Around Gåssandvatnet (28.12.2016)

© Helwig Hauser

© Helwig Hauser

Note that this track has been created from memory, i.e., it was not recorded automatically.

Trip Summary

After first visiting a shop in Søfteland (along E39 from Bergen to Os), we wanted to make a hike around Gåssandvatnet. We parked our car right next to the Søfteland school and started to walk from there. First, we followed a little path, which leads southwards (parallel to E39, but not right at it, fortunately).

First challenge: crossing Storestraumen (private bridge)

Our plan was to cross Storestraumen across a little bridge, which we had seen before on the map. Once we got there, however, we met an unexpected challenge: The bridge belongs to the private place on the other side of Storestraumen and it is locked with a door that is also secured by an alarm. Since we were motivated to not give up at once, we organized the telephone number of the owner of the bridge from a friendly neighbor and then called. Luckily we were then enabled to cross this bridge to the eastern side of Storestraumen (very useful indeed, since no other bridge is available for quite some distance upstream and downstream). We passed the related building, which is close to the bridge, and entered the forest right behind, finding ourselves in a very nice hiking area (a kind of forgotten corner!).

Along Gåssandvatnet (two times barefooted)

We passed by Nordra Straumsvika and continued to Hundabekken, which was easy to cross, fortunately. We then continued, a bit up and down through the forest (still easy to step!), in northeastern direction (somehow parallel to Gåssandvatnet). We then came by Mørkevågen, finding ourselves in quite a wet surrounding. Only shortly after, we came to the lower ends of Stokkedalselva. This non-negligible stream comes down a nice waterfall, before connecting to Gåssandvatnet soon after. We first enjoyed this lovely place, there, before we started to explore the surrounding for a possibility to get over the stream to the other side. Even a detailed examination did not reveal any place, where it seemed (even closely!) possible to cross over (with shoes on). Accordingly, we removed our shoes and crossed the (quite cold!) stream this way. Definitely, it was good to get back into socks and shoes after this "refreshing" experience! :-) A little further along Gåssandvatnet, we then connected to a forest road, which brought us further towards Gåssand conveniently and quickly. Still, another adventure awaited us, before actually stepping out onto the road at Gåssand: Sagelva. Also close to Gåssandvatnet, we soon understood that there was no way to cross over Sagelva with shoes on, so we repeated the Kneip-exercise, once more. On the one hand, one aims to get through the ice-cold stream as fast as possible (only moments after stepping into the water, it actually starts to hurt quite bit!). On the other hand, it is clearly no good idea to stumble and to extend the bath to the full body (possibly with a camera or phone under water). Luckily, we managed, again, the balance between hasting and careful stepping, and reached Gåssand without any unnecessary complications.

Back from Gåssand (on the road)

Originally, our idea was to return via Åsen to Søfteland, but since the time had proceeded more than we were comfortable with (and since we have a lively memory of our hike up Tveitakvitingen!), we decided to return to Søfteland along the street (a slightly longer walk, but quite OK, nonetheless). Eventually, we came back to the car in quite a satisfied mood; in particular because of the first half of hike from Søfteland to Gåssand.

Photos

Selected photos are available as Google photo album.

Useful Resources

See also the related FB-page Hiking around Bergen, Norway.