Gaustablikk, day 3
| Date | Trip |
| 22.06.26 | Sedalsbrotet |
| 23.06.26 | Gaustatoppen |
| 24.06.26 | Heddersfjell, Toreskyrkja |
| 25.06.26 | Store Åråhovde, Ørnenipa, Skipsfjell |
| Date | Trip |
| 22.06.26 | Sedalsbrotet |
| 23.06.26 | Gaustatoppen |
| 24.06.26 | Heddersfjell, Toreskyrkja |
| 25.06.26 | Store Åråhovde, Ørnenipa, Skipsfjell |
Heddersfjell and Toreskyrkja
Wednesday: Anne wanted to have a biking day and so I decided that I would hike across Heddersfjell and Toreskyrkja – a route Anne didn’t show particular interest in. The headache from the previous days was gone and I was back in shape.
Anne dropped me off at the northwest end of lake Heddersvatnet – just 1,1km north of the Gaustatoppen trailhead at Stavsro.
The plan was to follow the path along the lake and from Hestegrøi, follow a path that would get me near Heddersfjell.
Looking back on Gaustatoppen, this did not seem to be the best day for a hike up there. I was happy we got up there the day before, before the fog came in.
Approaching Hestegrøi, I saw two persons and two dogs ahead of me. They continued along the lake while I took the path up the mountain.
My main focus was the two PF100 tops Heddersfjell and Toreskyrkja. I said to myself that any other hump was out of scope today…
But it was too tempting to include the 1414m top on this hike. Its prominence is 69m, which is somewhere between a hump and a real mountain.
And so, I just had to go up there…
As a bonus, I had a good view towards Heddersfjell.
Crossing over to Heddersfjell wasn’t difficult.
And then yet another pf100 was “in the bag”.
I enjoyed the view towards Gaustatoppen and Toreskyrkja – which I would be visiting next.
Then I sat course towards Toreskyrkja. I didn’t expect to find any paths along the way, other than crossing the Toreskyrkja trail that runs from my starting point.
On my way down from Heddersfjell, I met the two persons (two girls) and the two dogs, on their way to Heddersfjell. We had a short chat. They were out to find the Hulderhola cave, which I had heard about – but completely forgotten about. Dang!
I looked up the cave later on. It didn’t seem to be deep but the opening is wide and one could get some cool pictures there.
We parted and I continued my hike towards Toreskyrkja. I was already determined to also visit the 1368m top 500m southeast of the high point.
The terrain easy enough and soon, the 1392m high point came into view.
Colors are always welcome in this type of terrain.
And then, my 2nd new pf100 top (for the day) was “in the bag”
Looking back on Heddersfjell, it stood out as a huge pile of rocks…
I could see that the fog on Gaustatoppen had lifted a little…
Then I went for the 1368m top.
When I crossed the Stavsro – Kvitåvatnet path in the saddle, I could see the “Toreskyrkja” signpost pointing towards the 1368m top.
I assumed that was the signpost was correct. I could imagine this pointy hill was distinct enough for someone to call it a “church”, if the name is derived from its appearance. But on the map, Toreskyrkja is found on the 1392m high point.
On the 1368m top, I had a long and nice conversation with two tourists/ bicyclists/ hikers (and formerly climbers) from England. They had come up through Setesdal and couldn’t praise the region enough.
Eventually, Anne – out biking – called me, asking if I was back down. She sounded a little disappointed when I said I was still on Toreskyrkja but would be leaving now.
I had a good pace down the mountain. I hadn’t seen any other hikers (except for the ones mentioned) during the day, but several hikers were coming up from Kvitåvatn.
I enjoyed having visited Toreskyrkja – or point 1368m. And it looked cool from below.
I jogged down the valley and lost my camera’s lens cap along the way. Aargh!
When I saw the road across Kvitåvatn, I texted Anne.
Anne met me by the Toreskyrkja trailhead at Kvitåvatn. She had been biking 25km so far.
I had 2km left to walk before reaching the hotel.
I really liked this area and was already looking forward to our hikes the next day.
Finally, we returned to the hotel and I knew exactly what I was going to do next…
Trip statistics: 12,5km, 740 vertical meters, 4h:07m
Lens cap searching and Disc golf
Wednesday: After returning to Gaustablikk, I took the bike, went back to the Toreskyrkja trailhead, left the bike and started hiking upwards while looking for my lens cap. I didn’t expect to find it, but at least I had to give it a try.
After 800m and 130 vertical meters, I decided that this effort was futile. I would just have to get through the summer without the lens cap. Unless I would be so lucky to find a store where they sell these things. Not so likely.
I returned to the bike and figured I might as well return to Gaustablikk via the road on the south side of the lake.
Back at Gaustablikk, I asked Anne if she was up for a round of Disc golf. She was.
Typically for us, we fumbled in understanding the course. To our defense, the maps seemed outdated and there were two starting points, almost side by side.
We decided to “fast forward” and just do the 4 last ones on the nine “hole” course.
Enough activity for one day! I looked forward to some rest but also to get started again the very next day.
Trip statistics: 4km on foot, 6,5km on bike, 370 vertical meters, 2h:10m
