Round around Meland church (21.11.2021)

© Helwig Hauser

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

Trip Summary

Expecting a nice November Sunday, we aimed at a round around Meland church near Knarvik in the north of Bergen. Driving along E39 from Bergen brought us across Salhusfjorden with the help of Nordhordlandsbrua. As soon as we touched ground on Flatøy, again, we changed to Rosslandsvegen, leading westwards into the direction of Meland and Holsnøy. Near Frekhaug, we turned right (onto the comparably narrow road to Meland). After crossing over from Dale to Meland, we parked near Meland church and started our hike from there. The first sub-goal of the day was Salbukletten in the northwest of Meland. We passed by Erstad, first, and then ascended from there to Salbukletten (into northwestern direction from Erstad). This ascent, even though without trail, was nice and easy! On Salbukletten, we then crossed over some of the heights there, before starting to approach our next sub-goal: Melandsnipa (in the east of Salbukletten). Descending into Melandskaret from Salbukletten was a bit steep, but still without difficulties that would be worth mentioning. Our plan was then to find a trail that would lead up to Melandsnipa. We left Melandskaret, however, a few meters too early, following a minor road to house 355. Once near that house, we left the road and connected (through the forest) to the small saddle in the north of this house. Surrounding some rocks there (and entering a comparably dark forest!), we headed into the direction of Melandsnipa (this means also upwards). This way, we ascended a little earlier than necessary. This brought us to a point, where we had the choice between a slightly adventurous ascent "over the ridge" or the less challenging option of following the marked trail a little further down. As the two of us made different choices at this point, both variants were "tested" (both worked, with the trail being recommended). Once on Melandsnipa, we visited both Sørnipa and Nordnipa, also enjoying some nice views from there, before continuing on the trail in eastern dircetion (towards Krossfjellet). This trail leads genlty over the ridge towards the saddle between Melandsnipa and Krossfjellet (we made the last short stretch of this connection parallel to the trail, though). Once at the saddle, it is possible to choose between trails leading down from there in both northern and southern direction, as well as another trail to Krossfjellet. Following the latter, we entered another quite dark forest, starting our ascent of Krossfjellet basically there (all the way to Krossfjellet it's then an easy-to-find trail). At about 250mosl, before the last stretch up to Krossfjellet, we came by a trail-junction. Later, after a short visit to the top of Krossfjellet, we would get back to this junction (to the take another trail into the direction of Sagstadnuten. The last meters up to Krossfjellet were actually quite icy; when walking this section back down, we actually used our ice cleats to avoid any stupid falls, or so. From Krossfjellet, we then walked over to Sagstadnuten (via Daurnipa) and from there we followed a nice trail down to Øvre Sagstad. To get all the way down to Dale, we then followed a simple forest road (and from there a simple trail in northwestern direction). This brought us to Bjørnestadvegen (to the firth hairpin turn where this road leads up to Meland). Walking down this road to Nedre Dale, we got over to the other side (Øvre Dale), where we followed a tractor road up. When up at the end of this road, we almost were at the top of Melandåsen, already, and walking over to the actual top was nice and easy from there. Eventually, it was then just to walk down from Melandsåsen to Meland (in northern direction) to get back to our car. All in all, this hike was a nice and non-difficult autumn walk with several nice tops and also quite nice views!

Photos

Selected photos are available as Google photo album.

Useful Resources

See also the related FB-page Hiking around Bergen, Norway.
Petter Bjørstad has a useful page about Krossfjellet.
Web page UT.no from the Norwegian Trekking Association recommends another hike from Meland church to Nordnipa and Krossfjellet.