Oksen from Granvin (16.05.2025)

Written by hbar (Harald Barsnes) GSM

Start point Granvin terminal (18m)
Endpoint Granvin terminal (18m)
Characteristic Hillwalk
Duration 8h 04min
Distance 22.9km
Vertical meters 1,651m
GPS
Ascents Oksen (1,241m) 16.05.2025 16:23

Oksen from Granvin

From the bus stop. Trailhead: left.
From the bus stop. Trailhead: left.
The marked trailhead
The marked trailhead
The initial tractor road
The initial tractor road
Marked shortcut early on
Marked shortcut early on
Lots of trail markers and signs
Lots of trail markers and signs
Karstenhytta
Karstenhytta
Looking back at Granvinsvatnet
Looking back at Granvinsvatnet
Høgahorgi from above Karstenhytta
Høgahorgi from above Karstenhytta

Given that my only meeting on a sunny Friday had been postponed earlier in the week, I took the rest of the urgent paperwork with me and hopped on a train to Voss from where I took the bus to Granvin to ascend Oksen. After getting off the bus, I walked to the marked trailhead at Røynstrand and then followed the marked trail northwest towards the summit with the first patches of snow appearing just below 900 meters above sea level.

Shortly before getting to Oksatjørni I lost the red markers and given that I did not like the look of the terrain where the trail was supposedly heading, both steep and snow-covered, I made a short detour east to connect with the trail coming down from Ingebjørgfjellet, before both trails combined northeast of Larsbu. The final ascent to the summit was straightforward but quite strenuous given the now almost complete cover of wet snow.

Spectacular views from the summit with great overviews of three fjords, namely Hardangerfjorden, Sørfjorden and Eidfjorden. Granvinsfjorden can probably also be spotted but not from the summit cairn. I however could not spend too much time at the summit given that I had a bus to catch back at Granvin. After lots of pictures I therefore started my descent along the same route, although with the snow now turning into an advantage allowing me to increase my speed.

Upon getting to the crossroads northeast of Oksatjørni I noticed that there were footprints in the snow heading towards where I had lost the trail markers during the ascent. Combined with red trail markers showing the way, I chose to have a go at this potentially much shorter route. This turned out to be a success and unless there is a lot more snow, this route is clearly the better option. All that remained was then to follow the marked trail back to Granvin where I arrived with around 20 minutes to spare before the bus showed up to take me back to Voss for the train home to Bergen.

In summary, ascending Oksen from Granvin is a very nice hike with spectacular views that can be very highly recommended!

Oksen appearing in the distance
Oksen appearing in the distance
A cabin next to the trail in Bjørndalen
A cabin next to the trail in Bjørndalen
The summit is slowly getting closer
The summit is slowly getting closer
Increasing amounts of snow
Increasing amounts of snow
The area where I lost the trail and headed east (left)
The area where I lost the trail and headed east (left)
Oksen from the northeast
Oksen from the northeast
Overview of the last part of the ascent
Overview of the last part of the ascent
Larsbu
Larsbu
The trail heads into the small valley to the right and then up along the ridge
The trail heads into the small valley to the right and then up along the ridge
Ascending along the wide ridge
Ascending along the wide ridge
Hardangerbroen, Bunuten, Vatnasetenuten and Storeflåtten
Hardangerbroen, Bunuten, Vatnasetenuten and Storeflåtten
Looking back at Ingebjørgfjellet and Midtfjell
Looking back at Ingebjørgfjellet and Midtfjell
The final ascent to the summit
The final ascent to the summit
Hardangerbroen and Eidfjord from just below the summit
Hardangerbroen and Eidfjord from just below the summit
Looking back at Granvinsvatnet from just below the summit
Looking back at Granvinsvatnet from just below the summit
The summit cairn
The summit cairn
Hardangerfjorden from the summit
Hardangerfjorden from the summit
Utne from the summit
Utne from the summit
Sørfjorden from the summit with Kinsarvik to the left
Sørfjorden from the summit with Kinsarvik to the left
Returning to Oksatjørni and Larsbu with Ingebjørgfjellet in the background
Returning to Oksatjørni and Larsbu with Ingebjørgfjellet in the background
The part of the marked trail I lost during the ascent
The part of the marked trail I lost during the ascent
Returning to Bjørndalen
Returning to Bjørndalen
Granvinsvatnet from the descent
Granvinsvatnet from the descent
Following the marked trail back to Granvin
Following the marked trail back to Granvin
Start date 16.05.2025 11:43
(UTC+01:00 DST)
End date 16.05.2025 19:47
(UTC+01:00 DST)
Total Time 8h 04min
Moving Time 7h 00min
Stopped Time 1h 03min
Overall Average 2.8km/h
Moving Average 3.3km/h
Distance 22.9km
Vertical meters 1,650m

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