On foot in the Tafjord Mountains

The Tafjord Mountains

The Tafjord Mountains are a unique mountain area, varied and exciting, featuring lush, green valleys with giant pines and picturesque, majestic summits, barren plateaux and desolate lunar landscapes with ice-covered, verdigris-green or ice-blue lakes, The area had pointed peaks, spires and sharp ridges, shimmering glaciers and rivers tumbling into rapids and waterfalls that cascade down steep mountainsides. Abundant plant life, a multitude of birds and other wildlife, like strapping reindeer bucks, help complete the picture of an area that had almost everything, A mecca for mountain enthusiasts, some have said, and it is not hard to agree, On a simple day-hike you can go from the fjord to the roof of the world - and experience this contrast all at once. The area has many trails, for both day-hikes and longer hikers, usually from cabin to cabin.

Danskehytta

Is on the west side of Heimste Vikvatnet, elev. 1140m. Self-service ''key cabin'' with provisions. Closed from the end of April until the end of May because of reindeer calving. The cabin was built in 1994 and had 24 (16+8) beds, including the auxiliary cabin and large lofts. Beds distributed among two- and four-person rooms. The loft in the main cabin sleeps 22 and the one in the auxiliary cabin sleeps 8. Access: From Grotli in Ottadalen in the south, Kaldhusseter in the west and Reindalseter in the north.

Kaldhusseter Tourist Cabin and Tøssebrobu

Are on Heimste Kaldhussætervatnet, elev. 600m. Full-service in the summer season. Telephone: +47 70 25 81 18. Tøssebrubo is a self-service ''key cabin'' with provisions and is open when the main cabin is closed. The main cabin was built in 1958 and had 43 beds, including Tøssebrobu. The main cabin also had a toilet and showers, Beds distributed among two-, three- and four-person rooms. Boat rental. Good fishing in Kaldhussætervatnet and other nearby lakes. Fishing licences sold at the cabin. Access: Road from Tafjord to the cabin. Parking next to the cabin.

Pyttbua

Is in Hans dalbotnen, in the lowest part of Puttbudalen, elev. 1156m. Self-service ''key cabin'' with provisions. Situated in a high and open spot, surrounded by colossal mountains such as Karitinden (1982m) and Puttegga (1999m), Pyttbua was built in 1925, with later renovations and extensions and has 51 beds, including the auxiliary cabin (36+15). Beds distributed among one two-person room, nine four-person rooms and one six-person room, as well as a basement and places to sleep in the auxiliary cabin loft. Located in a registered reindeer calving area, the cabin is closed in May. Access: Romsdalen to Stuguflotten. There turn off to Brøstet, continuing on the toll road to Tungaseter where there is parking. Marked trail the rest of the way.

Reindalseter Tourist Cabin

Is in the heart of the Tafjord Mountains on Langvatnet in Reindalen, elev. 710m. Full-service in the summer season. Telephone: +47 70 25 80 90. Built in 1925 with later extensions and new construction, it has 95 beds, including the auxiliary cabin. Jakobselet. Jakobselet (9 beds) is self-service outside of the summer season. Standard DNT lock, toilet and shower. Boat rental. Good dishing in Langvatnet and the river in Reindalen, Fishing licences for sale at the cabin. The 95 beds are distributed among two-, three- and four-person rooms, including a dormitory with twelve beds and Jakobselet with its nine beds. Access: Road to Tafjord and Zachariasdammen.

" The Tafjord Mountains ' Golden Route " (4 days)

Zakariasvatnet - Reindalsæter, Rendalsæter - Pyttbua, Pyttbua - Veltdalshytta og Veltdalshytta - Reindalsæter/Zakariasvatnet.

This is definitely among the classic routes in the Tafjord Mountains . The first day (evening) you hike tot Reindalsætra, continuing the nest day up Øvre Reindalen, across the challenging Puttskavlen tot Pyttbua. On day three you hike from Pyttbua over to Veltdalshytta and on the last day you head back down through untamed Veltdalen.

" Weekend hike " (2 days)

Zakariasvatnet - Reindalsæter, Rendalsæter - Veltdalshytta og Veltdalshytta - Reindalsæter/Zakariasdammen.

From Zachariasvatnet you hike to Reindalsætra on Friday afternoon/evening. On Saturday you hike to Veltdalshytta via Hulderkoppen, what I call ''Wood Nymphs' Trail''. On Sunday the route goes down along Veltdalen to Reindalsætra, where you can have Sunday dinner (see the next recommended hike) before returning to Zachariasvatnet.

" Flying visit " (1 day!)

Zakariasvatnet - Reindalsæter round trip