The route in brief
Start: Pose & Sekk Dagligvare/Gaustablikk Fjellresort
Length: 4,6 km return
Time: 1–2 h
Vertical rise: 165 m (approx. 947-1,088 metres above sea level)
Difficulty: Easy/medium
Child-friendly: Yes
MAP
About Skipsfjell
Skipsfjell is a small mountain with big views of Gaustablikk. In the winter you can strap on your skis and take the Skipsheisen or Gaustablikkekspressen lift to the top. In the summer and autumn months, however, hiking is the name of the game.
Getting round
Start the hike at Pose & Sekk Dagligvare, right next to Gaustablikk Fjellresort. Follow the path on the mountainside of Gaustablikk Fjellhytter. Keep left and continue past the Tinnheisen and Vatnedalsheisen lifts. Turn left where the path divides and start climbing up the mountain for around 100-150 metres. From here simply follow the path all around the mountain until you’re back at Gaustablikk.
Make sure you stop to enjoy the views at the top of Skipsfjell. Arguably this is where you can get Gausta’s best views of Gaustatoppen and Rjukan.
(And remember to tag your pictures with #gausta!)
Useful information
The best time to hike around Skipsfjell is from early summer to late autumn, i.e. from the end of May until the end of October (depending on the weather conditions).
The hike is relatively easy and goes through easy terrain. This means that it’s suitable for families with children and more experienced hikers alike.
Hikes on Gausta
Skipsfjell is the name of the mountain located in the middle of Gausta. It has one of the best viewpoints in the area. From the top at 1088 metres above sea level, you can enjoy magnificent views of the entire Gausta area, including Gaustatoppen, Kvitåvatn and Rjukan. Hiking up here (or around the whole mountain) is suitable for all ages and takes a few hours.
Ørnenipa is a popular mountain in Vatnedalen, located in the northeastern part of Gausta. The peak is located at 1315 metres above sea level and offers good hiking and beautiful views of Gaustatoppen the Gausta area. The popular trail from Vatnedalen takes about 4 hours (round trip).
This moderate hike to Toreskyrkja starts at Lake Heddersvatn next to Stavsro. The hike is 3,6 km and approximately 1–1,5 hours long (one way).
This challenging hike takes you from Vatnedalen to Toreskyrkja at 1,371 metres above sea level. At the summit you can enjoy spectacular views of Gaustatoppen, Tuddal, and the mountains in Telemark.
Download the Gausta app
Would you like to download the map to your phone? Download the Gausta app from App Store or Google Play! The app also has plenty of other useful information for your visit to Gausta.
Remember
Dress appropriately and follow the Norwegian mountain safety code, which is a set of rules and advice that you should always have with you when you go out in the mountains. For example, make sure that you always plan your hike carefully and be prepared for bad weather and the cold, even on short hikes.