran is recommended. [11-28] Check to see whether Blåsalen or Speilsalen are open. [11-29]
[11-30] Since you are now in the very heart of the Trollheim Mountains, you may feel a strong urge to seek an audience with Snota. [11-31] Two days at the Trollheim Lodge are recommended for a day trip to the summit. [11-32]
[11-33] The trip further on toward Surnadal (Skei) is a long trek totaling about 40 km, with a number of differences in altitude. [11-34] The alternative over Knyken (Honnstadknyken) is suitable only for people in good physical shape and when skiing conditions are favorable and easy. [11-35] From Trollheim Lodge, the trip continues over Bossvasshøgda and down Breidskardet to Vindøldalen. [11-36] From here, there are two alternatives. [11-37] The quickest is to go into Fauskådalen, follow the gully west from Fauskå Lake and down into Søyådalen. [11-38] It is a steep descent down into the valley. [11-39] Find the best descent by checking a map. [11-40] The tractor road, during summertime, goes up the steep slope from the starting point at the parking area. [11-41] There is a snow-plowed road into here. [11-42] From here, it is about 12 km down to the state highway. [11-43] One can get down to the valley either on skis or by arranging other transportation. [11-44] From the crossroads on the state highway down in the valley, it is about 4 km across to Skei, served by buses. [11-45]
[11-46] It is a much more beautiful, but strenuous, trip farther on to Knyken. [11-47] Follow the Vindøl valley down to Kudalen. [11-48] The route is planned to go into Kudalen and up to Knyken, where one encounters a magnificent view in all directions. [11-49] 1000 meters below you lies Surnadal, the fjord and the sea in the distance. [11-50] This long day trip will be rewarded by a beautiful descent. [11-51] Consult the map carefully to find the best way to get down. [11-52] Take the northern side of Tågliknobben and work your way down northward before reaching Svarrafjellet, and then west over the expanse of moors on the north side. [11-53] Or follow the gully on the southern side of the peak and bear north from a distance out from Svarrafjellet. [11-54] The summer trail markers are posted here. [11-55] Ski northwest toward Ranesnebba, 520 m (Bjørnhaugen, on older maps) and west down through the forest. [11-56] There are summer trail markers down through the forest, first toward the west and then toward the north down to Skei. [11-57] The bus between Molde and Orkanger / Trondheim passes here. [11-58]
[11-59] You can shorten this trip somewhat by turning off to the north after Litlkudalen and then down to Mausetsetra. [11-60] The old cart road to vindøldalen went via the pastures and up into the valley. [11-61] From here, the trip along the forest road down to Mauset (not always snow-plowed) is not long. [11-62] The trip may also be ended in the Vindøla valley. [11-63] From here, there is a road kept open year round up to the parking area. [11-64]
[11-65] To do the final stretch of the trip to Skei is only feasible when weather conditions are good and there is still a lot of snow in the woods. [11-66] The stretch directly down from vindøldalen to Surnadalen is not very attractive. [11-67] The hillsides are steep down to the valley and the snow-plowed road. [11-68] Therefore, a recommended, easier alternative for the return to Trollheim Lodge is via Buluvatna and down to Rindal. [11-69] The bus between Molde and Orkanger / Trondheim passes here. [11-70] This trip is approx. 30 km long all the way to the point where the bus passes through Rindal. [11-71]
[11-72 |] Route descriptions: [11-73 |] for detailed descriptions of routes for the usual excursions, we recommend TT's book Sylene and Trollheimen, or TT's website: www.tt.no [11-74]
[11-75] Map: 1:50 000 Oppdal, Trollhetta, Snota and Stangvik (plus Løkken and Vinjeøra for the return trip toward Rindal). [11-76] Touring map 1:75 000 covers the tour except for the last leg toward Skei. [11-77] The older map on a scale of 1:100.000 doesn't cover the descent to Rindal, either. [11-78]
[11-79 |] Jonny Remmereit