Eikjabu from Mollandsmarki (08.07.2023)


Startsted Krossen p-plass (500moh)
Sluttsted Krossen p-plass (500moh)
Turtype Fjelltur
Turlengde 5t 57min
Distanse 11,0km
Høydemeter 681m
GPS
Andre besøkte PBE'er Eikjabu (4moh) 08.07.2023
Krossen p-plass (500moh) 08.07.2023

Eikjabu from Mollandsmarki

Approaching Mollandsmarki
Approaching Mollandsmarki
Mollandsmarki. Right: Haugmelen.
Mollandsmarki. Right: Haugmelen.
Hoggorm at Mollandsmarki
Hoggorm at Mollandsmarki
Stuaflåten trailhead
Stuaflåten trailhead
Stuaflåten trailhead
Stuaflåten trailhead
Start of the trail to Stuaflåten
Start of the trail to Stuaflåten
Start of the trail to Stuaflåten
Start of the trail to Stuaflåten
Trail to Stuaflåten
Trail to Stuaflåten
Viewpoint before the descent
Viewpoint before the descent
Urnes from the bench
Urnes from the bench
Marked trail from the bench
Marked trail from the bench
Eikjabu is "just" around the corner
Eikjabu is "just" around the corner
Steep decent towards Stuaflåten
Steep decent towards Stuaflåten
Hidleren in the distance
Hidleren in the distance

Warning: While this route (mostly) follows a marked trail, the markers can be difficult to spot. The terrain is also steep with a couple of exposed sections that may not be to everyone's liking. In other words, read the report carefully.

Given its location alongside Lustrafjorden, the easiest route to Eikjabu is definitely by boat or kayak. We had however come across a suggested hiking route from Mollandsmarki that we wanted to try. Luster DNT had even organized a trip along this route earlier this year. Additional information was also gathered from an earlier post from 2019 which also included a link with more pictures and a basic map.

Unsure of whether there would be any parking at the trailhead, we decided to park at Krossen p-plass and walk from there. (As it turned out, this was unnecessary, as it would have been possible to park at or close to the trailhead.) The trailhead contained information about Stuaflåten although there was no mentioning of Eikjabu. But at least there was a marked trail, if slightly hidden underneath the tall grasses, that we could start following.

After crossing two fences, via custom-made wooden ladders, we arrived at a bench providing our first views towards Urnes. From the bench the marked trail quickly turned steeper and we soon came to a short scrambling section with railing for extra safety. Shortly after, we arrived at a marked crossroads with two options: Stuaflaten or Hidleren (Hilleren on the map). We went for the latter but pretty soon the trail simply disappeared and we were left finding our own way to Hidleren, which mainly consisted of fighting our way through the tall grasses interlaced with stinging nettles, i.e. brennenesle.

Hidleren itself was also filled with tall grasses but fewer stinging nettles and we therefore made it to the other side of the open field without any issues. Here we managed to relocate the trail, and although it was not always easy to follow, and the red markers were often difficult to spot, it did at least indicate that we were heading in the right direction. We were now heading northeast towards the steep Eikjagilet which we somehow had to navigate our way around.

As it turned out, the trail followed a relatively narrow ledge around Eikjagilet before starting its final descent to Ytre Eikjo. Note that there was a steep drop just to the right of the ledge which may not be comfortable for those afraid of heights, however it was wide enough such that it could be traversed without any real danger.

Having passed the crux of the route, we initially made good progress towards the fjord, but just as we hoped that it would not be smooth sailing from there on, we entered into very dense vegetation that had to somehow be navigated. As soon as we saw the opportunity we therefore headed for the fjord via an apple orchard.

Walking along the fjord was however not as easy as we had hoped either and we even had to climb a fence before coming across a cabin where we were asked to please not walk across their property and instead continue along the fjord. We did as we were told and it did not take long before we finally got our first glimpses of Eikjabu, almost three hours after the start of the hike!

After a short break at Eikjabu, and briefly considering asking for a boat ride to Solvorn from some of the other visitors (none of which had followed our route), we began our reascent to Mollandsmarki along pretty much the same route as for the descent, getting back to the car after almost six hours of hiking.

In summary, this hiking route to Eikjabu is clearly possible and includes some spectacular views along the way. However, doing this hike in July, when the trail and trail markers are hidden beneath tall grasses, is definitely not the best option. Early May seems to be a much better option (just compare my pictures to the pictures at the above links). Also, be aware that the final section along Lustrafjorden seems to be without a proper trail at all. But if you wanted an easy route to Eikjabu you would of course have come by boat or kayak instead? ;)


Crossroads: Stuaflåten or Hidleren
Crossroads: Stuaflåten or Hidleren
Making our own way up to Hidleren
Making our own way up to Hidleren
My dad at Hidleren with Urnes in the background and Høgmelen to the right
My dad at Hidleren with Urnes in the background and Høgmelen to the right
Looking back at our descent to Hidleren
Looking back at our descent to Hidleren
Trying to relocate the trail at the other side of Hidleren
Trying to relocate the trail at the other side of Hidleren
We relocated the trail! (Red marker on the rock.)
We relocated the trail! (Red marker on the rock.)
Traces of human activity with Lustrafjorden in the background
Traces of human activity with Lustrafjorden in the background
Trying to follow the marked trail was not always easy
Trying to follow the marked trail was not always easy
Arrived at Eikjagilet. The trail heads left.
Arrived at Eikjagilet. The trail heads left.
The narrow ledge around Eikjagilet
The narrow ledge around Eikjagilet
The long drop down to the fjord from Eikagjelet
The long drop down to the fjord from Eikagjelet
The trail around Eikjagilet
The trail around Eikjagilet
Urnes from Eikjagilet
Urnes from Eikjagilet
An old tractor road
An old tractor road
More fights with the dense vegetation...
More fights with the dense vegetation...
We finally reached Lustrafjorden!
We finally reached Lustrafjorden!
Walking along Lustrafjorden to Eikjabu
Walking along Lustrafjorden to Eikjabu
Eikjabu
Eikjabu
Eikjabu
Eikjabu
Looking back at Rivenosi from southwest of Eikjabu
Looking back at Rivenosi from southwest of Eikjabu
Navigating back through the dense vegetation
Navigating back through the dense vegetation
Returning to Eikjagilet
Returning to Eikjagilet
Ascending to Mollandsmarki along the marked trail
Ascending to Mollandsmarki along the marked trail
Reascending the steep section with railing
Reascending the steep section with railing

Starttidspunkt 08.07.2023 11:20
(UTC+01:00 ST)
Sluttidspunkt 08.07.2023 17:18
(UTC+01:00 ST)
Totaltid 5t 57min
Bevegelsestid 4t 15min
Pausetid 1t 42min
Snittfart totalt 1,9km/t
Snittfart bevegelsestid 2,6km/t
Distanse 11,0km
Høydemeter 681m

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