Brøknipa from Skaftå (21.09.2019)

© Helwig Hauser

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

Trip Summary

We took the car from Bergen to Osterøy (first along E16, then across the bridge). Right after crossing the bridge, we turned right (into the direction of Bruvik). Following Bruvikvegen, we soon after arrived at Skaftå, where we parked next to the road. We then walked a few meters in order to get started with our hike up to Brøknipa. When checking the information board at the beginning of the hike (right next to Bruvikvegen), we detected a dotted line that suggested that one could hike up directly to Utegardsnipa (instead of first going along Skaftådalen to Stølane before then turning back and up to the ridge that leads to Utegardsnipa). We thus adapted our plans to try out this route. We started "the usual way" (towards Skaftådalen), but at about 100mosl we found a little bridge that helps one to get over the old limestone quarry to the other (eastern) side. There, one more house is located (with a great view down to Sørfjorden). Instead of heading for the ridge at once, we first wished to take another look at the very impressive remains of the limestone quarry. We therefore followed a little forest road (on the eastern side of the quarry) in northwards direction until we came to a place, which offered impressive views into the quarry (right there it's also possible to cross over to the western side, again). Once we were satisfied, we turned back and headed for the ridge. Instead of going "all the way" back to the house, we cut short through the forest until we found ourselves on the ridge at about 160mosl. There, we immediately found a proper trail and following it upwards along the ridge was straight-forward. Soon we also crossed the tree line, which opened up for many great views (this ridge is ideally located to repeatedly look down onto Sørfjorden!). Without much delay, we stepped up the ridge until we arrived (very satisfied!) at Utegardsnipa. From there, we then crossed over a little wet area to Brøknipa not far in the east of Utegardsnipa. Brøknipa is always worth a visit, offering stunning views over Sørfjorden, but in outstanding autumn weather it's maybe the best! :-) After enjoying a short break on Brøknipa, we then continued our hike (with the next goal being Flatafjellet). At Ørnatuva we looked down to Skaftådalen, before continuing further (mostly in northern direction) to Flatafjellet. At Flatafjellet, the trail turns left (and down) a little before one can reach another small top. So to also include this one, we did not follow the main trail there, but made a little extra loop (north of the main trail). Not long after, however, we had reconnected with the main trail, heading down to Vindegga. There, we recognized the saddle for a moment, before we started our ascent towards Vedafjellet. This brought us first up to Varden and then to Gallnanipa, before we eventually arrived at Vedafjellet. After enjoying the views from up there, we started our hike back by first following the ridge to Grønfjellet (instead of heading down at once). After crossing Grønfjellet, we needed to get back down, which requires a little caution, since the further south one gets, the steeper the terrain also is. Instead of trying our luck in all-too-steep terrain, we therefore decided to reconnect with the trail further down by going "diagonally back" (in northeatern direction). We even found something that looked like a deer track, making it a bit easier to proceed in the relatively steep terrain. Shortly after, we were back at the trail and descending along the trail down to Skaftå was then straight-forward and easy. All in all, Osterøy (and especially its mountains in the south) is always nice for a proper hike and hiking on a wonderful autumn day is really amazing.

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 Brøknipa and also web page WestCoastPeaks.com provides useful information about Brøknipa and Utegardsnipa.