Exploring Knappen near Kallestad (04.07.2021)

© Helwig Hauser

© Helwig Hauser

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

Trip Summary

The plan was to use a nice, warm summer day and hike into the north of Kallestad. We parked next to Grendahuset in Kallestad and first walked the street back northwards until we came to Sjoartjørna. Where Kallestadvikvegen turns around this little lake (in its west), a trail heads off in northwestern direction. After only a few meters, already, one has the choice between going directly to Storhaugen, or ascending to Austre Storhaugen, first. We did the latter, heading up to Austre Storhaugen, first, enjoying some nice views, including one back down to Sjoartjørna. From Austre Storhaugen, one can then connect to Storhaugen via a steep descent, first, and then joining the trail that comes around Austre Storhaugen in its south. From Vestre Storhaugen, just a few meters in the west of Storhaugen, we also enjoyed a view down to Stølstjørna (in the southwest). We then continued without a trail, descnding northwards from Storhaugen into the direction of Langavatnet. Once in the southwest of Langavatnet, we decided to include a little round towards the north, before connecting to Knappen further in the northwest. Passing by Langavatnet in its west, we soon got sufficiently far north so that we had a nice view over Nesosen from there. Instead of attempting a descent to the sea there, we started to round off this excursion by turning westwards, first. Within a few minutes, we were in the east of Djupsvågen, looking down some rather steep hillside there. From the short map study at home, we remembered that it looked maybe possible to descend towards the connection between Djupsvågen (in the north) and Blandingsvatnet (in the south). And indeed, even though steep and a little slippery, this was possible without serious difficulties. Once down and on the other (western) side, we turn back north, finding our way to the westside of Djupsvågen. There, we enjoyed a nice swim, before we continued our hike with the next goal being Knappen (a little further in the northwest). After first ascending moderately steeply from Djupsvågen, we soon arrived at the heights of Knappen, enjoying some particularly nice views (over Bramsholmane, Hjartøyna, etc.). We turn followed the coast into southwestern direction (the terrain is quite a bit rugged there, and one needs to see, where one can step). Between Knappen and Storeoddnakken (in the south of Knappen), a rather deep valley with steep sides is making southwards progress non-trivial. Since we had decided to head back, already, we did not attempt any adventurous crossing of this valley, but turned into the direction of Blandingsvatnet, instead, following the northern side of the valley. In the southwest of Blandingsvatnet, we then crossed over, getting through substantially thick vegetation there. Once across Djupsvågmyra, progress became easier, again, and we first stepped towards the south of Langavatnet (again). From there, we headed towards the saddle between Austre and Vestre Storhaugen, where we reconnected with the trail (that we then followed back out to the street in Kallestad). All in all, and even though hiking was not completely trivial near Knappen, we did enjoy the nice views and, of course, the lovely swim in Djupsvågen! :-)

Photos

Selected photos are available as Google photo album.

Useful Resources

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