Description

The perfect warm up itinerary for a week of ski touring in the Sunnmøre Alps, the summit of Maudekollen in Møre og Romsdal county is easily accessed and descended with plenty of options to make things more 'spicy' if so desired! The start point of the tour will be snow line dependent.

Later in the season you are likely to be able to drive from the fjord-side village of Urke to the top of the road and start the tour at the parking area.

We were on a boat based trip and were lucky to be given a lift in a tractor/trailer from the shore to the top of the road by a friendly and helpful local farmer! Once you reach the parking, proceed gently up the valley in an easterly direction.

The going is easy with the only challenge likely to be the Norwegian trees which can make skinning tricky at times. Head in the direction of the spectacular pointy peak of Slogen, arguably the finest summit in the Sunnmøre Alps, passing the actual summit of Maudekollen itself on your right.

At around 750m you'll begin to climb up and back on yourself in a S/SW direction.

Once you reach the summit ridge, proceed in a westerly direction to access the summit of Maudekollen (1021m) itself.

The final stretch rewards you with spectacular views back down to the fjord and the village of Urke and beyond to some of Sunnmøre's most iconic alpine-esque peaks including Skårasalen (1542m) and of course Slogen to your rear. When you've taken all the photos you need, you can either proceed back down in the direction to warm up the legs or pick a steeper line N off the summit.

Laps are optional, but smiles are guaranteed.